2d1n Short Inca Trail

The Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu starts at km 104 of the railroad that comes from Cusco to Machu Picchu. From there we start the amazing hike for about 6 hours and you will visit two archaeological sites Wiñay Wayna and Chachabamba. Enjoy this amazing adventure visitng Machu Picchu on the second day.

Features: Best seller – Dialy departures – 10 people max.

Inclusions:

From $492

5/5

Itinerary

Day 1: Cusco – Aguas Calientes

Short Inca trail and two archaeological sites:

We pick you from your hotel around 5.30 am to drive towards Ollantaytambo train station. From there we board the train to kilometer 104 of the railroad to Machu Picchu. Once there we start this amazing moderate hike can can be taken even with children. You will hike with personal daypacks to carry your water bottle, sunblock, items of personal care and a box-lunch. We will explore Wiñay Wayna and Chachabamba archaeological sites which are part of the famous Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. At the end of an lovely outdoors day we arrive to the sungate Intipunku to have an amazing view of the ancient famous Inca citadel. Later we will arrive to Machu Picchu but the guided tour is on the next day. We take a bus down to Aguas Calientes village to spend the night in a 3-star hotel.

Day 2: Aguas Calientes - Machu Picchu - Cusco

Tour to Machu Picchu and return to Cusco city:

At 06.00 am we pick you up from your hotel and we go to the bus station to make a line to take the bus. For about 40 minutes, we will ride the bus up the mountain to Machu Picchu. The guided tour, which lasts for approximately two and a half hours, begins when we arrive. You'll have the opportunity to visit Inca temples. In addition to sacred fountains, they constructed a number of temples dedicated to the sun, moon, stars, lightning, rainbow, puma, condor, and other natural phenomena. You will return to Aguas Calientes for lunch following the tour. After lunch you must go to your hotel and pick up your luggage, then go to the train station 30 minutes before the train departure. According to availability we will use the 03.20 pm or the 04.43 pm train. You must leave the train at Poroy station since the train will continue to Cusco. This time we don’t go until Cusco because it is too tiring; from there we pick you up and drive to Cusco city. The train ride last 3 hours and a half and the drive to Cusco is about 30 minutes.

Included:

Included in day 1:

Pick up from the hotel in Cusco or at the Sacred Valley, and way back.Professional English-speaking tour guide.Transfer to the train station in a tourist transport, van or minibus.Expedition train to km 104 of the railroad. Upgrade to the Panoramic train, or the Luxury train available.Entrance ticket to the Short Inca Trail.Box lunch to eat along the trail at a selected spot.Bus downwards from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes village.01 night at a 3-star hotel in Aguas Calientes. Request an upgrade to a 4-star or 5-star hotel.

Included on day 2:

Pick up from the hotel.Roundtrip bus tickets to Machu Picchu.Entrance ticket to Machu Picchu.Guided tour in Machu Picchu with a certified professional english-speaking tour guide.Train ticket to Ollantaytambo.Transfer from Ollantaytambo to your hotel in Cusco City.Train upgrade: Vistadome Panoramic​

Price:

Price in shared service: $492

Extra hikes

Request a reservation to lunch next to Machu Picchu at Belmond Sanctuary Lodge hotel, in the Tinkuy restaurant. This way you don’t have to take the bus back to Aguas Calientes for a meal.Additionally you have hike options to Wayna Picchu or Machu Picchu mountain, buying an additional ticket.
From January to April the train departure is from Wanchaq station and a bus is taken to Ollantaytambo and from there begins the train journey.There are two train options that depart and arrive at the same time. The Expedition train, called the tourist train, is comfortable and has affordable prices. The Vistadome is a panoramic train with upgraded services and wide windows to enjoy the scenery better. Also includes snacks and hot drinks along the way. The prices are not more expensive though. On the way back the Vistadome includes a fashion show and a folk dance show.

Packing list

SunblockHat or capSunglassesWindbreaker

Booking terms

A full payment is required to confirm the reservation.Cancellations made less than 24 hours before the tour are nonrefundable.Cancellations made more than 24 hours before the tour are 100% refundable less the 3% for administrative fees.You need to provide the hotel or place to be picked up for the tour, and it must be within the Historical Center of Cusco. If the access of your hotel is remote please ask if we can pick up from there.

Highlights

  • Explore the last part of the epic Inca trail visiting two extra archaeological sites besides the wonderful Machu Picchu. Enjoy amazing landscapes with huge mountains of the Andean range, and discover Inca constructions along the way. You hike the 1st day around 5 hours and visit Machu Picchu on the second day.
  • Places to visit: Wiñay Wayna, Chachabamba, Inti Punku, and Machu Picchu.
  • Departures: Everyday
  • From: Your hotel in Cusco or at the Sacred Valley, and back.
  • Transport: Tourist van or minibus, and train.
  • Overnights: 01 night in Aguas Calientes in a 3-star hotel.

Upgrade to the Panoramic Train

For the way back only. The panoramic trains are perfect to watch the Sacred Valley while traveling to Machu Picchu. There are two services available, the Vistadome from Perurail, and the 360° from Incarail. Both services share similar timetables.

  • Price in shared service: $520
  • Price in private: $714
  • Children discount: $40 / Single supp $30

Upgrade to the Luxury Train and hotel:

For the way back only. Those looking for an exclusive and luxurious experience in Peru need look no further. The Hiram Bingham has the best service onboard enjoying a scenic train ride.  It has a lounge car, dinner car, observatory car to have fund and enjoy. Upgrade your hotel to El Mapi by Inkaterra hotel in a superior room.

  • Price in private: $1460
  • Children discount: $40 / Single supp $30

Wiñay Wayna:

It resembles Machu Picchu due to its geography with tropical mountains and stone buildings. The name of the place means “Forever Young.” Because they are so common in this region, orchids are the reason for the name. More than 40 agricultural terraces built on the mountainside make up Wiñayhuayna . The Inca elite had the upper structures built, while the lower structures were built for the general populace. These feature exquisite carvings and a number of windows that provide views of the lovely surroundings.

Chachabamba:

It was constructed on top of a hill, giving residents a bird’s-eye view of the entire valley. Although the majority of the site is on a flat surface, there are intriguing buildings that conform to the mountain’s curved contours. Given the architecture, distribution, and structures, it was probably a place of worship where the Incas held rituals honoring Mother Nature, particularly the mountains. A beautiful altar carved out of natural rock is located in a square in the middle of the building. 

Customer reviews

Juan

01/03/2023

Amazing, we love it so much, highly recommended guys.. our guide has good english and he is very knowledable

Jason

01/03/2023

It was fun, we learned a lot, especially in Sacsayhuaman, omg, I'm still having trouble to pronounce that word, I think it's sexywoman, haha..

Mia

02/03/2023

Our guide was amazing, very knowledgeable, and funny. Cusco's blue sky is just lovely, we also did the sacred valley tour and it's very similar however you ...

Laura

18/04/2023

Great experience. I loved the huge stones in Sacsayhuaman, and the mixed religions and tales the guide shared.