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Itinerary
Best 2 day Inca Trail – Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu – Itinerary
DAY 1: Cusco – Ollantaytambo – Km.104 – Aguas Calientes
We will pick you up from your hotel at early in the morning. Then we will drive you through the Sacred Valley of the Incas to Ollantaytambo – train station.Here, you will be boarding bound train for an hour’s journey to the trailhead.
Short Inca Trail Hike starts at Km 104. It begins with a gradual uphill hike. You will be visiting the renowned archaeological site of Wiñay Wayna before hiking to the Sun gate to get your first view of Machu Picchu. The trail takes you through some distinct flora and fauna.
After lunch, we will continue hiking further for an hour and a half to Intipunku. Only those who are on Inca Trail enter the citadel through Sungate. You will get your first views of the Machu Picchu complex from here.
Today, we are not able to explore the citadel but, we can take some panoramic pictures from the uper part of the city. We will then take a bus down the hill to Aguas Calientes. Here, we will be accommodating you in an ensuite hotel room for the night.
DAY 2: Machu Picchu – Cusco
Early in the morning, after a delicius breakfast we will then take a 30 minutes bus up the hill to Machu Picchu. We will be reaching Machu Picchu early in the morning to witness the sunrise.
Our travel expert will be giving you a guided tour of the complex.
During this two and a half-hour tour, you will be visiting the main square, ceremonial centre, farming terraces and more. After the tour, you will have some free time to explore the citadel on your own.
If you have booked to hike Machu Picchu Mountain or Huayna Picchu, our tour guide will be directing you to the respective trailhead.
After this, you will be taking the bus from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes town. You will have some free time here.
Later in the afternoon, we will be taking the train back to Ollantaytambo. Our representative will be meeting you on arrival and will transfer you back to your hotel in Cusco. We will be back in cusco by 6:30 PM.
Inclusions
What is included?
- Pick up and transfer from the Airport to the hotel
- Professional English – Speaking Tour Guide
- Briefing the night before you go on the 2 day inca trail hike
- Pick-up from your Hotel
- Train expedition class to Km104
- Train from Aguas calientes to Ollantaytambo (expedition class)
- Private van to Cusco and drop off in your hotel
- Boxed Lunch on the first day
- Dinner in one of the most beautiful restaurants (we honour food restrictions)
- A night hotel at a 3 stars Hotel in Aguas Calientes ( Terraza de Luna, santuario or some other similar depending on the availability)
- Oxygen tank for emergencies.
- First aid kit for emergencies.
- Permits to the Inca Trail 2 days and Machu Picchu tour.
- two ways bus tickets from Machu Picchu – Aguas Caliente on day second.
What’s Not Included?
- Breakfast on Day 1 and lunch and dinner on Day 2
- Entrance fee to Huayna Picchu Mountain – request at the booking time
- Entrance fee to Machu Pichu Mountain – request at the booing time
- one way bus ticket on day first
- Travel Insurance – you are strongly recommended to take out travel insurance for the duration of your trip.
- Hiking poles
- Gratitude
Machu Picchu montaña and huayna picchu are optional hike inside of Machu Picchu citadel. You can do by your own after the guided tur but, if you would like to this with a tour guide, please tequest in advance.
Prices
Short Inca Trail – Price 2023
We warmly welcome you, and we really want to make sure that you have the best experience on the Short Inca Trail hike. Our treks can be during any date of the year as long as there are permits available. Permits are only needed for your start date.
Group Service Price: $465 USD Per Person
A group service means that other hikers are able to join you. Your group will have varying hiking and fitness abilities. Our Professional Tour Guides are experts on how to keep the group moving and happy no matter how fast you go.
Private Tour Service is also available and is priced by party size.
Go on the most amazing adventure with your friends or loved ones by route of the alluring Inca Trail for 2 days! It is the best way to experience all of Machu Picchu. Our private tours can be any size, and we all will do our best to make this the most positively unforgettable experience of a lifetime.
- 2 Hikers $550 USD per person
- 3 Hikers $535 USD per person
- 4 Hikers $510 USD per person
- 5 Hikers $485 USD per person
- 6 hikers $460 USD per person
- 7+ Hikers $430 USD per person
Student discount: $20 per student. To apply for a student discount, you should follow the below government requirements
Students from 18 to 25 years old get a discount of $20
Students from 12 to 17 years old, get a discount of $20.
Children under 11 years all get a discount of $20.
The Ministry of Culture has changed its regulations regarding student discounts for entrances to Machu Picchu and Inca Trail permits. For anyone wishing to obtain a student discount, the following requirements must be met: (1.- Must be under 25 years of age 2.- Must have a valid institutional student card with A.- Photograph B.- Student´s full name C.- Expiry date in 2019 that includes the date of reservation and the date of visit to Machu Picchu). Please note ISIC cards or any alternative documents proving student status will not be accepted. Unfortunately, if you fail to meet any of the above criteria we will not be able to offer the student discount.
Some considerations
For example, if you book your trek at the age of 17 but, you turn 18 before you start your trek, you do not qualify for a student discount.
Please send all documents to info@inkatrailexplorer.com
Upgrades
Upgrades & Rentals
- A set of hiking poles USD10
- Vistadome train (Two-Ways): $65 USD per person
- Casa Andina Hotel: $45 USD per person if sharing a room ($110 USD for a single)
- El Mapi Hotel: $45+ USD per person if sharing a room ($110+ USD for a single)
Huayna Picchu Mountain ($75)
Huayna Picchu is a stunning mountain that sits directly behind Machu Picchu, this is the infamous sugar-loaf mountain which sits at an elevation of 2,720m and 300m above the Machu Picchu Inca Citadel.
There are some archaeological remains such as the Moon Temple and other precincts that are interconnected with authentic trails, steps, tunnels and natural formatted caves which made the view more interesting, without any doubt, Huayna Picchu mountain can be the highlight of your trip to Machu Picchu.
The last stretch to get to the summit is very steep, narrow, and in some parts, you are required to use your hands for balance. There are some stone ladders to climb up the cliff face along the way. if you have problems with the heights this may not be the hike for you. The summit itself is not flat but is instead rocky, therefore when the crowd picks up it can be a bit difficult to move around.
- Difficulty – Due to the complexity and gradient of the trail, the hike is rather challenging.
- Duration – The round trip can take between 1.5 to 2 hours on average.
- Elevation – The mountain’s summit sits at 2,693masl, while the climb itself is 353m.
Huayna Picchu mountain can be climbed in different sessions:
- From 7 am to 8 am
- From 8 am to 9 am
- From 9 am to 10 am
- From 10 am to 11am
Machu Picchu Montaña ($75)
To climb up to Machu Picchu mountain is nearly twice as high as Huayna Picchu but has a more gradual ascent profile up to its summit at 1,850 feet (~620m) above the city ruins (3,051m above sea level).
Inca ruins, Huayna Picchu and Putucusi Mountains all they look so small behind the giant row of mountains that it makes you wonder if it is true what you are seeing. You will be astonished!
The awe-inspiring view is still composed of a bright blue sky, clouds and the Urubamba River snaking around colossal mountains covered with lush vegetation. What a gift from mother nature!
- Difficulty – Due to the complexity and gradient of the trail, the hike is rather challenging.
- Duration – The round trip can take between 2.5 to 3 hours on average.
- Elevation – The mountain’s summit sits at 3,000masl, while the climb itself is 600m.
Machu Picchu mountain can be climbed in 2 different sessions:
- The first session: from 7 am to 8 am
- The second session: from 9 am to 10 am
Choose one of your favourite free tours
If you are travelling in Peru with your family or friends and you are 4 or more people in your group, then you automatically get one of our tours for free. You may pick whichever one you like from the list below. Please note that we do not include the entrance fees for these, but we do include the transportation and a professional tour guide.
- Sacred Valley Tour
- Cusco City Tour
- Walking tour in the city of cusco
Important Info
Important Information – Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu 2 Days – Best Inca Trail tour
We know planning an adventure vacation is no small decision, so we’re here to make the process as easy as possible for you. We’ve been doing this for quite a while, so we’ve got the answers to everything you need to know!
Upon your arrival in Cusco City
You will be welcomed by one of our transfers at Cusco airport and then you will be transferred to your hotel. Find out your transfer in Cusco airport holding our Inka trail Explorer. Please you should provide us your flight schedule before you leave home.
The briefing for short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu 2 Days – Best Inca Trail tour
Your guide will meet you in your hotel 1 or 2 days prior you start the trek. your guide will explain everything concerning the trek in detail. This includes the 2-days Inca trail schedule and a few tips on how to make the Short Inca trail easier. You also will receive a small duffel bag which is meant to contain all of your personal belongings and it will be sent by train to the hotel where you will stay after the trek.
Can I leave my Suitcase in your storage?
Usually, most of the hotels in Cusco city offer free storage but, definitely, you can leave your suitcase in our store while you go on trek or tour, we offer free storage.
How big should be my daypack for Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu 2 Days – Best Inca Trail tour be?
You only need to bring a small daypack (25 to 30 Lts max). Big enough to pack your rain gear, snack, water, camera, fleece jacket and some small items that you might need for the day hike.
How do I pay my final balance for Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu 2 Days – Best Inca Trail tour?
Your final balance should be paid in cash and it can be done in American dollars or in the local currency (Peruvian soles). We kindly request pay your final balance at least 24 hours prior to you starting the trek. You also can pay your balance via PayPal 10 days prior to you starting the trek. To pay your final balance via PayPal, you need to log into your PayPal account using our e-mail address – innovaperutrek@gmail.com – inkatrailexplorer@hotmail.com
Can I cancel my trip or change my departure date?
As soon as you make your confirmation by paying your deposit we proceed to purchase the Inca trail permits, Machu Picchu tickets and train tickets. According to the government regulations, the Inca trail and Machu Picchu permits or tickets cannot be cancelled, changed in date or transferred to other travellers and unfortunately, there is no refund.
Do I need my Original passport when I travel to Peru?
Very important to bring the original passport with you. If you are a foreigner, you need a passport to enter Machu Picchu. Not just any passport. It has to be the passport you used to book your trip to Peru or buy your entry tickets to different attractions in Cusco – Peru.
If you renew your passport after you booked your trip to Peru, you must travel with both the old and the new passport. You also can send us via e-mail a copy of your new and old passports and we will be able to upgrade your new passport information.
How fit do I need to be to hike the Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu 2 Days – Best Inca Trail tour
As long as you enjoy hiking, you’ll love this trail – you’ll hike about 6.3 miles, but there’s no rush, you can take it at your own pace. In fact, the slower the better we say, as that way you get plenty of time not only to enjoy your surroundings but let your body acclimatize to the altitude as well.
We recommend doing some exercises before you leave home, as the fitter you are, the more you’ll enjoy your inca trail hike. We suggest you try to go for short walks or run 2-3 times a week. If you have access to some walking trails that go over hills then go and explore, Hit the gym if you can’t do outdoor activities.
That said our trips are designed for regular active people, so you don’t need to be a triathlete or anything – though if you are you won’t be bored!
What if I need a special diet on Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu 2 Days – Best Inca Trail tour ?
We cater to all the food restrictions you might have; we work with responsible restaurants . You also can specify your particular requirements when you fill up our booking form.
- Vegan (no meat or animal products)
- Vegetarian (no meat products)
- Fishatarian (vegetarian, and eat fish)
- No red meat (eat chicken & fish)
- Gluten intolerant (no wheat, rye, barley or oats)
- Lactose intolerant (no dairy products)
Do you recommend buying travel insurance?
You should have full travel insurance cover – please be aware that some insurance companies require insurance to be purchased within 7 days of deposit payment. It is imperative for you to have medical cover and emergency repatriation and we strongly recommend a comprehensive travel insurance policy that also includes trip cancellation and other travel mishaps (e.g. flight cancellations or delays, trip interruption, theft or loss of luggage and personal effects).
Packing List
Best Inca Trail tour: Packing List
Essentials
Daypacks can be any size for hiking the Short Inca Trail 2 days, but we always recommend bringing a small one. Inside Machu Picchu, bags larger than 25-L will not be allowed inside. If it is larger, you will need to store it outside the citadel gate.
- Valid Passport
- GREEN ISIC card (if you are booking as a student)
- Immigration Card (given on the plane as you fly to Peru)
- Water reservoir like Camelbaks is encouraged (You will need at least 2-3 litres.)
- Comfortable hiking boots with ankle support
- Water
- Bug spray
- Sunspray
- Sunhat
- Rain gear
- Fleece jacket
- Camera
- Hand-sanitizer
- First-aid kit: band-aids, moleskin, etc.
- Toilet paper and a small plastic bag for waste
- Extra Money for Souvenirs, Drinks & Tips
- Face-moisturizer
- Wet wipes
- Toothbrush and toothpaste
