The Inca Trail "Short" Version 2d/1n

The Inca Trail “Short” Version is a great alternative for those who have a limited time to visit or don't have the energy for the full 4-day Inca Trail.  The first day consists of climbing up from the Urubamba River Valley along a beautiful stone-trail - passing by Incan Ruins, waterfalls, and highland jungle.  We will get our first look at Machu Picchu when we arrive at the famous Intipunku (“Sun Gate”) and descend into the ruins along the same path used by the ancient Incas.  We will spend the night in Aguas Calientes in a hotel. The 2nd day, we will enjoy a guided tour of the ruins and then have free time to explore the ruins on our own and climb the amazing Huayna Picchu.

Tour Itinerary

Day 1
Cusco - Inca Trail - Aguas Calientes

Bright and early at 5:30 AM we will pick you up at your hotel to take you to the Poroy Train Station located ½ an hour from Cusco’s main square.  This train will take us to the 104 km mark on the railway (approximately 3 hour by train) and drop us off near a control station where we will being the “Short” Inca Trail. Before beginning the moderately difficult hike, we will visit the archaeological complex of Chachabamba, which is located near the train drop-off.  These ruins were discovered in 1940, and probably served as a guard-house to this alternative entrance to Machu Picchu located along the Old Inca road near the banks of the Urubamba River. After a quick tour of these ruins, we will start on the trail to Machu Picchu.  This trek is a moderately difficult climb with an elevation gain of approximately 600 meters (approximately 2000 feet).  Along the way, we will get great views of the Urubamba Valley and the archaeological site of Choquesuysuy, pass by a beautiful waterfall, hike along an Incan-made stone trail with steep drop-offs, and shift from highland jungle to open grasslands and then back again.  After about 4 hours of hiking, we will arrive at the famous Incan ruins of Wiñay Wayna made up of a religious sector, an urban sector, and many agricultural terraces (2700 meters above sea level or about 8,900 feet).  From here, we will ascend another 15 minutes to the Trekker restaurant/hostel where we can stop for drinks and use the bathroom.

After a short break, we will continue on the last section of the Inca Trail towards the famous Intipunku (“Sun Gate” in Quechua).  Winding along the mountainside and dipping into magnificent cloud forests, this final part of the trail takes about two hours and culminates in a set of almost vertical steps leading to the Sun Gate.  Suddenly, the unforgettable sight of Machu Picchu is laid out before your eyes. We will take the trail leading down to the ruins all the while taking in the beautiful sights and scenery.  We will arrive at the ruins by approximately 4:00 PM and will have a short time to take pictures – however, we will have to wait to the following day for a more extensive visit.

We will take the bus down to Aguas Calientes where we will be spending the night in a hotel and getting a good night of sleep.

Day 2
Machu Picchu! - Cusco

This is the day you've been waiting for. We will wake up before first light to be among the first to arrive at the famous ruins. Machu Picchu, the "Lost City of the Incas," is located at approximately 2500 meters (or 8,000 feet, which is significantly lower than the city of Cusco). At 5:45 AM, we will take the bus up to the ruins and arrive around 6:20 AM. Machu Picchu is situated between two peaks, Mt. Machu Picchu ("Old Peak" in Quechua) and Wayna Picchu ("Young Peak" in Quechua). We will enjoy a 2-hour guided tour of the ruins in which we will learn about Incan architecture and uses of different structures, as well as visit the Main Square, the Temple of the Three Windows, the Sacred Sundial and the ancient burial grounds. After the guided tour, you will have free time to continue to visit the world-famous ruins. Some possible activities besides visiting the main ruins include:

Around 4 PM we will descend to Aguas Calientes where we will grab a quick dinner before heading to the train station and returning to Cusco where you will arrive after nightfall and be dropped off at your hotel. This concludes an unforgettable journey to one of the 7 Man-Made Wonders of the World!

 

See the Inca Trail 2-day Trek Map!