2 Days Inca Trail to Machu Picchu Adventure

Overview

Itinerary

Day 1: Cusco — Km 104 — Machu Picchu — Aguas Calientes.

We will pick you up from your hotel in Cusco around 4:00 a.m. (depending on your hotel location) and drive to the Ollantaytambo train station. If your hotel is located in the Sacred Valley or Ollantaytambo, the pick-up could be around 5.30 a.m.

From Cusco, it’s a 1-hour 30-minute bus drive to the train station in Ollantaytambo, where we will board the first trains and travel along the Urubamba River until we arrive at km 104 – Chachabamba (located in the cloud forest). We will head straight to the checkpoint at Chachabamba to start your Short Inca Trail Trek to Machu Picchu. Please note that you will need the original passport to pass the checkpoint and have time to prepare for the hike, use the restrooms, and warm up.

Our first stop is the beautiful Inca site of Chachabamba, where your tour guide will introduce you to Inca history and Machu Picchu. After exploring the site, we will hike along an ancient Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu.

The first section of the Short Inca Trail is a gradual uphill hike for 4 hours until we arrive at Wiñaywayna (the place that never gets old); this is one of the most beautiful Inca sites on the Classic Inca Trail. We will take some time to explore this stunning archaeological site while enjoying spectacular views of the Andes. A packed lunch and refreshments will be provided; once fed and energized, we will continue our hike to the Sun Gate (Intipunku) to catch your first glimpse of Machu Picchu Citadel – a truly unforgettable sight. We will arrive at Sun Gate around 3 to 4 p.m. when the crowds from Machu Picchu have left, allowing you to enjoy this place with few people.

Next, it’s another one-hour downhill hike from the Sun Gate to Machu Picchu, with breathtaking views. We will arrive at Machu Picchu in the afternoon and have the unique opportunity to experience the citadel almost empty. This day is the perfect photo opportunity! Then, take the bus to Aguas Calientes, have dinner in a local restaurant, and spend the night in a hotel.

Dinner is served in top-rated restaurants in the town, and your hotel is also located on exclusive sites with a private bathroom, hot showers, WiFi, and beautiful views.

Day 2: Explore Machu Picchu (Lost City of the Incas) — Return to Cusco

On our final day of the Short Inca Trail tour, we will get up very early to prepare for the highlight of the trek, visiting Machu Picchu – the Lost City of the Incas. Breakfast will be served in the hotel, and we will board the first buses to Machu Picchu. Arriving as the sky brightens, we will visit the city’s incredible views. You can watch the spectacular sunrise over Machu Picchu on a clear day.

Your guide will take you on a 2 to 3-hour comprehensive tour of the city before leaving you in Machu Picchu to explore or climb either Huayna Picchu Mountain or Machu Picchu Montaña (tickets must be booked as far in advance as possible and not Included).

Explore the most remarkable places of Machu Picchu with a private tour guide, visit the temples, palaces, and farming terraces, and learn the history of Machu Picchu.

Optional: After the Machu Picchu tour, you can hike down to Aguas Calientes using the Hiram Bingham original trail; on the way, you can visit the Machu Picchu Museum and the butterfly station and enjoy the fantastic views.

Your tour guide will explain how to take the bus from Machu Picchu back to Aguas Calientes for lunch (not included). You will have time to explore the town, choose the restaurant of your preference, and buy souvenirs in the local market; later in the afternoon, you will board the Expedition trains and bus back to Cusco. GUIDING CUSCO Team will meet you off the train and return you safely to your hotel. The arrival time to Cusco is around 7:30 p.m.

Includes

Included:

Safety briefing the day before the tour
Hotel pickup and drop off
Professional Tour Guide
All transportation during the tour
Train to Km 104 (Expedition)
Return on the train expedition
Bus from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes (Day 1)
Round trip bus to Machu Picchu (Day 2)
Entry tickets to the Inca Trail and Machu Picchu
1 night hotel in Aguas Calientes
1 Box Lunch, 1 dinner, 1 breakfast
first-aid kit, oxygen supply
All taxes and booking fees

Not Included:

Breakfast on day 1 and lunch on day 2
Entry to Huayna Picchu Mountain
Entry to Machu Picchu Mountain
Travel Insurance
Gratuities (Optional)

What to Bring

What do you need to take for the Short Inca Trail 2 days?

Original passport (a copy will not be accepted): Passports must be valid for 6 months beyond the travel dates to Peru.
Hiking boots for the Short Inca trail, you’ll need to ensure comfortable shoes.
A good quality daypack, lightweight and comfortable, with enough room to carry water, snacks, and a few other essentials
Water storage for at least 2 liters; either a camel bag or water bottle(s); 1-liter water bottle works very well, 2 of them to have the 2 liters. Plastic disposable bottles are prohibited in Machu Picchu; make sure you have reusable containers.
2 T-shirts and one pair of hiking pants/trousers
A change of clothes for walking around Machu Picchu
Toiletries, sunscreen, lip balm, and bug spray
Rain gear and warm layers

Others for the Short Inca Trail

Hat, bandana, and sunglasses
Hand sanitizer, Toilet paper
2 pairs of socks
Toothbrush and paste
Personal medication
Band-aids, moleskin
Camera, extra batteries for Machu Picchu
Additional snacks, power bars, chocolates
Extra money for souvenirs, drinks, and tips during the Short Inca Trail
Swimsuit for hot springs in Aguas Calientes town (optional)

RESERVATION

To make a reservation with Guiding Cusco, you must pay an initial deposit on our website using any credit card, bank transfer, or openpay (pay by link). Unfortunately, all deposits are non-refundable as they are used to secure your reservation (by purchasing permits, entrance tickets, etc.).

REMAINING BALANCE IN CUSCO:

The remaining balance can be paid upon your arrival to Cusco Only in Cash, and we ask that this be paid at least 36 hours before your tour departure. If you can not arrive in Cusco this far before your trek, we ask that you notify our sales team to make arrangements. You can pay in Cash the remaining balance in your hotel in Cusco city with Peruvian Soles, Dollars (we do not accept torn bills), or VISA ( 5.5 % merchant fee paid by the traveler).

Price

“Salkantay trek to machupicchu” can leave any day of the week, from march though january. We stop operating in february, becouse of rainy season, maintenance of the route and campsite.

PRICE 2024

GROUP Price: US$ 498.00 per person
REQUIRED pre payment: US$ 200.00 per person.
BALANCE. (CUSCO): US$ 298.00 (Usually paid in cusco 2 or 3 days before the star of your adventure)

This small group adventure is guaranteed to opérate whit just 2 people.

The payment can be made through the Openpay link that has an additional charge of 5% for online deposit, and half of the payment will be made without any additional charge as it will be in our offices or directly to the staff in charge of Guiding Cusco that will visit your hotel.

HOTEL IN AGUAS CALIENTES TOWN.

This 2 days inca trail to machupicchu ends in aguas calientes town, so you will spend the night in a hotel in the town. (including a shared room in a standard 3-star hotel). If you need a hotel upgrate or prefer a sigle room, you can pay an extra fee. Please enquire for more details.

EXTRA HIKES AROUND MACHUPICCHU.

Complementary services and upgrades you can include in this trip:

HUAYNA PICCHU mountain(highly recommended): US$ 70.00
HUCHUY PICCHU mountain: US$ 50.00
Single supplement(hotel at aguas calinetes town). US$ 35.00
Vistadome train (from aguas calientes town – ollantaytambo). US$ 70.00

PRICE GUARANTEED

Once your booking has been confirmed, we guarantee the Price will not increase, whatever the circumstances. So please, before booking, ensure you have read all our important tour information.

STUDENT DISCOUNT.

Student discount apply to anyone 17 years old or younger. To receive the discount, we requirea copy or clear photo of the Passport at the time of booking. It must be valid and not expire within the travel dates.

US$ 20.00 off