Inca Trail Short Version (EA21)

Cusco – Inca Trail – Machu Picchu – Aguas Calientes

Duration

2 Days / 1 Night

Tour Details

Experience a shorter version of the legendary Inca Trail, hiking through cloud forests, archaeological sites and spectacular Andean scenery before entering Machu Picchu through the Sun Gate and exploring the citadel on the following day.

Included / Not Included

Cost Includes

Train to Km 104
Transfers
Round-trip Expedition train tickets
Bus to Machu Picchu and return to Aguas Calientes
Inca Trail entrance permit
Machu Picchu entrance fee
3-star hotel accommodation in Aguas Calientes
Bilingual guide
Breakfast (1)
Box lunch (1)
Dinner (1)

Cost Does Not Include

Sleeping bag
Hot springs entrance fee in Aguas Calientes
Huayna Picchu entrance fee
Walking stick
Snacks

Trip Information

Season

Available throughout the year except February

Destination

Cusco - Inca Trail - Machu Picchu

Experience

Short Inca Trail Trek and Machu Picchu

Difficulty

Moderate Hiking Adventure

Itinerary

Expand All

Wiñayhuayna

This short trek begins at Km 104. We leave Cusco early for Ollantaytambo, then continue to the Machu Picchu Historical Sanctuary. After crossing the Urubamba River, we hike to Chachabamba, an Inca site at the mouth of the Chachabamba River. A two-hour uphill walk then brings us to Wiñayhuayna, one of Peru’s most beautiful small Inca sites, set among well-preserved cloud forest with waterfalls, orchids, bromeliads, and active birdlife.

Inca Trail to Machu Picchu

After lunch, we continue 2 to 3 hours along the Inca Trail toward Machu Picchu, enjoying spectacular views of the Urubamba Canyon. More birdlife may be seen along the way, including quetzals, tanagers, hummingbirds, and flowerpiercers. The final steep section leads to Inti Punku, the Sun Gate, with breathtaking views of Machu Picchu. We then descend to the citadel and continue to Aguas Calientes for the night. (BL, D)

Trail Information

Maximum altitude: 2,680 m / 8,792 ft. Minimum altitude: 2,100 m / 6,888 ft. Distance: about 7 km Walking time: about 6–7 hours

Machu Picchu

After an early breakfast, we take the bus to Machu Picchu for a 3-hour guided tour. There is then more time for photographs and to continue enjoying the citadel and its surrounding views.

Return to Cusco

Later, we return by bus to Aguas Calientes, where lunch is on your own, then continue by train to Ollantaytambo and by car to Cusco. (B)