INCA TRAIL 2 DAYS / 1 NIGHT

It’s the most famous hike in Peru, the Inca Trail that goes from Cusco to the mysterious gates of sacred Machu Picchu.

Few experiences can show you the wonder to reach at the end of the day that amazing place and then descending into the magical city to explore its temples and terraces.

This short Inca Tráil is one of the little-known trails that led to Machu Picchu until July 1995 , then this route have been restored by Fernando Astete (2001). This one is a clearly Inca-made route that was buried by a landslide at some point in its history.

The Inca Trail begins at km 104 of the Cusco-Machu Picchu railway, near the small archaeological site of Chachabamba, that is located before the place known as Wiñaywayna, where it joins the traditional Inca Trail that runs between Qoriwayrachina and Machu Picchu.

Day 1: OLLANTAYTAMBO – KM 104 CHACHABAMBA – WIÑAY – WAYNA – MACHUPICCHU – AGUAS CALIENTES.
The shortest version of the Inca Trail begins with an early journey by train from Cusco to the Sacred Valley to the starting point at Km 104 (named as such because it is 104 km by train from Ollantaytambo  train station). This involves a total hike of 16 km.
We will pick you up from your hotel early in the morning by a private transfer for approximately an hour and thirty minutes to the train station in Ollantaytambo. Then, we will board a tourist expedition train for approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes again to kilometer 104 of the hike. The journey is very interesting, and you will be able to see incredible snow-capped peaks of the Urubamba mountain range. Once at KM 104, you will cross a bridge over the Vilcanota River and head toward your first stop, Chachabamba, an Inca place discovered in 1940 that was likely used as an important religious site and checkpoint to protect the eastern side of Machu Picchu. After a short tour of Chachabamba, you will continue along a cloud-covered trail to Wiñay Wayna, the point where the Short Inca Trail joins the Classic Inca Trail. Wiñay Wayna is a 3-hour hike from Chachabamba and climbs 300 vertical meters, so you can start to feel the altitude at this point. Wiñay Wayna is an impressive Inca complex located at 2,700 meters above sea level that was likely used as the last ritual point on the Inca Trail pilgrimage. After lunch in Wiñaywayna, we’ll continue through a cloud forest of bromeliad orchids and ferns, where you’ll hike the last stretch of the original trail , among the main feature you will see things like stone steps and tambos (resting places). You’ll climb 60 steps before reaching the Sungate. Get ready for an incredible view of Machu Picchu from the summit. For many hikers, this is the best part of the classic hike

Day 2: AGUAS CALIENTES-MACHUPICHU-WAYNA-PICCHU-OLLANTAYTAMBO-CUSCO
It’s time to wake up early and have breakfast at your hotel. The best time to visit Machu Picchu is at sunrise. Alternatively, you can take a bus. The first bus leaves at 5:30 a.m. and arrives 30 minutes later. Machu Picchu is open from 6:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
The tour with your guide in Machu Picchu is approximately two hours. You’ll learn the secrets hidden in this incredible place. Afterthat you’ll have time to explore this Wonder of the World further. You can return to the places you liked most, or go to the Inca Bridge or the Sun Gate. If you have reserved tickets, you can also climb Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu. After your visit, we will arrange the return train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo and take the bus to Cusco, where we will drop you off at your hotel.