This is the short version of the famous and stunning Inca Trail, for those who have less time available but do not want to loose this unique trek. We start at km. 104 and we walk till the ruins of Wiñahuayna. After a visit to the ruins, we go to Inti punku from where we will have a fabulous view over the Lost City of the Incas. From here we take the bus down to the village of Aguas Calientes where we will stay for the night. Next day we depart very early, with the first bus, to visit Machu Picchu, at 2450 meters above sea level. Around 3:30 we take the train back to Cusco.

DAY 1: CUSCO (3350) – CHACHABAMBA (2250) – WIÑAYWAYNA (2700) - MACHU PICCHU (2450) - AGUAS CALIENTES (2000).

We will pick you up at your hotel in Cusco between 6:00am to 6:15 (ATV) or 06:45 am to 07:00 am (BP), and take you to the Poroy train station just outside Cusco. By train we follow the Urubamba River to Km.104 of the railroad witch take approximately 4 hours. We cross the Inca Trail check point, and from here our trek starts where we alight and cross a footbridge to begin our hike at the Inca site of Chachabamba. After a brief visit to this lovely ruin with its water channels and fountains, we start the four-hour ascent that will take us past spectacular overlooks above the great valley, then below a lovely waterfall near the delightful site of Wiñay Wayna (Forever Young). We ascend through this largest and most exquisite of the Inca Trail sites, passing its chain of ritual baths and elegantly curved terracing, and then joining the main Inca trail. We follow it across a steep mountainside and up narrow stairways through a humid cloud-forest of giant ferns and broad-leaf vegetation. Suddenly we cross the stone threshold of Intipunku (Sun Gate) and encounter an unforgettable sweep of natural beauty and human artistry –a backdrop of twisting gorge and forested peaks framing the magical city of Machu Picchu.
We walk the last half-hour or so down the royal flagstone walkway, past outlying shrines and buildings and through the heart of Machu Picchu, taking a bus to the small town of Aguas Calientes where we overnight in a local hotel.

• Total Distance 13 Km.
• Trekking time 6-7 hours
• Maximum altitude 2,700 meters
• Served food this day: Box lunch and Dinner.

DAY 2: AGUAS CALIENTES (2000) - MACHU PICCHU (2450) - AGUAS CALIENTES–CUSCO (3350)

After an early breakfast we will try to catch the first bus at 05:30 am from Aguas Calientes to the city of Machu Picchu and will then arrive at 6:00am. The tour takes around 20 to 30 minutes. At this early morning we will enjoy the Machu Picchu ruins while the sun slowly warm up the site and the fug disappear. We will enjoy a guided 2 ½ hour visit of the great Machu Picchu sanctuary-city, and after it is possible to visit the complex at your own.  There is an optional hike for the more energetic and adventurous people in the group, to the top of the Huaynapicchu Mountain - the pyramid-shaped peak that overlooks Machu Picchu. After our visit, we will take the bus back down to Aguas Calientes around 1:00 pm.

• Served food this day: Breakfast.

Note:
* People who want to visit Huayna Picchu must give their guide a notice as soon as possible in the morning. According to the rules of the Inca site, there is a limit of 450 people going each day divided in to groups - at 06:30 am and 09:00 am.

The transportation from Aquas Calientes to Cusco can be difficult to order, and we can not promise when you exactly will be back at your hotel in Cusco. We order the train after this schedule:
You will get on a train that depart from Aquas Calientes to the train station in Ollantaytambo at 2pm or 6pm and it takes 1 hour and 40 minutes. In Ollantaytambo you will have transportation by bus to your hotel in Cusco that takes aproxlymatly1 hour and 45 minutes.
You will be back at your hotel around 5.30pm to 6pm or 9:30pm to 10pm.

IMPORTANT:

• Your passport number
• If you have any special diet ( ex. Vegetarian)
• The hotel and address you stay at
• If you have any special dieses that we should be aware of (you are responsible to bring your own medicine). We will provide basic first ad kid and oxygen.

For the tour we provide a duffle bag (normal sports bag), where you can put in your personal belongings and sleeping back that you don’t want to carry at the trek, but still have with you on the tour. You are allowed to fill the bag with 7 kg, which the mules on the trek will carry. To get this duffle bag you go to Peru Travel Expedition in Plateros street no. 314. The office is located very close to Plaza de Armas in Cusco.

Includes:

• Map of the 2 days Inca Trail.
• Transportation to and from: Hotel- Poroy Train station / Poroy Train station- Hotel.
• Train Service from Cusco - Km. 104 (Chachabamba).
• Train service from Aguas Calientes - Poroy Train Station.
• Guide: Professional English and Spanish speaking guide.
• Entrance fee Inca trail & Machupicchu.
• Meals: 1 Box Lunch/ 1 dinner / 1 Breakfast
• Bus ticket: Machu Picchu - Aguas Calientes (1st day)
• Bus ticket: Aguas Calientes - Machu Picchu - Aguas Calientes (2nd day).

NOT INCLUDED:

• Breakfast (day 1), usually the hotels offer this service.
• Lunch (day 2).
• Personal expenses and tips.
• Personal Porter: Carry backpacks,(Max. 8 kilos/ 17.4 lbs per person)

RECOMMENDED PACKING LIST

Below you will find a list of equipment we recommend you to bring.

• Original passport
• A Backpack
• Hiking Shoes
• Raincoat or Poncho
• Warm Clothes
• Water Bottle
• Flashlight
• Photo or Video Camera, plus extra batteries
• Insect Repellent
• Snacks (energy bars, chocolates, etc.)
• A cap or hat.
• Sun block
• Toilet bag and personal medication
• Toiletries (soap, toothbrush, deodorant, etc.)
• Towel
• Toilet paper
• Cash money (Dollars and Soles)
• Binoculars (optional).

Important

Because there is a limit of the daily people entering the Inca Trail it is important to book well in advance. It has been forbidden to walk on the trail privately for several of years. Only local operators with a permit are allowed to provide this tour. Due to the increase in popularity of the trail we can not guarantee availability for access to the Inca Trail and train tickets back to Cusco if booked on short notice. The local operators have to provide a passenger list well in advance to the local authorities and once submitted these cannot be altered.
In February the 2-day and the 4-day trail are closed to maintenance of the trail.

NOTICE:

-In case you bring your own walking sticks, these are not allowed to have sharp points as they may damage the trail and ruins).

-The information from the booking should be identical to the information from the passport you are travelling with. If you book the Inca Trail with an old passport and arrive with a new passport at the start of the Inca Trail, you will not be allowed to enter the trail! Make sure you send us up-to-date information!!!

ADITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE INCA TRAIL

The trail

Hiking at the Inca Trail is like going back in time. While you enjoy the amazing views, you will encounter constructions of the skilled Inca civilization. Some parts the trail is steep, and at other parts more gentle both upwards and downwards. The nature is beautiful and the views are breathtaking.

Travel group, porters and guidance

You will hike in an international group of maximum 16 persons, guided by a local, English speaking guide. These guides are specially trained and have extensive knowledge of the Inca Civilization and local flora and fauna. If there are more than 8 tourist on the tour there will be one or two additional guides more.

Tips

It is customary to give tips after the tour. Of course this is not a requirement and you decide how much you want to give. Tips can be given on the last evening (day 3), as this is the last moment that you are together with the group and trail crew.

Climate

In this area the dry season is from May - October. Although it rains occasionally in this period, the trails are perfectly useable. In the months November until April there is more rain and it can be muddy and slippery.

Clothing

It is a one day walk and plus one day visit at Machu Picchu. Bring enough cloth so you can keep warm and dry, but still not weight too much. Do not forget to bring your bathing suit, if you want visit the hot springs in Aguas Calientes.

Physical Difficulties

Basic physical fitness is important and it is recommended to make a few large hikes before the tour.