Short Inca Trail

Name: Short Inca Trail
Brand: Bookatrekking
Price: 460.00 EUR
Availability: InStock
Rating: 4.4 (1611 reviews)

Duration: 2 days

Trails: T2 trails

Distance: 10 - 15 km per day

Ascent per day: 250 - 500 m ascent per day

Inca Trail

Peru

Overview
Itinerary
What's Included
FAQ

+ Machu Picchu tickets and guided tour
+ Arrive at Machu Picchu twice, once hiking to the Intipunku
+ Spend the night in a comfortable hotel
+ Return by panoramic train
- First breakfast and last day lunch not included

Short Inca Trail is a unique opportunity for those who may not have as much time to hike the full Inca Trail. This trek combines highlights from the original Inca Trail with some of the most beautiful Inca ruins nested in the dense vegetation of the cloud forest. During the Short Inca Trail you will visit archaeological sites such as Chachabamba and Wiñay Huayna (the place that never gets old) and see a wide variety of flora and fauna along the way. We enter Machu Picchu through the Sungate (Inti Punku) and from here you can take in one of the most spectacular views of The Lost City of the Incas. We arrive in Machu Picchu late in the afternoon and therefore have the unique opportunity to see the city almost empty. We will spend the second day exploring all the wonders of Machu Picchu city. For those with limited time but still wanting to experience hiking in the Andres, this is the perfect trek for you.

Itinerary

Day

Cusco – Km 104 – Machu Picchu

Duration: 07:00 h

Distance: 13 km

Ascent: 780 m

Descent: 540 m

Lowest Point: 2170 m

Highest Point: 2700 m

You will be picked up from your hotel in Cusco at around 4am (depending on the location of your accommodation) and taken to the train station in Ollantaytambo. If your hotel is in the Sacred Valley or close to Ollantaytambo, you will be picked up around 5:30am. (It is recommended that you stay the day before the start of the trek closer to the train station in Ollantaytambo; this will save you 1.5 hours travelling from Cusco).

From Cusco it's 1 hour and 30 minutes by bus to the train station in Ollantaytambo, where we will board the first trains and travel along the Urubamba River until we reach Km 104 - Chachabamba (in the cloud forest). We will go straight to the checkpoint in Chachabamba to start our short Inca Trail trek to Machu Picchu. Please note that you will need your original passports to pass through the checkpoint.

Our first stop is the beautiful Inca site of Chachabamba, where our expert guide will introduce you to Inca history and Machu Picchu. After exploring the site, we will hike along an ancient Inca trail to Machu Picchu for approximately 7 hours.
The first section is a gradual climb for 4 hours until we reach Wiñaywayna (the place that never gets old), one of the most beautiful Inca sites of 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 and once fed and energised we will continue our trek to the Sun Gate (Intipunku) to catch our first glimpse of the citadel of Machu Picchu - a truly unforgettable sight. We will arrive at the Sun Gate around 3pm or 4pm, when the crowds have left Machu Picchu and we will be able to enjoy this place with few people around.

From the Sun Gate we hike downhill for another hour to the Machu Picchu viewpoints, with breathtaking views. We arrive at Machu Picchu in the afternoon and have the unique opportunity to see the citadel almost empty. The perfect photo opportunity! We then travel by coach to Aguas Calientes, where we will have dinner in a local restaurant and spend the night in a 3-star hotel.

Dinner is served in the best restaurants in town and our hotel is also in an exclusive location. It has private bathroom, hot showers, WiFi and beautiful views.

Aguas Calientes

Info

Day

Machu Picchu – Cusco

Duration: 02:30 h

On the last day of our adventure, we get up early to prepare for the highlight of the trek: a visit to Machu Picchu, the lost city of the Incas. Breakfast is served at the hotel and we board the first buses to Machu Picchu. Arriving as the sky clears, we visit the incredible views of the city. On a clear day we can see the spectacular sunrise over Machu Picchu.

Our guide will take you on a 2 to 3 hour comprehensive tour of the city before leaving us in Machu Picchu to explore on our own or take an extra hike to either Huayna Picchu Mountain or Machu Picchu Montaña (tickets must be booked well in advance). We will explore Machu Picchu's most remarkable sites with a private guide, visiting the temples, palaces and agricultural terraces and learning about the city's history.

Optional: After the Machu Picchu tour you can hike down the original Hiram Bingham trail to Aguas Calientes. On the way you will visit the Machu Picchu Museum and the Butterfly Station and enjoy fantastic views.

After the tour of Machu Picchu we take the bus back to Aguas Calientes for lunch. You will have time to explore the town, choose a restaurant of your choice and buy souvenirs in the local market. Later in the afternoon you will board the panoramic train and return to Cusco by bus. The team will meet you at the train and bring you safely back to our hotel. Arrival in Cusco is around 7:30 p.m.

Included

Guides

A well-trained English-speaking guide is included in the price. The guides all grew up in the Cusco region and are committed to sharing their history and culture with visitors. The guides are friendly and professional and will make sure you don't miss anything.
Hotel in Aguas Calientes

On the night before your Machu Picchu visit, you will sleep in a 3-star hotel in Aguas Calientes. This too will be taken care of.
Satellite phones

Guides are equipped with satellite phones and can organise anything on the fly.
Taxes and fees

All tourist taxes and permit fees applicable are included in the listed price.
First aid

Your guide has received training in first aid from a physician. Mandatory training sessions are conducted every year. Your tour guide will always have a first-aid kit for basic medical problems (traveler’s diarrhea, cuts, scrapes, etc.) and oxygen. You will be escorted off the trail as quickly and comfortably as possible, if needed, and taken to a clinic for treatment.
Food and water

Food and water are included and will be provided as per the itinerary. Water is boiled, filtered, and then cooled before distributing. You must bring your water bottles and or camelback. We recommend carrying about 3L worth per day. You will be able to restock your water supplies at each meal.
Getting to and from

Getting to and from the start/end point of this trekking is included, as per the itinerary.
Gear

All (camping) equipment will be provided, built up, and taken down again. This is included in your trekking package. Please note that a sleeping bag and air mattress are not included but are available for rent.
Duffel

You will receive your duffel bag that will stay with your porters while you hike. This bag should not exceed 7kg/14 lbs and does need to include your sleeping bag and air mattress.
Porters

A personal porter will carry most of your belongings using a duffel bag. There is no additional fee for this. You will have access to your duffel bag in the mornings and evenings.
Trekking Briefing

The night before your trek, you will come to the local office for a briefing. The entire itinerary will be explained and the final logistics for the Short Royal Inca Trail Trek will be taken care of.
Permits

Permits for both your Short Royal Inca Trail Trek trek and for the entry to Machu Picchu are included and will be taken care of.

Excluded

Accommodation in Cusco including breakfast

Before and after the trek you have to take care of your own accommodation.
Rentals

Every trekker needs a sleeping bag when camping. Inflatable air mattresses and walking sticks (with rubber tips) are optional but encouraged. If you don’t want to bring any of the above, they are all available for rent: Sleeping Bag: USD 25, Inflatable Air Mattress: USD 20, Trekking Poles (Pair): USD 20.
Huayna Picchu

Huayna Picchu is the mountain that stands next to Machu Picchu. It is a 45-minute hike to the top. Going back down is quite steep if you are scared of heights. You would do this after your tour of Machu Picchu. The cost is USD 75. Arrangements need to be made at least one month in advance due to popularity. Please understand that the weather is out of our control.
Travel Insurance Including Repatriation

Your international travel insurance is your own responsibility. It is important that your travel insurance also covers adventures at a high altitude. Discuss your itinerary with the insurance company before you travel to Peru.
Tipping

Tips for guides, cook and porters are not included. You decide what you want to tip, but be generous.