The Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is one of the most famous trekking routes in the world and even if you are short of time, you can still get a taste of what people rave about! The Short Inca trail is shorter than the Traditional Inca Trail, but an interesting 2-day program that joins the classical 4-day route at the impressive archaeological site of Wiñaywayna, continuing through the famous Inti Punku or Sun Gate. Day two includes a full day visit of the world-famous Inca citadel of Machu Picchu. Highly recommended for those short of time and who don’t want to camp but still have a “taste” of the Inca Trail!
ITINERARY
Day 1: HIKING TO MACHU PICCHU
You will be picked up from your accommodation on the first day at 4.00 am. We will then go to the train station and leave on the train at 6.10 am from Ollantaytambo. Along the way, the train follows the Urubamba River until we reach Km104 where we´ll begin our trek. You will be able to see spectacular views of farmlands, snow-capped mountains and the mighty Urubamba River; one of the sources of the Amazon River. At 104km (2000m) we begin our trek, once we´ve made sure you have everything you need. We will provide you a packed lunch and drinks for energy. We will also take the chance now to have a group photo before visiting our first Inca site together. After an informative tour of the Inca site, we begin gradually ascending as we head for the classic Inca Trail far above. If we have clear weather, we´ll have tremendous views of Macchu Picchu, the Urubamba River and other surrounding Inca sites.
After hiking for 3 hours, we will reach the most beautiful Incan site on the Inca Trail – Wiñay Wayna (Forever Young) at 2600m. This is a wonderful Incan site that many people never get to see. There is an elaborate water fountain, temples, and some agricultural terraces which provide a perfect opportunity to learn more about the way of the Incans. The scenery truly must be seen to be believed! A steep drop off, vertical cliff face, and dramatic mountains surround you. It really demonstrates of the importance of location to the Incas. From Wiñay Wayna we walk to the Sun Gate where we see the picturesque landscape of Machu Picchu below. After taking in the once in a lifetime views and getting your photos, we begin our descent to Machu Picchu for sunset.
One of the advantages of this hike is that by the time we reach Machu Picchu, most of the day travelers will have already returned home and you will have it almost to yourself. After taking photos, we’ll take the bus to Aguas Calientes and check-in to your hotel. Then we’ll find a great place for dinner and get to bed early to make the most of the next day.
Day 2: VISIT THE “LOST CITY OF THE INCAS
We will wake up early in the morning in order to take one of the first buses to Machu Picchu in order to see the sunrise. You will have a 2 hour guided tour by your English speaking guide. After that you will have plenty of time on your own to explore and enjoy Machu Picchu. Those who have tickets to Huayna Picchu will have time to climb the mountain, which takes approximately 1.5 hours round-trip. When done exploring, you will take a bus or walk down to Aguas Calientes to eat lunch and take a train back to Ollantaytambo or Poroy and then a bus to Cusco where you will be brought back to your hotel.
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INCLUDED IN THE TREK
- Pick up from your hotel by your tour guide
- Transfer to the start of your trek, KM 82
- Professional English speaking tour guide
- Entrance fee to the Inca Trail National Park
- Entrance fee to Machu Picchu Archaeological Sanctuary
- Happy hour including hot drinks such as mate de coca and locally grown coffee which is prepared by our cook
- Snacks every morning
- Oxygen tank and first aid kit
- Vegetarian food and specialized diets (upon request)
- 2 or 3 hour guided tour of Machu Picchu
- Bus from Machu Picchu down to Aguas Calientes village
- Round Trip Bus Tickets
- Expedition train return to Ollantaytambo then by bus to Cusco
NOT INCLUDED
- Last lunch in Aguas Calientes
TREKKING CHECKLIST
- Original passport
- Student ISIC card (www.isic.org) if applicable (needs to be sent at the time of your booking)
- Day Pack
- Hiking boots and sandals (very important)
- Warm clothes: layers for variable temperatures, especially at night. Thermals/gloves/scarves: wool socks /wool hat for cold nights: About 4 T-shirts for the entire trek
- Head lamp (very important)
- Camera and extra batteries
- Sunscreen/hat and sunglasses
- Personal medical kit
- Insect repellent
- Rain Gear: a good rain jacket and rain pants and plastic rain poncho
- Toilet paper
- Small towel
- Camel bag – if not you can tak plastic bottles for water
- Extra money for drinks & tips, souvenirs, etc (soles or dollars.)
- At least 200 extra soles
- Bathing clothes for the hot springs (optional, but highly recommended for those who stay an extra night)
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We would love to take every one of you the Inca Trail and guide you to Machu Picchu. We can leave any day of the week as long as permits remain with the government. Please remember, permits are only needed for your START DATE.
2016-2017 Group Price (Today through January 2018):
$450 per person
Private Tours are based on Group Size:
2 Trekkers: $575
3 Trekkers: $545
4 Trekkers: $525
5 Trekkers: $505
6 Trekkers: $485
7 or more Trekkers: $475
HOTEL:
We include a three (3) star hotel using La Cabana, Inti Punku or Waman, based on availability. Rooms are based on double or triple occupancy and there is a single room surcharge if you are booking alone of $30 US per person. Rooms all include private bathrooms with hot showers and wifi. We can also upgrade your hotel if you prefer something a little fancier. Please remember that the service you receive in Aguas Calientes will not be quite as good as Cusco. Below is a list of possible upgrade options, but we can work with most hotels in Aguas Calientes.
El Mapi Hotel 3 starts : +$70 US pp shared (+$170 for a single)
Sumaq Hotel 5 starts : +$215 US pp shared (+$375 for a single)
Booked on your own: -$40 US per person
Student Discount:
$25 off per person
Student Discounts apply to anyone who has a valid Green ISIC card at the time of the trek or is 16 years old or younger. For those using an ISIC card to receive the discount, we do need to see a copy of the card at booking. For those booking children 16 years old or younger, we need a copy of their passport at booking time. Please send all to info@alpacaexpeditions.com.
isic card
ISIC STUDENT CARD
Additional Items:
As you see in our Additional Items under Trip Overview, there are several optional upgrades you can include in this trip. Below is a quick list of prices, but check our Overview section for more details.
Huayna Picchu: $65 per person
Vistadome Train (One Way): $65 per person
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