Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu (2 Days)

Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu (2 Days)

The 2 day Inca Trail is a fantastic option for those who don't have the time or desire to hike the full length of the Inca Trail. With beautiful scenery, a wide variety of flora and fauna on display and a visit to the Inca Trail's most beautiful site (Wiñay Wayna), you get to enjoy the all the best bits of the Inca Trail condensed in to a one day walk. Covering a distance of 16 km / 10 miles the 2 day Inca Trail is not too challenging which makes it perfect for families with children and those on a tight schedule.

The 2 day 1 night option allows you to experience some of the secrets of the Incas whithout camping in close proximity to aboultion facilities. There is no way to explain the surpise of that "woow woow" when after a four hour steep walk upwards, crossing the path of the second most important Inca ruin "Wina Wayna", (which by the way) is beautiful and well worth the climb you scramble up a steep flight of stairs and then your breathe is truly taken away at the Sun gate.

Itinerary

Day 1: Cusco - Km104 - Aguas Calientes

Stop At: Aguas Calientes, Aguas Calientes, Machu Picchu, Sacred Valley, Cusco Region
Our trek today takes us along the most impressive stretch of the Inca Trail. We'll visit beautiful Inca sites , see a variety of flora and fauna and get to take in the fantastic panoramas of the Andes mountains. Covering 16km of the trail our journey begins in the Sacred Valley and works it's way up along an original Inca Trail to the Inca site of Winay Wayna before continuing on to Machu Picchu via the Sun Gate (Inti Punku).

As we make our way to Machu Picchu we'll pass through the lush and verdant cloud forest that covers the mountain and get to see a variety of plants, flowers and birds along the way. We may also see some larger mammals such as Viscachas (rabbit-like Chinchillas) and Spectacled Bears (if we are very lucky).

After a full days trekking we'll arrive to the Sun Gate (Inti Punku) in the late afternoon and get our first views of Machu Picchu spread out on the mountain below. The light at this time of day is great for photos and with fewer tourists in the site it's a perfect time to take some pictures of the site. After we've passed through the Sun Gate we'll carry on along the trail a little way before taking a side trail that leads us to Aguas Calientes in the valley below where we'll check in to our hotel.
Duration: 8 hours

Meals included:
• Lunch
Accommodation included: Overnight in Aguas Calientes

Day 2: Aguas Calientes - Machu Picchu - Cusco

Stop At: Machu Picchu, Machu Picchu, Sacred Valley, Cusco Region
Waking up early (04:00am) we'll take one of the first buses back up to Machu Picchu to enter the site as soon as it opens (06:00am) We'll have a 2 hour guided tour of the site during which you'll learn about the Incas and visit all the most important areas of the citadel. After your tour you'll have free time to explore the site by yourself and if you have permits to climb either Huayna Picchu (2 hours round trip) or Machu Picchu mountain (3 hours round trip). In the afternoon you will take the train back to Ollantaytambo (2 hours) from where you will carry on by bus back to Cusco (2 more hours).
Duration: 5 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
No accommodation included on this day.