Inkas Blood Travel Tours

inca trail to machu picchu

Short Inca Trail

CULTURAL Tour Type

PRIVATE Tour of services

4,200 m / 13,780 ft Max. Altitude

EASY DIFFICULTY


 

Travellers who hike along the short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu will have the opportunity to see impressive Inca archaeological sites, mountain views, lush subtropical vegetation and extraordinary ecological varieties.

The Inca Trail trek hike is perfect for travellers wishing to hike along one the region’s most iconic trails through cloud forests and subtropical vegetation. It is also the perfect hike for those looking to enter Machu Picchu via the well-known Sun Gate or Inti Punku and see the magnificent city once in the afternoon of the first day and the morning of the second day.

HIGHLIGHTS

KM 104 Chachabamba, Wiñay Wayna, Inti Punku, Inca Bridge, Aguas Calientes town Machu Picchu Citadel & Huayna Picchu.

ITINERARY

ITINERARY

Day 01:

  • 5:20 AM Pick-up from your hotel in Cusco
  • 5:30 AM Departure  Cusco – Ollantaytambo train station by car
  • 7:45 AM Train ride from Ollantaytambo to KM 104
  • 9:00 AM Hike from KM 104 Chachabamba to Wiñay Wayna
  • 12:30 PM Lunch time & visit to Wiñay Wayna archaeological site
  • 2:00 PM Hike to Machu Picchu archaeological site
  • 4:30 PM Bus transfer from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes town by
  • 6:30 PM Dinner & overnight stay in Aguas Calientes

Day 02

  • 5:00 AM Breakfast
  • 5:30 AM Bus ride from Aguas Calientes town to Machu Picchu (approx. 25 min)
  • 6:00 Sunrise at Machu Picchu
  • 7:00 AM Guided tour of Machu Picchu site (approx. 2 hours)
  • 1:30 PM Return to Aguas Calientes town
  • 4:22 PM Return train to Ollantaytambo
  • 6:00 PM Car transfer Ollantaytambo – Cusco
  • 8:00 PM Estimated arrival time in Cusco – drop off directly at your hotel

DETAILED ITINERARY

DAY 1

DAY 1. CUSCO – KM 104 – WIÑAY WAYNA – MACHU PICCHU – AGUAS CALIENTES

What will our morning be like?

Your tour will begin with an early morning pick up from your hotel in Cusco. From Cusco, we will head to the train station in Ollantaytambo in our private transportation. This ride will take approximately 1.5 hours and will grant you some views of the Sacred Valley of the Incas its farmland and majestic snowcapped mountains. Once in Ollantaytambo, we will board our train to KM 104 where the trailhead is located. It is here at Km 104 (2,200 m.a.s.l. / 7,217 feet) where we will begin our hike. We will first cross the bridge that is over the Urubamba or Willkamayuc River, which translated from Quechua means «Sacred River.»

First archaeological site: requirements

Upon arrival at first Inca Trail checkpoint, you will be required to show your identification documents or passport. From here, it will be a short 2-minute walk to the first archaeological site found along the trail.

Chachabamba

Chachabamba is hidden within the surrounding semitropical forest. From Chachabamba we will continue walking for approximately 3 hours until we reach the second archaeological site.

Wiñay Wayna

(2,650 m.a.s.l. / 8,694 ft.) is an Inca archaeological site that shows a perfect example of what agriculture was like in the time of the Incas. This site is widely recognized for its large number of agricultural terraces located on the slopes of the surrounding mountains. The name Wiñay Wayna» comes from a beautiful orchid that is abundant in the area, which means “forever young” in Spanish.

What will we see during this walk?

Visiting this archaeological site will take you approximately 1 hour, during which we will see the Sacred Valley, waterfalls, different types of semitropical orchids, among others. in addition to
some of the most accessible temples and buildings on the site. After the visit, we will take a break for lunch before continuing with our walk to Machu Picchu.

In the afternoon: road to Machupicchu

Our excursion to Machu Picchu lasts approximately 2 hours. This hike will be along gently rolling Andean flats, original stone paths and steps and tambos (resting places). Our entry point to Machu Picchu will be the Inti Punku – Sun Gate (2,720 m.a.s.l. / 8,923 ft). During the Inca Empire, the Inti Punku worked as a controlled entry point to Machu Picchu. From here, we will have impressive panoramic views of Machu Picchu and surrounding mountaintops and valley.

Finally

The last leg of our walk will be our descent to the town of Aguas Calientes (2160 meters above sea level / 7,086 feet). To do this, we will take a walk from Inti Punku to the entrance of Machu Picchu *note: we will not enter Machu Picchu* from where we will take the bus down to Aguas Calientes. In Aguas Calientes we will have dinner at one of the best restaurants in town and rest overnight in hotel accommodation included.

 

DAY 2

DAY 2. MACHU PICCHU VISIT – RETURN T CUSCO

Our day will begin with an early breakfast at our hotel in Aguas Calientes. After breakfast, we will take the bus to the main entrance to Machu Picchu. Once inside, we will have a guided tour of 2.5 hours to see the most important places in Machu Picchu including the Royal Mausoleum, the Temple of the 3 Windows, the Main Temple, the Sacred Plaza, and the famous Intihuatana where the Inca sages tied the sun at the winter solstice in June, steps, squares, fountains, etc. After the guided tour, you will have free time to visit Machu Picchu on your own.

The return to Cusco will be after lunch (not included) and will require a train ride from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo and a bus ride from Ollantaytambo to your hotel in Cusco. The estimated time of arrival back in Cusco is between 8PM to 8:30PM.

INCLUDED

Included:

  • Pick up from THE hotel in Cusco.
  • Transfers from hotel to the train station.
  • Train ticket Ollanta to Km. 104
  • Professional bilingual tour guide (English-Spanish)
  • Entrance to the Inca Trail and Machu Picchu.
  • Food (1 breakfast, 1 lunch, 1 dinner).
  • Bus ticket Machu Picchu – Aguas Calientes (outward / return).
  • 1 night hotel in Aguas Calientes (hab. Double).
  • First aid kit, oxygen bottle
  • Train ticket from Aguas Calientes – Ollantaytambo.
  • Transportation Ollantaytambo – Cusco.
  • Transfer to the hotel.

Not Included:

  • Lunch on the last day: after the guided visit to Machu Picchu.
  • Visit the thermal baths in the village of “Aguas Calientes”

WHAT TO BRING

What To Bring

  • Bring original passport “With expiration date not less than 7 months”
  • ISIC card (www.isic.org) if applicable (must be submitted at the time of booking).
  • Wear hiking boots and sandals (very important).
  • Caryy trekking poles (can be rented at the agency).
  • (Very important) Headlamp.
  • Carry a camera and extra batteries.
  • Carry sunscreen / hat and sunglasses.
  • Carry personal medical kit.
  • Insect repellent.
  • Wear rain gear: a good raincoat and rain pants and a rain poncho plastic.
  • Carry a toilet paper.
  • Carry a small towel.
  • Extra money for drinks and gratuities, souvenirs, etc. (soles or dollars).
  • Swimming siut for the hot springs (optional).
  • Carry a water Bottle (recommended 1 liter).

PACKING LIST

ESSENTIALS

  • Passport
  • Valid STUDENT CARD (if booked as a student)
  • Immigration card (given on the plane when entering Peru)
  • Good backpack (the smaller, the better)
  • Water storage or canteen: water tank such as Camelbaks is recommended, but enough for at least 1-2 liters.
  • Comfortable shoes (light with good soles), “waterproof goretex for rainy seasons”.

FOR YOUR LUGGAGE

On the train there is a limit of 7 to 8 kilograms maximum, we recommend to carry only important things.

  • 2-3 wicking t-shirts
  • 2-3 wicking t-shirts
  • 2 pairs of pants
  • 3 sets of underwear.
  • 3 sets of socks
  • 1 thick and soft cloth
  • 1 raincoat and pants “only for rainy season” 1 sun hat
  • 1 sun hat
  • Sandals “In case you want to visit the hot springs in the town of Machu Picchu”.
  • Small towel for quick drying.
  • Battery charger for your phone and cameras.

TOILETRIES:

  • Sunscreen
  • Facial moisturizer
  • Insect repellent
  • Hand sanitizer
  • Moist towelettes
  • Toothbrush and toothpaste
  • Toilet paper
  • Personal medication
  • First aid kit: band aids, moleskin, etc.

INSIDE YOUR BACKPACK FOR THE VISIT TO MACHU PICCHU:

Backpacks can be of any size, but we always recommend smaller ones, since inside Machu Picchu, bags larger than 25 liters will not be allowed inside. If larger, you will need to store them outside the gates of the citadel.

  • water canteen
  • sun hat
  • Rain gear
  • Camera or camera phone
  • Hand sanitizer
  • Toilet paper and small plastic bag for waste.
  • Extra money for souvenirs, drinks and tips.

Departure dates:

  • We have groups for the INCA TRAIL every day of the year. except February, when the Inca Trail is closed throughout the month. The month of February you can visit Machu Picchu by train. is not possible to do the Inca Trail on february.

Availability:

  • To the Inca road of 2D / 1N Only 250 people per day are allowed. This figure includes tourists, guides, porters and cooks. The quotas are for all the people who wish to carry out the Inca Trail. So to make the Inca Trail it is essential to book months in advance. The availability of seats for the Inca Trail is the same for all agencies. Therefore before making your reservation, please check availability by contacting our

PAYMENT METHODS

ONLINE PAYMENTS via PAYPAL or VISA

To make a payment through the Paypal system, click on the following button, and complete the data to carry out your operation, if you have any questions about the payment methods, you can contact us in the inquiry form.

BANK DEPOSITS

Dollar Savings Account: No. 285 19246522197

Savings Account in Soles: No. 285 37549579032

Code Swith: BCPLPEPL

Address: Av. El Sol 189 Cusco – Perú

To name: Elvis Franklin Alvarado Herrera

To name: Inkas Blood Travel E.I.R.L.

Dollar Savings Account:

Nro: 011-0200-0201767501

CCI: 011-200-000201767501-34

Code Swith: BCONPEPL

Address: Av. El Sol 189 Cusco – Perú

To name: Elvis Franklin Alvarado Herrera

BANK TRANSFERS

To name: Elvis Franklin Alvarado Herrera

DNI: 48529529

Web: www.moneygram.com

To name: Elvis Franklin Alvarado Herrera

DNI: 48529529

Web: www.westernunion.com