Short Inka trail 2D & 1N
The Experience
The city of Cusco is the starting point for the short two-day Inca Trail. From here, you will travel by train to Mile 65 (Kilometer 104 – Chachabamba). This is a point on the tracks where the train stops despite there being no station. Here, along with your guide, you will disembark and hike for approximately four hours—partially along the official Inca Trail—to Machu Picchu. The short Inca Trail is a great alternative for those with limited time or for those who find the four-day Peru Inca Trail too strenuous.
You will not stay in tents during the two-day short Inca Trail; instead, you will stay at a hotel in the town of Aguas Calientes.
The waitlist for the short Inca Trail can be several months long, so book in advance! We can check how many spots are available for various departure dates.
– This trek is not available during the month of February.
What's Included
- Specialized bilingual guide
- Private transportation
- Lunch box with water, a banana, an apple, and chocolate
What's Not Included
- Departure taxes
- Entrance fees
Day-by-Day Itinerary
In the morning, your guide will pick you up at your hotel and take you by bus to the town of Poroy, near Cusco. After a scenic train ride, you will arrive at Kilometer 104 (Chachabamba) in about two and a half hours. the hike begins at this point, and in approximately 4 hours, you will reach the Inca site of Wiñaywayna (8,793 ft). From there, you will continue hiking to Intipunku (8,957 ft), also known as the Sun Gate, where you will get your first view of Machu Picchu (7,874 ft). You will then descend to the grounds of the ancient city. After an initial visit to Machu Picchu, you will depart by bus for the town of Aguas Calientes, where you will spend the night at a hotel.
Hiking time: approximately 4 hours.
Early in the morning, you will head back to Machu Picchu by bus to enjoy the sunrise. At the archaeological site, you will receive a two-hour guided tour. Afterward, you will have time to explore the site on your own. You will return to Aguas Calientes by bus around noon. In the afternoon, you will take the train back to Ollantaytambo, from where you will travel back to Cusco by bus, arriving around 10:30 p.m.
