Short Inca Trail tour 2 days 1 night
Andean Hikes
13 829 f.a.s.l. (4 215 m)
Landscape, ruins & culture, adventure, nature, trek
Moderate
Group tour
English & Spanish
2 days & 1 night
Ollantaytambo Km 104, Warmiwañuska, Inti Punku, Machu Picchu & Aguas Calientes












This is a trek for those who don’t have many days to travel but want to live part of Peru’s most famous trekking experience: The Inka Trail. Explore the ancient Inca trail through the mountains and tropical jungle on a route that will take you through different lost vestiges until you reach the ruins of Machu Picchu.
Start your day taking a bus from Cusco to Ollantaytambo, you will get to see some of this ancient town while we wait for the train that will take us to km 104.
You will walk down Inca paths and beautiful landscapes to discover the Inca terraces of Wiñayhuayna and the Inti Punku or Temple of the Sun.
You will be able to see the legendary Ruins of Machu Picchu on 2 occasions. The first day will be at sunset on a short visit to take the bus to Aguas Calientes. The second day you will pay a full visit to the citadel. The next day you can choose between walking uphill or riding the bus to the ruins of Machu Picchu to start the tour that will reveal its mysterious history and secrets, told by the guide.
Finally, you will return from Aguas Calientes to take the train to Ollantaytambo. Here waits the tourist bus that will take you to Cusco, full of experiences and challenges accomplished.
WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?
Book your tour and get confirmation in less than 24 hours
Why to book this tour with What a Trip?
• We will pick you up from your hotel in downtown Cusco.
• A professional guide will accompany you throughout the Inka Trail tour and will ensure that you live an unforgettable experience.
• You will have fresh food with natural ingredients and with vegetarian
and vegan choices.
• We will make sure that you have adequate and clean accommodation in Aguas Calientes.
• You will discover one of the 5 best walks in the world.
• You will meet and share with travelers from all over the world.
Day 1:
• We pick you up very early at the hotel lobby to start this adventure.
• We drive you to Ollantaytambo where you will purchase stuff that you may need to then take the train to km 104.
• At km 104 you start the walk to the ruins of Chachabamba.
• Then you will head to Wiñayhuayna, impressive Inca terraces (3 h).
• We will walk toward the Sun Gate or Inti Punku, from where you will see the legendary citadel of Machu Picchu (1 h 30 min).
• We will descend to Machu Picchu, where you will have time to take pictures with views of the ruins in the distance (1 h).
• You take the bus from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes.
• You arrive at your lodging in Aguas Calientes where a dinner and a welldeserved rest wait for you.
Day 2:
• You start the way up walking toward Machu Picchu (approx. 90 min).
• The guide will tell you the secrets and history of the ruins of Machu Picchu while you explore its different areas and take pictures (approx. 2 h 30 min).
• You visit the Mountain or Huayna Picchu (optional extra).
• You go back downhill to Aguas Calientes choosing between 2 options:
– Taking the private bus (20 min, optional extra)
– Walking (approx. 1 hour).
• You enjoy free time in the town of Aguas Calientes while waiting for the train departure time.
• You take the train to Ollantaytambo.
• We take you from Ollantaytambo to downtown Cusco (approx. 2 hours)
• The night before the start of this adventure you will receive a detailed training for all the
activities that you will perform.
• A bilingual guide will accompany you throughout the tour.
• Transportation from Cusco to the Ollantaytambo station.
• Train to km 104, starting point of the Inca trail.
• Entrance ticket to the Inca trail.
• Your full meals (1 lunch, 1 dinner, 1 breakfast).
• Bus from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes (1st day).
• Entrance ticket to Machu Picchu with a professional bilingual guide.
• Train ticket from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo.
• Transportation by bus from Ollantaytambo to downtown Cusco.
• First aid kit.
• Bus ticket from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu on day 2.
• Bus ticket from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes on day 2.
• Lunch in Aguas Calientes on day 2.
• Entrance ticket to the Mountain.
• Entrance ticket to Huayna Picchu.
• Travel insurance.
• Bus ticket from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu on day 2 (20 min)
– Save time and physical effort on the way up.
• Bus ticket from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes on day 2 (20 min)
– Save time and physical effort on the way down.
• Entrance ticket to Wayna Picchu (limited spots).
– About 1 hour to get to the top.
– Rarely seen archaeological remains.
– Exceptional views of Machu Picchu.
– Panoramic views of the ruins of Machu Picchu and the surrounding mountains.
• Entrance ticket to Machu Picchu Mountain (limited spots).
– For hiking lovers.
– About 2 hours to get to the top.
– Higher views of the ruins of Machu Picchu and the valley.
• Top local lunch in Aguas Calientes:
– Lunch at one of the best hotels in Aguas Calientes.
• Hotel room upgrade in Aguas Calientes
– Private room with double bed.
– Choice of breakfast.
– Private restroom.
• Carry a backpack (maximum of 13 lb.) with insect repellent, sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat or cap and a waterproof jacket.
• Use special trekking shoes.
• Bring cash for local purchases.
• Carry trekking walking sticks.
• Bring your passport to enter the ruins of Machu Picchu.
• Carry motion sickness pills with you.
• During the rainy season, dress in waterproof clothes.
• Is it true that I get to visit Machu Picchu twice when booking this trek?
Yes, after our first day walking, we will arrive at Machu Picchu through the Puerta del Sol at sunset and we will only be there for a few minutes since the archaeological site closes its doors at 5 pm. The second day will be the official visit, where we will have plenty of time to explore the ruins and their history.
• How much time in advance should I book the Inca Trail tour?
We recommend booking 3 or 4 months in advance.
• Are there vegetarian food options?
Yes, and a vegan option too, just let us know before the start of the tour.
• The entrance price to Machu Picchu, train and bus tickets to Machu Picchu vary depending on the nationality and age of the passengers.
• The Inca Trail, also known as Qhapac Ñam, is a series of structured trails that crossed the entire
Tahuantinsuyo empire throughout Argentina, Chile, Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador and Colombia, covering the coastal area, the mountains, and the jungle for about 18 641 mi. (30,000 km).
• In 2014, at the 38th UNESCO World Heritage Committee Meeting, the Inca Trail (Qhapac Ñam) was declared a World Heritage site.
• The climb up Huayna Picchu is considered one of the best short walks in the world and you climb it up ancient steps and Inca trails with an excellent view of the valley and mountains. The climb takes about 1 hour. Wayna Picchu is also known as the young mountain and it’s where the Temple of the Moon is located. The Huayna Picchu mountain is located north of Machu Picchu.
• The Machu Picchu mountain is also known as the old mountain and is higher than the Huayna
Picchu mountain. It is located south of Machu Picchu.
This mountain offers unique views of the entire Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu.
The climb takes about 2 hours. The path has a lot of vegetation, wild orchids and flatter trails.
• Strict: Cancel this tour 20 days before the start date of the tour and get a refund of 50%
of the sum paid. After that, we charge 100%.
• Review our terms and conditions here:
*The information and itinerary detailed in this guide may change without prior notice with the intention of providing a better service or regulatory changes in each destination.
Map of the Tour
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