Short Inca Trail 2 Days

Short Inca trail to Machu Picchu – Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: CUSCO – OLLANTAYTAMBO TRAIN STATION – KM 104 – INCA TRAIL HIKING TO MACHU PICCHU

Our walk today takes us along the most impressive stretch of the Inca Trail. We will visit beautiful Inca sites, observe a variety of flora and fauna and enjoy fantastic panoramic views of the Andes mountains. Covering 16km of the road, our journey begins in the Sacred Valley and heads along an original Inca trail to the Inca site of Winay Wayna before continuing towards Machu Picchu via the Puerta del Sol (Inti Punku). As we advance towards Machu Picchu, we will pass through the lush, green cloud forest that covers the mountain and we will be able to see a variety of plants, flowers and birds along the way. We may also see some larger mammals like viscachas (rabbit-like chinchillas) and spectacled bears (if we’re really lucky). After a full day of hiking, we will arrive at the Puerta del Sol (Inti Punku) in the afternoon and have our first views of Machu Picchu stretching across the mountain. The light at this time of day is perfect for taking photos and with fewer tourists in place, it is the ideal time to capture images of the site. After passing through Puerta del Sol, we will continue along the trail a little further before taking a secondary road that will take us to Aguas Calientes on the banks of the Urubamba River.

Day 2:MACHU PICCHU TOUR – STAY IN AGUAS CALIENTE OR RETURN TO CUSCO

This is the day you’ve been waiting for! After an early breakfast at your hotel, you will take one of the first buses to Machu Picchu to be there and witness the sunrise. It is truly an extraordinary site and something you don’t want to miss! Your guide will give you a guided tour of Machu Picchu, which lasts approximately two hours. You will be able to see many of the most important parts of the Machu Picchu Citadel.

After your tour, those who have booked in advance for the additional hike to Huayna Picchu will have time to enjoy those views on their own. When you’ve enjoyed enough of the exceptional views of Machu Picchu, you’ll take the bus back to Aguas Calientes for lunch (not included). Depending on the departure time of your train, you may also have time to do some shopping, see the sights, or visit the museum or hot springs.

The Expedition train will take you back to Ollantaytambo at 2:55 pm or 3:20 pm, following the spectacular Urubamba River. Near Aguas Calientes, the canyon is narrow and the river has many beautiful whitewater sections. You can also see Wiñay Wayna from the train, if you look up the steep canyon wall! Back in Ollantaytambo, you can relax and enjoy the rest of the day after an incredible experience at Machu Picchu.