Detailed itinerary
Day 1: Inca Trail to Machu Picchu (KM 104)
Departing from Cusco or Ollantaytambo early in the morning, your journey starts with a train ride to Km 104, the starting point for the last day of the Inca Trail. During the train ride, the valley turns into a canyon and the scenery begins to alter as you enter into the cloud forests.
The Inca Trail begins with a challenging uphill trek to Chachabamba (2270 m / 7448 ft), where your guide will talk about the previous use of this ancient archeological site. It’s a short but intense start to your day!
Then, you’ll head to the magnificent archaeological complex of Wiñay Wayna (2650 m / 8694 ft), the most important archeological site besides Machu Picchu. From here, there are many steep steps to climb to reach the Archaeological Site. With a fabulous sense of peace far from the crowds, this will be the perfect spot to enjoy our delicious boxed lunch, with superb views of the massive green mountains and native orchids.
The trail then becomes gentler as you continue on to Inti Punku (Peru’s famous “Sun Gate”), the original entrance used by the Inca to access Machu Picchu. It is from here that you’ll have your first glimpse of Machu Picchu as the sun falls.
You won’t be exploring the ruins today given it will be getting dark, so it’s time to rest up for an early day of exploring the ruins tomorrow. After passing through the Sun Gate, you’ll cross the site to take the bus down to Aguas Calientes, where you’ll check into our hotel to rest and relax in anticipation of a full day visit tomorrow.
| Fast facts |
|---|
| Maximum altitude | 2732 m / 8964 ft |
| Minimum altitude | 2088 m / 6850 ft |
| Distance travelled | 11 km / 7 m (to Inti Punku) |
| Hiking time | 7 hours |
Day 2: Machu Picchu Guided
Around 5:30-6:00 am, just before sunrise, you’ll catch the first bus (a 25-minutes ride) up to Machu Picchu (2400 m) for sunrise and to enjoy the ruins at a quieter time of day before the crowds arrive. Your guide will lead you in our exploration and discovery of the many corners within the enigmatic citadel. Guided tours last, on average, around 2 hours.
After the tour, you’ll still have some time to visit other parts of the ruins that you didn’t get to see with your guide. For example, heading west from the centre of Machu Picchu, the Inca bridge is a 30-minute (2 km) walk along a narrow path. If you feel like an uphill challenge, you have the option to climb the infamous mountain of Huayna Picchu. To climb this mountain, you’ll need to buy a separate permit in advance.
At the end of your visit to Machu Picchu, we’ll take the bus down to Aguas Calientes for lunch and then board the train to Ollantaytambo or Cusco, depending on where you’ll be spending the night. On arriving at the final train station, we’ll have a private transport waiting to bring you to your hotel. (Please note: if you’re taking the train to Cusco, it’s still an 1.5-hour drive from the train station to the city of Cusco.)
Included
- Pre-trek briefing with your Tour Guide
- Transfer by private vehicle to the railway station at Ollantaytambo
- Accommodation: Hotel (1 night)
- Inca Trail Permit and entrance fee to Machu Picchu;
- Meals: 1x breakfast, 1x lunch, 1x dinner (please advice us in advance if you are a vegetarian; this option is for NO extra additional cost)
- Experienced bilingual Tour Guide
- A train round trip (Expedition Service) between Ollantaytambo and Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu)
- Tourist bus from Ollantaytambo to Cusco.
Not Included
- Breakfast on the first day and lunch in Aguas Calientes Town on the second day
- A shuttle bus between Aguas Calientes and Machu Picchu (U$ 12 one way or U$ 24 a round trip)
- Entrance fee to Huayna Picchu Mountain ($80)
- Tips to local staff (please note: it is a custom to give tips in Peru, however, it is not obligatory)
- Other extras not mentioned.
Meal budget: Please allow USD 20-30 for meals not included.
Single room: If you like a single room for this trek, please choose the “Single room” option during your booking.
Local flights: No local flight is included in the trek´s price!
Appropriate clothing along this hike
Hiking pants and T-shirts are recommended during the day, complemented by sweaters, fleeces and waterproof jackets. It is very convenient to have light raingear available in the daypack (rain poncho or jacket and/or rain pants) as the weather changes easily and rains can suddenly occur. At night, warm clothing is required, down jackets can be useful, otherwise a fleece and a jacket. During the day (if sunny) and in Machu Picchu, convertible hiking pants are useful, as can be switched into shorts if necessary. Machu Picchuhas a warm climate, getting only cold at night. The rest of necessary implements are included in the “What we recommend that you bring” list.
You need to take for the Short Inca Trail
- Original passport,
- Original ISIC (an international student card if applicable)
- Travel insurance,
- Pocket money in Nuevos Soles,
- A small rucksack,
- Rain gear (a rain-jacket and a waterproof trousers),
- Resistible footwear, waterproof trekking shoes are recommended,
- Sandals (for a higher comfort while at a campsite),
- Warm clothes such as a jacket, a fleece (thermal clothing is also recommended for cold nights during camping),
- Hat or a cap (to protect you against the Sun, rain as well as cold),
- Sun cream or sun block,
- After-sun cream or hydrating cream for face and body,
- Insect repellent – recommended minimum is 20% DEET (please note that no malaria cases have been reported during this trip!),
- Camera and its charger/batteries (please note that batteries are consumed quickly under cold conditions),
- Flashlight/headlamp + batteries,
- Handkerchiefs and toilet paper,
- Small towel and toiletries,
- Sufficient reserve of underwear,
- Swimsuit (to visit the thermal baths of Aguas Calientes),
- Snacks (biscuits, energy bars, chocolate, raw fruits, muesli, etc.)
Please note: we do provide a daily morning snack and our meal service is very complete and well supplied. The recommendation of taken own snack applies only for customers who like a specific snack that might not be in our menu. - Bottled water for the first morning and a water bottle to be refill.
- Optional: walking sticks; you can also rent it from us,
- Please note: we provide with filtered boiled water during the entire trek, but if you like to use water from streams along the trail, you need to take some water-purifying tablets with you.
Group Service Prices
2 days 1 night Inca Trail Prices updated to March 10th, 2017 in USD American dollars.
- 1 person $795 per person
- 2 people $595 per person
- 3 people $495 per person
- 4 people $470 per person
- 5 people $450 per person
- 6 + people $435 per person
2 days 1 night Inca Trail Prices updated to March 10th, 2018 in USD American dollars.
- 1 person $795 per person
- 2 people $625 per person
- 3 people $525 per person
- 4 people $500 per person
- 5 people $475 per person
- 6 + people $460 per person
IMPORTANT: The 2 day Inca trail Prices Depend on the final number of people in your group. If there is a cancellation please note, the price per person
will reflect the actual number of people going on the trek.
Please NOTE, you MUST be aware at this point that it could just be 2 in the group ( in order to make sure you will be part of a bigger group please email us to double check our already existing groups and the number of people in each of them).
Important: On your request we can book this trip as a Private Service.
Maximum Group size for the 2 day 1 night Inca Trail: 16 people with 2 Guides.
Optional Extras:
- Machu Picchu Mountain climbing: USD 75.00 (Need to book well in advance)
- Huayna Picchu Mountain climbing: USD 75.00 (Need to book in advance-we do NOT guarantee tickets)
- Vistadome Train Aguas Calientes-Cusco: USD50.00 (Need to book in advance)
- Extra Night in Aguas Calientes: Depends on the type of Hotel desired (Need to book in advance)
- Walking Pole USD 5.00
Student Discounts:
Students with a valid ISIC card can have a $20 discount(please scan and email ISIC card).
Child Discounts:
Children 8 to 17 can have a $20 discount (please scan and email passports)
Children 7 or younger can have a $40 discount ((please scan and email passports).
Note: Important for ISIC/Child Discount – without your ISIC/Passport copies we cannot process your booking with the discount and we will book your places at the full adult rate.
Note: 2 Day Inca Trail trek: On the first day of your trek, you will carry your Box Lunch along with your other items you will need on your trek in your
daypack (water, camera, sunscreen, raingear, etc.). The Box lunch should weigh a little less than 1 Kilo.
