when you trek with apus peru 5% of your trek price is donated to Threads of Peru
The Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is one of the most famous trekking routes in the world and just one example of the approximate 40000 kilometres of roads built by the Incas some 500 years ago! Inca road roads were built across the deserts, highlands and jungles stretching from Colombia in the north to Chile in the south!
Do a part of the world famous Inca Trail to Machu Picchu! The Short Inca trail is shorter than the Traditional Inca Trail, but is still an interesting 2-day program that joins the classical 4-day route at the impressive archaeological site of Wiñaywayna, continuing through the famous Inti Punku or Sun Gate. Day two includes a full day visit of the world-famous Inca citadel of Machu Picchu. Highly recommended for those short of time and who don’t want to camp but still have a “taste” of the Inca Trail!
** we offer two styles of Short Inca Trail - both do not involve camping but the Short Inca Trail "In Style" is a much more comfortable option. **
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| Short Inca Trail (2 days) to Machu Picchu - at a glance |
| highlight: the ruins along the way, your first sight of Machu Picchu from Inti Punku (the Sun Gate) |
| location: the tour begins in Cusco but the trek begins about 3 hours from Cusco at Kilometre 104, past Ollantaytambo in the Sacred Valley |
duration: 2 days/ 1 night |
| level: easy by Andean standards but difficulty level depends on fitness and acclimatization |
| adventure rating: 500 permits are issued daily. In the peak season the trail is booked months in advance. For a isolated trekking experience, consider one of the alternative treks which can still be done in a short time. |
| departs: any day with two people. |
| Full itinerary |
| What's included/What should I bring |
| Prices |
| Testimonials - what people who have done the trip say! |
| Reservations - to make a booking or enquire about availability, please read our making a booking page and then email us for reservation forms! |
ation of the meaning of Apu
| Inca Trail booking advice |
Since
2004, the number of trek permits is limited to 500 per day (about
200 visitors and 300 trekking staff) so if you want to do this
trek it is VITAL to book well in advance. For
the high season (May to September) it advisable to book at least
3 months in advance to guarantee a place. Permits are sold on
a first come, first served basis, and once all places have been
booked, NO trekking operator can offer you a space on the Inca
Trail. There is no system with a waiting list. All spaces are
personal and non-transferable and even if someone would cancel,
no one else could take that space. |
Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu- full itinerary
Day 1: Cusco - Wiñay Wayna - Machu Picchu
You will be picked up at your hotel around 5.30am (depending on train time) and transferred to the you to the train station. We travel by train, on a very picturesque route for 2 and a half hours until we reach kilometer 104 - the start of the trail for us. From here, we will hike upwards for about 8km approximately 4 hours up to the Inca site Wiñay Wayna ('Forever Young') (2680m/8792ft). This is an impressive complex made up of an agricultural center with numerous terraces, a religious sector and an urban sector. Many consider this the most impressive site on the whole Inca Trail.
We will then continue for about one hour further onto 'Inti Punku' (The 'Sun gate') (2730m/8792ft) from where you will have your first dramatic and impressive view of Machu Picchu (2400m/7873ft). We will walk down the last part of the trail towards the ancient city itself. Before reaching Machu Picchu, we will take a side path off the trail to go down to Aguas Calientes, as we will visit Machu Picchu on day 2. We will take the bus down to Aguas Calientes where you will check into your accommodation, and a celebratory dinner before getting to bed early in preparation for the next day’s early start.
Total distance: 13 km (8,08 miles)
Estimated walking time 6-7 hours
Day 2: Machu Picchu Tour
We have breakfast and then take the first bus (6am) up to Machu Picchu. A walking tour (approximately 2 hours) is given by your guide and after this you can explore the mysterious city by yourselves. If you have energy you can also climb Huayna Picchu (2720m/8890ft)!!! (It takes about 45 minutes to reach the top.) From the top of Huayna Piccchu is one of the most spectacular views of Machu Picchu and there is also an opportunity to visit the Temple of the Moon or the Inca Bridge.
We include in your tour a box lunch in Machu Picchu and your bus ticket back down to Aguas Calientes.
The train usually leaves between 2.30pm and 6pm depending on Peru Rail availability.
If desired, an extra night in Aguas Calientes can be arranged. This option is very popular as it allows more time to explore Machu Picchu. (but please note if you visit Machu Picchu a second day you need to purchase the ticket again)
N.b. It is no longer possible to stay a night on the Inca Trail for the 2 day, 1 night trek. All people on this tour spend the night in Aguas Calientes, the town nearest Machu Picchu.
IMPORTANT – government regulations will not allow reservations to be made unless accompanied by full passport details of the client and full payment of the entrance fee to the Sanctuary. This is to assist in the 500 people a day rule.
Therefore to guarantee your place on the inca trail you must provide a scanned copy of your passport and a non refundable deposit of 50% the trek price. Your reservation will only be confirmed when we have your entrance ticket in our hands. In case of passport number change this information must be relayed to us or you will lose your booking. Original passport must be carried on trail.
All times noted are approximate.
For complete facts about many aspects of Apus Peru tours, check out our FAQs page!
- Pre trek briefing
- Collection from your hotel in the morning of trek departure.
- Transport from Cusco to the trailhead at the beginning of the trek
- Entry fee to the Inca trail and Machu Picchu
- English/Quechua/Spanish speaking professional guide (you will have an assistant guide for groups over 8 people).
- Meals as indicated in the itinerary (optional vegetarian food).
- First aid kit including emergency oxygen bottle - but not blister treatments as known in western countries.
- Bus from Ollantaytambo to Cusco
- Train ticket (Backpacker service) from Aguas Calientes - Ollantaytambo.
- Bus up and down to Machu Picchu (valued at $14 US)
- Celebratory dinner in Aguas Calientes village
- Box lunch final day in Machu Picchu
- 1 night accommodation in Aguas Calientes in standard hotel. This will be a nice, clean and safe hotel with breakfast included and private bathroom. If you wish to upgrade from this hotel, please check out the options listed on our Aguas Calientes accommodation page.
You should
bring:
- A light day pack with a change of clothes for the whole period of the trek - prepare for a vast range of changes in temperature
- Rain gear (jacket and pants if available) or rain poncho. Plastic ponchos can be bought for about $1 in Cusco.
- Strong footwear, waterproof trekking boots recommended. Extra socks are a must.
- Warm clothes, including jacket, fleeces, gloves, scarf and beanie/touk.
- Torch/ Flashlight and spare batteries
- Camera, films and batteries (batteries consume more quickly under cold conditions)
- Hat or cap to protect you from the sun, rain and cold
- Sun block
- After-sun cream or hydrating cream for face and body
- Insect repellent - minimum recommended 20% DEET - although no malaria risk has been reported
- Toilet paper, pack in & pack out
- Snacks: biscuits, energy bars, chocolate, raw fruits, muesli, etc.
- Non-disposable
canteen (Nalgene type) and water for the first morning.
We advise you to bring water sterilizing tablets in case you collect water from streams. - Your own medical kit with any special medications that you might require, paracetamol, second skin for blisters etc.
- Small towel or sarong
- Bathers/swimsuit (if you intend on swimming in hot springs)
- Cash - sufficient for your final lunch in Aguas Calientes, tips and souvenirs.
- Original passport & ISIC (International Student Identity Card) if you have one.
- Walking sticks or poles (we can hire these to you. Please note poles with metal tips cannot be carried into Machu Picchu and should be left at your hotel on the final day)
- Binoculars (if you have them)
optional extras We can hire the following to you.
- Walking stick lightweight aluminum ($1.00 per day)r to departur
prices 2010 - day Short Inca Trail Trek - STANDARD OPTION - valid from 01 March 01 to 31 January 11.
| # people departing | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5+ |
price (per person) |
please enquire | $470 | $420 | $410 | $395 |
prices 2010 - 2 day Short Inca Trail Trek - "In style" OPTION - valid from 01 March 01 to 31 January 2011. The "Short Inca Trail In Style" option includes one of the better hotels in Aguas Calientes ($100 per night on twin share basis), return in the Vistadome train, and a buffet lunch at the Tinkuy restaurant at the Machu Picchu Sanctuary lodge on day 2... the perfect touch to seeing MachuPicchu "in style"
| # people departing | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5+ |
price (per person) |
please enquire | $595 | $545 | $515 | $495 |
Available discounts (these discounts are not cumulative): How much in your currency? Currency Converter by OANDA.com, The Currency Site.
To make a booking:
-
You need to email us to check availability, receive booking forms and then make your deposit.
-
For our payment conditions and booking please refer to our page Payment & booking
| Testimonials from people who have done the Classic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu |
Please see our testimonials page.l
APUS PERU Adventure Travel Specialists - we support sustainable, responsible and ethical tourism...
366 Cuichipunco, Centro Historico, Cusco, Peru- Email: apusperu@westnet.com.au
© A.Svenson 2005-2009. The design, content and photographs (except where noted) are 100% original. The majority of our treks were designed by Apus Peru