Short Inca Trail to Machupicchu 2D / 1N

  • 2 Days / 1 Nights
  • Group Tour
  • short inca trail to machupicchu (1)
  • short inca trail to machupicchu (2)
  • short inca trail to machupicchu (3)
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The Short Inca Trail 2 days to Machu Picchu is the best alternative for people who do not have much time, families with small children, people who are not used to long walks and who do not like camping. This incredible 2-dayShort Inca to Machu Picchu consists of a day of hiking with a night in a hostel in Aguas Calientes and a guided tour of Machu Picchu on the second day.

It is important; that you know that there will be tourists with different walking paces and different languages ​​in your Inca Trail group. Our guides are highly experienced and will work to meet the needs of all of our tourists in a safe and friendly manner. However, if you and your friends or family have the same level of fitness and you prefer to hike in a private group, contact us today to book a private service for your Inca Trail adventure!.

Important; The first day of this trek includes a Boxlunch (cold lunch) which generally consists of a sandwich, fruit and some cookies. As part of our commitment to ecological sustainability, your box lunch comes in a specially designed reusable cloth bag, which you can store at the end of your tour or return to your tour guide for recycling. Please note that you must bring your own box lunch during the trek. The bags are ideal to be placed in or on a backpack and weigh no more than two kilos when full.

New Regulations for Visiting Machu Picchu

Starting from January 2019, entrance tickets to Machu Picchu are sold with specific visiting hours, ranging from 6:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Visitors are required to board the bus that will take them to Machu Picchu in advance to avoid unnecessary queues in Machu Picchu Pueblo and congestion at the entrance gates.

Since January 2021, new visiting circuits have been established based on the type of entrance ticket purchased, whether for Machu Picchu, Huayna Picchu mountain, or Machu Picchu mountain. For detailed information regarding the circuits and schedules, you can refer to our “Schedules and New Circuits for Visiting Machu Picchu” link or contact us for further assistance. We are here to ensure you have an unforgettable experience at Machu Picchu.

Summary

  • Tour Type: Hike, Adventure, Camping
  • Travel distance: 10 kilometers
  • Difficulty Level: Moderate but can be difficult if you are not prepared for the hike
  • Income Required: Which we will reserve for you
  • The best time: From April to November
  • Closing date: In February for Maintenance

Itinerary

Itinerary of The Short Inca Trail 2 days to Machu Picchu:

Day 1 Cusco – km 104 – Aguas Caliente

The short Inca Trail 2 days to Machu Picchu starts from the pick up at your hotel or hostel (4:00 am approx.) We will travel for an hour and a half to Ollantaytambo where we will stop for breakfast (not included in the price of the tour).

After our stop we will drive you to the train station where you will board the train that leaves the Ollantaytambo train station heading to Km 104 (start of our walk). The train trip lasts an hour and a half, on that journey you will be able to appreciate beautiful landscapes and different ecosystems.

Upon reaching km 104 and then crossing a suspension bridge to reach the checkpoint, you must present your passport or document with which you made your reservation. At the end of the respective controls we will start with the uphill walk for 4 hours until we reach the Inca Wiñaywayna site, which in Quechua means (forever young) Wiñaywayna has a height of 2680 meters above sea level and is considered one of the most attractive sites of this tour. . After your guided tour we will stop to eat our box lunch or snack.

After recharging our energy we will continue our walk for an hour and a half until we reach the Intipunku (Puerta del Sol) where you will be able to enjoy the first panoramic views of Machu Picchu.

Finally we will continue walking through the last section of the Inca trail until we reach the place where you can take the classic photo (postcard photo) with the ancient citadel. After this short break, we will go down to the main entrance, here we will get on the bus that will take us to Aguas Calientes to spend the night.

Once we arrive in Aguas Calientes, you will have some time to relax in the hotel before your dinner and then plan the tour in the citadel on the last day of the tour.

  • Tour Type: Hike, Adventure, Camping
  • Travel distance: 10 kilometers
  • Difficulty Level: Moderate but can be difficult if you are not prepared for the hike

Day 2 Aguas Calientes – Machu Pucchu walking Tour – Return to Ollantaytambo - Cusco

We’ll wake up early so that we can catch one of the first busses so that we can catch the striking sunrise at Machu Picchu. You’ll have a two hour guided walking tour by your private English speaking Qeswachaka Peru Tour guide. According to the new Inca Trail regulations, we will re-enter Machu Picchu using  circuit number 3.

After you have finished your walking tour, you can either take a bus or walk down to Aguas Calientes for a free afternoon. You’ll need to remember to catch your train, which will depart that afternoon to Ollantaytambo. Once you arrive at the station in Ollantaytambo we will be there to meet you and drive you back to Cusco.

Price

Price of The Short Inca Trail 2 days to Machu Picchu:

Group service – Season 2023

  • ADULT: 440 US Dollars per person
  • STUDENT: 420 US Dollars per person

The return train schedule at the end of the Tour/Trek: It is the Expedition Train at 18:20pm or 19:00pm DEPENDING ON AVAILABILITY.

If you prefer the earlier train return we can reserve it for an additional cost of 35 dollars per person; the times you can choose are: 14:55pm or 16:35pm. We also offer the option to reserve the 3:40pm Vistadome train for an additional cost of $65 per person.

Please, tell us in advance what is the train schedule of your preference. We inform you that none of the reserved trains go directly to Cusco, the trains only arrive at the Ollantaytambo or Poroy stations. In any of the cases we will always guarantee the shipment of a transport that will pick them up and bring them back to Cusco.

Can I exchange my return train ticket for an earlier one? in the same station of Aguas Calientes?

Yes, you can make this change in person at the Aguas Calientes train station. However, they will ask you to pay an additional fee to change the ticket and this change will be subject to the availability of spaces and schedules on the train.

How long does the return trip to Cusco take?

It’s about 3 hours. You will first board a train in Aguas Calientes to the train station in Ollantaytambo for 1h30m; then a transfer from our office will be waiting for you at the exit of the train station with a sign that will have your name on it to take you to our car/van back to Cusco for approximately 1h30m; finally it will take you to your hotel/hostel. You will receive your train tickets once your tour in Machu Picchu has finished.

Discounts:

  • For students with a university card $20
  • For children under 18 years old $20
  • For children of 7 years $50

How do I get the student discount?

The ISIC Card IS NO LONGER VALID to buy the Ticket to Machu Picchu or the Inca Trail with a discount for students.

Now students will be able to access this benefit with the UNIVERSITY STUDENT CARD of the university where they study, this document being the only one valid for this purpose. For more information visit the following link http://www.machupicchu.gob.pe/items/estudiantes.html

Important:
We do not reserve the entrance for the Huayna Picchu Mountain

Rent camping equipment with you?
Yes, in case you do not have the appropriate equipment to carry out the Walk, then we can offer you for rent:

  • An extra night in Aguas Calientes $30 per person
  • 1 pair of walking sticks $10
  • Small backpacks $10

Inclusions

What’s Included in The Short Inca Trail 2 days to Machu Picchu:

  • Professional and certified tourism guides, university graduates and fluent in several languages, with knowledge of the Andean culture, prepared in first aid and rescue courses (trained to use the first aid kit, we have an oxygen balloon that they always carry with them).
  • Transportation; We will pick you up from your hotel/hostel and transfer you to the Ollantaytambo train station. We use private buses and minivans; very comfortable and with all the security accessories according to the number of tourists, our driver has many years of experience and a transfer that will help you with whatever you need.
  • One-way train ticket to km 104, the place where you start your walk
  • A snack and drink on the first day. It will be served after our guided tour in Wiñay Wayna.
  • A private room for 2 people in Aguas Calientes (with shower and private bathroom.)
  • A bus ticket down from Machu Picchu to Aguas Caliente on the 1st day and 1 ticket up on the 2nd day
  • Train ticket and transportation back to Ollantaytambo at the end of your Inca Trail (Expedition class) and transportation back to Cusco.

Does not include in The Short Inca Trail 2 days to Machu Picchu:

  • Breakfast on the first day of the tour.
  • Lunch on the last day after visiting Machu Picchu.
  • Walking sticks (These can be rented at our office.
  • Income for the thermal baths the cost is 20 soles (optional).
  • (Bring swimwear and a towel.)
  • Bus down to Aguas Calientes the second day (You can buy the ticket if you want US$ 12. Or walking back down takes 45 minutes and you will have a complete experience)
  • Lunch the second day.
  • Drinks, snacks, or water
  • Porter for this Inca trail
  • Tips for your guide, it is optional.

What you need to take to The Short Inca Trail 2 days to Machu Picchu:

  • We recommend that you take only what is necessary to enjoy your tour and leave the rest of your things at the hotel.
  • The original passport or document with which you made the tour reservation, the authorities on the Inca Trail and Machu Picchu are very strict and will not allow you to enter if you do not carry them with you, you must bring an Original Passport or Identity Document, ID, Canet ISIS. The authorities do not accept any type of photocopy of the aforementioned documents.
  • A personal backpack for the day that allows you to carry all the things you will take with you, we recommend about 20 to 30 liters
  • Appropriate clothing for hiking: waterproof and comfortable shoes for long walks, shorts and long pants, dry fit sports shirts, rain jacket or rain poncho.
  • The use of a canteen is mandatory along the Inca Trail, the authorities will not allow the use or entry of plastic bottles
  • A canteen with water for the first day of the trek (2 liters)
  • Personal hygiene items a small towel, soap, toothpaste and toothbrush, toilet paper, hand sanitizer gel. These last two items are very important.
  • Personal medications, within this list also includes muscle relaxants, tablets for pain and blessed for scratches, blisters on the feet that can be generated after several hours of walking.
  • Sun and mosquito protection items, sunscreen, sunglasses, sun hat or caps, and mosquito repellent.
  • Extra battery for the camera
  • Extra money in cash, for your personal expenses such as the first breakfast, lunch on the last day, those of the porters, cook, guide, and other eventualities.

FAQs

Faq of The Short Inca Trail 2 days to Machu Picchu:

Is Qeswachaka Peru Tour a certified company to offer tours to the Camino a Machu Picchu?

Being part of the Inti Sun Trek Adventure Tourism Agency Chain, Inka Trail Backpacker, GRUPO CAMINOS DEL PERU E.I.R.L. All duly registered on the official website of the Peruvian Government: www.machupicchu.gob.pe. We have the certified support to offer the services of the tour to the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu in its different varieties.

It is important to know that all tourism companies that wish to be operators on the Inca Trail network to Machu Picchu must be certified and have an Inca Trail operator license granted by the government of Peru. This process is very rigorous and strict; not everyone who participates can be successful.

This authorization is renewed every 5 years, our associated companies have the authorization of operator of the Inca Trail valid until March 2025, we have a team that is only in charge of reserving all the income for the Inca Trail, and the walks such as Salkantay, Lares and Inca Jungle so that you can enjoy your tour with all the necessary tranquility

What happens if you renew your passport or Document?

If you renew or change the number or names of your passport or documents after having made the reservation of the tour / trek, you must send us a photograph of the new passport or document; we will make the change with the authorities before you arrive in Cusco; the extra cost to make the change is $20 that will cover expenses in the change of Entrance to the Inca Trail, Entrance to Machu Picchu and train tickets. If you do not wish to pay the $20 for the corresponding changes, you must bring your new and old passport or document to show it to the authorities (Inca Trail, Entrance to Machu Picchu, train tickets). If you do not have the 2 passports, you will have to buy a new entrance to the Inca Trail, Machu Picchu and the train on your own, the costs could be around $100.

Are all bus tickets between Aguas Calientes and Machu Picchu included?

No, the first two bus trips (from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes in the afternoon of the first day; from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu in the morning of the second day) are included, but a bus ticket for your final descent from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes on the second day is not included. This ticket costs approximately $12.00. It is also possible to walk to the city, which takes about an hour.

Can you pick us up if we are staying in Urubamba or Ollantaytambo?

Yes, however Ollantaytambo is the best place to stay other than Cusco. If you stay in Ollantaytambo, you will be able to sleep a little longer because we will pick you up approximately 1.5 hours after the normal pick-up time in Cusco. However, keep in mind that the pre-trip briefing can only be done in Cusco, which can be requested in advance.

What type of Hostel is reserved for this tour?

In Cusco: we will book at the MamaSimona, Hatun Quilla and Ecopacker hostels. These hostels offer comfortable beds, hot water for the bathroom, Wi-Fi and breakfast.
In Aguas Calientes, we will book at the Tambo Inn or/or Tambo B&B hostels. These hostels offer comfortable beds, hot water for the bathroom, Wi-Fi and breakfast.
NOTE: We guarantee the hostel reservation mentioned only if you make your reservation in advance. Otherwise, we may have to offer alternative accommodation.

Can I change the hostel for a hotel in Cusco and Aguas Calientes?

Yes, each traveler has their own expectations of accommodations. That is why we offer you the option of booking your own independent hostel.
Reserve it yourself or have us reserve it for you.
If you wish to book your own hostel independently we will offer you a $10.00 per person discount on the tour price. You can use this money to pay for an alternative hostel.

Refund: If we do not manage or fail to make your reservation for the Inca Trail, the payment of your deposit will be 100% refunded.

Health and Safety: All our participants must inform us if they have or have had any illness that may affect their personal or group progress during the walk. They will also need to bring their own medications. We recommend that you visit your doctor before making your reservation if you have any health problems.

Where to store your things: You can leave or store the things that you will not take to the Inca Trail in the hotel or hostel where you are staying. Most of these establishments have warehouses where they will store your things. If you do not trust the place where you are staying, we will gladly store your belongings in our office.

Where to store your things: You can leave or store the things that you will not take to the Inca Trail in the hotel or hostel where you are staying. Most of these establishments have warehouses where they will store your things. If you do not trust the place where you are staying, we will gladly store your belongings in our office.

Price:

440

USD

per person

Short Inca Trail to Machupicchu 2D / 1N

2 Days / 1 Nights

Group Tour

Cusco

184 Reviews

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