Trip introduction
More than 40,000 kilometers of Inca paths in South America make this adventure an epic moment in your trip. The Inca trail is one of the most important hikes to Machu Picchu and is considered one of the top 5 hikes in the world. The Inca state was a conquering civilization that built thousands and thousands of pathways just to control all the territory. In our short Inca Trail we will walk only 11 kilometers exploring places like Wiñay Wayna (forever young) and then will arrive at Machu Picchu to see the sunset.
Overview
We consider that the short Inca trail is the best itinerary for anyone who wants to visit Machu Picchu since it is the only one that will give us the option of visiting the Inca city for 2 days. We will take advantage of seeing the sunset and sunrise on the second day. We will explore the Inca sites such as Wiñayhuayna, and in the afternoon we will be able to have the city entirely to ourselves since the number of visitors to the place is minimal during those hours.
**** If you decide to do this walk, make sure you are in good physical condition, one of the main characteristics of this trail are the paths with many steps both going up and down.
Day 1: CUSCO – KM 104 – MACHU PICCHU – AGUAS CALIENTES
Wake up early for bus ride to transfer to the Train Station in Ollantaytambo from Cusco. After approximately 1:45 hour on bus, will catch the train to Km 104 (Chachabamba) to begin the Inca Trail. Our guide will show you the first Inca site (Chachabamba) then we will walk up for 2 or 3 hours towards another Incan significant site to Wiñay Wayna (eternal Young). We will walk through a mixture of cacti vegetation where we’ll see varieties of orchids and a cloud forest. Later on we will continue for 2 hours more to the Sun gate to see the sunset at Machu Picchu and have our first classic picture taken there. Finally, we will end the afternoon by continuing our walk down to Aguas Calientes for night where you can take advantage of the hot springs if you choose to do so.
Day 2: MACHU PICCHU – CUSCO
This is our Day!!! We’ll catch the first bus leaving from Aguas Calientes at 5:30am to Machu Picchu City. After we enter the check point with our guide we’ll walk for 7 or 10 minutes to experience the panoramic view of the city and depending on weather condition we could see the sunrise. We will explore the city for 2 or 3 hours while visiting the most important sectors inside and listening the wealth of historical information from our guide. After the tour you could explore the place on your own. AT the end of the day we will return to Aguas Calientes to catch the train to Cusco.
WHAT IS INCLUDED FOR THIS TREK?
- Briefing at your Hotel one day before the trek an aproximatly 6:00pm
- Hotel pick up for leave the city and go to Ollantaytambo
- Private tourist transportation from Cusco / Ollantaytambo
- Professional English speaking guide
- Meals along the Trail ( 1 breakfast , 1 box lunch , 1 dinner (optional: vegetarian, celiatic option upon request)
- First-aid kit, including emergency oxygen tank
- Expedition Tourist train ticket Ollantaytambo / km 104 - Aguas Calientes / Ollantaytambo
- Private transportation From Ollantaytambo / Cusco
- Permit to the short Inca Trail & Entrance ticket to Machu Picchu Archaeological Complex
- Two hours guided tour in Machu Picchu the second day
- Bus ticket Machu Picchu / Aguas Calientes – Aguas Calientes / Machu Picchu / Aguas Calientes
- night Hotel in Aguas Calientes
WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED FOR THIS TREK?
- Huayna Picchu Mountain: + $75 USD – you have to book mínimum 3 months in advance
- Last lunch at Aguas Calientes. (You can choose different options at the towm)
- VISTADOME Train – + $67 USD per person
- Tips for the Guide
BENEFITS OF TRAVELING WITH TERRA PERU AVENTURAS
- Assistance 24/7 a week in English.
- Qualified professionals on all tours
- Professional Guides in English on all tours
- Free transfer from the airport to the hotel
EXTRAS
- Walking Poles – +$15 USD per pair per trek
**HuaynaPicchu is optional trek in Machu Picchu which do not include a guide. The climb is usually done on your own after your tour of Machu Picchu Citadel.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Please read the following information carefully. This will help you resolve your doubts and/or questions about our services
ARRIVAL IN CUSCO
All our services start at the airport of the city of Cusco where our driver will be waiting for the arrival of your flight to be able to drive you to the hotel of your choice, this service has no additional cost.
For which it is necessary that you provide us with your flight details and confirmation 1 or 2 days before your arrival in the city, our staff will be waiting with the Terra Peru Aventuras sign which you have to locate.
THE BRIEFING
The briefing is the information that is provided to our clients prior to a trip, this will be done one night before the selected activity at the hotel of their stay. In general, the schedule will depend on the other activities that you have planned to carry out, but many times it usually takes place between 6 and 7 at night.
HOW CAN I BOOK THE SHORT INCA TRAIL TOUR?
To start a reservation, the first thing we request is your personal data along with the details of the date you would like to do the walk or trip, then we will request an advance payment of 40% of the total value of the walk in order to generate the purchase of the necessary tickets for the tour.
After the deposit, our reservation staff will send you the confirmation of the reservation of the Tour which will include the DATE, NAME OF THE TOUR, PERSONAL DATA OF THE CLIENT, AMOUNT DEPOSITED AND AMOUNT PENDING PAYABLE UPON ARRIVAL IN THE CITY.
Terra Peru Aventuras offers you different payment methods depending on your needs, from bank deposits, transfers via Wester Union, as well as PayPal (consider +8% to the deposit to be made for reasons of bank commissions)
WHEN DO I MAKE THE FINAL PAYMENT OF THE TOUR?
In general, the total payment must be made upon arrival, we recommend making the payment in cash, due to commission issues from international banks that may be unfavorable to you in case you want to make a payment with your credit card. Our staff gives you more details about it.
CAN I CHANGE THE DEPARTURE DATE AFTER I HAVE PURCHASED THE TICKETS?
For all our tours with the exception of Machu Picchu, Inca Trail, Salkantay, yes! is possible to modify the date without any cost, this must be communicated to our staff as soon as possible in order to carry out the procedures for the modification with a new date.
WHAT HAPPENS WITH ALTITUDE SICKNESS?
Any good experience will depend on a good physical condition, if you practice any physical activity regularly you should not worry about a possible altitude sickness, however as an additional recommendation we suggest acclimatizing, in this sense you should consider spending at least 3 days to do some walk and 1 day to be able to carry out some activity or cultural tour.
There are medications that could achieve better acclimatization, but since we are not doctors, we suggest you drink plenty of water and coca infusions to achieve better acclimatization.
WHEN THE TOUR ENDS, DO YOU TAKE US TO THE HOTEL?
Everything will depend on the style of travel that you chose. Our clients who travel in a private service have the option of ending the tours at their hotel. However, those who opt for a group tour, our tour ends in the Plaza Regocijo or close to it so that you can walk without any worries to your hotel.
WHAT DO YOU NEED TO BRING?
- Original passport (the same used for booking the trek)
- Good daypack or backpack
- Water storage: 2-3 L (Camelbaks are encouraged)
- Comfortable hiking boots
- Headlamp
- Toilet paper
- Good rain jacket and pants
- 2 t-shirts
- 2 hiking pants at least
- 4 sets of undergarments
- 3 sets of hiking socks
- Fleece/ Thermals
- Warm clothes, down jacket — 2nd campsite its the higher and temperture drop to 2 Celius
- degrees
- Sandals
- Quickdry towel
- Battery Charge
- Sleeping bag: It has to be at least -15ºC Hand sanitizer
- Wet wipes
- Toothbrush and toothpaste
- Personal medications
- Personal First aid kit: band aids, moleskin, etc
- Sunscreen
- Insect repellent
- Sun glasses