Short Classic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu 2 Days/ 1 Night
Duration
From
Overview
Since we operate the Short Classic Inca Trail ourselves, we offer departures year-round. Indeed, if you prefer to join a group, here are our confirmed reservations for departure dates:
The scenery of the short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is well-renowned! You will explore the cloud forests and rainforest, providing an unforgettable experience that showcases the ancient Inca way of life. The trail winds through protected natural areas, passing the archaeological site of Wiayhuyna, where one can appreciate the wide variety of forest flora and fauna, and finally leads to the great sanctuary of Machu Picchu.
Altitude: 2050 – 2650 m. / 6726 / 9350
High Season: March – January
Duration: 2 days – 1 night
Level of Difficulty: Normal (Easy)
Route: Closed in February
Comments: 2 days of altitude acclimatisation required
Due to its popularity, permits for the Classic Inca Trail are sometimes sold out. However, don’t despair, there are other equally spectacular trails leading to Machu Picchu, such as the Lares Trek and the Salkantay Jungle Trek.
Full Itinerary
Our journey starts early in the morning, at 3:40 am, from Cusco. After arriving at km 104 by train (Inca Rail from 6:40 am), the Royal Inca Trail begins with a hike to Chachabamba (2,270 m/7,448 ft), where our guide will explain the site's ancient function. After this, we will reach Wiayhuayna (2,650 m / 8,694ft), a lunch point and the most important archaeological site besides Machu Picchu. Continuing along the trail, we reach the Sun Gate (Inti Punku), a viewpoint from which we get our first view of Machu Picchu (2400 m/7874ft). We continue walking towards Machu Picchu to get the classic view of the Citadel in the early afternoon. You will have plenty of time to enjoy the view and take pictures of this majestic place.
We will continue our walk to our hotel in Aguas Calientes, spending only some time at the Sanctuary of Machu Picchu on the first day. The walk down to Aguas Calientes is around 45 minutes to one hour. This short trail is also part of the original Inca Trail.
Option: Relax in the town's hot springs (15 Soles)
Accommodation: Hotel Hatun Inti Classic
Hiking time: 06 hours
Total distance: 12 km
We will leave our hotel by bus after breakfast at about 5:30 am, continuing our journey to the Inca Citadel of Machu Picchu. The reason for going this early is that the site will be less crowded, and the morning is a good time to appreciate the tranquillity and ancient spirit of the continent's best-known archaeological site. After we arrive at the citadel around 6:00 am, our guide will give us a detailed tour of Machu Picchu and the history and culture of the Incas.
(According to the entrance fee to Machu Picchu, the timing will be defined due to the availability of the entrance fees.)
(due to the new regulation of Machu Picchu, the second day entrance fee is not included anymore)
Machu Picchu is the best-known of all the Inca Archaeological sites, as it is recognised worldwide as one of the New Seven Wonders, even though it's not mentioned in any handwritten chronicle by the Spanish Conquerors. Experts believe that Machu Picchu was constructed around the mid-15th century by Inca Pachacuteq and was rediscovered in 1911 by American historian Hiram Bingham.
The guided tour of this fascinating site will be an unforgettable experience, including visits to the Main Square, the Royal Quarters, the Temple of the Three Windows, the Circular Sun Tower, the Sacred Sun Dial (Intihuatana), and the Burial Grounds.
Optional: You can hike up Huayna Picchu (the mountain behind Machu Picchu), from where you will enjoy stunning views over the whole complex! However, only 400 entrance tickets are available per day, so please let us know in advance if you plan to hike so we can reserve your ticket for US$60.00.
Because Huayna Picchu is very quickly oversold, we offer Machu Picchu Mountain as a second option for climbing. The advantage of this hike is that it will be less crowded without sacrificing beauty! The cost for this hike is also US$60.00 per person.
La Gran Caverna is a ceremonial temple in Machu Picchu, with an entrance fee of US$60.00 per person.
You can visit the beautiful Inca Bridge (a 1-hour hike). This road will allow you to enjoy other views of Machu Picchu and take many breathtaking pictures. US$45.00 per person.
When leaving the site, a bus takes you down to Aguas Calientes for a late lunch.
(according to your time in Machu Picchu)
At 14:30, you take the train back to Ollantaytambo and then a tourist bus to Cusco. In case you finish early in Machu Picchu
Please let us know if you want to spend more time in Aguas Calientes, so we can book a later train at 4:12 pm or 7:00 pm (depending on the train service, there may be an extra cost).
Climate: Warm with mosquitoes
Hiking time: 02 hours total
Distance: 4 km
(1) Visit Machu Picchu Citadel: The entrance ticket for Machu Picchu citadel is not included in the Inca Trail permit (extra cost of $45.00).
(2)Visit to Huayna Picchu: The entrance fee for Huayna Picchu Mountain must be booked in advance and includes circuit 3. For an additional US$60.
(3) Tips for the guides are always welcome.
Please read the Terms & Conditions for the Inca Trail:
Please note that the program's deposit is non-refundable. The deposit is used to purchase the entrance ticket to the Inca Trail and Machu Picchu. Once a ticket is purchased, it cannot be resold.
Green Peru Adventures will not issue refunds if a participant cancels the trip before departure or during the journey. We will provide you with tickets to the archaeological sites, as well as bus and train transportation.
If Green Peru Adventures doesn't confirm the reservation, your payment will be fully refunded. All participants have to carry their own backpacks.
A participant must declare any illness or medical condition and bring their medication.
All participants must bring their original passport and, if available, their original ISIC student card.
All clients must have personal travel insurance. This insurance must cover personal accidents, medical expenses, loss of effects, and all other expenses that may arise from loss, damage, or injury to the client. Green Peru Adventures shall not be held accountable for any accident or loss of the customer's personal belongings.
In case force majeure occurs, such as an impossibility to operate the program or trek due to unusual or unforeseen circumstances outside of Green Peru Adventure's control like extreme weather conditions, landslides, strikes not allowing operation or putting it at risk, sudden inaccessibility of route, etc., Green Peru Adventures will propose viable solutions to operate the program within the available dates, or if impossible, will then suggest an alternative program. If the client's chosen alternative is worth less than the originally booked price, the client is entitled to a refund of the price difference. All cost overages will be at the client's expense. If none of these options is feasible, Green Peru Adventures will refund all paid amounts, except for costs already incurred.
Included/Exclude
- Pre-departure Inca Trail informative presentation by your tour guide
- 24-hour support from the company owner
- Tourist train to km 104
- Accommodation at a 3-star hostel (single person pays +US$60)
- Entrance tickets to the Inca Trail and the Sanctuary of Machu Picchu
- Professional bilingual licensed guide for up to 8 trekkers (Spanish and English)
- 2.5 hours guided visit and explanation in Machu Picchu
- Meals: 1 breakfast, one lunchbox, and one dinner (vegetarian food and specialised diets by request)
- Bus Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu – Aguas Calientes
- Tourist train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo and bus to Cusco
- Transfer to your hotel in Cusco
- First-aid kit and oxygen bottle
- Breakfast on the first day and the last lunch in Aguas Calientes
- Trekking poles (10 Soles each to rent), wood walking stick (5-10 Soles to buy)
- Energy snacks such as chocolate bars or dried fruits will be handy
- Entrance to hot springs in Aguas Calientes (15 Soles)
- Extra drinks
- Tips for the trekking crew (not mandatory!)
- Insurance of any kind
Recommendations, what to bring
- Backpack with a rain shelter
- Clothing for warm and cold climates
- Rain pants and lightweight pants
- Trekking shoes
- Trekking poles (poles with metal tips are not allowed on the trail)
- Slippers or sandals (for showers and hot springs)
- T-shirts and trekking pants that zip off to short pants for a comfortable day walk
- Rain gear, a rain poncho, and a hat
- Bathing suit (for the hot springs in Aguas Calientes)
- Sunscreen, insect repellent, disinfecting alcohol, and gel
- Personal medical kit
- Toiletries/ toilet paper /small towel
- 2-litre water bottle, water purifying tablets
- Camera (wrapped in a plastic bag), a flashlight, and batteries
- Some snacks like chocolate bars and dry fruits
- Original passport, and original student card if you book your tour as a student
- Extra money for drinks, tips, and souvenirs (Soles or Dollars) – emergency money of at least 200 extra Soles
What we need when you make a reservation
- Scanned copy of your passport, to info@greenperuadventures.com
- Tour departure date
- Send a deposit of 60% of the total price of your tour. (The remainder of your balance will be due upon your arrival in Cusco.) Payment can be made via Western Union, PayPal, or ABN AMRO Bank in Holland, or securely and directly through our website by selecting your desired tour and clicking the BOOK NOW button.
Prices
- GROUP SIZE: 2-8 (Maximum 8 persons with 1 tour guide – minimum 2 persons in a group)
- PACKAGE PRICES: US$550 per person
- 2-3 people US$610
- 4- 5 people US$560
“With every tour you book with Green Peru Adventures, you can request a free walking tour of Cusco’s mysterious and historical city, accompanied by one of our professional guides, who speaks several languages.”
We are looking forward to creating an unforgettable experience for you.
