Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu - 2 Days

Our Machu Picchu adventure begins in Cusco, as we pick you up from your hotel in the morning (the exact time will depend on the train schedule). We then head to the train station and board the train for a scenic 1-hour journey to a point known as Kilometer 104. This is where we start our short Inca Trail trek.

From here, we have a walk of about four hours up to the Inca site of Wiñay Wayna ('Forever Young'), at about 2,680 meters (8,792 feet) above sea level. Wiñay Wayna is an impressive Inca ruin built into a steep hillside overlooking the Urubamba River. It consists of an upper and lower section of housing or storage, connected by an Inca staircase and a cascade of water channels and fountains. Almost the entire hillside above and below the structures is covered by beautiful Inca agricultural terraces. As well as being an agricultural center, Wiñay Wayna was also a religious or ceremonial site.

After exploring Wiñay Wayna, we’ll continue our trek all the way to Inti Punku (the Sun Gate). From the Sun Gate, you’ll have your first, dramatic view of Machu Picchu. It is believed that Inti Punku was once the main entrance to Machu Picchu. The site was dedicated to Inti, the Inca sun god, and was positioned on a ridge near Machu Picchu at just the right location to allow the rising sun to pass through the gate each year on the summer solstice.
From there, we begin our one-hour descent, walking in the footsteps of the Inca along Circuit 1-B, also called the Upper Terrace Route. This circuit leads us to the main viewpoint, the picture-perfect perch where travelers and trekkers can take their iconic postcard shot of Machu Picchu.

You will have the opportunity to re-enter Machu Picchu the following day (not Included) to climb Huayna Picchu / Machu Picchu Mountain, or explore the lower terraces and temples of this impressive Inca citadel. After our guided tour, we will head down to Aguas Calientes, the town below Machu Picchu. This is where we’ll have dinner after which, we will take you to your hotel. You’ll probably want to have an early night, especially if you choose to explore more of Machu Picchu. If you do not wish to visit Machu Picchu on the second day, we can arrange the following optional activities (entrances fees not included):

• Visit the Butterfly Sanctuary
• Visit the hot springs after which Aguas Calientes is named.
• Explore the vast artisan market and the town of Aguas Calientes 
• Visit the Museo Manuel Chávez Ballón

Please let us know your preferred option at the time of booking!

Total trekking distance: 11 km / 7 - 8 hours approx.
Highest altitude: 2,720 m (8,923 ft).
Lowest Altitude: 2,100 m (6,889 ft).