Our Short Inca Trail Tour offers an unforgettable adventure through Peru’s stunning landscapes, culminating in the awe-inspiring Machu Picchu view. This specially designed 2-day Inca Trail hike to Machu Picchu is perfect for those seeking the thrill of hiking the Inca Trail. You can do this without committing to a longer trek.
For two days, you’ll experience breathtaking scenery and traverse ancient paths. You will explore fascinating archaeological sites while savoring the anticipation of arriving at Machu Picchu.
Our journey will begin early from your hotel in Cusco. We will ensure we have ample time to enjoy every step of the trail to Machu Picchu. This scenic route, spanning approximately 12 kilometers (7.5 miles), leads us through lush cloud forests and sacred ruins.
Along the way, our expert tour guide will share stories about the Inca civilization. We will enrich your understanding of these ancient landscapes. We will hike through moderate to challenging terrain, so wearing well-fitted hiking boots is essential. With the right preparation and our detailed packing list, we will make this trek safe and enjoyable.
The trail’s highlight will be passing through the Sun Gate (Inti Punku). Here we will catch our first view of Machu Picchu, an experience that will be etched in your memory. As we trek deeper into these high-altitude landscapes, ranging from 2,700 to 2,900 meters (8,860 to 9,514 feet) above sea level, we will acclimate to the elevation. Along the way, we will also learn how to prevent altitude sickness. It’s advisable to book months in advance to secure permits. The Inca Trail tours are limited to preserve this heritage site.
The best time to embark on this adventure is during the dry season (May to September). It is when the weather is favorable for hiking the Inca Trail. After the rewarding trek, we will spend the night at a cozy hotel in Cusco, reminiscing about the journey. Whether you’re a seasoned hiker or a first-timer, this 2-day tour to Machu Picchu will immerse you in history, nature, and adventure, leaving you with memories that will last a lifetime.
At Amazon Garden Lodge, we highly recommend this shorter, immersive experience for those eager to explore the essence of the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu within a limited timeframe. Join us, and together we will walk in the footsteps of the Incas, uncovering the beauty and mystery of this ancient world.
Permits: Just like the classic Inca Trail, a permit is required to trek the Short Inca Trail. It is advisable to book your permit in advance, especially during the peak season (May to September).
Difficulty: While the Short Inca Trail is less physically demanding than the classic route, it still involves uphill climbs and uneven terrain. It is considered a moderate trek, suitable for people with a reasonable level of fitness.
Guides and Porters: Hiring a professional guide is mandatory for the Short Inca Trail. They provide valuable insights into the history and culture along the way. You can also choose to hire a porter to carry your backpack, making the trek more comfortable.
Overall, the Short Inca Trail offers a condensed yet rewarding experience, allowing you to witness the beauty of the Andean landscape and explore the magnificent ruins of Machu Picchu in a shorter time frame.
We will begin the first day of our Short Inca Trail Tour early in the morning. We will embark on a scenic drive from Cusco to Ollantaytambo. Here we will board a train.
As the train follows the Urubamba River through the Sacred Valley, we will enjoy views of dramatic landscapes and ancient terraces. After approximately two hours, we will arrive at Kilometer 104, the official starting point of our Inca Trail hike to Machu Picchu.
Here, we will meet our guide and start the trek, passing through lush vegetation and ascending ancient stone steps. The hike will take us past archaeological sites, such as Chachabamba, where we will explore the remnants of this important Inca ceremonial center. Continuing along the trail, we will cross wooden bridges and walk alongside small waterfalls, fully immersed in the natural beauty of the Andean forest.
As we gain altitude, the climb will gradually become more challenging, but the effort will be rewarded with incredible views of the surrounding valleys and distant peaks. After about three to four hours, we will reach the majestic site of Wiñay Wayna at 2,700 meters (8,860 feet) above sea level. We will take time to explore this remarkable complex, known for its agricultural terraces and stone houses, before enjoying a boxed lunch surrounded by nature.
Refreshed, we will continue the final stretch of the trek to Machu Picchu, passing through the Sun Gate (Inti Punku). From here, we will get our first view of Machu Picchu in the late afternoon, bathed in soft golden light. After taking in the breathtaking panorama, we will descend to the entrance of the citadel and take a short bus ride to the town of Aguas Calientes, where we will spend the night in a cozy hotel.
We will begin the second day of our Short Inca Trail Tour with an early breakfast at our hotel in Aguas Calientes. Afterward, we will board the first bus up to Machu Picchu, ensuring we arrive just in time to see the ancient citadel bathed in the morning light. Our guide will lead us through the main sections of this incredible archaeological site, explaining the history, significance, and mysteries of the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu.
As we explore the Temple of the Sun, the Intihuatana Stone, and the Sacred Plaza, we will gain a deeper understanding of the Inca civilization and its mastery of architecture and astronomy. There will be plenty of time to take photos and admire the panoramic views from various vantage points. The morning hours are perfect for soaking in the tranquil atmosphere before larger crowds arrive.
After the guided tour, we will have free time to wander through the terraces and hidden corners of Machu Picchu. For those seeking a bit more adventure, an optional hike to Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain can offer even more spectacular views. These hikes require prior booking due to limited availability, so we recommend securing permits months in advance.
We will then take the bus back to Aguas Calientes, where we can enjoy a leisurely lunch at a local café or restaurant. In the afternoon, we will board the train back to Ollantaytambo and continue by car to Cusco, marking the end of our incredible 2-day Inca Trail hike to Machu Picchu.
Please check availability for the 2 Day Short Inca Trail Before doing Your Reservation if there is not availability on the date you want do do The Inca Trail Please Check our alternatives Treks towards Machupicchu
2 DAY SHORT INCA TRAIL AVAILABILITY 2024 – 2025
PRICE 2024 – 2025 per person
We can leave any day of the week, as long as permits are available. Please remember, permits are only needed for your start date.
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PRICE 2024 – 2025 per person US$480
We can leave any day of the week, as long as permits are available. Please remember, permits are only needed for your start date.
Nearly all the hotels in Cusco provide a secure luggage deposit. Put any valuables in their safe. Very rarely do hotels charge for this service especially if you are returning to the same hotel after the trek. If there are any problems with your hotel we can arrange to store your luggage at Peru Amazon Garden Lodge office.
NOTE: Train included in all tours is the Expeditions Train (to Ollantaytambo) Train times will only be confirmed once full amount of tour is paid. The earliest train you could take is the 6:45pm and being the 9:20pm the last train. Bioandean Expeditions will organize the transport back to Cusco (by taxi or by bus).
Please Note: train times are subject to change depending on Peru rail .If organized in advance, the train can be upgraded to Vistadome (larger windows than the backpaker cerrojo train to ollantaytambo ) for an increased price.let us know please.
INCA TRAIL REGULATIONS
The national historical sanctuary is protected by law to conserve its biodiversity as well as the Inka ruins Machupicchu comes under intense pressure, with over 300,000 visitors each year. From May to September, an average of 2000 people explore the ruins daily, of whom 150 / 200 have hiked the trail, and the rest by train.
Compared with many other tourist attractions, the Inka trail is well maintained. The Peruvians have worked hard at limiting the erosion, litter and other damage caused by its popularity. This is a long term campaign which needs and deserves your support. By choosing an environmentally conscious tour operator and be careful about handling litter, where you go the toilet, and the use the poles you can help them preserve this wonderful place. Fortunately, controversial plans to build a cable car and large hotel at machupicchu have been widely opposed, and the rules announced in 2000 were being enforced from 2001.