Full-Day Short Inca Trail Including Machu Picchu
1 day
Full Day
Instant confirmation
About this activity
Brief Itinerary:
Day 1 – Cusco / Wiñaywayna / Machu Picchu citadel (L, D)
* Additional activities, nights of accommodation or tour extensions in Cusco and other parts of Peru and Bolivia can be added to this tour. Contact us for the full list of possibilities.
Full Itinerary:
Day 1: Cusco – Wiñaywayna – Machu Picchu Meals: L (box-lunch), D
We will pick you up from your hotel between 4:00 a.m. and 4:30 a.m. to catch the train to the trailhead at Km.104 of the Ollantaytambo – Machu Picchu railroad. On arrival, we will visit the nearby ruins of Chachabamba and then begin the four-hour, 8km ascent to join the classic Inca Trail at the impressive Wiñaywayna archaeological complex. This consists of an agricultural sector with numerous terraces, plus religious and urban centers. On the way up, we’ll take in magnificent views of the Urubamba River Valley, the Choquesuysuy archaeological complex on the opposite side of the river, and a beautiful waterfall minutes away from Wiñaywayna. Leaving Wiñaywayna, an hour’s trek along a trail of flat stones on the edges of the highland jungle cliffs brings us to the ‘Intipunku’ (Sun Gate), the ceremonial gateway into Machu Picchu. We will get our first glimpse of the sacred citadel of Machu Picchu from here. Then, we are going to visit the Machupicchu citadel, tour guided. Then we descend to Aguas Calientes (Machupicchu town) to take the train back to ollanta-Cusco.
* Departure and arrival times are approximate.
Day 1 – Cusco / Wiñaywayna / Machu Picchu citadel (L, D)
* Additional activities, nights of accommodation or tour extensions in Cusco and other parts of Peru and Bolivia can be added to this tour. Contact us for the full list of possibilities.
Full Itinerary:
Day 1: Cusco – Wiñaywayna – Machu Picchu Meals: L (box-lunch), D
We will pick you up from your hotel between 4:00 a.m. and 4:30 a.m. to catch the train to the trailhead at Km.104 of the Ollantaytambo – Machu Picchu railroad. On arrival, we will visit the nearby ruins of Chachabamba and then begin the four-hour, 8km ascent to join the classic Inca Trail at the impressive Wiñaywayna archaeological complex. This consists of an agricultural sector with numerous terraces, plus religious and urban centers. On the way up, we’ll take in magnificent views of the Urubamba River Valley, the Choquesuysuy archaeological complex on the opposite side of the river, and a beautiful waterfall minutes away from Wiñaywayna. Leaving Wiñaywayna, an hour’s trek along a trail of flat stones on the edges of the highland jungle cliffs brings us to the ‘Intipunku’ (Sun Gate), the ceremonial gateway into Machu Picchu. We will get our first glimpse of the sacred citadel of Machu Picchu from here. Then, we are going to visit the Machupicchu citadel, tour guided. Then we descend to Aguas Calientes (Machupicchu town) to take the train back to ollanta-Cusco.
* Departure and arrival times are approximate.
Included
- Pre-departure briefing.(one day before the trek)
- Healing Activity – Andean Blessing by an Andean Priest for protection during your trek. .(one day before the trek)
- Pick-up from your hotel in the morning and transfer to Ollantaytambo train station.
- Specialized Professional Bilingual Guide (2 guides for groups of 9 people or more)
- First-aid kit, including emergency oxygen canister.
- Box lunch and Snacks.
- Toilet paper and hand sanitizer.
- Transfer: train station
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Not included
- Breakfast on the first day, dinner on the last day.
- Visit to the hot springs in Aguas Calientes. This is a relaxing way to end-up the trek while you’re awaiting the return train to Cusco. Only 10 minutes from the village center, entrance fee is Peruvian Soles s/20.00 per person. Towels can be rented in Aguas Calientes.
- Extra costs.
Additional
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Vistadome Service train (Superior) instead of the Expedition one (Tourist train), at an additional cost between $20.00 to $30.00 USD per person. Please note that our guide travels back to Cusco on the Expedition train on all group services, so if you book this extra service you will not be accompanied by our guide.
- Hiram Bingham Luxury train instead of the Expedition one (Tourist train), at an additional cost of $350.00USD per person. This train departs Aguas Calientes at 5.50pm and includes a gourmet dinner and presentation on board, with an estimated arrival time to Poroy train station at 9.16pm. Please note that our guide travels back to Cusco in the Expedition train on all group services, so if you wish to book this extra service, you will not be accompanied by our guide
- Hiking Poles or Walking Sticks $4 USD per pole per day
- Massage sessions: $60.00 USD per 1-hour session ($50.00 USD per session if at least 2 sessions are booked). Our massage therapists have the highest recognition in Cusco and offer the following treatments: relaxation massage, stress-relieving massage, spinal column massage, energizing massage, Inca massage, altitude symptom relief, aroma therapy, honey therapy, glass therapy, hot stone therapy, foot reflexology, shiatzu, reiki and floral cleansing therapy. We recommend massage sessions before and after your trekking program. Services are at the hotel and are available in Cusco and Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu Village).
- These are very limited: only 200 permits are available per day, on a first-come-first-serve basis. You must book and pay a deposit well in advance. For high season of May to October, 5-6 months in advance. For the low season of November to April, 3-4 months in advance. If there are no permits available, you can still hike the Lares Trail, Salkantay trek or do the Inca Jungle Adventure tour.
- .
- Those trekkers who wish to climb Wayna Picchu Mountain after they have finished the trek must let us know well in advance as permits are limited. For high season (May to October), 2-4 months in advance. Low season (November to April) 1-2 months in advance. There is an additional $60 USD per person charge so we can purchase your ticket for the 2nd time slot at 10:00 am (students with ISIC card: $75 USD per person). Machu Picchu Mountain (additional cost $200 USD) is far less busy and doesn’t need to be booked as far in advance but must also be reserved at the time of booking so that we can purchase your ticket.
- Cusco’s climate is divided into two distinct seasons: the rainy season, from November to April (the heaviest rainfalls occurring usually between January and March), and the dry season, from May to October. The dry season is colder, so temperatures can drop to below 0 degrees at night.
- Along the Inca Trail, temperatures range from 15-20ºC during the day, if it’s sunny, to 05-10ºC during the day if not sunny. At Wiñaywayna and Machupicchu, at lower altitude, temperatures are usually warmer, though warm clothes are still recommended at night.
- Hiking pants and T-shirts are recommended during the day, complemented by sweaters, fleeces and waterproof jackets. It is very convenient to have light raingear available in your daypack (rain poncho or jacket and/or rain pants) as the weather changes easily and rain can suddenly occur. At night, warm clothing is required: down jackets are useful, otherwise a fleece and a jacket. During Day 2 at Machu Picchu, convertible hiking pants are useful, as they can be switched into shorts if it gets sunny and hot. Machu Picchu has a warm climate, getting only cold at night. The other necessary equipment is included in the “You Should Bring” list. Good quality, comfortable footwear is essential. Whatever you wear on your feet, the most important thing is comfort. It is vital that your boots are well worn in and lightweight. Ankle support and waterproofing are recommended, but if you already have something comfortable with good grip on rocks then don’t go rushing out to buy new boots – you are better off with your well-worn in pair! Low-cut hiking shoes will also work on this trail if your ankles are strong.
- The Inca Trail is certainly not easy, but you do not need to be an athlete or a trekking expert to complete it. Fitness is naturally important but it is the kind of trek that anyone with a positive attitude and determination can do. However, the more fit you are the more you will enjoy the trail and the more chance you will have to take in the scenery and appreciate the Inca ruins dotted along the way. If you do not exercise regularly, it is advisable to do some extra walking or some kind of aerobic activity in the months leading up to your trip.
- Many people worry whether they will be able to cope physically, but complete failure is rare and would usually only result from severe altitude sickness or a person lacking even a basic level of fitness. Adults of all ages, from teenager to retiree, complete the trek, and age itself is no barrier if you are positive-minded and live an active lifestyle. If you are at all uncertain about your fitness, we recommend visiting your doctor.
- If you are planning to take your children to Peru, please be advised that the minimum age for hiking the Inca Trail is 13 years old.
- This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate
Features
Tourism
90%
Cultural
60%
Sport
20%
Original
20%
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