Peru Here & Now - Short Inca Trail

SHORT INCA TRAIL

2 days / 1 night

Itinerary

Day 1: CUSCO - Km 104 (2,100 m / 6,890 ft)

You will be picked from your hotel around 7:00 am and transferred to the train station where you'll take the backpacker train to Km 104, arriving at approx.10:30 am. We will start the trek from there, walking for about 3-4 hours (8 km / 5 mi), bound to the spectacular site of Wiñay Wayna ("Forever Young" 2,700 m / 8,900 ft). Lunch will be provided en route. Located on a steep ledge overlooking the Río Urubamba, Wiñay Wayna is a very impressive archeological site, undoubtedly the most spectacular of the whole Inca Trail, and partly because of its breathtaking setting. We will explore the extensive Inca ruins, which are believed to have served as a ceremonial and agricultural center, with their numerous terraces and what seems to be a religious sector and an urban sector.

We will then hike for about two hours to the Inti Puncu (Sun Gate), where we see the magnificent citadel of Machu Picchu at our feet, and then to Aguas Calientes where we will spend the night.

(Incl. Lunch, Dinner)

Day 2: MACHU PICCHU - CUSCO

After breakfast we will take the bus to the Machu Picchu ruins (2,400 m / 7,874 ft) for an approx. 2-hour guided tour. Then you will have some time to enjoy Machu Picchu at your leisure. Lunch will be provided.

In the afternoon we will take the train back to Cusco around 4:30 pm, arriving around 21:50 pm.

(Incl. Breakfast, Lunch)

Note: All distances, altitudes and times and durations are approximate.

Not Included

Entrance to the thermal springs in Aguas Calientes (optional) - US$10 as of April 2007

Tips for the guides, cook and helpers

Included

An informative presentation of the trek (the evening before)

Hotel accommodations in Aguas Calientes (double room basis)

Entrance fees for Inca Trail, Wiñay Wayna and Machu Picchu

All transportation involved from and to your hotel, including round-trip backpacker train ticket

Meals as indicated

Drinking water (filtered with Rotoplas system)

Emergency oxygen bottle and a first aid kit (traveler's diarrhea, cuts/ scrapes, etc.)

Toilet paper

Cook and helpers

Professional Spanish/English-speaking local guide

What to bring

Medium size back pack for hiking. If you bring extra gear, you will need to hire an extra porter at your own cost.

Good and well-fitted trekking shoes

Change of clothes (Recommended “safari” type with pockets and cargo pants with detachable legs.) We suggest you reserve a set of clean clothes for the day in Machu Picchu and the train ride back. You will be more comfortable and your fellow train passengers might thank you.

Warm and light clothes for evening and night: jacket, polar fleece, sweaters, thermal underpants…

Warm gloves, scarf & socks

Sunglasses

Hat or cap to protect you from the sun, rain and cold

Rain plastic poncho all year and good rain gear for rain season (November to March)

Personal toiletry and sunscreen, lip balm, band-aids (special for blisters), aspirin, etc.

Insect repellent (very important, especially in rain season) and afterbite

A refillable water bottle and sterilizing tablets (e.g. Micropur)

Flashlight and batteries

Camera and batteries (batteries consume more quickly under cold conditions)

Snacks: dried fruit, nuts, energy bars, chocolate, biscuits, etc.

Swimsuit (if you intend to go to the hot springs in Aguas Calientes)

Cash in Soles and US $ (There are ATM machines in Cusco but not in Aguas Calientes – Carry plenty of small bills for tipping purposes, drinks, snacks, etc. Change is very hard to get)

Photocopy of you passport. We recommend leaving the original passport in a safety box at your hotel. If there is no safety box, then bring it with you too.

Optional: walking sticks or poles (rubber covers required)

Note: We recommend you travel “light” (8 kg–18 lb max) since you will carry your personal items for the day.

Frequently Asked Questions

Maps

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Also known as the "Sacred Inca Trail", the trek involves a four hour walk uphill to Wiñay Wayna and a couple of hours further to Machu Picchu, making it ideal for visitors wanting to experience at least a part of the Inca Trail but who don't have the time or energy to perform the 4-day trek.

This itinerary should only be undertaken by people who are fairly fit and even though it is carried out at a much lower altitude than the Classic 4-day Inca Trail you still have to take time to acclimate.