INCA TRAIL SHORT 2 DAYS

Day 1: Cusco - Km104 - Chachabamba - WiÑaywayna – Machu Picchu 

We will pick you up from your Cusco hotel early in the morning (about 5:00am) and then drive to the train station in Ollantaytambo and take the train to Kilometer (Km) 104, which takes about three hours. Km 104 is an unscheduled train stop so you will probably feel a twinge of satisfaction that the train is stopping especially for you – and by knowing you are about to see things that no one else will get to! At Km 104 we will get off the train and pass the Inca Trail checkpoint where we will see our first archaeological center called Chachabamba (2,170 m / 7,170 ft). These ruins were one of the last shelters that the Incas used before they reached Machu Picchu. This site was also used as a religious and administrative center, and features several buildings. Then, we will gradually ascend for about 2-3 hours climbing Inca stone steps while our guide points out different flora and fauna along the trail. We will then pass a tall waterfall before arriving at the archaeological site called Wiñay Wayna at (2,650 m / 8,700 ft), which is named after an orchid and means Forever Young in Quechua. We will climb to the top of the ruins and enjoy lunch with an incredible view of Wiñay Wayna and the Sacred Valley. This large site sits on a mountainside and features experimental terraces that the Incas used to grow different crops. We will visit an important temple with 7 windows that was dedicated to the rainbow as well as observe the amazing engineering of water channels that still function today. Once we finish our tour here, we will continue our hike for about 1 ½ hours on a part of the Inca Trail which is relatively flat, with small ascents and descents along the way. At about 5:00 pm we will reach the Sun Gate (2,720 m / 8,920 ft) which is called Intipunku in Quechua. This is where we will have our first view of Machu Picchu and from there we will head down to the ruins to take the bus down to Aguas Calientes. Upon arrival to Aguas Calientes you will check in to your hotel. The natural hot springs in town are an unbeatable way to spend a late afternoon/early evening if time is available before dinner. Dinner will be at Ayllu. 

Day 2: Aguas Calientes Town – Machu Picchu - Cusco 

After breakfast, we will take the first bus that leaves at 5:30hrs to Machu Picchu, and we will be there before than the other groups and where we will be able to see the beautiful sunrise. Then we will have a tour for two half hours with our tour professional Guide and we will be visiting the most important places of Machu Picchu. After We finish with our guided tour you will have free time to explore by yourself. Once more, we have to go back to Aguas Calientes town to take the afternoon train to come back to Cusco. Finally at 18:20hrs. We will take the train back to Ollantaytambo (train station) from Aguas Calientes and then we will continue by bus from Ollantaytambo to Cusco. We will be arriving to Cusco around at 22:30hrs.