Inca Trail to Machu Picchu (2 Days / 1 Night)

Overview

The short Inca Trail combines beautiful mountain landscapes and incredible panoramic views, with the exuberant cloud forest, in the subtropical jungle´s splendid natural surroundings, where the Incas´ magnificent architectural and engineering work stands-out with exceptional stone pavement, agricultural benched terraces, water fountains, tunnels and astonishing architectural complexes, such as Wiñay Huayna and the famous Inti Punku (Sun´s Gate), that gives hikers the opportunity to contemplate unique sunrises and sunsets over Machu Picchu. Therefore, that 2-day hike is ideal for people who don´t have much time, or want to reach the ‘Lost Incan City’ on an easy hike.

Day 1: Cusco – Km. 104 – Wiñayhuayna – Machupicchu Pueblo.
Day 2: Machupicchu Pueblo – Machu Picchu – Machupicchu Pueblo – Cusco.

Itinerary

Day 1: Cusco – Km. 104 – Wiñayhuayna – Machupicchu Pueblo.

We´ll start the day picking you up at your respective hotels, at 4:00 a.m., to transfer you to the railway station, to board a train that will take you to Km 104 of the Cusco-Machupicchu Town Railroad, where we´ll be starting our hike, after having gotten registered at the entrance checkpoint. Then, we´ll visit the Incan Architectural Complex of Chachabamba (2,100 m.a.s.l.).

Then, we´ll go on hiking, for about 4 hours, to get to the beautiful Incan Llaqta (Multifunctional urban center) of Wiñay Huayna (2,600 m.a.s.l.). There, we´ll have a rest, to enjoy our box-lunch. Afterwards, we´ll walk about 2 hours, to reach the Inti Punku (Sun´s Gate), where we´ll contemplate the first panoramic views of Mount Huayna Picchu and the Incan City of Machu Picchu. After a pause for pictures, we´ll hike, downhill, for another 40 minutes, to enter the Sacred City, where we´ll have the opportunity to take more pictures.

Afterwards, we´ll board a tourism bus that will take us to the pedestrian village of Machupicchu Pueblo. Once there, we´ll walk to your hotel, where you´ll have time to freshen-up and have dinner, before going to sleep. Optionally, you might decide to visit the local thermal baths, to relax a bit, before dinner.

Day 2: Machupicchu Pueblo – Machu Picchu – Machupicchu Pueblo – Cusco.

Very early, our guide will pick you up at your hotel, to catch the first bus up to the Incan City of Machu Picchu, and contemplate the dawn from that magical site, before the arrival of most visitors, coming from Cusco. That way, we´ll enjoy the peacefulness of the ‘Incas´ Lost City’, on a guided visit that will last about 2 hours, and during which we´ll explore important architectural compounds such as the Temple of the Sun and the Inca´s Residence, among others. Then, you´ll have some free time to go on with that memorable visit, on your own.

Afterwards, you´ll take a bus down to Machupicchu Pueblo, to have lunch and, at the indicated time, you´ll board the return train to Ollantaytambo, where a tourism vehicle will take you to the city of Cusco.