INCA TRAIL - 2 Days
The two-day Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is 11km long and home to beautifully situated archaeological sites. Along the way, you’ll enjoy the majesty of the surrounding mountains and valleys, with their abundant flora and fauna and humid climate. The first day requires on average a moderate amount of physical effort, and after a difficult climb we’ll arrive at the Sun Gate (Intipunku), the entrance to Machu Picchu where we’ll see the sunset and impressive views of the lush natural surroundings. This hike is perfect for people with limited time or families with young children who don’t want to hike for several days.
Itinerary
The briefing or pre-trek meeting takes place in our office the day before the trek and lasts between 45 minutes and 1 hour. During this session, you will meet the guide who will accompany you on the trek, who will answer all your questions and resolve any doubts you may have.
We’ll pick you up early from your hotel and take you to the train station in Ollantaytambo to catch the train to the trailhead at Km. 104. Along the way, we’ll pass through beautiful valley landscapes with views of mountains, Andean villages, glaciers, and the spectacular scenery of the Sacred Valley. The route descends gradually along the Urubamba River, in all its natural beauty, towards the high cloud forest known as the “eyebrow of the jungle.”
Once we’ve arrived at the Km. 104 trailhead, we’ll register at the guard station and start our adventure to Machu Picchu! After registering we’ll visit Chachabamba, the first archaeological site on the trail. This site is noteworthy for its beautiful construction and location in the valley near the Urubamba River; its structures are still mostly intact. Afterwards, we’ll slowly ascend for around three hours towards the fascinating archaeological site of Wiñaywayna (2,650m – 8694 feet), where we’ll take in the sights and enjoy our box lunch.
After a much-deserved break, we’ll continue through semi-tropical forest to the sacred Intipunku (Sun Gate). From here, we’ll have our first panoramic view of the enigmatic city of Machu Picchu, surrounded by mountain peaks, deep valleys, and the bends of the Urubamba River. We’ll descend 30 minutes from the Intipunku to the highest part of the ruins to rest and take the classic Machu Picchu shot. Afterwards, we’ll descend to the town of Aguas Calientes (2,030m – 6660 feet) to spend the night in a 3 stars hotel, if you wish, visit the hot springs.
After a warm breakfast, we’ll take the first bus up to Machu Picchu to watch the sunrise and enjoy the tranquility and beauty of this magical site. We’ll pass through the control gate to begin our 2-3 hour guided tour of Machu Picchu’s most important areas. Your guide will explain the site’s enchanting architecture and history, all while you take in the site’s unrivalled beauty. After the visit, we’ll return to Aguas Calientes by bus for an afternoon snack and to catch the train back to Ollantaytambo. A private Van will be waiting for to you to take you back to your hotel in Cusco.
