Short Inca Trail 2 Days to Machu Picchu
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Experience our Private Short Inca Trail 2 Days to Machu Picchu
Embark on the Short Inca Trail 2 days to Machu Picchu with a private tour guide – This is a perfect experience for those willing to explore the best of the Inca Trail and Machu Picchu on an amazing 2-day adventure, take the 7-hour Short Inca Trail hike which will bring you to unique Inca temples, and through the Sun Gate for your first look at Machu Picchu. This 2-day trek is great for families with children as it involves only one day of hiking (about 7 hours) and offers comfortable overnight accommodations in a hotel.
Machu Picchu is undoubtedly the highlight of any traveler’s trip to Peru. However, hiking along the original Inca Trail to reach the famed citadel brings a whole new perspective to this mystical experience. The Short Inca Trail is perfect for travelers who want to experience the magic of the Inca Trail but don’t have the time for a longer multi-day trek.
The Inca Trail is regarded as the most famous trek in South America and is rated by many to be one of the top 5 treks in the world. The Short Inca Trail 2 days program is perfect for those who are relatively fit but don’t want to commit to longer treks out there. The short Inca trail is relatively easy (not quite!), plus you will have a comfortable hotel bed at the end of the hike rather than camping out in tents.
Experience the magic of Machu Picchu with our exclusive 2-day Short Inca Trail tour, on this 2-Day Guided Tour, you will have the opportunity to visit Machu Picchu at two different times. It is perfect for those who love hiking and want to experience the ancient Inca trail in a shorter timeframe and still experience both sunset and sunrise views at Machu Picchu!
There are 2 different trek options for anyone considering the Inca Trail; you have the Short Inca Trail 2 days and the standard 5-day Inca Trail. For those seeking a more challenging multi-day trek and Experience camping on the Inca Trail, check out our 5-Day Inca Trail to Machu Picchu.
Why you will love this tour
- Discover the best of the famous Inca Trail and see Machu Picchu Citadel twice.
- Explore trail-side Incan ruins that only Short Inca Trail 2 days hikers have access to.
- This 2-day trek is great for families with children as it involves only one day of hiking (about 7 hours) and offers comfortable overnight accommodations in a hotel.
- Hike the short version of the Inca Trail at your own pace with a professional private tour guide from Cusco Local Friend.
- Hiking along the original Inca Trail to reach the famed citadel of Machu Picchu brings a whole new perspective to this mystical experience.
- Enter Machu Picchu through the Gate of the Sun, as the Incans once did.
- Spend the last day exploring the Machu Picchu ruins with a private guide at your side.
- Soak in views of snow-capped Andean peaks, cloud forest landscapes, and awe-inspiring ruins sites.
Trip Details
- Tour Type: History, Culture, Hiking, and Adventure
- Good For: Those who are willing to explore the Sacred Valley and reach Machu Picchu through a 7-hour hike to Machu Picchu. Perfect for Families, couples, and Those with a sense of adventure and in good hiking shape
- Duration: 02 Days
- Considerations: The hike itself on Day 01 will take about 7 hours; so we recommend being reasonably fit
- Distance on the Inka Trail (Day 1): 11km/ 8 miles
- Elevation: 2030m (6660ft) – 2650m (8690ft)
- Departure Point: Customer’s Hotel in Urubamba, Ollantaytambo, or Cusco City
- Ending Point: The Same or a different Hotel
- Pick-up Times: To be Confirmed
- Mode: Private Car, Train, Hiking as well as the Public shuttle bus
- Difficulty: Moderate (you should be able to walk stairs up and down)
- Group Size: This is a private Hike so you decide the group size
ITINERARY
Day 1. Train ride to Km 104 / Hike to Machupicchu / Aguas Calientes Town
The trip starts from your Hotel in Cusco, Ollantaytambo, or Urubamba Town where you are picked up from your hotel early in the morning (time to be confirmed), then we proceed to drive to Ollantaytambo train station and board the Glass-roof Vistadome Train which will take you to the start point of the trail (1.5 Hour approx.)
Our trek takes us along the most impressive stretch of the Short Inca Trail. Covering 10 km of the trail, our journey begins at the bottom of the valley and works its way up along an original Inca Trail to the Inca site of Winay Wayna.
After a short walk, we will reach the lunch spot where we enjoy a well-deserved lunch and take a break before we continue the hike to Machu Picchu. As we make our way to Machu Picchu we’ll pass through the lush and verdant cloud forest that covers the mountain and get to see a variety of plants, flowers, and birds along the way.
After a full day of trekking, we’ll arrive at the Sun Gate (Inti Punku) in the late afternoon and get our first views of Machu Picchu spread out on the mountain below. After we’ve passed through the Sun Gate, we’ll carry on along the trail to Machupicchu citadel; The light at this time of day is great for photos; and with fewer tourists on the site, it’s a perfect time to take some pictures of the site.
We are then catching the Shuttle Bus that takes us to Aguas Calientes Town in the valley below where we’ll check into our hotel.
Day 2. Machu Picchu Citadel / Hotel (Cusco)
Waking up early we’ll take the first bus back up to Machu Picchu to enter the site as it opens. We’ll have a 3-Hour guided tour of the site during this time, you’ll learn about the Incas and visit all the most important areas of the citadel.
After the guided tour, those who have tickets to Huayna Picchu Mountain will have time to climb the mountain, the hike takes 2.5 Hours approx. round-trip (Please book your tickets in advance as spaces are very limited). After exploring we take the bus down to Aguas Calientes for a deserved lunch (not included) before catching the train back to Ollantaytambo where you will be met by our driver and drive to your Hotel in Cusco or the Sacred Valley.
Note on the Itinerary
While we make every effort to follow the schedule outlined above, please note that this itinerary is subject to change due to various factors beyond our control. These factors may include strikes, political unrest, local festivals, severe weather conditions, and site closures during certain hours due to regulations beyond the control of Cusco Local Friend. Please note that we cannot be held responsible for any changes or amendments resulting from these circumstances.
In some cases, we may need to modify our original schedule to accommodate these conditions. In such cases, we will offer the best alternative options available to ensure you have a memorable experience.
Included
- Fluent English/Spanish-speaking local guide
- Short Inca Trail Permits and Machu Picchu admission Tickets
- Transfers from Hotel to the train station and vice-versa
- Outbound Vistadome Train ticket to the trailhead – Km. 104
- Return Expedition train to Ollantaytambo or Cusco
- 3 Way Shuttle bus Tickets Machupicchu – Aguas Calientes – Machupicchu
- Meals: Lunch and Dinner on Day 1 as well as breakfast on Day 2
- 1- Night Accommodation in Aguas Calientes at a 3-Star Hotel (Upgrade to a premium Hotel is available at extra cost)
Not Included
- Meals: Day 1 Breakfast and Day 2 Lunch.
- Entrance Ticket to Huaynapicchu Mountain (optional activity subject to availability)
- Porters- you are responsible for carrying your own (small) backpack.
Book this Experience
*** This is a private Trek so you decide the group size.
NOTICE! We would like to kindly remind you that We only run private hikes so that, we can offer a highly personalized service; offering you a more enjoyable time on the trek with more interaction between the participants.
IMPORTANT! BEFORE YOU BOOK, please check the availability with us by sending a message as spaces are limited to 250 Hikers per day for this Hike
HOTEL IN AGUAS CALIENTES: Hotel is included in the tour cost and is based on double occupancy.
CANCELLATION POLICY: Due to the strict regulations established by Machu Picchu Park, once you have made your booking, the space and permits that have been purchased cannot be canceled. It is also impossible to transfer the permit to someone else under a different name, nor can the date of your permit be modified. Therefore, if you are not able to arrive on the scheduled date or cancel, No refunds can be given. Note that, we will purchase the permits as soon as the confirmation of the booking is sent to you.
PASSPORT: If you have reserved the service with your old Passport then, you have renewed it; your passport number has most likely changed. Please let us know so we can update this information. This modification has to be made before your trip to Peru (at least 10 days before your trip). As soon as you have your new passport, please inform us of this change. Otherwise, this update or modification will have an additional fee of USD 15.00; and it will create a big inconvenience to update it at the last minute. If you do not bring your passport, you won’t be allowed on the trail. Also, if you bring your new passport and fail to inform us and this information was not updated, you won’t be allowed on the Short Inca Trail or Machu Picchu.
What to Expect
Impressive views, mild to hot temperatures although kind of windy at some places in the afternoons; mostly sunny days during the months of May, June, July, and August; Stops at scenic spots en route; Friendly English speaking tour guide; Your journey your way!Why Travel with us
Local Knowledge & Expertise
It's great to travel with professional experts from the same destination you are going, that's how you get first-hand information. With deep in-country knowledge, We know the ins and outs of all the logistics, we will ensure you can make the most of your time away.
Personalized Experiences
Your time is precious - we know that. Your experience is our top priority. No big bus groups, No flags to follow! Traveling with a private guide and driver you’ll do what you want, when you want with the freedom to change your plans on the fly.
Friendly Local Guides
Great sights don’t make an amazing tour. Great guides do! Our guides don’t read from a script, we give them the freedom to make each tour their own, and your experience unique. We love what we do and it shows. From the moment you arrive, you'll feel the buzz and excitement that Cusco Local Friend to offer.
Exclusive Itineraries
It’s not all about the destination, it’s also about the journey. We offer only the best itineraries and tours. As local experts, we know first-hand what tours or experiences are the ones that most travelers enjoy and request. Escape the crowds! Never waste any minute, never miss any highlight!
Trip Reviews
Cusco Local Friend has been awarded the TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence due to the most consistent 5-star reviews in Cusco, the Sacred Valley & Machu Picchu for exceptional levels of service and care.
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