Luxury Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu – 2D/1N
2 days - 1 nights
Challenging
4200 m.s.n.m
Adventure. trekking
Embark on a luxurious 2-Day Inca Trail adventure to Machu Picchu. This short trek is designed for those who seek both comfort and an unforgettable journey through history. An exclusive tour of the Inca site will leave you in awe of the brilliance of the Inca civilization. Completement this by an overnight stay at a wonderful hotel in Aguas Calientes and the scenic Vistadome train to Cusco. Upgrades are available at booking, ask our travel agents for availability.
Wayna Trekkers provide genuine culturally immersive journeys. Private tours by local guides built by our tour experts.
Our team of experts find the perfect tour to make your Peruvian experience unique.
We offer personalized trip of small groups of up to 8 travelers only.
Itinerary
Day 1: Cusco – Wiñay Wayna – Sungate – Machu Picchu
Your adventure begins with an early morning pickup from your hotel in Cusco or the Sacred Valley. We drive towards the train station in Ollantaytambo. Board the Vistadome Train for a scenic train ride to KM104, the starting point for your hike. Enjoy a curated trek with your guide through lush cloud forest, a scenic waterfall before arriving at the most impressive ruin on the Inca Trail.
The uphill hike is approximately 3 hours to the archaeological site of Wiñay Wayna. Here, our guide will explain the importance of this site during the Inca empire. Later, after the tour, walk to our lunch spot at the Winay Wayna campground.
Once we are full and reenergized, continue our hike to the iconic Inti Punku, or Sun Gate, of the Machu Picchu Citadel. Here you will experience your first magnificent views of Machu Picchu.
We will reach Sun Gate between 2 and 3 p.m. when the Machu Picchu crowds have thinned down, and you may see this location with fewer people. After a 1-hour hike, reach Machu Picchu in the late afternoon, admire this wonder of the world from the viewing platforms above. You will not be entering the archaeological site today. Instead, you will have plenty of time for photographs before heading to your hotel for the night.
Afterward, we will get on the bus and ride for 25 minutes to Machu Picchu Pueblo (Aguas Calientes); we will walk to our hotel in Aguas Calientes, and by 7 pm we meet you for dinner.
- Meals: Box lunch | Dinner | Snacks & Water
- Tickets: Inca Trail permits
- Services: Professional guided service | Private pick-up & transfer Cusco hotel – Trailhead
- Additionals: Personal duffle bag for your overnight clothes and toiletries to be sent to Aguas Calientes
- Accommodation: 5* InkaTerra Machupicchu Pueblo or Sumaq
***Optional – Night at Belmond Sanctuary Lodge. Ask for availability and cost at the booking time.
Day 2: Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu “The Lost City of the Incas” Circuit 2 – Cusco
Breakfast will be served at your hotel accommodation before your guided tour of Machu Picchu Citadel.
Before your guided tour of the archaeological site, your guide will bring you to a lookout point from where, weather-permitting, you will be able to watch the sun rise over Machu Picchu Citadel. From here, you will begin your 2-hour guided tour of the archaeological site, hearing the history and seeing the royal housing, the agricultural terracing, which feeds the site, and the many religious temples, which were very important to the Inca culture. Take in the impressive views from the citadel. Feel the presence of the Inca spirit that fills the site as well as the surrounding mountains. Be in awe of the beauty and history of Machu Picchu.
If you have opted to hike Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain (which needs to be arranged several months in advance with us) your guide will show you to where the hike up the mountain begins.
Once you are finished with your tour of Machu Picchu, take the bus down to down to the town of Aguas Calientes. Enjoy a delicious lunch before having time to wander around or buy some souvenirs. Our Vistadome train leaves at around 12:46 pm – 2:55 pm or 3:20. Once in Cusco, you will be privately escorted to your hotel.
- Meals: Breakfast (Hotel) | Lunch
- Tickets: Entrance ticket to Machu Picchu Citadel
- Services: Professional guided service | Guided tour in Machu Picchu Citadel | Shuttle from Ollantaytambo to Cusco.
***Optional Hiram Bingham train | Ask for availability and cost at booking time
Inclusions
Included
Staff
- Professional English-speaking guide
- Fully trained porter to carry personal backpack
Meals
- 01 exquisite box lunch.
- 01 Dinner.
- 01 breakfast at Hotel in Aguas Calientes on Day 2
- 01 lunch at Indio Feliz in Aguas Calientes on Day 2
- Snacks & water
- Vegetarian or vegan meals available upon request
Tickets
- Inca Trail permits
- Entry ticket to Machu Picchu (Circuit 2 – Depending on availability)
- Bus from Machu Picchu Citadel—Aguas Calientes and vice versa
- Vistadome train from Ollantaytambo to km 104.
- Vistadome train Aguas Calientes – Cusco
Others
- Airport Pickup
- Private pre-trek briefing session at your hotel.
- Personal duffle bag for packing personal belongings
- Private pick-up & drop off from hotel in Cusco
- Private overland transport from Cuscto theto trailhead
- 01 night accommodation in Aguas Calientes at 5* hotel (upgrades available)
- Guided tour of Machu Picchu Citadel
- First aid kit & oxygen bottle
Not Included
Meals
- All meals not listed
Equipment
- Walking Poles—20 USD per pair
- Personal hiking backpack
Others
- Hotel accommodations not listed
- Extra transportation required & resulting from unforeseen and force majeure circumstances
- Personal expenses
- Travel insurance—highly recommended
- Gratuities
Prices
Group service:
$1100 USD Per person.
***For groups of 5+ travelers, $20 USD discount each.
Student Discount
$30 USD off per person Student discounts apply to anyone who has a valid UNIVERSITY STUDENT CARD at the time of the trek or who is 17-years-old or younger. For those using a University Student Card our under 17-years-old, we need to see a copy of their card or passport at the time of booking to receive the discount.
$40 USD off per person
For kids under 11 years old, this discount will be applied by default. Send passport copy at the booking time.
Please send all information to info@waynatrekkers.com
Add On’s:
- Walking sticks – $15 USD
- Extra night in Aguas Calientes: Ask your travel expert for availability and costs
- Hiram Bingham Trail only return: $570 USD (Book in advance)
- Huayna Picchu Mountain – $70 USD (Book in advance)
- Machupicchu Mountain – $70 USD (Book in advance)
- Single Room Supplement: Ask your travel expert for availability and costs
Important Information
Please read the following information.
Booking
We need you to fill out a booking form which includes all needed for the trip. Our system will ask you for a deposit (please ask agent for more information) at the time of booking (all payments are subject to a 5% transaction fee). If you are more than 2 hikers you can pay separately. Once we have received your deposit we will confirm your permits.
Arrival to Cusco.
You will be picked up by one of our team members and be driven to your hotel. For this complimentary service ensure you send your flight details at least two weeks in advance. You have to exit the airport or bus terminal, your driver cannot enter inside.
Acclimatization to the altitude:
High altitude starts to have an effect on our bodies from between 1,500m – 2,000m (4921ft – 6561ft) when our bodies start to react differently to make up for the changes in oxygen levels. As you get higher, the air gets thinner, so with every breath there is less oxygen for your body. Your will gradually adapts to getting less oxygen – you breathe faster and deeper and the body produces more red blood cells. This takes time so this is why if you go from low to high altitude too quickly, you may feel symptoms of altitude sickness until your body acclimatizes.
Common symptoms include: headache, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, poor appetite, dizziness and disturbed sleep and in extreme cases, loss of oxygen.
There are number of ways to deal with altitude sickness. Firstly, you need to acclimate, by spending a few days in the Sacred Valley or Cusco. The body does adjust to the thin air, it just needs time. There are a number of day tours you can participate in before your hike, that don’t require much exertion. Secondly, get lots of sleep, relax and take it easy. Another option is to watch what you consume, try to avoid alcohol and drugs and also drink lots of water and coca tea. Keep your meals light, high in calories with lots of carbs. Lastly, we recommend visiting your doctor before traveling to Peru and ask for recommendations for medication that can help with altitude sickness.
These are the recommended remedies for altitude sickness is WATER, COCA TEA and OXYGEN, IF NEEDED.
How do you prepare for the Inca trail?
The biggest challenge with Classic Inca trail is the steps. You will be climbing and descending over 10 000 steps. Climbing steps puts a lot of pressure on your legs and going down puts even more pressure on the knees. Below we look at all the different challenges you will encounter and the best way to get ahead of those challenges.
Get in Shape!
The Classic Inca Trail is not easy. It has over 10 000 steps and a few sharp inclines. Being physically fit will certainly help you to enjoy everything this famous trail has to offer. You do not have to be an athlete, but we do recommend that you are active and build endurance. There are a few ways to achieve this. You could join a health club a couple of months leading to the trek. Another option is to participate in an aerobic group activity, aerobics are known for increasing endurance. If you prefer the outdoors, walking or running for 15kms/9 miles day would suffice.
Briefing.
We have set your pre-trek talk the night before your trek at 5:00 PM at your hotel or at our office.
Luggage.
Most people change hotels after hiking, therefore we offer a free secure luggage store while trekking. You only have to communicate at the briefing.
How do I pay my remaining balance?
You can pay the rest of your bill upon arrival to Cusco at our office with a card or cash if you want to avoid any extra high credit card fees. Our representative will show you the invoice which is going to be the same as it was confirmed at the booking time. Otherwise, you can pay through PayPal or Visa but you have to pay 5% service fee charged by VISA and PayPal.
PACKING LIST FOR THE SHORT INCA TRAIL 2 DAYS TO MACHU PICCHU TREK
We will supply you with a duffel bag at the briefing. Your duffel bag will be sent by train from Ollantaytambo to Aguas calientes. If you prefer you can carry all your needs in your backpack, if you prefer to do so, please try to pack as light as possible, which is key to enjoying this amazing trek.
In your daypack, or on the first day’s hike you will need:
- Original Passport (the same you have used for booking your trek)
- Good daypack (25 to 30L)
- Water 1 to 2 liters of water
- Comfortable hiking boots with ankle support
- Polar or sweater for early mornings and evenings
- Rain jacket
- Sun hat
- Sunscreen
- Insect repellent
- Snacks like chocolate bars, cereal bars or any dry fruit
- Camera
- Valuables
- Extra money for souvenirs, drinks & tips
- Toilet paper
- Hand sanitizer
In your duffel, you should pack
- A change of clothes for visiting Machu Picchu the next day
- Face cleanser, moisturizers & aftersun cream
- Toothbrush and toothpaste
- Personal medications
- Battery chargers
What our customers say
Were honored to have received the 2024 Travelers’ Choice award from Trip Advisor! This recognition reflects our dedication to creating exceptional travel experiences and deliviering outstanding customer service. A heartfelt thank you to our incredible community of travelers-your support and trust mean the world to us.
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