The Short Inca Trail provides visitors with little time the chance to explore a segment of the Classic Inca Trail. Even though it's not possible to traverse the entire Inca Trail in just one day, you will visit the beautiful Chachabamba and Wiñay Wayna ruins. Also, you will enter Machu Picchu through the legendary Inti Punku, which provides a unmatched spot for admiring the beauty of Machu Picchu at sunset.
Inclusions & Exclusions
✔ Bus tickets
✔ Inca Trail Permit and entrance fees to Machu Picchu
✔ Train tickets
✔ Lunch
✔ Private transportation to the starting point of the tour
✔ Dinner
✔ Breakfast
✔ First-aid kit and oxygen
✔ Bilingual tour guide (English-Spanish)
✔ Trip briefing
✖ Domestic flights
✖ Cusco and Sacred Valley tours
✖ Breakfast on the first day
✖ Personal items like individual gear, sleeping bag, medicines, laundry, telephone calls, etc.
✖ Travel Insurance
✖ Entrance fee to Huayna Picchu Mountain (optional)
✖ Entrance fee to Machu Picchu Mountain (optional)
Departure & Return
Return: End right where it started.
Itinerary
Cusco - Ollantaytambo - Machu Picchu - Aguas Calientes
1
Ollantaytambo
After picking you up from your hotel in Cusco at 4:00 am, we will drive to Ollantaytambo town, located in the Sacred Valley. Here we will board a train to the 104 Kilometer, the starting point of our adventure.
Duration: 30 minutes
2
We will leave the train at Kilometer 104. After passing the security checkpoints we will start our hike at around 8:00 am.
Our first stop will be at the Chachabamba ruins. During Inca times, Chachabamba was a temple dedicated to the water. Due to its strategic position on the Inca Trail, this place was also used to guard the entrance to Machu Picchu.
After taking a short tour of Chachabamba, we will continue our hike for around 3 hours, until we reach a nearby waterfall.
Duration: 4 hours
3
Winay Wayna
We will take a short rest near the waterfall. Then we will walk until we reach the Inca ruins of Wiñay Wayna.
Wiñay Wayna is a Quechua expression that means "Forever Young". The site consists of two main sectors, which are connected by a long stone stair. The lower sector is the largest, but both sectors have agricultural terraces and stone buildings.
We will have lunch at Wiñay Wayna, and then we will walk the final segment of the trek.
Duration: 2 hours
4
Machu Picchu
After leaving Wiñay Wayna, we will arrive at the Inti Punku or "Sun Gate" of Machu Picchu. During the Inca era, Inti Punku was the most important entrance to the citadel. It was reserved just for the ruler class.
Nowadays, Inti Punku is the first part of Machu Picchu that travelers see when they walk on the Inca Trail. This point also constitutes a great spot for admiring Machu Picchu, given its height.
Duration: 60 minutes
5
Aguas Calientes
After spending some time near Inti Punku, we will take a bus to Aguas Calientes town. There, we will take to your hotel. You will have plenty of time to relax and prepare for the next day.
Duration: 11 hours
Aguas Calientes - Machu Picchu - Cusco
1
Machu Picchu
On our second day, we will explore the citadel of Machu Picchu. After waking up early, we will take a short bus ride to the citadel. Once there, our guides will assist you at the security checkpoints. Then our two hours guided tour will begin.
Machu Picchu is an impressive Inca monument built in the middle of the southern jungles of Peru. The real purpose of Machu Picchu is still unclear, however historians think that the citadel was a religious sanctuary, due to its remote location.
After the tour, you will have free time to explore the citadel. If you have purchased tickets to Huayna Picchu Mountain or Machu Picchu Mountain, our guides will take you to their respective entrances.
Finally, after exploring Machu Picchu we will return to Aguas Calientes, and then we will take the train back to Ollantaytambo. Once there, we will drive back to Cusco.
Duration: 4 hours
Cancellation Policy
If you cancel at least 3 full day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a full refund.
If you cancel within 3 day(s) of the scheduled departure, you will receive a 0% refund.
Additional info
• Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
• Not recommended for pregnant travelers
• Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
• Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
