Short Inca Trail Hike 2 Days to Machu Picchu
Tour Overview
The short version of the Inca Trail is the best option for new hikers and for the ones with limited time for a tour. This path will take you directly to Machu Picchu. A feature only possible through the Inca Trail. You will have a dreamed train ride towards the trail head and will enjoy a beautiful hike inside the cloud forest’s climate. Your night will be spent at a great hotel in Aguas Calientes in order to get ready for your Machu Picchu tour the next day. ...more ...less
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Hiking to Machu Picchu
Location: Winay Wayna, Km 104 Station, Chachabamba
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Lunch, Dinner
Your short Alpaca Expeditions Inca Trail tour to Machu Picchu starts with you being picked up from your hotel at 4 a.m. Next, we’ll go to the train station and leave on the 6:10 a.m. train from Ollantaytambo. The trail follows the Urubamba River until we reach Km 104, where we'll begin our trek. Along the way you’ll see spectacular views of farmlands, snow-capped mountains and the mighty Urubamba River. The Urubamba River is one of the sources of the massive Amazon River so it’s very impressive to see. At 104 km (2,000 m), we’ll begin our breathtaking trek. Once you’re off the train and ready to go, we’ll provide you with snacks and take a group photo. Then we’ll set off to visit our first Inca site. We’ll give you a short orientation about this historical Inca site as well as a walking tour. Then we’ll begin hiking as we head for the Classic Inca Trail. We'll have tremendous views of Machu Picchu, the Urubamba River and other surrounding Inca Sites.
After hiking for three hours we’ll reach the most beautiful Incan site on the Inca Trail Wiñay Wayna (Forever Young) at 2,600 m/8,500 ft. Few people get the opportunity to see these elaborate water fountains, temples and agricultural terraces. These provide a perfect opportunity to learn about the history of the Incas. The backdrop of this site is a dramatic cliff drop with beautiful mountains surrounding the area.
A few minutes of walking from there and you’ll arrive at the Alpaca Expeditions campsite used by hikers who have chosen to do the Classic Inca Trail. Here you’ll be able to enjoy the hot homemade lunch that’s been freshly cooked by Alpaca Expeditions’ chefs. You’ll also get a chance to refill your water and get a little rest after you’ve eaten.
From Wiñay Wayna, we’ll walk to the Sun Gate. This is where we’ll see the picturesque landscape of the famous Machu Picchu. After taking in the once-in-a-lifetime views, we’ll begin our descent to Machu Picchu.
One of the many advantages of this trek is that by the time you reach Machu Picchu the day travellers will have left. This leaves you the whole area to explore with no interruptions. After taking photos and exploring the area, we’ll take the bus down to Aguas Calientes and head to your hotel. After that we’ll head to Indio Feliz for dinner (included). This restaurant is considered to have the best food in Aguas Calientes. After dinner we recommend going to bed early to make the most of the next day.
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Day 2 : Visit the “Lost City of the Incas”
Location: Machu Picchu
Meals Included: Breakfast
We’ll wake up early so that we can catch one of the first busses so that we can catch the striking sunrise at Machu Picchu. You’ll have a two hour guided walking tour by your private English speaking Alpaca Expeditions guide. After that you’ll have time to explore Machu Picchu by yourself. Those who have tickets to Huayna Picchu will have time to climb the mountain, which takes approximately an hour and a half round-trip. After exploring you can either take a bus or walk down to Aguas Calientes for a free afternoon. You’ll need to remember to catch your train, which will depart that afternoon to Ollantaytambo. Once you arrive at the station in Ollantaytambo we will be there to meet you and drive you back to Cusco.
What's Included
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Train Tickets
All the needed train tickets are included in the price
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All transportation
All the driving will be made by our professional driver using our own vehicles
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Free Wi-Fi at Accommodation
Your hotel in Aguas Calientes will provide free Wi-fi
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Satellite phone (phone signal all over the trek)
Our phones guarantee signal all along the trek
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Accommodation
You will spend the night at a 3-stars hotel in Aguas Calientes
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Fully Guided
Your professional guide will be with the group along the whole experience
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Meals
Meals will be provided based on the description on the itinerary: 1 lunch, 1 diner and 1 breakfast
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Entrance Fees
Every permit for the different sites such Inca Trail and Machu Picchu is included
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Local Taxes
The local taxes are included in the price
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Roundtrip bus tickets
We include all the bus tickets needed to go up and down to Machu Picchu
What's Not Included
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Tipping and Gratuities
These are customary but not mandatory. Any tip will be very appreciated
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International Travel
We don't include airfare in our prices
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Country Entry Visas
Peru doesn't have a lot of limitations for visitors. Ask your embassy before travelling
Check out our Q&As
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What currencies are required for this tour?
We charge for this experience with USD. Once in Cusco, Peru the Peruvian currency is named Soles
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Are vaccinations required for this tour?
No, any vaccine is required for this experience
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How hard is the 2-days Inca Trail?
The trek is considered to be a low-medium experience.
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Is there a supplement for solo travellers?
No, the price is the same however if you want to have a single room for yourself it will be + 30USD.
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What is the maximum group size?
12 people per group
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What is the tipping policy?
Tipping is not mandatory but customary. You are ore than welcome to tip and the team will be very grateful
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Can you assist with pre or post tour accommodation?
Yes. You can contact us to info@alpacaexpeditions.com to book a hotel through us or we can also provide all the needed information about hotel around the city or the surroundings.
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Are airport transfers included in this tour?
No. We can set up an airport transfer to your hotel but this will have an extra cost.
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Will there be an escort accompanying this tour?
The whole experience will be supported by your trekking guide
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Will I know the names and details of all the accommodation before I depart?
Yes, we will introduce to your whole team before starting the first day, this tour is with camping accommodation.
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Are flights included in this tour?
No. Flights are not included.
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What's the highest elevation during the trek?
This will be at the Intipunku or Sungate during the first day reaching 2750 meters elevation
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Are all entrance fees included in the price?
Yes, all entrance fees are included in the price. From the Inca Trail permit to the train tickets back to Cusco.
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Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?
Yes, our guides are fluent in both English and Spanish. Quechua is our mother language and will teach you some while hiking the trail.
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Will passengers from another country be participating in the tour?
Yes, this is a tour for people from all over the world!
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Do you require a visa for this holiday?
All of American countries doesn't need a visa to enter Peru but most countries from Europe, Asia, Africa and Australia requires a visa to enter our country. Check with your embassy about this and how to get the needed paper work to enter Peru.
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What is the standard of the hotels on this tour?
We will provide a 3-stars hotel that can be upgraded if needed
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Can you cater to different diets?
Yes, we can cater to any dietary option the client requests
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Is the tour coach air conditioned?
Yes. All of our vehicles have air conditioner
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Are children permitted to take part in the tour?
Yes, always under supervision or their parents and also by knowing that this is a trekking experience. We will provide all the needed help but the adults in charge need to be aware of this.
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What happens if a group doesn’t make its minimum required number of passengers?
We can only start a group with a minimum of 2 people if this number is not get. We will recommend a different date.
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Is free Wi-Fi available in the accommodation used?
The hotels in Cusco do have free Wi-fi. We can also provide free Wi-fi at our office.
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What is the fitness level required to do this tour?
We recommend a medium fitness level for this experience
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Low Deposit
Alpaca Expeditions requires a minimum deposit of 200 USD per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 2 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of alpaca expeditions charges.
Up to 56 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 28 days before tour starts: Forfeit 60% of booking price.
At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 80% of booking price.
At 7 days before tour starts: Forfeit 90% of booking price.
At 1 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
Short Inca Trail Hike 2 Days to Machu Picchu
2 Days Starting in Km. 104 and ending in Aguas Calientes
Visiting: Winay Wayna, Km 104 Station, Chachabamba, Machu Picchu
Tour operator:
Tour code:
IT2D
Recommended For:
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
2 - 12
Age range:
5-70
Special diets catered:
Vegetarians, Vegans, Meat, All kind of diet
