Cheapest 2 day Inca Trail Peru – Short Inca Trail 2 days

Early in the morning we will be picking you up from your hotel in Cusco. We will be then driving for an hour and half to Ollantaytambo train station. From here, we will be boarding the train to Km.104 station. Km.104 is the trail head of the Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu.

Once in Km.104 station, we will stop by the check point where all visitors have to register before starting the trail. Our first stop will be at an Incan site called Chachabamba. Chachabamba is known to have had many Incan temples. The site has patio and sacred rock among others, our guide would give you a detailed tour of this site which would give you an understanding of the following sites you will be visiting on the Short Inca Trail.

From here, we will start a gradual ascend along the Urubamba river to the site considered as the most beautiful site, Wiñay Wayna. Wiñay Wayna in Quechua means “forever young”. Our guide would give another detailed tour of this Incan temple. After sauntering through the temple, we will stop for lunch (packed lunch) at the checkpoint of Wiñay Wayna.

From here we will hike for two hours to Machu Picchu. We will be entering the Incan citadel through the Sun Gate or Inti Punku. From the Sun Gate, you would get the first glimpse of the Incan citadel, Machu Picchu.

After witnessing the Incan citadel from distance, we will descend to Machu Picchu archaeological site. We will then take a bus down to Aguas Calientes town where we will accommodate you in a hotel with an ensuite room.

Summary:

Hiking Time: 6-7 Hours (approx.) | Hiking Distance: 12 Kms/7.46 Miles | Highest Point 2,650 m/8,692 ft. | Lowest Point: 2,150m/7,052 ft. |

The hotel crew will be handing you a snack box early morning. You will then be taking a tourist bus from Aguas Calientes to visit Machu Picchu. It is a short 25 minutes uphill drive. We will try to enter in the first group so that you will get to see the sunrise at the citadel. 

Our tour guides will give you a two hours guided tour of Machu Picchu. On this tour you will be visiting sites like the royal quarters, ruins of temples, temple of the sun, main plaza, ceremonial centre, farming terraces and more. After the tour, you will have some free time to explore Machu Picchu on your own. If you have booked your hike to Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu mountain, our local expert will direct you to the entrance. 

Alternatively, you can walk up to the sun gate. It offers a captivating view of the citadel. This view at dawn is exclusive for those on Inca Trail. After the tour, you will be taking the bus back to Aguas Calientes. Here you will have some free time. You can have lunch if desired. 

You will the be boarding the train to Ollantaytambo train station. Our representative will be meeting you upon arrival and will be transferring you back to Cusco. 

You will have the option of upgrading to Vistadome Train at an extra cost.