The Inca Trail is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful trails in America and therefore an unforgettable experience not to be missed. The trail leads through the protected wilderness of the Peruvian jungle and forest steppe, past several Inca archaeological sites, and offers breathtaking views. The Incas used this itinerary for the pilgrimage to the sacred citadel Machu Picchu.
itinerary
Inca Trail Itinerary 2 Days:
Altitude: 2050 – 2650m. / 6726 – 9350 ff.
High Season: March – January
Duration: 2 days – 1 night
Difficulty Level: Normal (Easy)
Route: Closed in February
- 1st Day: Cusco – Km 104 – Wiñayhuayna – Aguas Calientes
Our trip starts early in the morning. After our arrival by train at km 104, the Royal Inca Trail begins with a hike to Chachabamba (2270m/7448f), where our guide will inform us about the previous function of this archaeological site. Then, we will arrive at Wiñayhuayna (2650m/8694f), the most important archaeological site besides Machu Picchu. After that, our path continues to the Puerta del Sol “Inti Punku”, a beautiful viewpoint from which we can enjoy the sunset in Machu Picchu (2400m/7874f). Since we have to continue our trek to our hotel in Aguas Calientes, we will only spend a short time in the Machu Picchu Sanctuary on the first day.
- Walking time: 06 hours
- Total distance: 12 km.
- 2nd Day: Aguas Calientes – Sanctuary of Machu Picchu – Cusco
We will leave our hotel for Machu Picchu after breakfast at around 5:30 am by bus. We leave this early because at this time the scene is less crowded, and the morning is a good time to enjoy the tranquility and the ancestral spirit of the best-known archaeological site on the continent. After our arrival at the citadel around 6:00 am, our guide will provide us with detailed information about Machu Picchu and the history and culture of the Incas. After the guided tour, a bus takes you to Aguas Calientes. Here you have the possibility of joining the town’s hot springs (S/10.00 Nuevos Soles). We will leave Aguas Calientes in the afternoon.
- Climate: warm with mosquitoes
- Walking time: 02 hours
- Total distance: 4 km.
included:
• Transport
• Transfer hotel and train station in Cusco
• Tourist train up to km 104
• Tourist train from the town of Aguas Calientes to Cusco Poroy / Ollantaytambo and bus to Cusco
• Tourist bus Machu Picchu – Aguas Calientes (2 ways)
• Hostel in the town of Aguas Calientes
• Tickets to the Inca Trail and the Sanctuary of Machu Picchu
• Professional bilingual guide (Spanish and English)
• Food during the excursion (1 breakfast, 1 box lunch, 1 dinner/optional vegetarian).
• First aid kit and oxygen bottle.
not including:
• Breakfast of the first day and last lunch in Aguas Calientes
• Bus down from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes where the train station is located; can
pay the $8.00 cost for the bus service or walk back to Aguas Calientes which will take about an hour.
• Entrance to the thermal baths in the town of Aguas Calientes (costs S/ 10.00 Nuevos Soles or $3.00)
what do i need to bring?
• Small backpack with rain protection (30 or 40 liters is enough).
• Warm and cold weather clothing such as a waterproof jacket.
• Trekking shoes.
• Flip flops or sandals (for showers and thermal baths).
• Wool or synthetic socks and a sweater.
• Polos/T-shirts with long and short sleeves.
• Rain poncho and hat.
• Bathing suit (for the thermal baths in Aguas Calientes).
• Sunscreen, insect repellent, alcohol and disinfectant gel, and toilet paper.
• Camera (wrapped in a plastic bag), flashlight and batteries.
• Some snacks like chocolate bars and nuts.
• Original passport, original ISIC student card (if you are a student) and extra money in Soles.
grades:
(1) Visit to Huayna Picchu: For the Huayna Picchu mountain it is required to reserve in advance, however we charge an additional $90.00 USD and then we guarantee your entrance to Huayna Picchu as well (This new state law began on July 18, 2011). (only if there are spaces).
(2) Please note that the program deposit is non-refundable. The deposit is used to buy the entrance ticket to the Inca Trail, Machupicchu and hostel in the town of Aguas Calientes, and once a space is purchased it cannot be resold.
General information and recommendations.
- Reservation: Since the number of trekking permits is limited to 500 per day (about 200 tourists and 300 trekking employees), it is important to book well in advance, especially in the high season between May and September. In low season, between December and January, it is possible to get a ticket about 20 days in advance.
- Passport Details: Make sure your passport is valid for the time you intend to do the Inca Trail. Also, please make sure that the passport details you send us by email, such as passport number, your name, etc., are correct. Changes with little notice will complicate the entrance to Machu Picchu.
- Travel insurance: It is mandatory that all clients have personal travel insurance. This insurance must cover personal accidents, medical expenses, loss of effects and all other expenses that may arise as a result of the loss, damage or injury suffered by the client. Neither the agency nor the hotel can be held responsible for any accident or loss of personal belongings caused by the client’s own actions.
- Return ticket: We will leave Aguas Calientes by train either at 2:55 pm or 6:20 pm. This depends on ticket availability and how far in advance you booked your trip. During the afternoon, you will have time to have lunch in one of the good restaurants in Aguas Calientes. Also, you can visit the hot springs to relax a bit. You will be back at your hotel around 7:00 pm or around 10:00 pm