Duration: 2 Days / 1 Night
Activities: Hiking, Adventure
Average Group Size: 12 people
Difficulty: Moderate
Accommodation: 3-star Hotel
Language: English, Spanish
Transportation: Panoramic Vistadome Train
Over the course of two days, traverse the Short Inca Trail and make stops at Chachabamba, Waiwayna, Sun Gate (Intipunku), and Machu Picchu. On the first day, observe the sunset at Machu Picchu while there are few visitors present. The following morning, arrive early to behold the magnificent sunrise. Daily access is granted to the Short Inca trail, which features panoramic Vistadome trains.
Depending on the location of your hotel, we will collect you up from your Cusco hotel at 4:00 a.m. and transport you to the Ollantaytambo train station. The potential time of the pick-up for hotels situated in the Sacred Valley or Ollantaytambo is approximately 5:30 a.m.
We advise all those hiking the Short Inca Trail to remain the night before in a location closer to the Ollantaytambo train station; doing so will save you 1.5 hours of travel time from Cusco. The night before, if you attend an excursion such as Sacred Valley, you may request a hotel room and drop-off in Ollantaytambo. ENPERU offers pick-up services from any hotel in the vicinity of Ollantaytambo or Cusco.
A one-hour and thirty-minute bus ride from Cusco to the train station in Ollantaytambo, where we will board the first trains and continue our journey along the Urubamba River until we reach Chachabamba at km 104 (in the cloud forest) is what we can expect. We will immediately proceed to the Chachabamba checkpoint to begin your Machu Picchu Short Inca Trail Trek. It is important to acknowledge that in order to proceed through the checkpoint and allot time for the hike, restroom usage, and warming up, the authentic passport will be required.
At the magnificent Inca site of Chachabamba, our tour guide will provide an introductory overview of Machu Picchu and Inca history. We will hike along an ancient Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu following our exploration of the site.
Upon embarking on the Short Inca Trail, one will be treated to a four-hour ascent to Wiaywayna, an enduringly picturesque Inca site and the initial segment of the Classic Inca Trail. We will allocate a portion of our time to investigate this magnificent archaeological site while taking in breathtaking vistas of the Andes. We shall furnish you with a packaged lunch and refreshments. Upon regaining nourishment and vitality, we shall proceed with our ascent to the Sun Gate (Intipunku), from which you shall behold the indescribable Machu Picchu Citadel for the initial time. We will arrive at Sun Gate between 3 and 4 p.m., when the Machu Picchu throngs will have dissipated, providing you with the opportunity to explore this location in solitude.
The Sun Gate is followed by an additional one-hour downhill trek to Machu Picchu, which offers spectacular views. We shall reach Machu Picchu in the afternoon and be granted the extraordinary opportunity to witness the fortress in an almost deserted state. Today is the ideal occasion for photographs! After that, travel to Aguas Calientes via transport, dine at a local restaurant, and retire to a three-star hotel for the night.
In addition to having dinner at esteemed restaurants in the city, your hotel boasts a prime location on exclusive premises that provide you with amenities such as WiFi, private bathrooms, and breathtaking views.
Distance hiked: 10 kilometers (6.2 miles)
Seven hours in duration; 8,858 feet (2,700 meters) at its highest point; lunch, refreshments, and dinner included.
Lokal lodging: Susanna Inn or an analogous establishment
Strictness: Moderate
We shall commence the Short Inca Trail excursion with an early morning rise in order to adequately equip ourselves for the pinnacle of the journey—a visit to Machu Picchu, the enigmatic Inca capital. Following the hotel’s breakfast service, we will board the initial vehicles that will take us to Machu Picchu. We will explore the city’s breathtaking vistas upon our arrival as the sky begins to shine. On a cloudless day, one may behold the mesmerizing dawn that crowns Machu Picchu.
Before devoting you to Machu Picchu, your guide will provide a comprehensive tour of the city lasting between two and three hours. At Machu Picchu, you will have the opportunity to ascend Huayna Picchu Mountain or Machu Picchu Montaña, for which tickets are not included and must be reserved in advance.
A private tour guide will take you to the most remarkable locations of Machu Picchu, including the temples, palaces, and agricultural terraces, while you learn about the city’s history.
Using the original Hiram Bingham trail, it is possible to descend to Aguas Calientes after the Machu Picchu excursion. En route, one may stop by the Machu Picchu Museum and the butterfly station, all while taking in the breathtaking scenery.
Your tour guide will provide instructions on how to return to Aguas Calientes for lunch via transport from Machu Picchu (lunch not included). You will be granted the opportunity to stroll through the town, peruse the local market in search of mementos, and dine at your preferred establishment. In the late afternoon, you will transfer to the Panoramic trains (Vistadome or 360°) and return to Cusco via bus. The ENPERU Team will ensure your safe return to your hotel after we meet you off the train. The approximate time of arrival in Cusco is 7:30 p.m.
Three to four hours are allotted to explore Machu Picchu.
Picchu Machu Position: 2,430 meters (7,972 feet)
Breakfast (hotel-provided)
Difficulty: Simple
US$ 598 – Adults
US$ 558 – Children and students
US$ 40 off per person
Huayna Picchu Mountain – USD 75 per person
After a two-hour round-trip tour of Machu Picchu, it is possible to trek up this mountain. Bookings must be made well in advance.
Machu Picchu Mountain – USD 75 per person
It is the highest mountain and is also known as Machu Picchu Mountain; the hike takes nearly three hours.
During the Short Inca Trail, there are no porters; you will travel for two days carrying only a compact backpack containing all of your belongings. Your remaining belongings must remain in Cusco. It is possible to store at:
If you are returning to the same hotel following the trek, it is advisable to store your luggage there. The majority of hotels in Cusco offer complimentary luggage storage.
We advise storing your luggage with ENPERU in the event that you decide to stay at a different hotel subsequent to the trek. A safe is available for the storage of all your luggage. The new hotel will receive our delivery following the tour.
April through October is the optimal hiking season along the Short Inca Trail. Due to the arid and sunny weather, this is the case. Nonetheless, even during the driest months, precipitation may fall.
The Short Inca Trail, which is a two-day, one-night excursion to Machu Picchu, encompasses a distance of 10 kilometers (equivalent to 6 miles); the approximate trekking duration until reaching the magnificent citadel of Machu Picchu is six to seven hours. We shall traverse the final segment of the Classic Inca Trail on the initial day, followed by an excursion to Machu Picchu on the subsequent day.
I had the pleasure of being guided by Rosel during my trip to Peru, and I must say, the experience was exceptional. Rosel’s depth of knowledge about the country’s history, culture, and landmarks was truly impressive. Not only was Rosel informative, but his sense of humor and easy-going nature made the tour thoroughly enjoyable. I highly recommend Rosel as a guide for anyone seeking an insightful, entertaining, and memorable journey through the Cusco region.
We had an amazing experience doing the Inca trail with Rossel. Everything was perfectly organized. He knows a lot about the Inca culture and shared all his knowledge with a lot of passion. He was also very attentive of all the group always willing to help.
We originally trekked to Machu Picchu 4d/3n with Rosel and had such an outstanding experience, we went back and booked a private tour to Humantay with him. He is not only an amazing guide, but a wonderful person! Blessed to call him a friend! His experience, knowledge and history
