Inca Trail To Machu Picchu 2 Days / 1 Night

Trip Overview

Tour Type: Hiking, adventure, history, culture
Good For: Moderate physical fitness
Difficulty: Moderate
Considerations: Permit Required

ITINERARY

DAY 1: HIKING TO MACHU PICCHU

Pick up from your hotel at 04:00a.m. We will go to the train station and leave on the 06:10 a.m. train from Ollantaytambo. The trail follows the Urubamba River until we reach Km104, where we’ll begin our trek. Along the way, you will see spectacular views of farmlands, snow-capped mountains, and the mighty Urubamba River that is one of the sources of the Amazon River. At 104 km (2,000 m), we will begin our trek. Once you have everything, we will provide you with snacks, and take a group photo before visiting our first Inca site. After your orientation and tour of the Inca site, we will begin hiking as we head for the Classic Inca Trail. If the weather is clear, we’ll have tremendous views of Machu Picchu, the Urubamba River, and other surrounding Inca Sites.

After hiking for three hours, we will reach the most beautiful Incan site on the Inca Trail Wiñay Wayna (Forever Young) at 2,600 m/8,500 ft. Most people do not get the opportunity to see an elaborate water fountain, temples, and some agricultural terraces, which provide a perfect opportunity to learn about the history of the Incas. The backdrop of this site drops off a cliff, with beautiful mountains surrounding the area. A few minutes away we will find the campsites, people doing the Classic Inca Trail will spend the night there. Here we will provide a hot lunch for you. Cooked that same moment by one of our chefs. Here we will be able to refill your water and you will have the change to take some rest after lunch. From Wiñay Wayna, we will walk to the Sun Gate, where we will see the picturesque landscape of Machu Picchu. After taking in the once-in-a-lifetime views, we will begin our descent to Machu Picchu.

One advantage of this trek is that by the time you reach Machu Picchu, the day travelers will have left, leaving you the whole area to yourselves. After taking photos, we take the bus down to Aguas Calientes and head to your hotel. Following, we will head to Indio Feliz for dinner (included). This restaurant is considered to be the best food in Aguas Calientes. After dinner, we recommend you going to bed early to make the most of the next day.

Overnight: Aguas Calientes

Meals included: Lunch and dinner

DAY 2: VISIT THE “LOST CITY OF THE INCAS”

We will wake up early in the morning to catch the sunrise at Machu Picchu. You will have a two hour guided tour by your private English speaking guide. After that, you will have time to explore Machu Picchu by yourself. Those who have tickets to Huayna Picchu (must be booked in advance) 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. Don´t forget about your train, which will depart later that afternoon back to Ollantaytambo and then we will drive you back to Cusco.

Meals included: Breakfast

INCLUSIONS

Included

• Professional Guides: All of our guides studied English and tourism at Cusco National University. They all grew up in the Cusco region, and are committed to teaching others about their heritage. They are fun yet professional and will ensure you are safe and happy.
• Permits: As soon as we receive your details and a deposit, we will purchase your permits. These permits are for a specific date and in your name. They can’t be changed once confirmed. Only your passport number is allowed to be updated. The permit includes an entrance to Machu Picchu.
• Hotel: This trek includes one night in a three-star hotel in Aguas Calientes. Upgrades are always possible.
• Transportation: we will be provide all transportation for this trek. You will be picked up directly from your hotel around 4 am, and brought to KM 104 to begin your trek. The train back from Aguas Calientes will be on the Expedition Class Train and will be included in your trip. You also have the option to upgrade to the Vistadome train for an additional of US$ 75 per person. Once you arrive at the train station, our van will take you back to your hotel in Cusco. Also included is your round trip bus ticket from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu.
• Food: we will make sure you enjoy some spectacular food on the way to Machu Picchu. At the Wiñay Wayna ruins, you will have lunch, and dinner will be in the best restaurant in the town of Aguas Calientes called Indio Feliz. The next morning you will enjoy breakfast at your hotel. On the last day, lunch is not provided.
• Water: We will give you a bottle of water for your morning hike and another bottle during lunch. We encourage you to bring extra on your own, as being well hydrated is the key to feeling great in the mountains.
• First Aid: every guide has received training in first aid from a physician. We conduct mandatory training sessions every February, which every single Alpaca tour guide must attend. Your guide will always have a first-aid kit with oxygen for basic medical problems, like traveler’s diarrhea, cuts, scrapes, etc. We will get you off the trail as quickly and comfortably as possible, if needed, and ensure you get directly to a clinic for treatment.
• Satellite Phones: Our top priority will always be the safety of our clients and our team. While all our guides are prepared and trained to deal with most issues clients have on the mountain. Being a phone call away from any doctor, hospital, or friend helps everyone feel assured that they are safe. Radios, which all our guides have, are limited in how far they can reach, so we have added Satellite Phones to every trek. Every guide will have a fully charged phone that can be used anywhere on the mountain to connect us anywhere in the world. And they can be used by our clients for non-emergencies as well. While they are not cheap to use, they are available just in case you need to check in on the puppy you left at home with grandma.

Not Included

• Rentals: Because there is no camping on this trek, the only possible needs would be an extra porter or walking sticks. The items are listed below:

Walking Sticks (Pair): US$ 10

Porters: Because this is just a one day hike without camping, there will not be porters. Your day pack should include anything you need for the evening and the next day at Machu Picchu. It is your responsibility to carry it yourself. If you prefer to have a porter, we can arrange it for a fee based on how much your bag weighs. You must arrange this at the time of your booking since the porter will also need a permit.

• Huayna Picchu: it is the mountain that stands next to Machu Picchu. It is a 45-minute hike to the top. Going back down is quite steep if you are scared of heights. You would do this after your tour of Machu Picchu. The cost is US$ 85.00. Arrangements need to be made at least one month in advance due to popularity and high season. Please understand that the weather is out of our control.
• Machu Picchu Mountain: it is the other mountain that stands above the Machu Picchu ruins. It offers even more stunning views than Huayna Picchu but takes an hour and a half to reach the top. You can book this with an additional entrance ticket that we can secure for you. This ticket is $75 per person.
• Vistadome Train: this trek includes the Expedition (Tourist) Class Train. This train is usually booked at 4:22 p.m., leaving from Aguas Calientes. There is also the Vistadome (Superior) Class Train, which is an upgraded train that offers slightly larger seats, windows, and even some entertainment on board. Usually, the Vistadome train is booked for 4:43 p.m. and travels to Poroy, a train station closer to Cusco. While this is an upgraded fee, we will still include your transportation back to your hotel. This train is US$ 85.00 per person.