Do you dream about the famous Inca Trail that goes straight to Machu Picchu? Do you want to visit the ruins not only once, but twice? Do you have not much time and you want to dedicate it to the Inca Trail going towards the ruins? We highly recommend this trip. The Inca Trail to Machu Picchu package is perfect for you.
...Main places on the routeWho is this trip for?Additional costs
Inca ruins in: Wiñay Wayna, Machu Picchu, and also:
Trekking on most famous Inca Trail going straight to Machu Picchu for around 6 hours
2 days of seeing Machu Picchu
This trip is for people who:
Want to do the most famous, limited trekking of the Inca Trail, but don’t have enough time for a 4 day version or are late with reservations (required 6 months upfront by other companies)
Look for alternative ways to travel
Like to live and travel actively
Bus to Machu Picchu ruins – Aguas Calientes (one way): 12 USD
This option provides you two entrances to Machu Picchu for two consecutive days. The bus ride up and down is included in the price for the first day. On the second day only the ride up is offered, and you have to walk down.
The trip starts and finishes in Ollantaytambo. It is possible to start from Cusco as well, but then you will need to get up very early to catch the train. For those wanting to see attractions like Moray, Maras, Chinchero or Pisac, we recommend staying one night after Machu Picchu in Ollantaytambo and then continue on to these attractions. If the group plan is to come back to Cusco, from the train station in Ollantaytambo it will cost you around 10 sols – ride is about 2 hours. There are many buses at the station since they are waiting for the tourists arriving by the train. All information regarding the return trip will be provided by guides during your trip.
We leave Ollantaytambo at 6:10 by train towards where we will start trekking at kilometer 104 (elevation 2100 m. above sea level). Trekking on the Inca Trail in a short version starts at this spot and will take around 4 hours to the Inca ruins of Wiñay Wayna. Next we will trek an additional 2 hours to get to Inti Punku (Gate of the Sun) from where you can enter directly to Machu Picchu. From here you have beautiful view of the ruins from the side.
This days trek ends in Aguas Calientes which is at the bottom of 1500 Inca stairs.
Trekking time: 7-8 hours Maximum elevation: 3000 m above sea level
Accommodation in Aguas Calientes
This shorter verion of the Inca Trail allows you to see Machu Picchu two days in a row, as well as other interesting local sites. On the second day we will visit Machu Picchu again to see the ruins at sunrise and also climb one of the additional peaks of Machu Picchu Mountain (also called Huayna Picchu).
After sightseeing the ruins with a local guide and climbing the additional peak, you will have free time to explore the area on you own. After your exploring you can return to Aguas Calientes on your own time. From here you will take the train (depending on availability of the tickets) to Ollantaytambo and then a local bus to Cusco (2 hour ride). Estimated arrival in Cusco is 22:30 pm. The guide will provide you all the details regarding the return trip after sightseeing the ruins.
Trekking time: 6-8 hours Maximum elevation: 3100 m above sea level
