Short Inca Trail 2d/1n Trek Itinerary

(The following trek itinerary has been kindly provided by Llama Path www.llamapath.com)

Day 1: Wiñay Wayna - Machu Picchu
We pick you up from your hotel at 5.40am and take you to the train station. We travel by train, on a very picturesque route for 4 hours until we reach kilometer 104 - the start of the trail for us. From here, we have a walk of approximately 4 hours up to the Inca site Wiñay Wayna ('Forever Young')(2680m/8792ft). You have joined the path in time to see the most impressive site on the whole Inca Trail!!
We will then continue on to 'Inti Punku' ('Sun gate') (2730m/8792ft) from where you will have your first dramatic, panaromic view of Machu Picchu (2400m/7873ft). We will walk down the last part of the trail towards the ancient city itself. On this day, we walk through Machu Picchu, getting a 'taster' for the tour the next day!  We finish the day going down to Aguas Calientes to have dinner and rest.

Day 2: Machu Picchu Tour
We have breakfast and then take the first bus (6am) up to Machu Picchu. A walking tour (approximately 2 hours) is given by your guide and after this you can explore the mysterious city by yourselves. If you have energy you can also climb Huayna Picchu (2720m/8890ft)!!! (It takes about 45 minutes to reach the top.) You will meet your guide in Aguas Calientes (it can be reached by bus or on foot) for lunch and to be given your train tickets back to Cusco. The train usually leaves at 3.55pm and we will arrive back in Cusco at about 8.45pm.
If desired, an extra night in Aguas Calientes can be arranged. This option is very popular as it allows more time to explore Machu Picchu. You can also go to the thermal springs in the town - a real treat after finishing the trail!!!

Note: It is no longer possible to stay a night on the Inca Trail for the 2 day, 1 night trek. All people on this tour spend the night in Aguas Calientes, the town nearest Machu Picchu.

 

Inca Trail - 2 day Trek Itinerary

Inca Trail 2 day Trek Itinerary (Sacred Trail)

Day 1: The trek begins at kilometer 104 (104 kilometers along the railway from Cusco to Aguas Calientes). The trains stop only for a few minutes at Km 104 so be prepared to jump off quickly.

The trail heads down to the river where you'll find a checkpoint; a gate that guards the bridge over the River Vilcanota. Here you'll have your entrance ticket checked (previously purchased in Cusco  US$25 adult or US$15 student which includes entrance to Machu Picchu as well.

On the other side of the river the trail heads off to the right towards the ruins of Chachabamba. These ruins, discovered in 1940, are located on the old Inca road that ran along the southern bank of the Urubamba river. The style of buildings and stonework suggest that this was an important religious site, as well as having the secondary function as a gate house guarding this entrance to Machu Picchu.

From Chachabamba the Inca Trail goes south and climbs the hillside, entering some woods and crossing a small stream. The path then turns west and continues uphill leaving the woods for open grassland. The path is clearly marked.

After about 2 hours after leaving Chachabamba, the path at last descends into a forest and much needed shade. Within minutes you'll reach a beautiful waterfall, and soon after leave the forest to arrive at the foot of the superb ruins of Wiñay Wayna.

To get to the Trekker Hostal, climb up the stairway to the urban area of the terraces, following the stairs off to the  right. You then pass a series of Inca baths and follow the trail right to the Hostal. It's a 15-20 minute walk.

You will probably find yourself at the Trekkers Hostal for about 3 pm. The majority of tour operators stop here for the night but one or two continue on to Machu Picchu). You may stay in the hostal in basic dormitory beds or you may be camping depending on your trekking company. 

Day 2: (6km) The trail from the hostal to Machu Picchu is clearly marked and takes about 1½ hours. Most people attempt to wake up at 4.30am so that they can leave Wiñay Wayna by 5.30am to get to Machu Picchu before sunrise. The sky starts getting light by 6am and the first rays of the sun reach Machu Picchu at about 7am. The trail contours a mountainside and drops into cloudforest before coming to an almost vertical flight of 50 steps leading up to the final pass at Intipunku (Sun Gate). Suddenly the whole of Machu Picchu is spread out before you in all its glory - a fantastic sight for all. 

*Above information used with kind permission from Andean Travel Web Guide to Peru www.andeantravelweb.com/peru