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Short Inca Trail trek with Hotel 2D/1N

By: Alpaca Expeditions

Recommended by 100% of travelers

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From

$550.00

Duration

2 Days / 1 Nights

Group Size

Min 2 – Max 12 people People

Physical rating

Easy

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Tour Map

Tour Overview

  • Day 1: Inca Trail – Sun Gate – Machu Picchu (Walking Distance: 15 km / 8 miles)
  • Day 2: Machu Picchu! (You will be back in Cusco around 8:30PM)

Highlights

This short two-day Alpaca Expeditions Inca Trail Tour with a hotel allows you to visit the most magnificent ruins while heading to Machu Picchu, Winawayna. Help yourself to lunch before visiting and then pass through the Sun Gate for your first view of the Lost City of the Incas. You’ll continue down to Aguas Calientes village and have an unforgettable dinner. This will be at a popular restaurant in town before heading to your hotel room. For those who want a small taste of hiking the Andes, this 1-day hike and the next day spent at Machu Picchu can’t be beaten.

The short Inca Trail or 2 day Inca Trail is a great option if you are not too experienced in hiking or if you have limited time. As its name commands the Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is a 1 day hike covering the last portion of the Inca Trail that ends at Machu Picchu. Instead of starting on Km 82 as the classic version we will start on Km 104 after a train ride.

This short Inca trail has one day of hiking that allows you the once in a lifetime experience of entering Machu Picchu directly from the trail. Then you’ll get a guided walking tour of Machu Picchu the second day, which makes it a really great way to see the area and still a fun challenge for those new to hiking. During this Machu Picchu 2 day hike you’ll also get to visit the archeological parks of Chachabamba, Wiñay Wayna and Intipunku or Sun Gate.

Remember: This short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu package has the same regulations as the classic Inca Trail. That means a permit is needed and there’s always the chance these will be sold out. So, like all of Alpaca Expeditions’ tour package you need to be book in advance to ensure you get the tour and timing you want.

Note: It’s best to book your hotel in the central part of town, due to the early pick-up. We’re unable to go to most Airbnb locations as they’re not easy to find. Before you book, please let us know where you’re staying so that we can confirm if our Alpaca Expeditions vans can access that location.

Special Offers

Add Rainbow Mountain Hike: $150 US

Experience a full day hike to the striped Rainbow mountain at a very special rate. This can be done before or after your Inca Trail Tour. You will just need to arrange with your Alpaca Expeditions sales team member. This is an incredible experience so be sure to look into it!

Itinerary

Your short Alpaca Expeditions Inca Trail tour to Machu Picchu starts with you being picked up from your hotel at 4 a.m. Next, we’ll go to the train station and leave on the 6:10 a.m. train from Ollantaytambo. The trail follows the Urubamba River until we reach Km 104, where we’ll begin our trek. Along the way you’ll see spectacular views of farmlands, snow-capped mountains and the mighty Urubamba River. The Urubamba River is one of the sources of the massive Amazon River so it’s very impressive to see. At 104 km (2,000 m), we’ll begin our breathtaking trek. Once you’re off the train and ready to go, we’ll provide you with snacks and take a group photo. Then we’ll set off to visit our first Inca site. We’ll give you a short orientation about this historical Inca site as well as a walking tour. Then we’ll begin hiking as we head for the Classic Inca Trail. We’ll have tremendous views of Machu Picchu, the Urubamba River and other surrounding Inca Sites.

After hiking for three hours we’ll reach the most beautiful Incan site on the Inca Trail Wiñay Wayna (Forever Young) at 2,600 m/8,500 ft. Few people get the opportunity to see these elaborate water fountains, temples and agricultural terraces. These provide a perfect opportunity to learn about the history of the Incas. The backdrop of this site is a dramatic cliff drop with beautiful mountains surrounding the area.

A few minutes of walking from there and you’ll arrive at the Alpaca Expeditions campsite used by hikers who have chosen to do the Classic Inca Trail. Here you’ll be able to enjoy the hot homemade lunch that’s been freshly cooked by Alpaca Expeditions’ chefs. You’ll also get a chance to refill your water and get a little rest after you’ve eaten.

From Wiñay Wayna, we’ll walk to the Sun Gate. This is where we’ll see the picturesque landscape of the famous Machu Picchu. After taking in the once-in-a-lifetime views, we’ll begin our descent to Machu Picchu.

One of the many advantages of this trek is that by the time you reach Machu Picchu the day travelers will have left. This leaves you the whole area to explore with no interruptions. After taking photos and exploring the area, we’ll take the bus down to Aguas Calientes and head to your hotel. After that we’ll head to Indio Feliz for dinner (included). This restaurant is considered to have the best food in Aguas Calientes. After dinner we recommend going to bed early to make the most of the next day.

* This hiking route is identical to the 2 Day Inca Trail with Camping
Accommodations: La Cabaña (or similar)
Meals Included: Lunch and dinner

We’ll wake up early so that we can catch one of the first busses so that we can catch the striking sunrise at Machu Picchu. You’ll have a two hour guided walking tour by your private English speaking Alpaca Expeditions guide. After that you’ll have time to explore Machu Picchu by yourself. Those who have tickets to Huayna Picchu 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. You’ll need to remember to catch your train, which will depart that afternoon to Ollantaytambo. Once you arrive at the station in Ollantaytambo we will be there to meet you and drive you back to Cusco.

Meals Included: Breakfast Only

Inclusions

  • Professional Guides: Every single on of Alpaca Expeditions’ guides attended Cusco National University and studied tourism as well as English. They’re all local residents who are from villages in the area. This means they’re dedicated to their families and heritage.
  • Permits: As soon as we receive your details and a deposit, we’ll purchase your permits (pending availability, check our Inca Trail Availability link). These permits are for a specific date and in your name. They can NOT 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, the town below Machu Picchu. The hotel you book will be listed on your invoice, and upgrades are always possible.
  • Transportation: Alpaca Expeditions will be providing all transportation for this trek. You’ll be picked up directly from your hotel around 4 am, (unless you’re staying in Ollantaytambo) 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 $75 per person. Once you arrive at the train station, our Alpaca Expeditions 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: Alpaca Expeditions will make sure you enjoy some spectacular food on the way to Machu Picchu. At the Wiñay Wayna ruins you’ll enjoy a peaceful lunch. While dinner will be in the best restaurant in the town of Aguas Calientes called Indio Feliz. The next morning you’ll enjoy breakfast at your hotel. Lunch is not provided on the last day of your Alpaca Expeditions trek.
  • Water: We’ll 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 Alpaca Expeditions guide has received training in first aid from a physician. We conduct mandatory training sessions every February for all Alpaca Expeditions’ employees. Your Alpaca Expeditions guide will always have a first-aid kit with oxygen for basic medical problems. If something does happen, which is rare, we’ll get you off the trail as quickly and comfortably as possible. We will stay with you the entire time until you are either back at your hotel or being seen by a medical professional.
  • Satellite Phones: Alpaca Expeditions’ top priority is and always will be the safety. While all our Alpaca Expeditions guides are prepared and trained for these situations. We go the extra mile and ensure that you’re always only a phone call away from any doctor, hospital, or to check on things back home. All Alpaca Expeditions guides are required to carry radios but they are limited in how far they can reach. That’s why Alpaca Expeditions added Satellite Phones to every trek. Every guide will have a fully charged phone that can be used to reach anyone from anywhere. They can be used by our clients for non-emergencies as well for an additional fee.

  • 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): $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’s 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: Huayna Picchu is the mountain that stands next to Machu Picchu. It’s a 45-minute hike to the top of Huayna Picchu. The views of Machu Picchu from the top are incredible. However, if you’re afraid of heights you need to be warned that coming back down the path is quite steep. If you decide to take this hike then you would it after your tour of Machu Picchu. The cost is $75 per person and arrangements need to be made at least one month in advance due to popularity.

Price

$550 per person

Private Tours are based on Group Size

2 Trekkers: $1000 per person
3 Trekkers: $900 per person
4 Trekkers: $750 per person
5 Trekkers: $700 per person
6 Trekkers: $600 per person
7 Trekkers: $575 per person
8 or more Trekkers: $550 per person

+ $50 US per person

For those wanting a single room or traveling solo there’s a $50 room charge to cover the entire room cost. We don’t bunk solo trekkers together. This covers the included hotel La Cabana, and it will be more expensive for the upgraded hotels.

– $25 off per person

Student discounts apply to anyone who has a valid UNIVERSITY STUDENT CARD at the time of the trek or who is 17-years-old or younger. For those using a University Student Card our under 17-years-old, we need to see a copy of their card or passport at the time of booking to receive the discount.

Please send all to info@alpacaexpeditions.com.

More Information about STUDENT CARD

Additional Items

Alpaca Expeditions include a three (3) star hotel using La Cabana, Inti Punku, or Waman (based on availability at booking). Rooms are based on double or triple occupancy and there’s a single room surcharge of $50 US per person if you book alone. Rooms all include private bathrooms with hot showers and WIFI. We can also upgrade your hotel if you prefer something a little fancier. Please remember the service you receive in Aguas Calientes will not be quite as good as Cusco. Below is a list of possible upgrade options but we work with most hotels in Aguas Calientes.

My own room: +$50 US pp
El Mapi: +$70 US pp shared (+$140 for a single)
Sumaq : +$215 US pp shared (+$375 for a single)
Booked on your own: -$40 US per person

Huayna Picchu: Huayna Picchu is the mountain that stands next to Machu Picchu. It’s a 45-minute hike to the top of Huayna Picchu. The views of Machu Picchu from the top are incredible. However, if you’re afraid of heights you need to be warned that coming back down the path is quite steep. If you decide to take this hike then you would it after your tour of Machu Picchu. While this hike is on your own your guide will direct you to where it starts. Arrangements need to be made at least one month in advance due to popularity.

The ticket is $75 per person.

Machu Picchu mountain is the 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.

All our tours include the Expedition (Tourist) Train. This train is usually booked at 4:22 p.m. departing from Aguas Calientes. There is also the Vistadome train, which is an upgraded train that offers slightly larger seats, windows and some entertainment. 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 $75 per person.

You’ll have a full day at Machu Picchu arriving at the citadel around 6 AM and leaving no later than 2 PM to catch your 4:22 train. If you would like to tour Machu Picchu again on your own the next day that can be arranged for you.

The entrance ticket into Machu Picchu is $55 per person.
The roundtrip bus ticket between Aguas Calientes and Machu Picchu is $25 per person

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