Preparing with us your Inca Trail Experience
This trek is often known as "the two day Inca Trail to Machu Picchu", "the Sacred Inca Trail to Machu Picchu" or the "Camino Real de los Incas".
The trek starts at Km 104 (104 kilometers along the railway from Cusco) and involves a four hour walk uphill to Wiñay Wayna and a couple of hours further to Machu Picchu making it ideal for trekkers wanting to experience at least a part of the Inca Trail but haven't got the time (or energy) to complete the full 4 day trek.
As with the 4 day version of the Inca Trail, regulations introduced in 2002 have prevented individuals from doing the trek solo. The majority of the new regulation sapply for the 2 day trek.
In the past trekkers have always been able to spend the first night of the trek at the basic hostal located at Wiñay Wayna. However due to many complaints about the standard and cleanliness of this hostal the hostal was closed at the end of 2004. This means that trekkers must now continue their trek all the way to Machu Picchu and spend the night in a hotel in Aguas Calientes. Groups then return to Machu Picchu for a guided tour on the second day.
This itinerary is rated moderate and should only be undertaken by people who are fairly fit and take regular exercise. The trek starts at 2100m (KM 104) and climbs to 2700m (Wiñay Wayna) before descending to 2400m (Machu Picchu). Since the trek is carried out at a much lower altitude than the Short 2 day Inca Trail trek you do not need to worry about acclimatization as much, although many people still find themselves short of breath when arriving at Wiñay Wayna so this trek should certainly not be considered an easy option.
Apart from the waterfalls just before Wiñay Wayna there are no other places to refill your water bottle up (purify before drinking). Therefore it is recommended that you start the trek with at least 1.5 litres of water.
This route is open in February when the Classic 4 day Inca Trail is closed.
Meals: Box Lunch and dinner.
Accommodation: Hotel, “Camping on request”.
Distance: 16kms/10 mls (6 hours more or less of hiking)
Difficulty: Easy/Moderate.
Walking Time: Approximately 6 hours (including picnic lunch en route)
Walk and Terrain: Walk, canter on open roads, some steep ascending
Trekking Km 104 “Chachabamba to Inti Punku, the Sun Gate”
Today our trek takes us along the most impressive stretch of the Inca Trail. We'll visit beautiful Inca sites, see a variety of flora and fauna and get to take in the fantastic panoramas of the Andes mountains. Covering 16km of the trail our journey begins in the Sacred Valley and works its way up along an original Inca Trail to the Inca site of Wiñay Wayna before continuing on to Machu Picchu via the Sun Gate (Inti Punku).
As we make our way to Machu Picchu we'll pass through the lush and verdant cloud forest that covers the mountain and get to see a variety of plants, flowers and birds along the way. We may also see some larger mammals such as Viscachas (rabbit-like Chinchillas) and Spectacled Bears (if we are very lucky).
After a full day trekking we'll arrive to the Sun Gate (Inti Punku) in the late afternoon and get our first views of Machu Picchu spread out on the mountain below. The light at this time of day is great for photos because there are few tourists so it's a perfect time to take some pictures of the site. After we've passed through the Sun Gate, we'll carry on along the trail a little way before taking a side trail that leads us to Aguas Calientes, in the valley below where we'll check in to our hotel.
Meals: Breakfast
Distance: 8.9kms/5.5mls “By Bus in 25 minutes”
Difficulty: Easy
Waking up early (04:00am) we’ll take one of the first buses back up to Machu Picchu to enter the site as soon as it opens (06:00am) we’ll have 2-hours guided tour in the site where you'll learn about the Incas and visit all the most important areas of the citadel. After your tour, you'll have free time to explore the site by yourself and if you have permits to climb either Huayna Picchu (2 hours round trip) or Machu Picchu Mountain (3 hours round trip).
You will also have time to indulge in a few of the following activities on your own if you choose (not included in the price)
Climb up Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain and appreciate the beauty and magnificence of Machu Picchu from there.
Other optional activities in Aguas Calientes include a visit to the new local museum or bathe in the hot springs.
Back to Cusco: You will descend to Aguas Calientes by bus (included) and later board the Expedition train to the Ollantaytambo Train Station “Train departure time can vary according train schedule and availability”. In Ollantaytambo Train station you will meet our private van and be transferred to your hotel in Cusco.
*** Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountains hike depends on availability; please let us know if you want to add one of these extra hikes at the time of your booking.
*** We only take ITEP EcoTravel clients in our vans / cars – We do not use public transport.
About Machupicchu Hotels:
Please note: Hotels may change (be different accordind your request) depending on booking time and availability; Campsite for Inca Trail 2 days / 1 night also is possible, we just need to follow Machupicchu government conditions or on restrictions undertaken for safety reasons by the Peruvian Government.
End of our Services
For availability of spaces for this service, please contact us info@salkantaytrek.org or by WhatsApp (+51) 970 506 205 and we`ll send you detailed information, prices, terms and conditions.
Please keep in mind that significant price reductions are available for groups. All our tours are fully guaranteed, departure every day. Contact us for more information for the tour that you are choosing, or to begin customizing your own itinerary. recommendations:
"Inka Trail Expeditions Perú is a tour operator travel agency in Peru and the city of Cusco, We really know what we do and offer, We are well managed, with several offices in Peru and a long list of travel destinations, offering all travel alternatives in Perú, from family trips, honeymoon trips and luxury travel, including adventure tours and exploring trips to the jungle, for almost any budget”
NOTE: Inka Trail Expeditions Perú, specializes in organizing the ideal travel plan to Peru, with hotels and destinations that you choose, because we have all confidential and promotional rates. For guidance on how to organize your custom package. Please write us.
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5/5 stars
We did the 4D, 3 nights Inca Trail with Jorge the first week of December 2024. The tour was incredible with beautiful views along the way and of course a worthwhile final destination. The Inca Trail team was great and our guide was very knowledgeable the only thing to note was that we wish that the...
5/5 stars
I recently completed the 4-day Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu, and it was an absolutely flawless experience from start to finish. The communication with the company ITEP beforehand was outstanding—every question was answered promptly and clearly, which gave me a lot of confidence heading into the...
5/5 stars
An experience not to be missed. The challenges and beauty of the Inca Trail were enhanced by our guide Iza. Her patience as well as her gentle and encouraging manner were such a blessing during our more trying moments. Her keen eye for the beauty of nature was a gift on this once in a lifetime trek....
