Peru’s best-known hike visited by thousands of tourists every year. This still thrilling 2-day program covers a 13-km Inca Trail, joining the classical 4-day route at the impressive archaeological site of Wiñaywayna, continuing through the famous Inti Punku or Sun Gate, and finally devoting the second day to a full day visit of the world-famous Inca citadel of Machupicchu. This program is recommended for those having less time or those looking to hike a shorter version of the Inca Trail without camping.

Itinerary

Day 1: Cusco to Aguas Calientes

We pick you up from your hotel at 05.00am and take you to Train Station to board the train that will take us to km.104 km on the Cusco – Machupicchu railroad (starting point of the trek), where we will arrive at around 10:00 am. We start visiting the Chachabamba archaeological complex (2150m/7052ft), located very close to the control point, to then embark upon an ascending trail, which after four hours takes us to the archaeological complex of Wiñaywayna (2650m/8692ft). This is an impressive complex made up of an agricultural center with numerous terraces, a religious sector and an urban sector. On the way up we will have magnificent views of the Urubamba River valley and the Choquesuysuy archaeological complex located on the other side of the river, and also of a beautiful waterfall located just a few minutes away from Wiñaywayna. We then go on and climb to Intipunku, or The Sun Gate. This will take an hour of hiking along a trail of flat stones on the edges of cliffs in highland jungle. From this fabulous spot, we may contemplate the sacred citadel of Machupicchu. From Intipunku we descend to Machupicchu and then by bus to Aguas Calientes. We are then accommodated at the selected hotel/hostel.

Meals: L (box-lunch)

• Total Distance: 13 Km.
• Estimated Walking Time: 6-7 Hours.
• Maximum Altitude Point: 2,650 m.
• Campsite Altitude: 2,400 m.

Day 2: Aguas Calientes to Cusco

We wake up early and board a bus, which will take us up to Machupicchu where we begin a complete guided tour of the Inca citadel that will take approximately two hours. You will then have free time to walk around, climb the Huaynapicchu Mountain, where one can experience spectacular views of all of Machupicchu, the valleys and mountains that surround it, or visit the Temple of the Moon and the fabulous Inca Bridge. In the afternoon, we meet in the town of Aguas Calientes where, if you like, you can visit and relax in its hot springs.From here we take the train back to the city of Cusco, where we arrive after nightfall.

Meals: -

Departure and arrival times are approximated.

Very Important

Sky Adventure Tour Operator will guarantee the spaces booked provided:

•     1.-The booking has been first confirmed by our Reservation Department by e-mail, this meaning that spaces are available on the Inca Trail for the requested date at the moment of the booking.
  
  

• 2.-The full passenger data have been provided and the required deposit has been paid for.

Since the Inca Trail has a maximum allowance of 500 people per day (including passengers and agency staff), we strongly recommend to make your bookings as much in advance as possible to make sure you will find spaces on the desired departure date. We are already receiving bookings for departures scheduled as far as one year prior to the trek departure date, so if you wish to travel with us to the Inca Trail, please make sure to confirm your booking as soon as possible.

Otherwise, we have also available alternative routes of equally awesome beauty and interest to offer to you.

The following client information is requested for any Inca Trail booking:

•     a. Complete names and surnames
•     b. Nationality
•     c. Passport number
•     d. Date of Birth
•     e. Gender
•     f. Small pay in advance of $ 300.00 dolars per person.

The exact information provided by you will be submitted to the governmental institution in charge of regulating the access to the Inca Trail and will be included in the official permit to enter the Inca Trail on the requested date. Should there be any change in the above-mentioned data (ie. New passport number), we kindly request you to inform the Reservation Department at Sky Adventure Tour Operator via email as soon as possible. The government reserves the right not to allow the entry to any visitor whose data are not the exact ones as those in the official permit. Sky Adventure Tour Operator excludes any responsibility for a no entry in case the passenger information has changed without prior notice to us.

Included

• Collection from your hotel in the morning and transfer to Train Station in Cusco
• Train ticket from Cusco to km.104 (starting point of the trail)
• Inca Trail and Machupicchu entrance fee (valid for 2 days)
• English speaking professional guide (2 guides for groups over 8 people)
• Meals (01L (box-lunch),
• First-aid kit including emergency oxygen bottle
• Bus ticket from Machupicchu ruins down to the village of Aguas Calientes – 1st day
• Round trip bus ticket Aguas Calientes – Machupicchu – Aguas Calientes – 2nd day
• Train ticket from Aguas Calientes to Cusco (Expedition or Vistadome Service, upon request)
• Transfer train station – hotel in Cusco

Not Included

• Accommodation in Aguas Calientes or Machupicchu.
• Lunch and dinner on the last day: after the guided tour at Machupicchu, you can enjoy free time to further visit the ruins and choose to have lunch either in Machupicchu or in Aguas Calientes at your own expense. Arrival in Cusco is estimated after nightfall, dinner being at your own expense too.
• Visit to the hot springs in Aguas Calientes: a relaxing way to end-up the trek while you’re awaiting the return train to Cusco, only 10 minutes from the village center, entrance fee is US$ 1,50. Towels can be hired in Aguas Calientes.
• Tips: please beware that our agency staff is well paid so please feel free to tip or not according to your wish.

Recommend Bring

• A backpack with a change of clothes for the whole period of the trek
• Rain jacket or poncho (plastic ponchos can be purchased in Cusco)
• Strong footwear, ideally trekking or sport shoes
• Flashlight and batteries
• Camera, films and batteries (batteries consume more quickly under cold conditions)
• Hat or cap to protect you from the sun, rain and cold
• Sun block
• After-sun cream or hydrating cream for face and body
• Insect repellent – minimum recommended 20% DEET – no malaria risk has been reported
• Handkerchiefs
• Toilet paper
• Snacks: biscuits, energy bars, chocolate, raw fruits, muesli, etc.
• Non-disposable canteen (Nalgene type) and water
• Swimsuit (if you intend to go to the hot springs in Aguas Calientes)
• Cash in soles and/or US$ (no ATM machines in Aguas Calientes)
• Original passport
• Optional: walking sticks or poles (rubber covers required in order not to damage the Inca Trail)
• Optional Services to be Hired
• Accommodation in Aguas Calientes or Machupicchu: please let us know if you wish us to make the hotel booking and, in this case, your requested hotel category and accommodation, and the number of nights you wish us to book. Our Reservation Department will provide you with a list of our selected hotels, services and prices for you to choose from. Our hotel choice is based on previous client reports and regularly updated. Please beware that if you wish to visit Machupicchu again the following day, the additional cost of the entrance fee is not included (24.00US$ adults, 15.00US$ students).
• A porter to carry your personal items all along the hike: US$ 100.00. A porter can carry up to 15 kg, which should be enough for 2 people.
• Climate
• Cusco’s climate is divided into two differentiated seasons: the rainy season, from November to April (the heaviest rainfalls occurring usually between January – March); and the dry season, from May to October. The dry season is colder, so temperatures can drop to below 0 degrees at night.
• Along the Inca Trail, temperatures range from 15- during the day if it’s sunny, to 05- if cloudy or rainy. At Machupicchu and Aguas Calientes, at lower altitude, temperatures are usually warmer though warm clothes are still recommended at night.