The Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is the most famous section of the Qhapac Ñan. The Qhapac Ñan was a system of roads built during the Inca Empire. This road network covered most of the Inca domains, including the territories of the modern countries of Peru, Bolivia, Chile, Argentina and Ecuador.
Most of Qhapaq Ñan’s roads were built during the reign of Inca Pachacutec in the XV century. The next rulers of the Inca Empire continued expanding the Qhapaq Ñan until the Spanish conquest. In the colonial period, the Spanish government used some sections of the Qhapaq Ñan for transporting goods.
The classic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu connects the railway to Ollantaytambo with the Intipunku. The Intipunku is a stone structure that marks the entrance to Machu Picchu. It takes 4 days to traverse the whole Inca Trail.
The Short Inca Trail allows visitors to explore the Inca Trail and Machu Picchu is just two days. On the first day, you will hike the last section of the Inca Trail, before reaching the Intipunku. On the second day, you will have a guided tour of the Inca citadel.
Unlike a regular tour to Machu Picchu, on this 2 day Inca Trail tour you will visit the Wiñay Wayna ruins. These ruins are located on the last segment of the Inca Trail, before reaching the Inti Punku.
Our Short Inca Trail Tour includes train tickets from Ollantaytambo to km 104. It also includes train tickets from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo for the return trip. There are three types of train services: the expedition class, the vistadome train, and the Hiram Bingham train. Each one has a different price, so tell us which train service you want before booking this tour.
Any person with moderate physical health can participate in this short trek to Machu Picchu. However, in order to avoid suffering from altitude sickness during your visit to Machu Picchu, we recommend you to spend some days in Cusco city.
We are one of the most trusted tour operators in Cusco, Peru. Our guides are experts in the history of the numerous Inca sites of the region. We also offer travel packages to the Sacred Valley and the Salkantay Trek. Our tours include a first aid kit to ensure the safety of our clients.
Cusco Hotel Transfer
04:00 am
The Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is a historic and cultural treasure protected by Peruvian regulations. Visitors must follow specific rules to ensure its conservation.
The Inca Trail is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Regulations protect its cultural and natural heritage. Rules prevent damage and control the impact of tourism. These guidelines encourage responsible tourism and sustainable practices.
Groups may not exceed 16 visitors, including guides. Every visitor must be part of an organized tour. Guides and porters must hold official accreditation to operate.
Only 500 people can access the Inca Trail daily. This includes 200 tourists and 300 support staff like guides and porters.
Visitors may not carry:
Visitors must only use campsites designated for their groups. Restrooms are public but cannot be used for washing items. Each trek must comply with the route’s specified duration.
Porters cannot carry loads exceeding 14 kg. Agencies provide essential items like first-aid kits and oxygen tanks. Camp waste must be properly collected and disposed of.
The Inca Trail closes every February for maintenance. Authorities announce closures 30 days in advance to inform tourists and agencies.
Visitors must book tours through authorized travel agencies. These agencies handle ticket reservations and staff hiring. They also ensure compliance with government regulations.
Tour operators must provide:
Book your trip 5-6 months in advance due to high demand. Always follow the guide’s instructions to ensure safety and preservation. Respect the Inca Trail to preserve it for future generations.
We will pick you up from your hotel in Cusco at 4:00 am. Then, we will drive to the Ollantaytambo train station. There, we will board a train towards km 104. Once in km 104, we will leave the train and pass some security checkpoints before entering the Inca Trail.
We will start our adventure by hiking towards the Inca ruins of Wiñay Wayna. Wiñay Wayna comprises more than 40 farming terraces. There are also some stone buildings which served as homes for the Inca royalty.
Wiñay Wayna is surrounded by unique flora and fauna. Around 179 orchid species have been identified near this Inca site. After exploring Wiñay Wayna, we will have lunch at a nearby campsite.
Afterwards, we will continue our hike towards Inti Punku. Once there, we will be able to appreciate the beauty of the Inca city of Machu Picchu. After enjoying the incredible views of Machu Picchu during the sunset, we will take a bus to Aguas Calientes town.
Once in Aguas Calientes, our staff will transfer you to your hotel room. You will have free time to explore the town and its famous hot springs.
You will wake early in the morning to have breakfast. Then, you will board a bus to Machu Picchu. After passing the security checkpoints, you will enter the Inca citadel.
As part of the guided tour, you will visit the Main Temple, the Temple of the Condor, the Intihuatana, among other famous places of Machu Picchu. If you have a ticket to Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu mountain, our staff will guide you to the respective entrance.
After exploring Machu Picchu, we will return to Aguas Calientes. You will have free time to have lunch at a local restaurant. The lunch is not included in the tour price.
In the afternoon, we will take a train to Ollantaytambo. Once there, our staff will transfer you to Cusco city. You will be arriving in Cusco around 9:00 pm.
