DAY 1: Cuzco | Ollantaytambo - KM 104 - Chachabamba - Wiñay Wayna - Puerta del Sol / Inti Punku - Machu Picchu - Aguas Calientes

Walk on the ancient steps and be transported back in time.

Your adventure begins very early today, as you will be picked up from your accommodation at 4:00 am. m. You will then travel for about an hour and a half to the small and picturesque town of Ollantaytambo, where you will have a few minutes to do any last-minute shopping. You will board the train at the station at 6:10 am to KM 104, from where our walk begins. You can see the golden sun covering the vast Andean mountains, the cultivated fields and the Urubamba river along the railway. Before you start trekking, you'll meet your guide and hear a brief orientation on the details, and we'll provide your box lunch and snack to enjoy later.

The trek begins on a path similar to the beginning of the Classic Inca Trail. You will be immersed in the impressive landscape while being surrounded by lush vegetation and towering mountains that look down on you. After a while, we will arrive at our first Inca archaeological site on the trek, Chachabamba, and learn a bit about it from our guide.

After another 3 hours, we arrive at one of the most fascinating Inca sites, the Wiñay Wayna complex (meaning "forever young" in Quechua), which stands at 2650m/8694ft. Most hikers who stop here are in awe of the incredible architecture. You will explore the site and discover a ritual water source, temples dedicated to the forces of nature, and beautiful agricultural platforms. Wiñay Wayna is the perfect place to learn a little more about the impressive history of the Incas.

While at these sites, take time to relax, rest in peace, and connect with Mother Nature through birdsong and the soft whisper of the wind. A little further on, you will see the camps where those who do the Classic Inca Trail spend the night. Here you will have time to enjoy the tasty lunch box that we have prepared for you, relax and recharge your batteries.

Once you are ready to proceed, we will continue the trek to Puerta del Sol, from where you will get your first breathtaking views of Machu Picchu and all of its incredible architecture. You will be surprised how the Incas were able to build such a site on a mountain. The landscape is dreamlike, and you will feel the magic and mystery of Machu Picchu, which has stood the test of time in an amazing way. Take this opportunity to capture some unique photos and honor the Incas as you reflect on how they were able to lift such large stones and try to understand their deep connection to nature.

However, we will not enter the citadel yet. At this time of day, the tourists in the interior will leave, and you can watch the magical golden light of the sun set on the immense stone walls for a bit of tranquility. You can look forward to tomorrow knowing that you will explore every inch of this masterpiece. For now, you will take an alternative path to the exit, where you will board a bus that will take us to the small town of Aguas Calientes to spend the night in a hotel. Before you rest your body for the night, we will have dinner in one of the best restaurants in the city. Make sure you go to bed early, as you will be up before the sun rises tomorrow.

Day 2: Aguas Calientes | Machu Picchu - Ollantaytambo - Cuzco

Explore the amazing Inca city of Machu Picchu

After a well-deserved night of rest, the moment you have been waiting for arrives. You'll need to be up before dawn to make sure you beat the crowds. You will walk a bit from your hotel to catch a bus that will take you on a 25-minute ride to the entrance of the Inca citadel. You will enter just before the sun rises and paints the fortress a beautiful shade of gold.

After soaking it all in and taking your first pictures, your guide will take you on a 1.5 hour guided tour of the site. You will visit some of the most important parts of Machu Picchu and learn a lot from your local expert. Once the tour ends, you will be able to climb Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain (pre-booked tickets required), each of which takes 1:30 and 3 hours to climb up and down, respectively. From any of these places, you will experience more impressive views of the entire Inca city.

When you are ready to leave, it will be time to head back to Aguas Calientes. You will have some time to select a restaurant of your choice for a bite to eat before catching a train, which is usually booked for 2:55 PM (subject to availability). You will arrive in Ollantaytambo by train and then a private bus will be there to pick you up and take you back to your accommodation in Cusco around 6:00 p.m. m.

Now it's time to enjoy a well-deserved rest and put your feet up. Your journey may be over, but we assure you that your heart will be pounding for many years to come as you fondly remember your incredible adventure.

It Includes:

• Tour with professional guide (maximum 08 people)
• Transport Cusco-Ollantaytambo-Cusco. (Round Trip)
• Ollantaytambo tourist train at 104km
• Hotel in Aguas Calientes.
• Bus from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes (first day).
• Entrance tickets to the Inca Trail (Wiñayhuayna + Intipunku).
• Entrance tickets to Machu Picchu (circuit #3).
• Tourist train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo in the afternoon.
• Specified Food: 01 Breakfast, 01 Box Lunch and 01 Dinner *Vegetarian or vegan food upon request.
• First aid box.

It does not Include:

• Huayna Picchu tickets or entrances to the Machu Picchu mountain (extra cost $60).
• Trekking poles (extra cost $15 USD).
• Beverages.
• Tips.
• Travel medical insurance (mandatory)

The "SHORT INCA TRAIL OF 2 DAYS" can leave any day of the week, from March to January. We do not operate this itinerary in February due to the rainy season and route maintenance.

Prices 2022:

• Group price: US$ 500.00 per person
• Pre-payment required: US$ 300.00 per person
• Balance (Cusco):  US$ 200.00 (Commonly paid in Cusco after the briefing).

This small-group trip is guaranteed to operate with just two guests.

Please note that PayPal charges a 5% fee for the use of their secure payment gateway. This tax is only for online and card payments. You can also pay the remaining balance in cash (on the day of the briefing) free of charge.

After your payment, send us the transfer number (PayPal) to gustavoquispepizarro@gmail.com; only after that we can confirm your deposit and reservation.

Price guarantee:

Once your reservation is confirmed, we guarantee that the price will not increase, whatever the circumstances. So, before you book, make sure you have read all of our important tour information.