Trip Rating
Discover the mystery of the Inca.
Explore The Short Inca Trail and get the most out of Machu Picchu's new regulations. Maximize your adventure and visit Machu Picchu at Sunset and Sunrise
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Trek Details:
Equipment Required: Hiking boots, rain gear, daypacks and camelbacks for during the day. |
Inclusions:
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Private groups are comprised of people booking together.
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ITINERARY
The average hiking time on the first day is 8 hours. The second day consists of a tour to the Sacred City of Machu Picchu. The views, the flora and fauna along this ancient Incan road will take your breath away. This is a unique alternative for those who don't want to hike the long classic inca trail. The Short Inca trail is short in distance but not in adventure.
Day One
Start time
5:40 AM
Travel
Transfer to train station. Train to kilometer 104.
Highlights of the day
The day starts with a scenic train journey (approximately 2 hours) to the starting point of the Inca trail, which is the 104 Km or Chachabamba. From this place, we hike for approx. 3 hours to the Incan site Wiñay Wayna (Forever Young) 2680m/8792ft. After lunch, we continue the walk until we reach the Sungate or Inti Punku 2730m/8957ft, from where you will have your first dramatic panoramic view of Machu Picchu (2400m/7873ft). We continue
the walk toward Machu Picchu where we have an amazing view of the Sunset. Finally, we take a shuttle bus down to Aguas Calientes.
Difficulty level
Moderate ascent to Winay Wayna and Inti Punku and then a descent to Machu Picchu and Aguas Calientes.
Meals Included:
Lunch on the trek and dinner in Aguas Calientes.
Accommodation:
Hotel in Aguas Calientes
Other information:
Although a shortened Inca Trail, this trek joins the main inca trail in time to see the highlights.
Start time
5:40 AM
Travel
Transfer to train station. Train to kilometer 104.
Highlights of the day
The day starts with a scenic train journey (approximately 2 hours) to the starting point of the Inca trail, which is the 104 Km or Chachabamba. From this place, we hike for approx. 3 hours to the Incan site Wiñay Wayna (Forever Young) 2680m/8792ft. After lunch, we continue the walk until we reach the Sungate or Inti Punku 2730m/8957ft, from where you will have your first dramatic panoramic view of Machu Picchu (2400m/7873ft). We continue
the walk toward Machu Picchu where we have an amazing view of the Sunset. Finally, we take a shuttle bus down to Aguas Calientes.
Difficulty level
Moderate ascent to Winay Wayna and Inti Punku and then a descent to Machu Picchu and Aguas Calientes.
Meals Included:
Lunch on the trek and dinner in Aguas Calientes.
Accommodation:
Hotel in Aguas Calientes
Other information:
Although a shortened Inca Trail, this trek joins the main inca trail in time to see the highlights.
Day Two
Start time
5:00 AM
Travel
Bus to Machu Picchu
Highlights of the day
A walking tour (2 hours) of Machu Picchu by your guide.
On completion of the tour those that have selected to climb of Huayna Picchu 2720m/8923ft (It takes 45 minutes to reach the top) will commence their climb.
Difficulty level
Easy
Meals
Breakfast in Hotel in Aguas Calientes. Lunch in Aguas Calientes.
Accommodation
You will be back in Cusco in your own accommodation for this evening.
Other Information
You will be given your train tickets by your guide at lunch time. The train usually leaves about 2:55 PM and arrives back in Cusco at 7:45 PM although this may be subject to change. You can opt to have an extra night in Aguas Calientes to explore Machu Picchu further and visit the thermal springs in Aguas Calientes.
Start time
5:00 AM
Travel
Bus to Machu Picchu
Highlights of the day
A walking tour (2 hours) of Machu Picchu by your guide.
On completion of the tour those that have selected to climb of Huayna Picchu 2720m/8923ft (It takes 45 minutes to reach the top) will commence their climb.
Difficulty level
Easy
Meals
Breakfast in Hotel in Aguas Calientes. Lunch in Aguas Calientes.
Accommodation
You will be back in Cusco in your own accommodation for this evening.
Other Information
You will be given your train tickets by your guide at lunch time. The train usually leaves about 2:55 PM and arrives back in Cusco at 7:45 PM although this may be subject to change. You can opt to have an extra night in Aguas Calientes to explore Machu Picchu further and visit the thermal springs in Aguas Calientes.
RESOURCES
- Original passport (and *International Student card (ISIC) if applicable)
- Travel Insurance is essential
- Walking boots
- Waterproof jacket/rain poncho
- Warm jacket
- Hat and gloves
- T-shirts
- Comfortable trousers
- Sun hat
- Sun protection cream (factor 35 recommended)
- Insect repellent
- Water (only until lunch time on day 1)
- Toiletries and hand sanitizer.
- Personal medication
- Camera
- Torch with spare batteries (headlamps are useful)
Optional items to take:
- Shorts
- Walking stick (with rubber tip)
- Plasters and bandages
- Sandals
- Extra money
- Bathing suit (for hot springs in Aguas Calientes. * Optional)
You might be wondering about how you are gonna get in your best shape for your hike in Ausangate Peru. Maybe you think you will not be able to do it. Trust us, we do this every day. If you follow the information below. You will have an amazing inca trail adventure.
First, Prepare your mind
The success of your trip depends on it. Preparing for a trip could be time consuming, stressful and exhausting. Most likely you might feel like you are not ready enough, fit enough, etc. The fact is that when it comes to traveling, there is not such a thing as being 100% ready. In the words of my dear friend Marinel. “You learn best by just doing it. Be mindful of your fears and anxieties. Learn the means to pacify them. But also remember that despite of preparation, imperfect scenarios will still creep in on you.”
In Peru we have a common saying which is “The nature of a wanderer (traveller) is to make her path along the way." One cannot be in control of everything as we do in our daily lives at home. The fact is that travelling offers us the opportunity to let go of the need to want to control everything, and lets us enjoy the beauty of travelling whatever challenges it might pose us.
Your resilience and open-mindedness will be put to the test no matter how experienced of a traveller you are. The world is full of differences that you need to be prepared to embrace. Finally, looking back on your trip, you will be proud of the impact it had on you mentally and physically.
First, Prepare your mind
The success of your trip depends on it. Preparing for a trip could be time consuming, stressful and exhausting. Most likely you might feel like you are not ready enough, fit enough, etc. The fact is that when it comes to traveling, there is not such a thing as being 100% ready. In the words of my dear friend Marinel. “You learn best by just doing it. Be mindful of your fears and anxieties. Learn the means to pacify them. But also remember that despite of preparation, imperfect scenarios will still creep in on you.”
In Peru we have a common saying which is “The nature of a wanderer (traveller) is to make her path along the way." One cannot be in control of everything as we do in our daily lives at home. The fact is that travelling offers us the opportunity to let go of the need to want to control everything, and lets us enjoy the beauty of travelling whatever challenges it might pose us.
Your resilience and open-mindedness will be put to the test no matter how experienced of a traveller you are. The world is full of differences that you need to be prepared to embrace. Finally, looking back on your trip, you will be proud of the impact it had on you mentally and physically.
WATER:
TREKKING BOOTS
DRUGS, SMOKING AND ALCOHOL
- We will supply you with boiled filtered water.
- We do this every day in the mornings before we start hiking and after our lunch breaks.
- Bring a refillable water container or camelback for when you are hiking.
- We strongly advise you to drink at least 2 litres of water a day. Do not attempt to drink water from the streams, rivers or faucets along the trails.
- Do not bring plastic bottled water to our excursions.
- Use only drinkable water to brush your teeth.
TREKKING BOOTS
- We strongly encourage you to wear trekking boots on our treks.
- Please make sure to wear boots that you have already broken in prior to the trek.
- We discourage people from wearing brand new trekking boots. You are more prone to get blisters from wearing brand new boots.
DRUGS, SMOKING AND ALCOHOL
- Smoking is not allowed while on the trek. We want you to have an overall healthy experience while in the mountains.
- We discourage people from heavy alcohol consumption while on the hikes.
- Any type of mind altering substances are discouraged and illegal while on the hikes.
MEALS:
MEDICAL INFORMATION
- Breakfast starts at 5:30 AM on most days.
- Please follow the directions of your tour leader regarding meal times and be there on time to avoid eating cold foods or left overs.
- Please let us know if you have a particular dietary request or if you are vegetarian or vegan.
- We cannot provide Kosher alternatives.
MEDICAL INFORMATION
- We recommend that all our customers purchase full coverage travel health insurance plan before coming to Peru. Most airfare engines offer this service at the time of purchasing their flight tickets.
- Yellow fever, malaria or other kinds of inoculation (vaccination) are NOT needed for when you visit Cusco's Andean region.
- Please let us know of any changes in your health conditions within the first 24 hours of your arrival to Cusco. We want to know your progress to acclimating to high altitude and your adaptation to the local food.
Before the hike:
- Make sure you have all that you need in your daypack.
- Always check that your backpack is properly attached to your body.
- Most new backpacks have a safety whistle located in the chest buckle.
- Test the emergency whistle. Remember the following guidelines for how to use a whistle in case of emergency. One blast means hi! or where are you? Or you can interpret that as a call-back signal if you hear anything that sounds like an emergency request. Two Blasts of the whistle mean "Come here” and Three blasts mean SOS! Emergency! Help!
- Make sure you wear hiking boots and hiking socks. They reduce the risk of injuries.
- Check that your hiking boots straps are well tied.
- Always use trekking poles.
- Start well hydrated. It is best to start any hike after you have had a good amount of electrolytes. We suggest that you drink gatorade or any other hydrating salts right before you start hiking. Do this especially if the day is hot.
- Avoid heat exposure by wear a cap during the day if the temperatures are hot.
- Avoid Hypothermia by wearing a warm hat if the temperatures are really low.
- Make sure you are wearing the right layers of clothing based on the weather conditions. You don’t want to be sweating profusely if it is a warm day and you don’t want to be cold if it is freezing out there.