Tour Description: This tour begins with a four-hour hike on the first day, gradually ascending to the impressive Winay Wayna ruins, where you will enjoy a comforting lunch. From there, you will continue for about another hour to the Sun Gate, where you will have your first view of Machu Picchu.
Specific Details:
- Tour Type: Hiking with overnight stay in camp, enriched with culture and adventure.
- Recommended for: People with moderate physical condition and families.
- Difficulty: Medium, suitable for most, although the altitude may affect some people.
- Considerations: An entry permit is required, generally available and managed by Sacred Expeditions Peru upon booking.
- Season: Available March-January; closed February for government maintenance.
Exclusive Camp: Our private camp is reserved exclusively for Sacred Expeditions Peru trekkers. Here you will enjoy a hot shower, freshly prepared meals, and designated areas to charge your electronic devices.
Tour Advantages: This optimized itinerary allows you to make the most of your two days of hiking to Machu Picchu. It is ideal if you are short on time but want to explore the Inca Trail in a meaningful and complete way.
Personalized Service: Our trained staff is committed to making your short trip a rewarding and memorable experience. Closing with a night of camping in our exclusive location, we guarantee attention and care in every detail of your trip.
Take a 2-day trek down the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu and camp just below Machu Picchu Mountain with comfortable tents, cots, hot showers, picnic meals, and an exclusive team of porters, chefs, and tour guides.
This hike allows you to reach Machu Picchu twice (sunset and sunrise). Start in Cusco or Ollantaytambo, ride the short version of the Inca Trail in one day, arrive at Machu Picchu in the afternoon through the Sun Gate, and camp below Machu Picchu.
Visit Machu Picchu for the second time early in the morning of the next day with an exclusive tour guide.
Tour Details:
- Distance: 16 km / 9.9 miles
- Duration: 2 days 1 night
- Departure: In Cusco or Sacred Valley
- Destination: Machu Picchu
- Considered: Moderate
- Accommodation: Camping
- Type: Adventure – Cultural
Highlights:
- Book with Confidence and Flexibility and change travel dates free of charge
- Enjoy the Short Inca Trail with a Camping experience just below Machu Picchu
- Arrive at Machu Picchu in the afternoon to watch the sunset and revisit it for sunrise.
- Support Social Project that helps education while traveling
Regular Price: Base price per person is $580. We offer flexibility on departure dates, subject to permits being available. Permits are essential only for the start date of your trip.
Group Prices:
- Two hikers: $990 per person
- Three hikers: $850 per person
- Four hikers: $740 per person
- Five hikers: $690 per person
- Six hikers: $640 per person
- Seven hikers: $600 per person
- Eight or more hikers: $580 per person
Student and Under 17 Discount: We offer a $25 discount per person for college students with a valid ID or those under 17 years of age. A copy of the college student ID or passport will be required at the time of booking for this discount to apply.
Additional Articles
Huayna Picchu: Huayna Picchu is a mountain near Machu Picchu that offers a 45-minute hike to the top. Even if you decide to do this hike on your own, our guide will show you the entrance to the trail. We can secure an additional ticket for you in advance. Tickets are available for the first session from 7-8 am or the second session from 10-11 am, costing $75 per person.
Machu Picchu Mountain: Offering breathtaking views, Machu Picchu Mountain requires a one-and-a-half-hour hike to the top. You will need an additional ticket which we can arrange for $75 per person.
Vistadome Train: All of our tours include the Expedition Train, which typically departs at 4:22 pm from Aguas Calientes. The Vistadome Train is an upgraded option with more spacious seating, panoramic windows, and additional entertainment. We typically book the Vistadome Train for 4:43 pm, which travels to Poroy, a station closer to Cusco. This service has an additional cost of $75 per person, but includes transportation back to your hotel.
Itinerary Day 1: Inca Trail – Sun Gate – Machu Picchu
We will start the first day by picking you up at your hotel at 4am. We will then head to the train station to board the 6:10am train from Ollantaytambo. This train offers spectacular views of the Urubamba River, snow-capped mountain peaks, and corn fields along the way to Km 104, where our hike will begin.
Before starting the hike, you will enjoy a hearty breakfast. It is essential to bring your original passport to the first checkpoint on the Inca Trail. Our first Inca site will be Chachabamba, an ancient checkpoint. Here, your guide will provide you with historical details before beginning the three-hour climb to Wiñay Wayna. Along the trail, you will enjoy panoramic views of the Machu Picchu Valley and the Urubamba River, as well as the lush local flora and fauna.
We will arrive at Wiñay Wayna for a guided tour and time to explore its temples, waterfalls and agricultural terraces. After a lunch prepared by our chef and served buffet style, you will have time to rest before continuing to the Sun Gate. From this point, you will have a breathtaking view of Machu Picchu, Huayna Picchu and the surrounding valleys.
After admiring these views, we will descend towards the ruins of Machu Picchu.
Picchu. Then, we will take a short bus ride to the campsite at Puente Ruinas, where our tents will be ready. In the evening, you will enjoy a nice dinner and a small ceremony with our team.
Day 2: Machu Picchu (The lost city of the Incas) and return to Cusco
We will start early with hot drinks before packing our backpacks and enjoying breakfast. We will walk to the bus station to be among the first to board and arrive at Machu Picchu, where our guide will take you to enjoy the sunrise, if conditions permit.
You will then have a private two-hour guided tour of the Machu Picchu ruins, with all their fascinating history. You will also have free time to explore on your own or to climb Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain if you have booked in advance.
After exploring, we will return by bus to Aguas Calientes for lunch and take the train back to Ollantaytambo. From there, we will take you by private transport back to Cusco, arriving at your hotel at the end of the day.
Highlights:
- Enjoy the sunrise over the mountains from Machu Picchu.
- Explore the various areas of Machu Picchu, such as the Inca Bridge and the Sun Gate.
- Interact with the llamas that inhabit the area.
Temperature: Hot and humid. Meals: All meals included on day one; breakfast only included on day two. Train: Economy class on the expedition train.
This itinerary offers you an unforgettable experience of the Inca Trail and Machu Picchu, carefully guided by Sacred Expeditions Peru.
Incluye
Guías profesionales: Nuestros guías son licenciados en turismo y expertos en la región del Cusco. Están dedicados a compartir su profundo conocimiento cultural y ancestral, asegurando que tu experiencia sea informativa y gratificante. Son profesionales pero también amigables, garantizando tu satisfacción durante todo el viaje.
Permisos: Al recibir tus datos y un depósito, gestionaremos los permisos necesarios para el Camino Inca y Machu Picchu en la fecha seleccionada. Estos permisos son intransferibles pero se puede actualizar o cambiar el número de pasaporte. Incluyen acceso a Machu Picchu.
Reunión informativa (Briefing): La noche previa al inicio del viaje, te recibirán en nuestra oficina para una sesión informativa. Allí recibirás tu bolsa de lona que será transportada por nuestros porteadores durante la caminata. Esta bolsa no debe exceder los 7 kg / 14 libras e incluirá tu saco de dormir y colchón de aire.
Porteadores: Incluimos un equipo de porteadores que se encargará del transporte de tu equipo personal durante la caminata. No hay cargos adicionales por este servicio y no tendrás acceso a tu bolsa de lona hasta llegar al campamento nocturno.
Hotel: La caminata incluye tres noches de campamento a lo largo del Camino Inca y una noche en un hotel de dos estrellas en Aguas Calientes, la ciudad al pie de Machu Picchu. Generalmente reservamos en Inti Punku Inn u opciones similares, sujeto a disponibilidad confirmada en tu factura. Siempre existe la posibilidad de actualizar tu alojamiento.
Transportation: We include transportation from your hotel to the starting point at KM 82 to begin the hike, as well as the return Expedition Train from Aguas Calientes. We also offer the option to upgrade to the Vistadome Train for $75 per person. At the end of your visit to Machu Picchu, we will transfer you back to your hotel in Cusco and include the round-trip bus ticket from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu.
Equipment: We use high quality equipment, including Eureka 4 tents shared between two people, as well as a spacious dining tent to enjoy meals.
Food: Our chefs prepare delicious meals, tailored to various dietary restrictions. Family-style breakfast, lunch, and dinner will be served during the trek, along with a happy hour of tea and snacks. Each morning you will receive a snack to enjoy during the trek. Your last meal with our chef will be after breakfast on the fourth day. Lunch on the final day is not included.
Water: From the first lunch to the last breakfast, we provide all the necessary water, which is boiled, filtered and cooled before being distributed. We recommend that you bring your own water bottles or camelback. Water will be available for refills at each meal point.
First Aid: Our guides are trained in first aid and carry a full kit to deal with basic medical issues during the trek. In case of emergency, we ensure prompt and proper evacuation to the necessary medical care.
Extras: We value the details that make the difference. Each hiker receives a small pillow, foam mattress, backpack cover and rain poncho, ensuring your comfort at all times.
Satellite Phones: To ensure safety, each guide carries a charged satellite phone, available for emergency communications and non-urgent needs during the trek.
Not Included
Rentals: Each hiker is required to bring his or her own sleeping bag. Air mattresses and hiking poles (with rubber tips) are optional but recommended. We offer these rentals for additional fees:
- Sleeping bag: $25
- Inflatable mattress: $20
- Walking sticks (pair): $20
Huayna Picchu: This is the mountain close to Machu Picchu, offering impressive views but requiring an additional 45-minute hike. The additional cost for the ticket is $75 per person. We recommend booking at least one month in advance due to high demand and weather limitations.
