Early wake-up, train journey, Inca Trail, gaze out stunning Inca sites and the unique Machu Picchu will make this first-day hike an unforgettable day.

At 3:45 AM, our private guide will come to your hotel in Cusco City to pick you up to drive for about 2 hours to reach the train station of Ollantaytambo. The scheduled train for this 2 day Short Inca Trail is at 6:10 AM (Expedition Class Train), the reason we opt for this schedule is to have enough time for the hike and beat the crowds.

From Ollantaytambo to the trailhead (KM 104) you will have a train ride for 1 hour and 30 minutes, the railway follows the banks of the roaring Urubamba river, from the train, you will scan amazing views of the Urubamba mountain range, Incan ruins, and as you go farther and farther you will reach the high jungle (very lush forest), the views are just stunning! and it’s how we will reach the trailhead where the train will stop briefly to get out.

Once at the checkpoint of KM 104, we will register ourselves and for this, you must bring your original passport as the rangers will review all information on the permits and passports. After this checkpoint, we will begin our hike towards Machu Picchu for about 7 hours, right after the trailhead we will arrive at the first Incan site, which is a small archaeological site whose name is Chachabamba, this is an Inca site from the 15th century that today still showcases great constructions in rocks and sculptures on granite rocks that most likely were religious constructions and other as dwellings for people who lived here. At this place, your guide will deliver great information about the Incas and their development in the Andes of Peru and you will learn a lot about the Inca history through these Inca sites along the trail until Machu Picchu.

After enjoying the history of the Incas at the Chachabamba Inca site, we will continue walking gradually uphill enjoying the spectacular landscape until reaching the Wiñaywayna Incan temple whose meaning is “forever young” where you will have an opportunity to learn more about the Inca civilization. This section of the trail to Wiñaywayna is very scenic, you will soak up stunning vistas of the Urubamba mountain range in further directions, the lush Urubamba Valley with the roaring river, and the trail goes through slope parts of the mountain that makes the hike more challenging and interesting. Wiñaywayna is rated as the most beautiful Inca site along the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu and this place makes justice for it as the site has outstanding constructions, temples, water fountains, terraces, and dwellings, all of these constructions overlooking or oriented to the mountains around.

Walking about 5 minutes from Wiñaywayna, we will arrive at the official campsite for the 4-day Inca Trail hikers where we will have our lunch box (packed lunch) and have a break before heading out to Machu Picchu. From Wiñaywayna, we’ll continue hiking for 1 hour to reach Sun Gate, this part of the trail is mostly flatter and the trail goes through the forest, upon arrival at Sun Gate, we’ll have the first views of the famed Incan city, and you will take your time to make great pictures, this place is very touching and exciting for most hikers since the iconic city of the Incas is finally uncovered after hiking for several hours.

From the Sun Gate, we will still hike for 1 more hour to get to Machu Picchu, this part of the trail is a gentle downhill. Once we arrive at Machu Picchu, we will reach the official viewpoint from where we will have the classic views of this wonder of the world (as seen in the magazines) because the afternoon is usually with fewer people, the visit to this lookout point is a must since the following day you are not going back to this place, otherwise, you will visit the middle part of the citadel. We’ll then take the bus to Machu Picchu Town (Aguas Calientes town) where we’ll have an overnight stay at a hotel, and have dinner at the restaurant (this last dinner is not included).

• Hiking distance: 12 km / 7.46 miles.
• Hiking time: 6 – 7 hours.
• Lowest elevation: 2,150 m / 7,052 ft.
• Highest elevation: 2,650 m / 8,692 ft.
• Physical rating: Moderate.
• Highlight: Original section of Inca Trail, exploration of two Incan ruins before Machu Picchu, first views of Machu Picchu from the Gate of the Sun, and gaze out Machu Picchu in the late afternoon.