Luxury Short Inca Trail 2 Days to Machu Picchu

The adventure begins early with a 4:30 a.m. pick-up from your hotel in Cusco. From there, we’ll drive for approximately one and a half hour to the Ollantaytambo train station, where a delicious breakfast will be waiting. After your meal, you’ll board the Vistadome train at 7:05 a.m. for a scenic onehour and 20-minute ride to Kilometer 104, the starting point of the Short Inca Trail.

Upon arrival, you’ll present your original passport and have the option to receive the official trail stamp. Once the entry formalities are complete, your hike begins. The trail starts with a gentle ascent leading to Chachabamba, an Inca archaeological site believed to have served administrative and religious functions for travelers heading toward Machu Picchu. Here, your specialist guide will provide an insightful introduction to the site’s history and significance.

The trail continues with a steady uphill climb of about three and a half hours. Along the way, you’ll enjoy breaks to rest, enjoy snacks, and take in the spectacular Andean scenery. As the path transitions into lush cloud forest, you may spot orchids, bromeliads, hummingbirds and other native species that thrive in this unique ecosystem.

Your next major stop is the remarkable Inca site Wiñay Wayna, which translates to “Forever Young” in Quechua. Often compared to a smaller version of Machu Picchu, this site features sweeping agricultural terraces, finely crafted stone structures, and sacred ceremonial areas. Here, you’ll enjoy a guided tour followed by a gourmet lunch prepared by our expert trekking chef.

After lunch, a pleasant one-hour walk leads to the Sun Gate (Inti Punku), the historic entrance used by Inca pilgrims approaching Machu Picchu. We typically arrive around 2:00 p.m., an ideal time to admire the afternoon light over the citadel. Weather permitting, you may even witness a stunning sunset from this iconic viewpoint. From the Sun Gate, a gentle one-hour descent takes you to the upper terraces of Machu Picchu.

This final stretch offers sweeping panoramic views of the entire citadel, giving you time to absorb the majesty of this 15th-century Inca masterpiece and capture unforgettable photos. After enjoying the vistas, you’ll board a bus to Aguas Calientes, where you will spend the night.

• Accommodation: Premium Suite at Inkaterra Pueblo or Sumaq Hotel *****
• Tickets: Inca Trail & Machu Picchu Included
• Meals: Breakfast, Gourmet Trail Lunch, Fine-Dining Dinner

The second day marks the most significant day of your journey. After enjoying a delicious breakfast at your hotel, your guide will meet you and accompany you to the bus station. From there, you’ll board one of the early buses heading to the Machu Picchu citadel. Upon arrival, your expertly guided tour begins, leading you through the most important and captivating areas of this ancient sanctuary.

During your visit, you’ll walk among temples, ceremonial plazas, terraces, water channels, and beautifully preserved stone pathways. Your experienced guide will share fascinating insights into the history of Machu Picchu, believed to have been built in the mid-15th century under the reign of Inca Pachacutec. You’ll learn about its strategic location, architectural ingenuity, and its likely role as a royal estate and sacred ceremonial center for Inca nobility. Your guide will also shed light on the mysteries that continue to intrigue historians and archaeologists to this day.

If you’ve arranged to hike Huayna Picchu Mountain, please confirm this during the booking process, as permits are limited. Tickets cost $75 per person, and the hike takes approximately 2 hours round-trip, offering spectacular aerial views of the entire citadel from its summit.

Once your guided tour concludes, you’ll enjoy a gourmet lunch at the renowned Sanctuary Lodge, known for its exceptional cuisine and its privileged location just steps from the entrance to Machu Picchu. After lunch, you’ll take the bus back down to Aguas Calientes, where you’ll have free time to relax, shop, or explore the town at your leisure.

Following your Citadel exploration, indulge in a gourmet lunch at the exclusive Sanctuary Lodge, situated just steps from the ancient ruins a privilege reserved for the few. Afterward, you’ll descend to Aguas Calientes for some leisure time before boarding your Vistadome Observatory train (3:20 p.m.). A private driver will be waiting at Poroy station to return you comfortably to your Cusco hotel by 8:30 p.m.

• Accommodation: Not included
• Tickets: Machu Picchu Circuit 3 Included
• Meals: Breakfast & Sanctuary Lodge Lunch