Overview
Joining the trail at KM104, our route takes us into the heart of the majestic Andes. Climbing to take in breathtaking vistas, pausing to admire and learn about ancient Inca ruins and walking among the fascinating flora and fauna, this Short Inca Trail culminates with our arrival at the Sun Gate of Machu Picchu. Perhaps a little breathless as much from the view as from the hike, your first glimpse of this ‘new wonder of the world’ promises to be an unforgettable experience.
We rest and relax overnight with your comfortable hotel room booked in advance, you will have time to explore the town, Dining together at one of the best restaurants in the town, we will sample some of the finest Peruvian food while sharing stories of our hike and the excitement of the day to come.
On our second day we rise early take a full tour of Machu Picchu. Our guides are especially selected for their knowledge of Incan culture and history, and so you can be assured of a fascinating and informative tour. With all transfers and tickets booked in advance, we believe this tour offers the perfect combination of an authentic Peruvian hiking adventure and tour of Machu Picchu.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Hike with our passionate local guides that hiked the Inca trail more than 500 times and guided Machu Picchu more than 1000 times and loves hiking as much as our guests
- Enjoy a night hotel in Machu Picchu town
- Follow the original Inca trail and explore all the Incan sites while hiking
- Enter the most sacred city of the Inca Machu Picchu through the Sun gate
- Enjoy our full inclusive service with free worry
- The scenic train ride back to Cusco will make the end of your trip reguarding.
Details
- Type of tour: Historical, guided trip, train ride, trekking, lodge-based
- Distance covered: 12 km (7.4 miles)
- Duration: 2 days / 1 night
- Lowest elevation: 2150m (7,053 ft)
- Highest elevation: 2670m (8,759 ft)
- Level of difficulty 1 to 10: (10 being impossible): 5
Group size: Our hiking group sizes are very important to guarantee the quality of our service of giving you a personalized service that is the reason we run with an average of 2 to 8 hikers.
Could you imagine trying to hike silently along an isolated trail, carefully not disturbing shy wildlife, with 15 or 20 other travelers? Or walking in a remote area to explore the pristine wilderness with dozens of other tourists at your side? We know meaningful nature encounters must be undertaken in small groups, which also makes the trip flexible.
Accommodation: This trek includes one-night hotel At Aguas Calientes town in a double room occupancy, if you are a solo traveler advise us to put in a single room.
Our guides: PERU BY LOCALS was a dream that came true on 2015 for Jose Condor who guided treks from 2014 until today and have been to Machu Picchu for over 1000 times, he started being a porter on the Inca trail the went to university for tourism degree, now Peru by Locals has a groups of top guides around among men and women that had a professional degree and get refresh training every year with NOLS (National Outdoor Leadership School) training about WILDERNESS FIRST RESPONDER since our treks go in the wilderness and your health is our priority in our trips so, our guides are totally trained to assist any of your needs while on you are vacationing, we invest on our guides because we believe they are the main ingredient of any trip.
Location: This trip starts in Cusco city or Sacred Valley at your request, you will need to fly to Lima which is the capital of Peru, then to Velasco Astete of Cusco airport which is a small domestic airport.
Departures: This hike is operated by PERU BY LOCALS 100%, when you book your hike or take any tour package. You go with us, we don’t rearrange tours, and we depart every day and year-round; the size of the groups is from 2 to 5 people on average, which allows us to give you personalized service.
We take bookings year round and this hike does not need to book with a long time in advance so, anytime you are ready join us and reach us for any questions you have to our 14/7 number +51 989585967 or email us to info@perubylocals.com
Itinerary
PRE-TRIP MEETING
At PBL we believe it’s important that all of our guests get the last details about the Classic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu (the itinerary, the challenges, what to bring etc) before we start the lifetime adventure. At a pre-arranged time, your guide will provide a full pre-trek briefing at your Cusco hotel the day before the start of the trek.
DAY 1. TRAIN RIDE TO 104
To ensure that we have plenty of daylight hours for the hike ahead, and that we arrive at Machu Picchu in good time, we will collect you from your Cusco hotel early in the morning (the exact time will be confirmed at your briefing). Taking the 1.5 hours drive to the train station in Ollantaytambo, we join the train service that takes us to KM104 and the start of our trek. The train journey of around 1.5 hours provides a unique perspective of the surrounding area. Carving along the valley floor, there are photo opportunities galore as we pass by majestic snowcapped peaks, eerie cloud forests and traditional Andean villages.
Arriving at KM104 our path immediately takes us onto the short Inca trail, leading us away from the bustle of the train station and into the most beautiful mountain countryside, and the fresh Andean air.
The first half of our hike is a moderate 3 hour climb to the Incan ruins of Wiñaywayna. Your guide will set the pace of the hike to suit the whole group, taking breaks to rest whenever needed. Perhaps the most beautiful and well preserved ruins on this section of the trail, your guide will provide a comprehensive commentary about the site, as you rest and take in the views. We will have prepared a boxed lunch for you, which we will enjoy at the wáter fall before continuing on the ruins. The afternoon begins with a short one hour hike that brings us, breathless with anticipation, to Inti Pinku, or the “Sun Gate”. Nothing really prepares us for our first views of Machu Picchu, the lost city of the Incas! Without question one of the most famous ancient sites in the world, these are images that are instantly unforgettable and we will have plenty of time to take them all in. Our hike of Short Inca trail then concludes with a 40 minute downhill trail to the entrance gates of Machu Picchu, and more photo opportunities. Here our hike ends and we catch a bus together to Aguas Calientes. We will have dinner together at one of the best restaurants in town before you retire to your chosen hotel for a well earned nights sleep.
Quick Facts
- Distance Covered: 12 km / 7.4 miles
- Walking Time: 6 to 7 hours
- Lowest Elevation: 2150m (7,053 ft)
- Highest Elevation: 2670m (8,759 ft)
- Difficulty: Moderate
DAY 2: MACHU PICCHU TOUR AND BACK TO CUSCO
Day 2 starts earlier. Your hotel will provide a buffet breakfast at 5am, so that we can take one of the first buses up to Machu Picchu. The 25 minute drive winds steadily upwards to the citadel, We enter the site together and your guide will provide a fascinating tour for around 2-3 hours. The tour is guaranteed to bring the spirit and history of Machu Picchu to life, and your guide will pick a route that avoids the biggest tourist groups, and ensuring that all of the best photo opportunities are covered.
If you have chosen to make the climb to Huayana Picchu mountain, you can start as soon as the tour concludes. With Machu Picchu and the Andes providing the backdrop, the views from the mountain are truly spectacular. After touring the in Machu Picchu we taking bus back to Aguas Calientes to collect your luggage from your hotel. Taking the train back to Ollantaytambo at around 3pm, for a 1.5 hour train ride, you will be met by one of our representatives who will transport you back to your hotel in Cusco. it is the perfect opportunity to relax and reflect on the experiences of the last 2 days.
Services
SERVICES INCLUDED
- Mini-van transfer to and from your Cusco hotel to train station
- Expedition train service from Cusco to Km 104 (start of the hike). This can be upgraded to Scenic vistadome train for USD 30 each way
- One boxed lunch (Day 1),
- Entrance tickets for the Inca Trail and Machu Picchu
- All bus tickets to and from Machu Picchu,
- One night at a 3 star hotel in Machu Picchu town, including breakfast,
- Certified tour guide, knowledgeable in Inca history & tradition, fauna / flora, and trained in Wilderness First Responder
- One dinner at Indio feliz restaurant.
- Lunch on day 2 in Machu Picchu town
SERVICES EXCLUDED
- Dinner on day 2 after getting back to Cusco
- Tips or gratitudes for your guide and driver (tip recomended 15% of the total trip cost.
- Permits to climb Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu mountains (these can be arranged at an additional cost of US$ 80 per person)
Packing list
- Original passport– – Please remember to bring your original passport, which should be the current one; if you have acquired a new one after you made your booking, bring both (the one you used for booking your trip and the new one). The information you provided us in time of your booking the information have to match your tickets in time entering Machu Picchu
- Hiking shoes – these should be comfortable/broken in.
- Warm jacket or fleece – early mornings and evenings can be cold, so it is good to have layers of clothing
- Waterproof Jacket or wáter proof poncho, especially if you are travel between Octuber to March
- T-shirts / Lightweight shirts – suggested one for the hike and one for the Machu Picchu day.
- Socks– suggest one per day
- Sun hat / Baseball cap– we often get long, hot, sunny days hiking
- Lightweight long pants– we recommend hiking pants that you can zip off at the legs and that dry quickly when wet
- Sunscreen– SPF 35+ recommended
- Sunglasses
- Camera or phone may be enough
- Bug repellent– there are mosquitos all year round so make sure you pack your bug spray.
- Extra cash – for your lunch on the second day, gratitudes.
- Day bag – recommended 30lt where you put extra clothes, wáter and other ítems during the hike. NOTE: If you have a big suitcase you can live it in the Cusco hotel (all hotels have storage for free)
- Bug repellent – There are mosquitos all year round so make sure you pack your bug repellent
- Water bottle – Machu Picchu national park does not allow to bring plastic bottles, please make sure you have a Nalgene bottle or camel bag, before we leave the hotel in Cusco make sure you have filled up your water bottle for the hike.
- Toiletries
- Prescription medicines, please inform your trip leader of any medications you are taking
- Food restrictions – If you have any allergies or preferences, make sure you add in the booking form.
- Book to read – you will have some spare time at every camp to read your favorite book or those that are about Machu Picchu that may make your journey more interesting (the following books are recommended by us: Last Days of the Incasby Kim MacQuarrie, Turn Right at Machu Picchu: Rediscovering the Lost City One Step at a Time by Mark Adams
Important information
OFTEN ASKED QUESTIONS
WHERE DO I MEET THE TEAM?
The day before the trek starts your guide will meet you at your chosen hotel in Cusco at 5:30 pm for a pre-trek talk to give you the last details about the hike, so we recommend you book a hotel in the downtown area of Cusco.
WHAT IS THE TERRAIN LIKE? HOW CHALLENGING IS IT?
The hike is rated as moderate and covers 12 km / 7.4 miles on uneven, rocky terrain with steep uphill and downhill sections.
HOW LONG BEFORE SHOULD I BOOK THE INCA TRAIL?
The Inca trail spots should be booked in advance especially from April to August, as this is the busy season, and from September to January, there are usually spots left. We recommend you book our spot for a high season before December ends.
The Peruvian Ministry of Culture administers control Inca Trail. They are the only ones able to authorize access to the Inca Trail.
Access to the Short Inca Trail is limited to 250 people per day. Reservations for the Inca Trail can only be made from March to January. During February the Trail is closed for maintenance.
The availability applies to the INCA TRAIL itself and not to any tour operators. For this reason, any agency you may contact will have the same availability of permits for the Inca Trail.
WHAT IS THE WEATHER LIKE ON THE INCA TRAIL DURING THE YEAR?
Weather in the region is extremely variable and you should pack for a variety of conditions. In addition, our trek passes through ten bio-zones ranging from high altitude alpine conditions to high jungle. During a sunny day, you can expect temperatures of about 18–25°C (65–77°F), however, on the second day the weather is very unpredictable and temperatures can drop to 6°C (42°F) during the day at the pass (but you won’t spend a lot of time up there).
The Machu Picchu area has a humid climate and tends to be warmer since it is located at a lower altitude and near the Amazon Jungle. The average temperatures at Machu Picchu are between 23°C to 25°C (73°F and 77°F), with the minimum temperature around 18°C (64°F). The Cusco area has only 2 well-defined seasons: the wet season and the dry season. The wet season starts in November and ends in March. During this period, it rains almost every day for three or four hours, but also there are several sunny days. The dry season begins around March and lasts until October. June and July are the coldest months. Paradoxically at noon, the temperatures can reach 23 °C (77°F), the annual highest temperature.
SHOULD I TIP THE GUIDES? IF I DO, HOW MUCH I SHOULD I TIP?
We recommend tip a guide with 15% of the total cost.
HOW MANY DAYS SHOULD I STAY IN CUSCO BEFORE THE TREK TO ADJUST TO THE ALTITUDE?
This hike does not require altitude adjustments because it is in a low elevation so, you can start the hike anytime you disire.
DO I NEED TO CARRY MY OWN MEDICINE OR FIRST AID?
Your guide will have a first aid kit all the time while you are on the trek, which includes some pain killers, bandages, small bandages to prevent blisters, an oxygen tank, pills for the case of diarrheas, and similar. At any time of the trek please feel free to ask for anything you may need, however, if you need any special medication or you have a special medical condition, please, contact your doctor to get the best advice before the trek.
HOW BIG MY GROUP IS GOING TO BE?
We are specialized in both small and big groups, but we like small groups because that way our clients get personalized service especially when you encounter lots of things on treks, such as Incan sites, flowers, flora, and fauna – your guide spends lots of time with you so you can learn more about our culture and history.
We limit the size of our groups on treks to up to 8 people.
Of course, if any situation requires more than 8 people in a group, that is not any problem for us at all, – for example, a group of friends or family that is more than 8, we are happy to have them in a single group.
IS THERE ANY AGE LIMIT?
In the Inca trail, there is no minimum age or limit,- any person who is prepared for hiking can do it., Inca Trail is considered as moderate hike so, even kids can do it.
WHAT TIME DO I GET BACK TO CUSCO ON THE LAST DAY?
You will be back in Cusco around 5 pm after the trek., If for any reason you have to be back in Cusco earlier than that, please advise us at the time of your booking or at least over one month before your trek begins, as we have to buy you the train ticket for exactly the specified trains.
SHOULD I HAVE TO BOOK WAYNA PICCHU MOUNTAIN IN ADVANCE?
The Wayna Picchu mountain has a limit of permits up to 400 per day which is divided into two groups -, the first group from 7 am to 8 am and the second one from 10 am to 11 am., We recommend you to book it in advance, especially for the dry season or high season that runs from April to August, Consider booking it 2 or 3 months in advance and email us for the availabilities.
HOW BIG MY DAY BACKPACK SHOULD BE?
Thirty-litre backpack will be big enough to carry your belongings such as water, rain gear, and extra clothes since we will provide you with a personal porter who will carry up to 13Lbs of other equipment.
If you already have any backpacks between 20 and 30 liters, they will be good too.
CAN I PAY THE REST OF THE BALANCE ON THE CREDIT CARD OR DOES IT HAVE TO BE IN CASH?
We take the balance of the payment in cash, so you won’t need to pay extra fees, Of course, you can use PAY PAL or CREDIT CARD, but you will need to pay the fees that are usually over 6%.
On the day of your briefing when your guide will meet you, one of the representatives will meet you too to collect the rest of the balance for your trek.
PERUVIAN CURRENCY
The Peruvian sole is the currency of Peru, and usually fluctuates in the 3.3 to 3.8 Nuevo sol to 1 US Dollar
LANGUAGE
Spanish is the national language of Peru, also a 20% of Peruvians speak Quechua (Inca language) Our guides are fluent in Spanish and English
Why Peru by Locals
- Peru by Locals offers tailor-made treks and tours and we cater to your interests when we plan your tour
- We are committed to providing world-class tours based on exceptional customer service.
- We are a locally owned and highly experienced travel company based in Cusco, Peru.
- Our staff consists of members which have decades of first-hand experience in the Peruvian tourism sector.
- All the management and staff in Peru by Locals speak English, Spanish, and Quechua (the language of the Incas).
- Our guides and staff members are professionally trained and educated in the history of the Incas, Peruvian history, culture and traditions, first aid in the wilderness, guiding treks and tours, the fauna and flora of the region, and tourism management.
- We are committed to protect our environment.
- We are committed to creating Jobs and empowering local people. We believe in fair labor practices and honor and treat all our employees with dignity.
- We have programs to help with the development of the porters’ families and communities, such as planting trees and buying school books and school equipment for poor local communities.
- We honor native communities that have stewarded the land you visit
- We have also started an Education Fund to support the education of the children of porters. A percentage of income from every tour and trek goes to education of needed once.
- Our trips are designed carefully to your needs and we create diverse unique itineraries from 1 to 15 days in length, a we offer wide range of tours and treks and all the tours. We guarantee you the experience of a lifetime!
- Peru By Locals organizes free worry trips for you to enjoy fully.
Peru small group specialists
Our tours are designed for those who love adventure, want to explore new places, experience the local culture, love food, like history or photography for all ages whether you are traveling alone, with friends, in couples, family. At Peru by Locals there is not
Small groups are the best and the average tour or trek group is around 4 to 8 people. Why is this great? Well, have you ever waited in line while 40 other people get a coffee in the morning? Believe it or not, it is not fun. Taking small groups allows us the flexibility to take you on an adventure to places that nobody else goes.
Prices
Short Inca Trail – Additional option
- HUAYNA PICCHU (US$ 70) – Huayna (or Wayna) Picchu mountain has a 400 permit per day limit which is divided into two groups; the first group from 7-8 am and the second from 10-11 am. If you would like to climb the mountain we recommend that you notify us at least 2 or 3 months in advance (especially between April and August) so that we can confirm availability and arrange the permit.
Trek Price per person:
Group service: USD 480
Private service: USD 510
Discounts:
- Students:$30 (please provide a copy of your ISIC card when booking the hike)
- Children up to 15 years of age will be considered as students (please provide a copy of the child’s passport when booking the hike)
BOOK NOW
In order for us to reserve your spot on this Classic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, you are required to send us the following information below (detaisl): full names, passport number, age, gender, nationality and make the relevant deposit of US$200 per person using PAY PAL as indicated below:
When you have sent us the information of each person, made your deposit using PAYPAL and once we have both, we will confirm your tour. Thank you so much for choosing PERU by LOCALS.
If you have any questions, send us an e-mail to: info@perubylocals.com
