Day 1: Cusco - Ollantaytambo - (KM 104) - Inti punku - Aguas Calientes

Early in the morning departing from Cusco (3,400 m / 11,154 ft) to Ollantaytambo (2,800 m / 9,186 ft) by bus, and there your journey follows with a train ride to Km 104, the starting point to the last part of the classic Inca Trail. During the train ride, the valley turns into a canyon and the scenery begins to alter as you enter into the cloud forests.

The Inca Trail begins with a gentle hike to Chachabamba (2,200 m / 7,217 ft), where your guide will talk about the previous use of this ancient archeological site. It’s a short and beautiful start to your day.

Then, you follow a challenging uphill trail, you’ll head to the magnificent Inca complex of Wiñay Wayna, also called “Mini Machu Picchu” (2650 m / 8694 ft), the most important archeological site besides Machu Picchu. Here, there are many steep steps to climb to reach the main part of this Inca site. With a fabulous sense of peace far from the crowds, this will be the perfect spot to enjoy our delicious boxed lunch, with superb views of the massive green mountains and native orchids. 

The trail then becomes gentler as you continue on to Inti Punku (2,700 m / 8,858 ft), or the famous “Sun Gate”, the original entrance used by the Inca to access Machu Picchu. It is from here that you’ll have your first glimpse of Machu Picchu as the sun sets.

Once you arrive to Machu Picchu you’ll have time to take postcard pictures from the best spots with fewer people, but you won’t have enough time to explore the ruins this afternoon because it will be getting dark, so it’s time to rest up for an early day of exploring the ruins the next day. Before closing time, you’ll cross the site to take the bus down to Aguas Calientes town (2,000 m / 6,551 ft), where you’ll check into your hotel to rest and relax in anticipation of a very interesting guided tour the following day.

• Meals included: boxed lunch & snacks
• Maximum altitude: 2,700 m / 8,858 ft
• Minimum altitude: 2,000 m / 6,561 ft
• Machu Picchu altitude: 2,400 m / 7,874 ft
• Distance hiked: 12.00 km / 7.45 ml (to Machu Picchu)
• Approximate walking time: 7 hours

Day 2: Aguas calientes - Machu Picchu - Cusco 

Early morning start, just before sunrise, you’ll catch the bus (a 25 minute ride) up to Machu Picchu (2,400 m / 7,874 ft) for sunrise and to enjoy the ruins at a quieter time of day before the crowds arrive.

Before the tour, you’ll have enough time to visit other parts of the ruins that you didn’t get to see before. For example, heading west from the center of Machu Picchu, the Inca bridge is a 30 minute walk along a narrow path. If you feel like an uphill challenge, you have the option to climb the mountain of Huayna Picchu (2,720 m / 8,923 ft). To climb this mountain, you’ll need to buy a separate permit in advance.

During the Machu Picchu tour your guide will lead you in your exploration and discovery of the many corners within the enigmatic citadel. Guided tours last, on average, around 2 hours.

At the end of your visit to Machu Picchu, you’ll take the bus down to Aguas Calientes for lunch and then board the train to Ollantaytambo and right after that, switch to a private bus to Cusco to bring you back to your hotel.

Note: Huayna Picchu Mountain tickets are subject to availability

• Meals included: breakfast at the hotel
• Cusco altitude: 3,400 m / 11,154 ft
• Minimun altitude: 2,000 m / 6,561 ft
• Huayna Picchu altitude: 2,720 m / 8,923 ft

Transportation and tickets

• Hotel pick up in Cusco
• Private transport to Ollantaytambo Train Station
• Tourist train from Ollantaytambo to the Km 104
• Entrance fee ticket to the Inca Trail
• Entrance fee ticket to Machu Picchu
• One way bus Machu Picchu – Aguas Calientes 1st day
• Round trip bus Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu 2nd day
• Tourist train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo
• Private transport from Ollantaytambo to Cusco
• Hotel drop off in Cusco

Accommodation

• One night hotel accommodation in Aguas Calientes 3***
• Luggage shipping to Aguas Calientes

Team

• Pre-departure briefing
• Professional trekking Tour Guide
• Personalized service
• Small group tour max 8 people
• Private walking tour in Machu Picchu
• Emergency medical first aid kit
• Emergency oxigen bottle
• Guaranteed departure

Food

• Boxed lunch & snacks
• Breakfast 2nd day
• Drinks while on the trek

• Huayna Picchu Mountain entrance fee ticket
• Machu Picchu Mountain entrance fee ticket
• First day breakfast and lunch at Aguas Calientes
• Hotel upgrade
• Gratuities
• Thermal baths in Aguas Calientes
• Travel insurance