We’ll depart from either Cusco or Ollantaytambo, depending on available seats and schedule. The train will chug alongside the Urubamba River in the Sacred Valley; we’ll see a noticeable change in our surroundings as we enter the verdant and misty cloud forest of the Machu Picchu Sanctuary. We’ll disembark and cross a hanging bridge that spans the mighty river, and visit the ruins of Chachabamba, which is believed to have been a spiritual center dedicated to water deities. Now it’s a 3-hour ascent to a second important spiritual center, Wiñay Wayna. These ruins are built into a steep slope on the way up to the Sun Gate. After we explore for a bit, we’ll cut across the ridge above Machu Picchu to reach Inti Punku, Gate of the Sun. This is a dramatic moment, as we look down on the magnificent Machu Picchu ruins spread out far below, gaining a glimpse into a mystical, forgotten world. We’ll spend the night in a hotel in the village of Machu Picchu. Dinner on your own.
short inca trail
Join us for the short Inca trail; a journey that covers the final stretch of the Inca Trail, where you will have a taste of the famous longer Inca Trail hike, and the thrill of entering Machu Picchu through Inti Punku, the Gate of the Sun. Our trail begins at Chachabamba (Km 104 of the railroad), where we briefly explore charming ruins in a cloud forest setting. Then we will ascend to the Wiñay Wayna (“Forever Young”) Ruins, and make our stunning descent to Machu Picchu, entering the citadel through the Sun Gate. We’ll spend a relaxing night at a hotel in the Village of Machu Picchu, and return to Cusco the following day, after a guided tour of the majestic citadel.
Short inca trail tour gallery
2 day short inca trail
The 2 day short Inca Trail will give you a taste of the trail, climbing to Wiñay Wayna ruins and descending through the Sun Gate to enter mysterious Machu Picchu.