Overview
EXPERIENCE HIGHLIGHTS
- Hike through some of the most spectacular Andean landscapes you’ll see.
- Trace ancient footsteps along the original Inca Trail and be transported back in time.
- Visit Inca archaeological sites and learn all about their culture and history from your knowledgeable guide.
- Spend the night in comfort in a comfy hotel in Aguas Calientes.
- Explore the magical Machu Picchu with your guide and understand its secrets.
ITINERARY AT A GLANCE
01
Cusco | KM 104 – Chachabamba – Wiñay Wayna – Sun Gate (Inti Punku) – Machu Picchu – Aguas CalientesWalk along the original Inca Trail through gorgeous landscapes surrounded by gigantic mountains and lush vegetation. Explore Inca archaeological sites and get your first glimpse of Machu Picchu before spending the night in Aguas Calientes.
02
Aguas Calientes | Machu Picchu – Ollantaytambo – CuscoExplore the magical Machu Picchu with your guide and learn its secrets before returning to Aguas Calientes. Then, you will board the train to Ollantaytambo, and our private transportation will take you back to Cusco.
Itinerary
Cusco | KM 104 – Chachabamba – Wiñay Wayna – Sun Gate (Inti Punku) – Machu Picchu – Aguas Calientes
Highlight of the day: See stunning scenery as you visit archaeological sites and get your first glimpse of Machu Picchu.
Walk in Ancient Footsteps and Transport Back in Time
Your adventure will begin bright and early, with a pickup from your hotel at 4:00 a.m. We’ll head out for a journey of approximately one and a half hours to the charming town of Ollantaytambo. Here, we’ll board the first train to KM 104, the starting point of our trek. Along the way, you will be greeted by the stunning Andean mountains, fertile fields, and the Urubamba River, basking in the warm embrace of the morning sun. Before the hike, you’ll have a brief orientation with the guide, a box lunch, and some snacks to enjoy later.
You’ll start on a similar stretch of the Classic Inca Trail, visiting the first archaeological site nearby: Chachabamba. This was once a strategic guard post and checkpoint for those accessing the Inca Trail. Your guide will stop briefly to share some fascinating first insights about the Inca’s history. From here, the actual hike begins for another 3 hours to the Wiñay Wayna Complex. Along the way, you’ll be surrounded by lush vegetation and towering mountains, offering breathtaking valley views.
This site’s astounds most trekkers for its impressive architecture. You’ll explore its features, from a ritualistic water source to temples venerating natural forces and agricultural terraces blending with the mountains. It’ll be a window into the Incan legacy. While there, you’ll have enough time to relax, unwind in peace, and connect to Mother Nature through the refreshing breeze. A little further on, you’ll arrive at one of the campsites of the Classic Inca Trail. Here, you’ll enjoy a tasty lunchbox, chill out, and recharge your energies.
Next, we’ll continue hiking to the Sun Gate, getting your first panoramic view of the awe-inspiring Machu Picchu. It’ll be a truly jaw-dropping experience! You’ll marvel at the ingenuity of the Incas in constructing such a marvel. The enchanting landscape invites introspection into their connection with nature. You won’t enter the citadel immediately. The departing tourists grant you the chance to bask in the golden hues of sunset, embracing the massive stone walls and offering a moment of tranquility.
For now, we’ll head to the exit to take a bus to Aguas Calientes. Your hotel stay awaits, but first, you’ll enjoy a delectable dinner at one of the town’s top restaurants. Make sure to rest early, as you’ll be waking up at dawn for your next adventure.
- MealsSnacks, Box Lunch, and Dinner
- AccommodationHotel
- DifficultyModerate
- Walking distance9 km / 5.6 miles
- Walking time5 to 6 hours
- Starting elevation2,100 m / 6,890 ft
- Min. elevation2,040 m / 6,693 ft
- Highest elevation2,720 m / 8,924 ft
- Accommodation elevation2,040 m / 6,693 ft
Aguas Calientes | Machu Picchu – Ollantaytambo – Cusco
Highlight of the day: Step inside the Wonder of the World, Machu Picchu, and explore its ancient streets and incredible architecture.
Explore the Astounding Inca City of Machu Picchu
After a well-deserved night’s rest, it’ll be time to be up before sunrise to ensure you beat the crowds. You’ll be wandering the mysterious streets of the majestic historical sanctuary of Machu Picchu! You’ll take a short walk from your hotel to catch a bus that’ll take you on a 25-minute drive to the entrance of the Inca citadel. You’ll enter just before the sun comes up and paints the Wonder with a gorgeous golden hue.
After soaking it all in and taking your first few photographs, your guide will take you on a two-hour tour of the site. You’ll visit some of the most essential parts of Machu Picchu and learn all about its construction and history from your local expert. Once the tour is up, you can climb Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain (pre-booked tickets required), each of which takes 2 and 3 hours to hike up and down, respectively. You’ll experience more stunning views of the whole Inca city from any of these places.
When you’re ready to leave, it’ll be time to head back down to Aguas Calientes. You’ll have time to select a restaurant of your choice for a bite to eat before catching a train, which usually departs at 2:55 p.m. (subject to availability). You’ll arrive in Ollantaytambo by train, and then private transport will be there to pick you up and take you back to your accommodation in Cusco at around 6:00 pm.
Now it’s time to enjoy a thoroughly deserved rest and put your feet up. Your trip might be over, but we assure you your heart will be thumping for many years as you look back fondly on your incredible adventure.
- MealsBreakfast
- DifficultyEasy
- Optional activities (difficulty – duration)2-3 hours exploring Machu Picchu
- Machu Picchu site elevation2,430 m / 7,972 ft
- Optional mountainsModerate to Challenging
- Machu Picchu Mountain elevation3,000 m / 9,843 ft (3-4 hours)
- Huayna Picchu Mountain elevation2,720 m / 8,924 ft (2 hours)
- Huchuy Picchu Mountain elevation2,497 m / 8,192 ft (1.5 hours)
Inclusions
At Experience Colibri, we specify the included and non-included services under all the tour itineraries listed on our website. We take care of all the logistics, but please pay attention to the details to avoid missing anything. Some items may be different for specific programs, so please read carefully before booking with us.
WHAT IS INCLUDED?
Permits & Entrance Tickets
Permits and Ticket for the Inca Trail
We will process all necessary permits once we receive your complete information and reservation deposit. Permits are subject to availability and are issued for a specific date under your name. They cannot be modified under any circumstances. Passport number changes are only allowed for renewal purposes, in which case you must provide both your old and new passports.
Entry to Machu Picchu: Circuit 1 – Route 1-C (Day 1)
All Inca Trail hikers access Machu Picchu through this upper route, exploring the top terraces and reaching the Upper Viewpoint — the classic spot for the postcard photo with a sweeping panoramic view of the citadel.
Entry to Machu Picchu: Circuit 3 – Route 3-B (Day 2)
This circuit leads you through the lower section of the Inca city, home to its most sacred spaces and finest imperial architecture. You’ll walk along terraces, temples, and ceremonial areas, gaining a deeper understanding of Machu Picchu’s history and culture.
High Quality Service & Safety
Pre-departure briefing
You’ll have an orientation meeting with your guide the evening before the tour. The meeting is at 5:00 p.m. in our office and, depending on the itinerary, in your hotel.
Experienced Tour Guide
Our official tour guides are professionally trained and certified in safety and quality service, fluent in English and Spanish. Selected for their experience, responsibility, and passion for exploration, they share deep knowledge of the region’s history, culture, flora, and fauna. With their guidance, you’ll stay informed, safe, and comfortable—ensuring a worry-free and unforgettable adventure.
Medical Kit or First Aid Kit
All our guides have received specialized training in first aid. Your guide will always carry a first aid kit to face basic emergencies (altitude sickness, travelers’ diarrhea, cuts, scrapes, etc.) as well as oxygen. If necessary, we’ll evacuate you from the path as quickly as possible and ensure that you arrive at a clinic for treatment.
Accommodation
Hotel in Aguas Calientes
Enjoy a cozy night in Aguas Calientes at a hotel offering twin, double, or triple rooms—each with a private bathroom, hot shower, WiFi, and breakfast included. Luggage storage is also provided while you explore Machu Picchu.
Meals
Day 1: Box Lunch and Dinner
Day 2: Breakfast
Snacks and Water on the first day
One cloth snack bag per person
Before starting any tour, we’ll provide you with a cloth bag for your snacks—perfect for storing wrappers and keeping the environment clean. Feel free to use it throughout your journeys!
Transportation
Transfers and bus tickets
- Day 1: Transport from Cusco to Ollantaytambo train station
- Day 2: Round-Trip Bus Ticket from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu
- Day 2: Transport from Ollantaytambo train station to your hotel in Cusco
Train Tickets
- Day 1: From Ollantaytambo to KM 104 (Starting point of the trek)
- Day 2: From Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo
WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED?
Huayna Picchu Mountain
Up for a challenge? Climb Huayna Picchu, the iconic mountain behind Machu Picchu. This 45-minute uphill trek rewards you with breathtaking views and a profound sense of achievement. It’s not for the faint-hearted, but if you’re afraid of heights, push through—the reward is truly worth it!
- Booking: Reserve 2–3 months in advance due to high demand.
- Entry Times:
- 7:00 a.m.
- 10:00 a.m. (recommended)
With your 6:00 a.m. Machu Picchu Citadel Circuit 2 entrance, you’ll have time to climb Huayna Picchu after your guided tour. This portion is completed independently, following your guide’s instructions.
Machu Picchu Mountain
Machu Picchu Mountain is one of the breathtaking peaks that surround the archaeological site. Its trails are less steep, wider, and less intimidating than those of Huayna Picchu, making it an excellent option for those seeking a more relaxed climb. Reaching the summit takes approximately 1.5 hours and offers unforgettable panoramic views. This hike requires an entrance ticket, which we can secure for you in advance upon request.
- Entry Times:
- 7:00 a.m.
- 9:00 a.m.
Since your Machu Picchu Citadel Circuit 2 entrance is at 6:00 a.m., you can choose to add a Machu Picchu Mountain ticket for 9:00 a.m., pausing your guided tour of the citadel to complete the hike independently, following your guide’s recommendations.
Alternatively, you may select a 7:00 a.m. entry for Machu Picchu Mountain, allowing you to hike first. Upon your return, you can enjoy a guided tour of the citadel at 10:00 a.m.
Huchuy Picchu Mountain
Huchuy Picchu is a small mountain just above the Machu Picchu citadel, offering a short, scenic, and less crowded alternative to the more demanding Huayna Picchu. Its gentle, well-maintained trail is perfect for travelers seeking a light yet rewarding hike, with sweeping views of the citadel and the surrounding Andes. While Huayna Picchu involves a steep and strenuous climb, Huchuy Picchu delivers a more relaxed and accessible experience—without giving up the stunning scenery.
- Availability: High season, from May to September
- Entry Times:
- 9:00 a.m. (recommended)
- 11:00 a.m.
With your 6:00 a.m. Machu Picchu Citadel Circuit 2 entrance, you’ll have time to climb Huchuy Picchu after your guided tour. This portion is completed independently, following your guide’s instructions.
Return Bus Ticket from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes (Day 1)
Meals Not Included:
- Breakfast on Day 1
- Lunch and dinner on Day 2
Travel Insurance
Tips for our staff
While our team receives fair salaries, any additional gesture is always appreciated in recognition of their hard work and dedication. Participants often choose to pool their tips and present them directly to the hiking team or through their guide.
Additional costs or delays beyond our control
This includes the occurrence of events such as landslides, adverse weather conditions, itinerary changes for safety reasons, illnesses, pandemics, changes in government policies, political instability, strikes, force majeure, and similar situations.
In most cases, we guarantee your tickets and full logistics in advance—paying ahead for permits, schedules, accommodations, supplies, and even staff mobilization to ensure everything is ready. Therefore, any additional costs that arise due to such unforeseen events must be covered by you, as we must also reorganize several aspects on our side.
We sincerely appreciate your understanding and cooperation in these circumstances.
Additional Items
Huayna Picchu Mountain
Huayna Picchu is the mountain behind Machu Picchu and which can be climbed in 45 minutes. Although this excursion is up to you, our guide will take you to the place of entry. This walk requires an entrance ticket which we can assure for you if we have enough time in advance.
Your entry ticket will be purchased to coincide with the dates of your excursion on the Inca Trail. The entry can be done in two shifts: from 7:00 am to 8:00 am or from 10:00 am to 11:00 am. We buy the tickets in the second shift so that our clients can fully enjoy their guided tour of Machu Picchu. Remember, the shifts only indicate the time of entry. You can go up and down Huayna Picchu without haste.
Machu Picchu Mountain
Machu Picchu Mountain is another of the mountains that surround the archaeological site of Machu Picchu. It offers even more incredible views than Huayna Picchu, but it takes 1.5 hours to reach the top. This walk requires an entrance ticket which we can assure for you if we have time in advance.
The excursion entrance to Machu Picchu Mountain is open in two shifts as well, the first from 7:00 am to 8:00 am, and the second from 9:00 am to 10:00 am.
Vistadome Train
All our tours include the PeruRail Expedition train. This train leaves Aguas Calientes at 2:55 pm. The Vistadome train is a higher category service that offers more comfortable seats, a panoramic design that will allow you to see through the roof, as well as an entertainment show on board. The Vistadome train leaves Aguas Calientes at 2:55 pm as well (subject to availability), and goes to Ollantaytambo train station. From there, we’ll take you on our transport to your hotel in Cusco.
This service has an additional cost.
Before you go
We want to make your trip to Peru as memorable and as carefree as possible. In this section, you’ll find the answers to all the questions you have about traveling with Experience Colibri in one place. Please read the following information carefully – it will help you with any questions about our services.
The Inca Trail Without Plastics
Join us on this journey towards a plastic-free Inca Trail, where the beauty of the landscape is matched only by our commitment to environmental stewardship. Together, let’s pave the way for a more sustainable and responsible adventure through the heart of history.
Briefing or Informative Meeting
All information meetings and briefings are held in our main office in Cusco (or your hotel) at 5:00 pm, one night before the tour begins. These meetings last approximately 30 to 45 minutes. If you’re unable to attend, you must coordinate another time by email, by phone or at the Experience Colibri office.
Trek Balance Payment (in Cusco)
If you still have a pending balance, you must pay it 2 days before your hike/tour. Otherwise, your trip reservation will not be confirmed.
If possible, it would be greatly appreciated if you could settle the remaining balance for the trek/tour in cash, either in US dollars or the local currency, at our office in Cusco. You can withdraw funds from various ATMs located along Avenida Sol, offering both US dollars and Peruvian Soles. Alternatively, you have the option to pay using a credit/debit card or PAYPAL, either online or in person, but please note that a 5% service charge will be applied by our payment gateway (Niubiz) and PAYPAL. We regret to inform you that we are unable to accept bank checks or traveler’s checks as forms of payment for the balance.
Can I store my luggage at your office?
Of course! During the trip, your main luggage can be stored at our office (you can organize it with us on the briefing day or by email) or at your hotel, both free of charge.
Any equipment that you won’t need on the trek can be stored safely in your hotel. Nearly every hotel will provide this service. Don’t leave items of value with your bags; put them in the hotel safe and obtain an itemized receipt (in the unlikely case of theft, many insurance companies require that you have a copy of the receipt itemizing everything). It’s best to put items such as credit cards inside a sealed, signed envelope for extra peace of mind.
Pick up of guests
Please note:
- All pickups are within Cusco City, but we recommend booking a hotel in the historic center for its convenient location.
- Our guide or staff will confirm the pickup time the day before the tour.
- Due to traffic conditions, the pickup time may vary between 30 and 45 minutes.
- Cusco is an old city and has many narrow cobbled streets. Some hotels and Airbnbs are located on streets without car access or on long, steep slopes, making it difficult to transport luggage. For such reasons, we strongly advise you to book accommodation with good access.
Return from Machu Picchu to Cusco
Returning from Machu Picchu requires quite a bit of logistics, but don’t worry. Everything is included in your tour!
- In Machu Picchu, you’ll board a bus that’ll take you for 25 minutes to the small city of Aguas Calientes. The buses are boarded according to arrival.
- In Aguas Calientes, you’ll board a train to Ollantaytambo. Your guide will give you the train tickets where the boarding time will be shown. Make sure you’re on the platform 30 minutes early. The train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo takes 1:45 hours.
- Once you arrive at the station, our representative, identified with the Experience Colibri clothing, will be waiting to transfer you to Cusco or directly to your hotel. The trip from Ollantaytambo to Cusco takes 1:30 hours.
- In Cusco, depending on your hotel’s location, we’ll take you to a smaller car from our company (Hyundai H1) to transfer you faster to your hotel.
Group Tours
Group tours are made up of different types of people, then physical conditions and ages can vary. By agreeing to be part of a group tour, you also accept that some people may be faster or slower than you. Therefore, each person can go at their own pace on the route.
It may be the case that a group wishes to modify the tour; however, the guide will be the one who decides, after consulting with all the participants, if such modifications are possible.
Strikes and demonstrations
Strikes and demonstrations are common in Peru, and this may interrupt some of our tours. Roads can be blocked, and train tracks can be taken over. However, we will try to keep your trip as originally planned, even if it means leaving the night before the scheduled date.
Under these circumstances, tours may also be canceled. In case of changes or cancellations, everything will be coordinated with you by our operations department. Your safety is our highest priority, and our decisions will be made to protect it.
Lost objects
Please pay attention to where you leave your things and remember to take everything once you leave our transport, tents or restaurants. You’re the only one responsible for your objects during the tour.
Packing list
Essential
Valid Passport
Extra money (recommended soles)
Personal medication
Water bottle or CamelBak
Sunblock: factor 70 or more
Insect repellent
Personal Care Products
Clothing
Hiking boots or shoes (preferably waterproof)
Light footwear or sandals
Trekking pants
Trekking socks
Shorts
Long sleeve t-shirts
Warm jacket- Waterproof jacket
Rain poncho
Sun hat- Scarf or neck gaiter
- Sunglasses
Equipment
Trekking poles
Medium trekking backpack (15 – 25 liter)
Recommended
Camera and charger
Power bank
Snacks: Energy bars, chocolate, candies, dried fruits, etc.
Bathing suit
Pricing
Short Inca Trail 2 Days
Request a personalized quote for your group.
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