Inti Punku or Sun Gate

2-DAY INCA TRAIL TO MACHU PICCHU

USD $ 485

Per person based on 2 people in private service only. Includes transfers, Expedition trains, adventure guide, boxed lunch, entrance & bus tickets. Overnight in Aguas Calientes not included.

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    The 2-day Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is for trekkers with little time to hike the Inca Trail or the ones that do not wish to walk the traditional 4-day trek, yet are eager to live the one-in-a-lifetime experience of hiking to Machu Picchu while accessing it through the Inti Punku (Sun Gate) and admire the first glimpse of this architectonic marvel from the distance.

    Right from the beginning of the 2-day Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, you will be startled by the changing landscape and climates as you reach Wiñay Wayna a superb site because of its capricious structure, yet with a very specific function: to take as much advantage of the land as possible. Build on a steep hillside overlooking the Urubamba River, comprises an upper and lower house structures surrounded by agricultural terraces.

    From Wiñay Wayna, you will continue along a splendid and colorful trail, and right before you lose your breath climbing up a steep flight of stairs on the last bit of the trail, you will have reached Intipunku (Sun Gate) and Machu Picchu will majestically reveal itself right in front of your eyes. A short downhill walk will lead you to the citadel to meet your tour guide and to begin your Machu Picchu Tour.

    If you are looking for a complete experience in Cusco, you can add this hike to our:

    For more references about the different destinations Peru has to offer, please go to:

    1. DAY 1 Cusco / Sacred Valley – Km 104 – Intipunku – Machu Picchu – Aguas Calientes

      We will pick you up from your hotel and transfer you to any of the two train stations which are closer to you, either Poroy or Ollantaytambo station so you maybe get on your train for the route to Machu Picchu.

      You should get off at km 104 (Beginning point of the trail). As you travel along on the train, you will witness a dramatic change in the scenery, as you lower from the Sacred Valley to the beginning of the jungle.

      Once you arrive in Km104, before you commence your hike, you will be asked to register your name for administrative ends. You start visiting the Chachabamba archaeological complex (altitude: 2150m/7052ft), located very close to the control point, to then embark upon an 8 km (5 miles) ascending trail, which after four hours takes you to the archaeological complex of Wiñaywayna (altitude: 2650m/8692ft).

      Walking up a hill to Wiñaywayna, you will enjoy a pleasant warm weather, with breezes of fresh air and the magnificent landscape unwinding in front of you, a variety of plants, flowers, and birds along the way, you might even see Viscachas (rabbit-like Chinchillas) and Spectacled Bears (if lucky). This is an impressive complex made up of an agricultural center with numerous terraces, a religious sector and an urban sector. On the way up, you will enjoy magnificent views of the Urubamba River valley and the Choquesuysuy archaeological complex located on the other side of the river, and also of a beautiful waterfall located just a few minutes away from Wiñaywayna.

      A few hours later, in the afternoon you will have reached Inti Punku (Sun Gate), the entrance to Machu Picchu (2,350m/7,710ft). The view from Inti Punku at this time of the day will truly allow you to admire the impressive construction right in the middle of the mountains that form a natural boundary between the Andes and the jungle. The perfect time for an amazing photoshoot.  Once you are down at the architectural compound of Machu Picchu, you will find it peaceful and easy to connect with the past and for a brief moment imagine what it was like in the time of the Incas.

      You will then, exit the site and take your bus (booked in advance) to the town of Aguas Calientes, where you will check into your hotel (not included in the tour price).

      You may enjoy a free evening to relax and reminisce about your trek to Machu Picchu.

       

      Informative facts for the Trek to Machu Picchu
      Altitude Km 104: 2145masl / 7037 ft
      Vertical variation: +232masl / +761 ft
      Altitude Inti Punku: 2732masl / 8964 ft
      Vertical variation -644masl / -2112 ft (bus)
      Altitude Aguas Calientes: 2088masl / 6850 ft
      Distance: 10.79 km / 6.67 ml (to Inti Punku)
      Approximate walking time:

      07 hours

      Evening free.

      Overnight in Aguas Calientes (not included).

      BOXED LUNCH

    2. DAY 2 Machu Picchu Full-day tour and back to Cusco

      Early in the morning, you will take the bus up to the imposing Machu Picchu complex. Your tour guide will meet you there. You’ll learn about its history, how it came to be, its many functions, and its social and mystical meaning within the Andean society.

      After, if you are the adventurous kind, you can hike the Huayna Picchu Mountain (the entrance fee is not included in the tour price and the number of people admitted is limited), and contemplate Machu Picchu from a different perspective and also visit the Temple of the Moon (not included in the tour price), or you can visit the Inca Bridge or once again climb up to the Inti Punku and admire the view.

      Later on, you can take the bus down (last bus departs at 17:30) to Aguas Calientes, on your own. Depending on the time your train back to Poroy/Ollantaytambo station is scheduled to leave, you can take the chance to explore a little bit of what Aguas Calientes has to offer, such as Hot Springs at the top of one of the main streets, or take a walk to their natural museum, etc (not included in the tour price). You should go on your own to the train station to hop on your train back to Poroy/Ollantaytambo Station (20min/90min respectively from the City of Cusco), where a driver holding a sign with your name on it will be waiting to take you to your hotel in Cusco.

    Legend
    B Breakfast
    S Snack
    L Lunch
    D Dinner
    BL Boxed Lunch
    PRICE PERSON
    Private Service: 2 travelers US$ 485
    Private Service: 3 travelers US$ 415
    Private Service: 4 travelers US$ 379
    Private Service: 5 travelers US$ 365
    Private Service: 6 travelers US$ 355
    Private Service: 7 travelers US$ 345
    Private Service: 8 travelers US$ 335
    Private Service: 9 travelers US$ 365
    Private Service: 10 travelers US$ 359

    IMPORTANT: Prices can change depending on train stations (Poroy or Ollantaytambo) and train schedules available at the time of your request.

    TREK NOTES:

    The 2-day Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is customizable. If you would prefer to add destinations to your trip, please let us know in the Comments Section of the Get Free Quote form. You can also fill out our Design Your Trip form or Contact Us form with your specific needs.

    • This 2-day Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is available every day of the year, except in February because it closes for maintenance.
    • The recommended period to do the Inca Trail Express to Machu Picchu is in the dry season (from mid-April to mid-October).
    • We only offer the 2-day Inca Trail to Machu Picchu in private service.
    • For more Andean Trek options go to Peru Treks.
    • Price does not include local sales taxes; as foreign travelers are sales tax exempt according to Peruvian Law.
    • If you are looking for a complete experience in Cusco, you can add this hike to our 4-day Machu Picchu Tours.
    What is included in this tour?Items that are included in the cost of tour price.
    • Pre-departure briefing.
    • Transfer to Ollantaytambo Train Stations from Cusco or Sacred Valley.
    • Train ticket from Ollantaytambo to Km 104 and Aguas Calientes to Poroy.
    • Inca Trail and Machu Picchu entrance fees.
    • Spanish / English-speaking adventure guide.
    • Boxed lunch on day 1.
    • Bus ticket from Machu Picchu down to the village of Aguas Calientes and round trip again the next day.
    What is not included in this tour?Items that are not included in the cost of tour price.
    • International and domestic flights.
    • Visas required for entry.
    • Airport taxes.
    • Drinks.
    • Tips.
    • Breakfast and dinner on day 1.
    • Breakfast, lunch, and dinner on day 2.
    • Hotel accommodation in Aguas Calientes.