SHORT INCA TRAIL

Agricultural Area

The platforms (farm terraces) of Machu Picchu look like large steps built on the hillside. They are structures formed by a stone wall and a filling of different layers of material (large stones, smaller stones, gravel, clay and farmland) that facilitate drainage, preventing water from pooling in them (bear in mind the great rainfall in the area) and its structure collapses.

This type of construction allowed them to be cultivated until the first decade of the 20th century. Other smaller platforms are found in the lower part of Machu Picchu, around the entire city. Their function was not agricultural but to serve as retaining walls.

Five large constructions are located on the platforms to the east of the Inca road that reaches Machu Picchu from the south. They were used as storerooms or warehouses. To the west of the road there are two other large sets of platforms: some concentric with a semicircular cut and others straight.

Holy square

This is the name given to a set of constructions arranged around a square patio. All evidence indicates that the place was used for different rituals. It includes two of the best buildings in Machu Picchu, which are made up of large carved rocks: the Temple of the Three Windows, whose walls of large polygonal blocks were assembled like a puzzle, and the Main Temple, made of more regular blocks, which it is believed that it was the main ceremonial precinct of the city.

Attached to the latter is the so-called “priest’s house” or “chamber of ornaments”. There are indications that suggest that the general complex was not finished.

Royal residence

Of the buildings intended for housing, this is the finest, largest and best distributed in Machu Picchu. Its access door leads to the first fountain in the city and, crossing the “street” formed by the great staircase, to the Temple of the Sun. It includes two rooms with large monolithic lintels and well-carved stone walls.

One of those rooms has access to a utility room with a drainage channel. The set includes a corral for camelids and a private terrace with views of the eastern side of the city.

DAY 01: CUSCO – OLLANTAYTAMBO – CHACHABAMBA (KM104) – AGUAS CALIENTES.

This tour begins with the pick up from your hotel at 04:00 am.

Through the north highway we will go to the Ollantaytambo train station to board the train that will take us to Chachabamba (Km 104), where it will be the starting point of our walk.

The first place we will visit will be the Chachabamba archaeological center, an important construction where we will receive a brief introduction about the short inca trail to machu picchu, Inca Trail. Throughout our tour we will appreciate landscapes of cloud forests, mountains that are crossed by the sacred Urubamba river and archaeological sites. After walking approximately 03 hours uphill we will arrive at Wiñaywayña (forever young) where we will appreciate water sources, water channels, temples and the impressive agricultural terraces, here your professional guide will explain about the history of the Incas and the importance of this place on the short inca trail to machu picchu. After the visit to Wiñaywayna we will go to the camp to rest and have lunch.

Wiñaywayna

From Wiñaywayna we will continue towards Inti Punku (Puerta del Sol), it will be a walk of approximately 1 hour 30 minutes, on the way we will be able to appreciate a variety of species of flora and fauna highlighting the beautiful orchids. Upon arriving at Inti Punku (Puerta del Sol) we will have the first views of short inca trail to machu picchu and we will take photographs of the wonderful landscape. One of the advantages of this walk is that when you arrive at Machupicchu you will be able to take the traditional photographs you want, taking into account that the place will not be full of visitors and you will be able to appreciate the sunset in this wonder of the world.

After taking the photographs, we will take the bus that will take us to the town of Machupicchu (Aguas Calientes) and we will go to your hotel, then we will meet for dinner and give directions for the next day.

DAY 02: MACHUPICCHU – CUSCO

This day will be the most important because we will visit once again the Sacred City of Machupicchu, the day will begin with the pick up from your hotel very early; then we will go to the bus station where we will board a bus that will take us to Machupicchu (30min approx).

In short inca trail to machu picchu we will carry out the guided tour for around two hours that will be led by our Professional Tourism Guide, there we will explore each of the sectors of this wonder and then you will have enough time to explore this place on your own.

Visitors who have added tickets for the extra hikes “Montaña Huaynapicchu” or “Montaña Machupicchu” will do it on their own after the guided tour. According to the program you will return by bus to Aguas Calientes, have lunch, board the return train that will take you to the train station and then be transported by bus to your hotel in the city of Cusco.

To end the tour, we will board the bus that will take you back to your hotel in the city of Cusco.

IT INCLUDES:

• Transfers Cusco – (Ollantaytambo Station and vice versa)
• Roundtrip train tickets (Expedition – Peru Rail) or (Voyager Inca Rail)
• Entrance tickets to the Inca Trail
• Lunch, 01 Dinner
• Night of Hotel accommodation in Aguas Calientes
• Buffet Breakfast (2nd day)
• Entrance ticket to Machupicchu
• Bus tickets (up and down)
• Professional guide

DOES NOT INCLUDE:

• Entrance tickets for extra treks “Huaynapicchu Mountain” or “Machupicchu Mountain” – Additional cost ($ 70 US dollars)
• Extra Food
• Travel insurance
• Extra expenses
• Tips
• Trekking poles (Rent – USD $ 15 extra cost)

THINGS TO BRING:

• Original Passport
• Warm / waterproof jacket
• Quick dry polo shirts
• Trekking pants
• Trekking shoes
• Sun hat
• Sunscreen
• Mosquito repellent
• Rain poncho (Rainy season)
• Water
• Snacks
• Camera
• Personal medication
• Trekking sticks

NUMBER OF PASSENGERS	PRICE PER PERSON
*02 Pax	$ 500.00
*03 Pax	$ 500.00
*04 Pax	$ 480.00
*05 Pax	$ 480.00
*06  Pax	$ 460.00
*07  Pax	$ 460.00