Cusco & Short Inca Trail

1/2

Difficulty:

Average

Length:

5 nights/6 days

Brief description:

The 2 day Inca Trail is a short version of the famous Classic Inca Trail Route. In this package you can appreciate the best landscapes and the most important attractions that cover the entire Sacred Valley. With all it's treasures here you can discover the most important archaeological sites, and the short Inca Trail with Machu Picchu at the end of your trip. This package of adventure excursions is an excellent option. During the trip you can appreciate the Sacred River of the Incas (Willkamayu) which was one of the commercial roads that led to the Inca city of Machu Picchu.

Itinerary

Day 1:

Cusco

When you arrive in the City of Cusco our staff will be waiting for you at the airport and take you to your chosen hotel. At the hotel, you will be greeted with the typical coca tea for acclimatization. Our staff will help you check in and give you all the information and recommendations such as: Banks, Restaurants, Exchange Houses and others.

Finally you have a free afternoon to rest and acclimatize.

Optional: Presentation of typical Andean music and dances at the Qosqo Native Art Centre (6:30pm to 8.00pm) The entrance ticket is included in the package.

Accommodations: Economy (Casa Hostel Rojas Inn and others in the same category)
Accommodations: 3* Standard Hotel (Rojas Inn Hotel, Anden Inca, San Francisco Plaza and others in the same category)
Accommodations: 4* Hotel (San Agustin International, Monasterio San Pedro and others in the same category)

Day 2:

City Tour in Cusco

After a free morning we will pick you up from your hotel at 1.30pm and will take a bus to visit of the city of Cusco.

The first stop will be in the main square of Cusco or also known as Plaza de Armas, here we visit the Cathedral which is known as one of the most beautiful and imposing buildings of Peru and Latin America. Continuing with the tour we move to the Temple of Koricancha or Temple of the Sun, here we can appreciate the very fine work that the Incas performed on the stone. Then we take our bus to leave the city of Cusco and visit the archaeological site Sacsayhuaman. Where every year in June, the Sun Festival 'Inti Raymi' is held during the Winter Solstice. It has a strategic location that offers a complete view of Cusco City to visitors. We will also appreciate the Archaeological Centres. of Qenqo, Tambomachay and Pucapucara.

Returning to the City of Cusco approximately at 6.30pm.

Accommodations: Economy (Casa Hostel Rojas Inn and others in the same category)
Accommodations: 3* Standard Hotel (Rojas Inn Hotel, Anden Inca, San Francisco Plaza and others in the same category)
Accommodations: 4* Hotel (San Agustin International and others in the same category)

Meals included: Breakfast

Day 3:

Cusco, Sacred Valley & Ollantaytambo

Pick up from your hotel will be at 8am.

We make our first stop at The Andean Animal Refuge where we will find llamas, alpacas, condors, and pumas. Continuing our tour we visit the most important archaeological sites in the Sacred Valley. Here we will have a guided tour exploring the sites for around one hour. This place is best known for having the largest Inca cemetery in the area, and also has religious temples, agricultural terraces, and irrigation systems. Then we go to the colonial town of Pisac where we visit a silverware workshop and learn the process of making silver. Also, we will walk through the traditional markets where you can find a lot of handmade crafts, here we will have time to buy souvenirs.

We then go to the town of Urubamba where we stop at a restaurant to have a buffet lunch.

To complete our day's tour, we visit the Archaeological Centre of Ollantaytambo which is another important site in the Sacred Valley having temples and gardens.

Also, in this place one of the greatest battles of Spaniards with Incas was celebrated.

Finally we go to the train station of Ollantaytambo there we spend the night.

Accommodations: Economy (Casa Mama Valle and others in the same category)
Accommodations: 3* Standard Hotel (Ollantaytambo Lodge and others in the same category)
Accommodations: 4* Hotel (Apu Lodge, Sol Ollantay and others in the same category)

Meals: Breakfast and Buffet Lunch

Day 4:

First Day Short Inca Trail (Ollantaytambo – Machu Picchu)

After a delicious breakfast we will go to the train station. Where we take the train from Ollantaytambo through the picturesque Sacred Valley to Km 104. Here we will start the trekking with our tour guide. Our hike continues gently upward for approximately 4 hours until we reach the beautifully situated Inca complex of Winay Wayna, where we stop to eat a nutritious and plentiful box lunch. Sub-tropical flora and fauna surround us as we continue 2 hours to the Sun Gate, from where we see the Machu Picchu citadel.

We will take the bus to Aguas Calientes town to spend a relaxing night in the hotel and we will have a dinner in a touristic restaurant.

You can go to the hot springs which is a 20 minute walk. The entrances ticket is S/. 20.00 (Optional).

Accommodations: Economy (Tayta Hostel and others in the same category)
Accommodations: 3* Standard Hotel (Flower House, Hatun Samay and others in the same category)
Accommodations: 4* Hotel (La Cabaña, Inti Punku and others in the same category)

Meals: Breakfast, Box lunch and Dinner

Day 5:

Second Day Short Inca Trail (Machu Picchu – Cusco)

We will start the early morning climb after a delicious breakfast. Making the short trip by bus to the Machu Picchu complex, where we visit the incredible architecture and the mysterious temples left by the Incas. Your professional English/Spanish-speaking guide will help you understand the sophisticated ideas and technology of this highly advanced culture.

If you still have energy, you can also climb the mountain of Machu Picchu (meaning Old Mountain) at 3000m. It takes around one hour and a half to reach the top ($70.00 USD - optional).

Once the official tour is completed, we will have plenty of time to go to the Inca Bridge or explore the Sanctuary on our own before returning to Cusco by train in the afternoon. The suggested time to descend from Machu Picchu to the town of Aguas Calientes is 1.00pm. It is recommended to arrive 30 minutes before the departure of train.

Accommodations: Economy (Casa Hostel Rojas Inn and others in the same category)
Accommodations: 3* Standard Hotel (Rojas Inn Hotel, Anden Inca, San Francisco Plaza and others in the same category)
Accommodations: 4* Hotel (San Agustin International and others in the same category)

Meals: Breakfast

Day 6:

Cusco

Our company staff will be at the hotel two and a half hours before your flight to take you to the airport.

Included:

City tour in Cusco – (luxury service maximum 16 people per group)
Tour to Sacred Valley of the Incas with Buffet – (luxury service maximum 16 people per group)
Trekking the Short Inca Trail – Private Tour Guide speaking English/Spanish
Entrance Ticket for all Archaeological complexes
Entrance Ticket to Machu Picchu
Return bus ticket
All transport is included according to the itinerary