2 DAYS SHORT INCA TRAIL- SACRED JOURNEY TO MACHUPICCHU

Wiñaywayna

Introduction And Itinerary:

This trip is a terrific option for those who want to experience the beauty and wonder of arriving to Machu Picchu on the Inca Trail, but have less time or physical ability to do a more extended trek. On our first day we take a lovely hike to the archaeological complex of Winay Wayna, then follow the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. After spending the night in Aguas Calientes, we have the entire second day to explore Machu Picchu.

Cusco / Km104 / Chachabamba / Wiñaywayna / Machupicchu:

• At 05:30 transfer from your hotel in cusco to the san pedro train station ,
• Backpacker return tourist train, reserved seats to the kilometer 104 start of the hike.
• Entrance fees and paperworks to the trail and machupicchu.
• Walk with an english speaking guide for 2 –3 hours before lunch.
• Guided visit of chachabamba and choquesuysuy , along the trail we will enjoy the beauty of the sub tropical forest, combining the inca road ,archaeological complexes , and the beauty of the snow capped mountains around near to the urubamba river or wilkamayu river .

Snacks: Biscuits & fruit continue ( 1 hr ) on to wiñaywayna where you have a guided tour, this is the best and well preserved inca site compared the other ruins along the 4 day trek and you can see an amazing arquitecture in the different areas of this town. Farming circular terraces , ritual water fountains and temples for ceremonial purposes.

Short stop in wiñay wayna lodge to refill water or drinks and toilet . Inti pata is a new inca complex found it resently. Then we continue an original classic inca road directly on to inti punku which is very nice for the vegetation of the zone flowers as begonias ,orchids and fern trees of an old cloud forest ecological nich , where you will have a view the panorama of machupicchu and the urubamba canyon amazing views all around , after descending for about 25 minutes you will have on front of the fantastic huayna picchu mountain and a full view of machupicchu with terraces, water fountains and plazas , you will have enough time to enjoy and contemplate the magic and beauty of this unique place ; late in the afternoon we take the bus for 30 minutes directly down to aguas calientes. We won´t have time to visit the first day so we leave the site before get dark to return next day very early .

Bus ride for 30 minutes down to aguas calientes. Night in hostal viajeros or similar with all bedding, shower and towel provided.

What to bring ? You only need to carry a small day pack , with water to drink , camera, and rain jacket or poncho / or change of weather gear basic toiletries, hat for the sun , sunscream, insect repelent for mosquitoes and confortable sturdy shoes or hiking boots , some extra money as there are no atm´s in aguas calientes and travelers cheques are more expensive to change there for souvenirs in machupicchu and aguas calientes .

Optional: Relax in the hot springs pools . Or just enjoy the night walking around the town.
This is all considered a low altitude hike, but you would want to be fit.

Second day: Aguas Calientes Villages / Machupicchu / Cusco

Early after a good breakfast relive the history and the mystery of the inkas we take the first bus up at approx 06.15am and arrive at the ruins at 06.45am. This time is still not so crowded so we take advantage of the tranquility of this sacred site ; guided tour of machupicchu. This enigmatic city is explored for approx 2 hrs and their mysteries and archaeological information explained by your expert guide, 4 hrs extra free time. Option to climb to the huayna picchu mountain.

Walk down through low jungle to aguas calientes (buffet lunch in aguas calientes.) Return by tourist train to ollanta them bus to cusco or sometimes train all the way to cusco.

Note: the elevation at kilometer 104 is 2100mtrs and the elevation at the campsite in wiñay wayna is 2700mts. The distance that you will walk the first day is almost 14 kms over 6 and a half hours with rests and stops for explanations and lunch. This is all considered a low altitude hike, but you would want to be fit.
Due to new regulations it is not possible for 2 day trail permits to camp in wiñay wayna only in a dorm rooms up to 15 in a room. For sake of privacy and security we don´t use this but instead hostal viajeros in aguas calientes or similar accommodations.
( double or single rooms with private bathroom and hot shower )

Not included:

• Optional : hot spring pools 10 soles or ( USS $3 )
• Bus down to aguas calientes on 2nd day

Our preference is to make up small groups for the trek of around 6 people to keep the price comfortable but often people don`t get their full details and deposit to us before the permits run out so we need to know if people prefer a private small group or wait for enough people to make it more economical.

The advantage of a private tour is that you can go on any day ( when permits are still available) so this is easier to confirm quickly.
(please note the inc have advised that the 2 day trek is closed for feb 2007 therefore we can only offer the classic train tour 1 or 2 days for feb)

PRICE:        250 US$