The Short Inca Trail hike begin early morning pickup at 04:00AM from your hotel in Cusco, making our way towards Ollantay Tambo train a 1h45 minutes journey by car to board the 06:10AM expedition train to KM 104, the starting point of our Inca trail. We begin with a moderate and well maintained path for 3 hours towards the ancient archaeological site on Wiñay wayna (2,650/8.747ft) a fabulous view of the Urubamba valley and the Inca site. Our path finally intersected with the Inca Trail. For the 4 day Inca trail hikers this would be their last Inca ruin before Machupicchu as they would need to pass 6 others before arriving to this point.
After having our well-deserved rest, just one last climb before reaching, we will continue the trek to Sun Gate (2,730m/9,00ft) where you will get the first glimpse of machupicchu. After taking in our first sight, we will walk down towards the ruins stopping for our first close up view. We will then make our way to board the bus from Machupicchu to Aguas Calientes for a celebratory dinner and staying the night before the big day.
The second day involves getting a tour of the ruins. This early and exciting morning of day 2 we will aboard the shuttle bus up to Machupicchu. Having a 2.5-hour tour, our guide will direct you to one of the important site and the history of each ruins. You will learn about the temple of the sun, condor, three windows, house of incas and much more. But! There more than one peak to climb.
By noon we will be taking the bus from Machupicchu to Aguas Calientes for lunch (at your own cost) There are many good restaurants and there will be time to explore Aguas Calientes. We will be boarding the train at 16:22PM to Ollantay tambo train station, from there we will be making another 2 hours’ journey by car to Cusco, arriving approx. 20:00pm
The Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is available on almost any day that suits your schedule – we only need a minimum of two people in order to book. Single travelers are welcome to join a group if there is a group already programmed.
| Price per person | |
| Without Hotel | $397 USD |
| 2* Hotel | $427 USD |
| 3* Hotel | $467 USD |
| 4* Hotel | $527 USD |
**** Free backpack (small) transfer from Cusco to Aguas Calientes hotel.
The short Inca trail to Machu Picchu is almost always available year round except it is closed in February for maintenance — This trek takes you into Machu Picchu by walking through the SUN GATE like in the ancient times, you will explore some amazing Inca ruins. along the way like Wiñaywayna Inca City.
CHECK YOUR SHORT INCA TRAIL TO MACHU PICCHU AVAILABILITY BY CLICKING ON MONTH OF YOUR CHOICE!
Please read the following information to help answer any questions you may have about our Services and the Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu.
We will pick you up from the Cusco airport and take you to your hotel in Cusco. Please let us know your flight details at least 14 days before arrival. Our representative will be holding an orange sign reading ORANGE Nation outside the arrivals. You must exit the terminal to find our representative as they cannot enter. (Please let us know if your hotel is in the Sacred Valley so we can make the necessary arrangments).
The Briefing will be the night before the trek at 6pm in our office which is located at Calle Santa Teresa Nº383; 107 (first floor), next to SUBWAY restaurant and across the street from Sunat.
ABABSOLUTELY! During the Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, your main luggage can be stored at our office, or your hotel, both are free. Please pack anything you will need for your hike in your day pack for Machu Picchu.
FIRST, to book your Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu trek, we need you to fill out our booking form by clicking on BOOK NOW on our home page or click here – BOOK NOW.
Please be ready with the following information (FROM EACH PARTICIPANT in your group). We cannot purchase a Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu permit without the following information:
SECOND, we require a deposit of $211.00 USD per person in order to purchase a permit for the 1 day Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. You can make your deposit by clicking on the PAYPAL symbol on the top of our home page, or you can click on the PAYPAL symbol on our booking page.
It would be greatly appreciated if you pay in cash at our office (US dollars or Peruvian soles) here in Cusco. We have many ATMs within the historical center to withdraw money. You can also pay by PAYPAL online but you will have to pay a 5.5% service charge by PAYPAL. To pay your balance through PAYPAL, you need to log into your PAYPAL account using our email address of orangenationperu@gmail.com.
Unfortunately, the answer is No. Once the tickets have been purchased, the government does not allow any changes, so we can’t change any departure date after the ticket has been bought. Tickets are also not transferrable nor refundable. If you cancel your Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu Trek, the deposit is not refundable at all!
DEFINITELY! You have to bring your original passport, and it must be the same passport number you sent to us to book your Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu permit. In case you are renewing your passport, go ahead and send us your old number to secure your permit, and we can change it when you get your new passport number. Please send the new passport number as soon as possible.
Remember to check your current passport to make sure it doesn’t expire within 6 months of your arrival to Peru!!! The Government of Peru is enforcing the existing law that requires all foreign travelers to have a passport valid for a minimum of six months past the time of entry into Peru. Peruvian authorities will deny entry into Peru for travelers not meeting this requirement.
The weather is very unpredictable, and it’s difficult to predict. The climate in Cusco has a temperature fluctuating between 14º – 16º C / 57º – 60º F, with warm days and cold nights. The best time to do the Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is between April and October when the weather is warm. During June, July, and August, the nights are very cold, which is why you are advised to bring a good quality 4 season sleeping bag.
The rainy season is from November through March, and if you want to do the Inca Trail this season, you will need to bring warm clothes and be prepared. The walk can be a bit more challenging, but you will enjoy the beautiful landscapes and colorful flowers.
The month of February, the Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is closed for security reasons, as this month the rainfall is more intense. The weather along the Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu:
We highly recommend you to bring some warm clothes and good rain gear in your day backpack.
The Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is a 12km (7.5 miles) hike through the Andes in the Cusco region. The maximum altitude reached is 2700mt.
In preparation: try walking 15kms in a day or go to the fitness club in the months leading up to the trek. It is also important to be well acclimatized to the altitude. Try to spend at least 2 or 3 days in Cusco (3350m/11,047ft) before starting the trek.
Absolutely! Included in our packages is dropping you off at your hotel on the return from your trek or tour. If you have booked your hotel in the Sacred Valley like Ollantaytambo or Urubamba, we will drop you there too! If you spend the night at Ollantaytambo before the trek, we wil pick you up there.
If you travel from Lima to Cusco, the effect can be immediate. This lack of oxygen, scientifically known as hypoxia, begins to manifest itself at 7,874 ft (2,399 m) above sea level. That’s why right after landing in Cusco, visitors can feel fatigued and have difficulty walking. Walking one block could feel like walking ten blocks carrying a backpack full of rocks. It is advisable to take it easy on the first day and, if possible, rest the first few hours to help the body acclimatize to the altitude.
How do people feel after a night of drinking? Thirsty. That’s how you’ll feel when you arrive in Cusco. As already stated, the body dehydrates quickly in high altitudes. It is recommended you drink lots of water before and during your trip to Cusco. Also, avoid heavy meals since your stomach takes longer to digest food at high altitudes. A diet of low proteins and high carbs is advisable.
No one knows the effects of high altitude better than indigenous people. Coca is the best natural medicine to combat altitude sickness. It was even considered sacred because of its curative powers and is still used in the same way now as it was in the time of the Incas. It contains iron, vitamins A, B1, B2, and calcium, among other nutrients. Coca makes it easier for your bloodstream to absorb oxygen, suppresses hunger, combats fatigue, headaches and can ease your stomach. If you don’t feel like chewing leaves (which can be bitter and numb your mouth), you can try drinking coca tea, which is most commonly found in the lobby of hotels in Cusco.
If you’re happy with the services provided, a tip – though not required – is appreciated. While it may not be customary to you, it’s of great significance for the people who will take care of you during the trek. It inspires excellent service and is an established feature of the tourism industry across many Orange Nation Peru destinations. Of course, you are free to tip more or less as you feel, depending on your perception of the quality and the length of your trip. Remember, a tip is not required and should only be given when you receive excellent service.
Yes, we are a local sustainable & responsible tourism operator that incorporates the universal principles of tourism: protect the environment and benefit the local communities respecting their culture and religion. With this in mind, we have trained all our staff to know, understand, and respect the local places and its people.
The Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu DOES NOT INCLUDE the extra porter, so you will need to carry all your things. Please try to pack as light as possible to enjoy this trek.
We can transfer small backpack from Cusco to Aguas Calientes Hotel for free!
Machu Picchu was recognized as a World Heritage site by UNESCO in 1983. UNESCO has been concerned with the increase of visitors to Machu Picchu within the last few years and worries that these crowds are causing damage. They have established new regulations for 2019 to reduce visitor traffic within this archaeological complex.
These new regulations will take effect on January 1, 2019. All visitors will now be limited to 4 hour visiting sessions. Tickets to Machu Picchu will be divided into three daily sessions: early morning (6AM – 9AM), late morning (9AM – 12PM) and early afternoon (12PM – 3PM). Within these sessions, visitors must choose a specific hour to visit. This is to regulate and reduce visitor traffic within the citadel– each hour will be limited to 600 visitors.
The new regulations will have a direct impact on: Huayna Picchu and Machu Picchu Mountain (not to be confused with the citadel itself). In order to enjoy your tour of the citadel and hike the additional mountains, you will need to purchase an extra entrance ticket to the ruins extending your time allowed inside. This means that Huayna Picchu tickets will go up from $35 per person to $75 per person.
All tours include the entrance to Machu Picchu but, in order, to hike Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain, you will need to purchase an additional Machu Picchu entrance ticket with the Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu permit, which will cost a total of $75 per person. These new regulations will come into effect starting January 1, 2019 and will apply towards all tours. If you have booked Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain with us and do not want to pay the higher fee, please contact us at: orangenationperu@gmail.com
These are new regulations that will take effect starting January of 2019, keep visiting our page and social sites for more information or updates on these regulations.
Our expedition staff are experienced, enthusiastic and among the best in the industry - they are our secret to success
Travelling with us will always feel like going with friends and not with a group of strangers in an organized tour.
With ten years’ experience and over 25 Packages to Machu Picchu alone, our team knows how to deliver a successful expedition.
The food is one of the most important things on the trek, we bring balance, and nutritive food along the trail, most of our meals are buffet with.
Education and conservation are our passion. We aim to create lifelong ambassadors for the protection of all wilderness areas.
When renting a camping tent or renting a backpack from Orange Nation, you are renting camping gear and backpacking.
