SHORT INCA TRAIL (2 DAYS - 1 NIGHT)
Optional an extra night in Machu Picchu at your request.

We recommend two days predeparture to aclimate. We have the city tour of Cusco Inca arqueological sites. Also the sacred valley of the Incas full day tour

The Inca road system was the most extensive and highly advanced transportation system in pre-Columbian South America. The network was based on two north-south roads, with numerous branches. The best known portion of the road system is the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu.

Main routes The eastern route ran high in the puna and mountain valleys from Quito, Ecuador to Cusco, Peru (The capital of the Inca Empire) to Mendoza, Argentina. The western route followed the coastal plain except in coastal deserts where it hugged the foothills. More than twenty routes ran over the western mountains, while others traversed the eastern cordillera in the mountains and lowlands. Some of these roads reach heights of over 5,000 metres (16,000 ft) above sea level. The trails connected the regions of the Inca empire from the northern provincial capital in Quito, Ecuador past the modern city of Santiago, Chile in the south. The Inca road system linked together about 40,000 kilometres (25,000 mi) of roadway and provided access to over 3,000,000 square kilometres (1,200,000 sq mi) of territory.

Situated between 500 to 800 meters (1,600 to 2,600 ft) above sea level, this monumental road, which could reach 20 metres (66 ft) in width, connected populated areas, administrative centers, agricultural and mining zones as well as ceremonial centers and sacred spaces. These roads provided easy, reliable and quick routes for the Empire's civilian and military communications, personnel movement, and logistical support. The prime users were imperial soldiers, porters and llama caravans, along with the nobility and individuals on official duty. Permission was required before others could walk along the roads, and tolls were charged at some bridges. Although the Inca roads varied greatly in scale, construction and appearance, for the most part they varied between about 1 to 4 meters (3.3 to 13 ft) in width.

Much of the system was the result of the Incas claiming exclusive right over numerous traditional routes, some of which had been built centuries earlier. Many new sections were built or upgraded substantially: through Chile's Atacama desert, and along the western margin of Lake Titicaca, serve as two examples. The Qhapaq Ñan (English: Great Inca Road, or Main Andean Road, and meaning "the beautiful road") constituted the principal north-south highway of the Inca Empire traveling 6,000 kilometres (3,700 mi) along the spine of the Andes.

The Qhapaq Ñan unified this immense and heterogeneous empire through a well-organized political system of power. It allowed the Inca to control his Empire and to send troops as needed from the capital, Cusco.

The most important Inca road was the Camino Real, as it is known in Spanish, with a length of 5,200 kilometres (3,200 mi)). It began in Quito, Ecuador, passed through Cusco, and ended in what is now Tucumán, Argentina. The Camino Real traversed the mountain ranges of the Andes, with peak altitudes of more than 5,000 m (16,000 ft). El Camino de la Costa, the coastal trail, with a length of 4,000 kilometres (2,500 mi), ran parallel to the sea and was linked with the Camino Real by many smaller routes.

Itinerary
The best way to see Machu Picchu, because you ride the train through the Urubamba gorge with incredible views of the Andes and in the beginning of the cloud forest. Also you hike part of this original Inca trail. Also great opportunities to see some flora and fauna. .

Day one: CHACHABAMBA, MACHUPICCHU
We begin taking the train in the morning to kilometer 104 of the rail line, crossing mountains, snow peaks and several ecosystem and archaeological sites along the way. This train will depart from Cusco or Ollantaytambo and will arrive at the start of the trail at Chachabamba(2100 mt) by middle morning. We hike for two and a half hours to the archaeological site of Wiñay Wayna (2710mt) name of the local orchest, where we have a tour and our picnic lunch and snacks. Later, after lunch, we begin descending for two hours to the city of Machu Picchu at (2450mt) with great scenery and beautiful views of the Urubamba mountain range. During this section of the trail there will be some subtropical forest called the cloud forest where we will see diferentspecies of orchest like forever young (Epidendrum secundum)and the Bamboo orchest(Sobralia dicotoma) and  subtropical threes and plants from this ecosystem. As well we will see and hear sounds of some wrens like the Inca wren (Thryothorus eisenmanni) and probably the sparkling violet ear (Colibri coruscans). For a general overall view we stop at the Sun gate (Intipunku) entrance. We will take some pictures and we will have an introduction from this point with the beautiful granite mountains called the Bartolite of Vilcabamba (volcanic formation) and the city of Machu Picchu below. Later we will have a short visit of the Inca city from the look out point just to enjoy more spectacular views. Today we will hike for 8 kilometers and 5 hours approximate. Then we go down to the hotel in Aguas Calientes 25 minutes away by bus. We go to the hotel for a good shower or to the hot springs. (L, D)

Day two: MACHU PICCHU
We’re up at the crack of dawn in order to see sun rise from Machu Picchu (depends of the weather conditions). After breakfast we ascend by bus for 25 minutes to the ancient city of Machu Picchu. We begin our tour for two hours; after that time free to relax or hike one of the mountains in the area -Machu Picchu or Huayna Picchu-(about 2 to 3 hours).This beautiful hike will give you a different perspective about the Citadel; as well we will see some of the flora and fauna of the cloud forest. After lunch in town we visit the local market and in the afternoon we take the train back to Cusco.

Note: you can make your own package, also we recommend hotel the most comfortable and special, or we can reserve that for you.

Included

Meals.

Treks

Hotels

Radio communication

Transportation in and out

Bus up and down

Train.

Tours.

Tickets.

Guides (historical, natural)

First aid, bottle of oxygen

What to bring
This is a list designed to advise you what equipment is appropriate to bring according to the weather conditions predominating at the time of your trip:

Flashlights (at least one headlamp among them).

Sun Block; Insect Repellent.

Towels (Small; cotton and hygienic).

Rain Gear (Pants and Jacket) though not necessary during the months of July and August.

A couple of pairs of socks, perhaps even an extra pair.

One pair of trousers for the evening plus two more pairs for trail use (zipp-offs).

Sandals for River use (Teva types).

Low ankle height hiking shoes or regular hiking boots (check the season).

Reading material.

Binoculars (always useful regardless of season and activity).

Bathing Suit.

Water Bottle (I liter capacity).

Good Sun glasses, perhaps two sets.

A bandana for neck protection.

A couple of sets of underwear (perhaps an extra pair).

Camera and plenty of film.

Passport (plus a couple of Xerox copies).

At least one short sleeve shirt and one or two long sleeve shirts (dark colors, depending on the place and destiny chosen).

A good waterproof jacket and anorak.

Any questions, consults and information, contact us at:

Mail: info@cuscomachupicchu.com

Phone: (0051 - 84) - 984764938