Traversing the renowned Inca Trail stands as a coveted aspiration for any wanderer with designs on visiting Machu Picchu.

The alternative to run the short inca trail in 2 days is designed for travelers on a tight schedule, it’s also helpful for people that has less physical resistance since it involves less walking than on its 4-day counterpart.

A short Adventure

Questioning which is the best option to visit the Inca Trail is necessary to fix your trip accordingly.

Kenko Adventures’ two-day tour that goes through the Inca Trail is an unparalleled experience (also, it might interest you the fact that this company is able to arrange a one day inca trail tour if you’re on an even tighter schedule, but be wary because the physical demand is bigger consequently) . All the aspects are curated in a way that professionalism glistens for this tourism company.

Before the awaited day, one of the company’s bilingual guides meets its trekkers at their accommodations to give a brief resume about the activities for the upcoming adventure, this is also helpful to clear all the doubts that persons may have about the tour.

The Adventure’s First Day

As the first rays of dawn grace the horizon, Kenko Adventures’ personnel retrieve their guests from their temporary lodgings. It’s notable to say that while the majority of tour operators in the region begin with this tour at 4:00 AM, this team is able to fix their schedule to your plans, they usually begin with the pickups at 06:00 AM (if you’re staying in Cusco) or at 07:00 AM (if you’re staying in Ollantaytambo) for a ride to Ollantaytambo’s train station. There, they shall embark on the Expedition train that traverses the rails for a bit more of an hour and a half, disembarking at the 104th kilometer.

After reaching the 104th kilometer from Cusco’s highway (7,218 FASL) is when the true journey shall commence, each wayfarer presenting their identifying documents to the park guards.

You won’t need to worry about renting or bringing a hiking pole, also, nothing but a small backpack is required since Kenko Adventures’ team will handle your luggage. Merely a quarter-hour’s march from this point, the group will be able to find the concealed archaeological wonders of Chachabamba and Choquesuysuy, shrouded within the semi-tropical woodlands.

Upon witnessing these marvels, the band of adventurers shall ascend the stone stairways, they might find different species of orchids (if altitude turns to be a problem, don’t worry, they always carry an oxygen tank for these scenarios). Four hours hence, reaching the site of Wiñaywayna (8,694 FASL) the travelers shall enjoy a box lunch, recovering for the journey ahead to the Wiñaywayna checkpoint.

The second phase of the hike lasts two hours’ worth of stone staircases and tambos (resting places of the Incan realm) until reaching the Inti Punku – Sun Gate (8,924 FASL). In ages past, this threshold served as the gatehouse to the fabled citadel of Machu Picchu. From this vantage point, a panoramic vista of Machu Picchu and the encompassing valley unveils.

A descent of approximately thirty minutes shall then ensue to the world wonder that is Machu Picchu (8,169 FASL). Thence, the group heads to Aguas Calientes (7,087 FASL), a journey of but twenty-five minutes’ duration. Here, the travelers shall rest in their accommodation for the night.

For those with energies, Kenko Adventures proffers the opportunity to visit the thermal springs, a mere five minutes’ walk from the village, at a modest cost of ten soles. Moreover, Aguas Calientes abounds alehouses and restaurants.

Second Day: Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu & Back to Cusco

The dawn shall herald the day’s beginnings by spending it in Machu Picchu itself, the travelers partaking of a restorative repast at their temporary lodgings. Thence, they shall ready themselves for the exploration of the citadel of Machu Picchu as the sun rises over the Inca citadel for a private tour in Machu Picchu.

A conveyance of thirty minutes’ duration will bring the group to the entrance, affording vistas of the lush rainforest that embraces Machu Picchu. Once within the mystical citadel, a two-hour private tour begins, guided by one of Kenko Adventures’ bilingual guides, who shall share information about the world wonder.

The travelers witness to the most awe-inspiring places inside, including the Temple of the Three Windows, the Principal Temple, the Sacred Plaza, the famed Intihuatana, and myriad of other wonders. Upon the conclusion of the guided visit, they shall be granted liberty for a while in the citadel, it’s also a good time to visit Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu’s mountains (tickets are sold apart).

For the return journey to Aguas Calientes everyone boards a bus back to Aguas Calientes.

Finally, the travelers shall enjoy their time in Aguas Calientes freely. As night falls, a train ride in a Panoramic Train returns the group back to Ollantaytambo, where Kenko Adventures’ team await to return them to the city of Cusco around 07:00 PM.