This Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, is a very popular hike! It incorporates a significant portion of the Classic Inca Trail but in a shorter time frame! But don’t start thinking this is not a great trek on its own merits! On this hike you will tour an Inca Ruin, Chachabamba, which is not seen on any other trek. You will also see a waterfall that is so gorgeous it can’t be described!
This Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, includes lodging in Aguas Calientes and dinner in a restaurant in Aguas calientes.
Overview
Day 1: Cusco-Soqma-Perolniyoc-Rayan.
Day 2: Rayan-KuychiKasa Pass-Yanakaka-IntiPunku (Sun Gate)-Choquetacarpo
Day 3: Choquetacarpo-Inka Quarry-Ollantaytambo-Aguas Clientes.
Day 4: Aguas Calientes-MachuPicchu-Cusco.
- Overall distance hiked: 32 km/ 20 miles
- Starting altitude: 10,512ft/3,205m head trail.
- Maximum altitude reached: 4,450 m /14,599 ft.
- Lowest elevation: 2,050 m /6,725 ft MachuPicchu Town.
- Overall trek difficulty: moderate and challenging.
- When to go: Better from March to November
- Departures: Daily departure Minimum 2 Max 8 people.
Itinerary
WHAT IS INCLUDED?
The Trip Cost Includes
- Bilingual English speaking Mountain Guide.
- Pre-Departure Briefing at your hotel 1 or 2 days before your trek.
- transportation to Soqma on day 1.
- Tens 4 capacity for 2 persons.
- Pad Mattress
- Kitchen tent
- Dining tent with tables and chairs
- Chef (The Cook and assistant Cook)
- Muleteers and horses to carry all the equipment (food, tents, chairs, table, etc)
- Horse to carry 7 kg of your personal belongings
- Duffle bag to store your personal belongings
- 3 breakfast, 3 lunches, and 3 dinners
- Hot water for washing every day.
- Daily morning boiled and cold water to fill the water bottles.
- Emergency oxygen bottle and medical kit.
- Expedition train ticket from Ollantaytambo to MachuPicchu Town on day 3.
- Expedition train ticket from Aguas Calientes to Poroy or Ollantaytambo on day 4.
- Van transport from Poroy/Ollantaytambo to your Cusco hotel.
- Entrance fee to Machu Picchu.
- Round trip bus from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu.
- Lodging in Aguas Calientes on night 4 of the trek (double occupancy).
- Dinner in a very nice restaurant at Aguas Calientes on day 4.
WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED?
- Sleeping bag (can be rented from us).
- Breakfast on day 1.
- Day 5 lunch in Aguas Calientes.
- Tips for the crew (muleteers, chef and guide)
- Hiking poles (can be rented from us)
- Ticket for Huayna Picchu mountain or Machupicchu Mountain.
Frequently asked Questions
Annapurna Base Camp is a Grade B or a moderately difficult trekking route. So any fit person can do this trek, even if you do not have any previous experience. You should be aware of what to expect and mentally prepare for it. Then, as long as you will to, you can.
On average, you walk about 4 to 6 hours per day. One or two days can be as less as 3hrs and one or two days can be as long as 7hrs.
The highest altitude reached is 4190m. This is the elevation of Annapurna Base Camp. ABC is the highest we will climb in this trek.
Yes, you can charge batteries en route. Charger should be brought. There are hot shower facilities as well. You may have to pay certain amount for both ($1-$2). Negotiate. Also, hot water facility could be free at lower elevation.
No. There are no ATMs on this trek route. You will have to draw enough cash in Pokhara or Kathmandu. There are a number of ATMs in these cities. Everything is paid in Nepali rupees. So money should be exchanged before the start of the trek.
Yes. Internet can be accessed in most places. Sometimes, there might be some technical problems. Internet in Nepal is not as fast as you are used to and at times you can just lose connection.
Not really. It depends on you. If you want, ABC trekking can be done independently. You could hire a guide and a porter by yourself instead of going through an agency or not hire a guide at all. Although, not having a guide can be a little problematic during off season.
It really depends on you. Is it your first time in Nepal? How confident are you of being able to find your way around? How pressed on time are you? If you go through an agency, it will be costlier but everything will be planned. You will only have to come, trek and return.
For Annapurna region, pay for guides range from $20 to $30 per day and porters take $15 to $25 per day.