We are going to share an experience with you that we will fondly remember for a long time. It’s about the time we traversed the Short Inca Trail Tour in Peru. This trail is a tough yet accessible challenge.
We’re talking about 13 Kilometres , but it takes 1 day of hiking to finally arrive at the goal, the Sun Gate of Machu Picchu and the world wonder itself.
The First Day’s Trek
An early start is crucial, hikers that decide on this tour will find themselves closest to Machu Picchu via the Inca Trail than the ones that go through the complete route. Ahead lies 13 kilometres.
We’re now in a verdant area. Along the way, we’ll encounter several sites of significant Incan interest.
Winay Wayna
The site of Winay Wayna resembles previous ruins we encountered in the region, yet is considerably larger in scale.
Continuing on, we arrive at. Despite covering just 13 kilometres, the cumulative fatigue is palpable by this point of the day. After a quick lunch, we continued with the hike.
Inti Punku
The Sun Gate itself is carved into a 10-15 meter tall hillside, its stone staircase requiring you ascend hand-over-hand, almost crawling up the steps to pass through the iconic entranceways of Machu Picchu.
No more rushing; time to relax and savour this crowning moment. There remain a few kilometres descent to the city ruins now visible below at 2,400 meters (we’re at 2,700m), but it hardly matters – you’ve arrived.
After entering Machu Picchu’s vicinity for brief moments, you’ll be exiting the citadel to take a bus down-ride to Aguas Calientes, which serves as a platform for tourists that are planning to visit the citadel upon their arrival or after a resting night in this picturesque town like us.
The Second and Final Day, Arriving at Machu Picchu
This is the big day. After resting, we took a bus that took us to Machu Picchu’s entrance marking the official end of this Inca Trail Tour.
Machu Picchu, the Inca Trail’s Culmination
And so the 2-day Inca Trail journey culminates. Exploring the city thoroughly requires no less than 2 to 3 hours of non-stop meandering, climbing and descending amid the myriad sights worth visiting.
While entry permits hiking Huayna Picchu for uniquely dazzling views, its danger deterred us from attempting the strenuous climb. Instead, after touring Machu Picchu, we descended by bus to Aguas Calientes town, re-joining the day-trippers there.
In Aguas Calientes, we awaited a train back to Cusco, savouring well-earned cold beers at a local bar after our epic journey on the Inca Trail.
Cusco Return
We returned to Cusco by the panoramic train, reuniting with our belongings and an unbeatable room where we slept more soundly than we knew possible after such an arduous yet rewarding experience. There are lots of things to do in Cusco too if you want to extend your stay in Peru, including visiting other Inca archaeological sites and exploring the city’s many museums.
