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Experience Machu Picchu (7D) Inti Raymi & Machu Picchu (8D) Luxury Peru (8D) Machu Picchu & Lake Titicaca (9D) Amazon & Machu Picchu (9D) Machu Picchu & Colca (10D) Luxury Peru & Amazon (10D) Peru Highlights (11D) Best of Peru (14D)

PERU TREKKING TOURS

Alternative Inca Trail (11D) Inca Trail Lodge to Lodge (13D) Select Inca Trail (5D) Short Inca Trail (7D) Peru Day Hiker (9D) Classic Inca Trail (10D) Cordillera Blanca Hike (10D) Amazon & Inca Trail (12D) Inca Trail & Lake Titicaca (12D) Salcantay & Inca Trail Hike (12D) Inca Trail & Colca Canyon (13D) Discover Peru (14D) Adventure Peru (18D)

PERU MULTISPORT TOURS

Peru Raft, Bike & Hike Tour (12D)

PERU & GALAPAGOS TOURS

Machu Picchu & Galapagos

PERU TOUR EXTENSIONS

Day Peru Tour Extensions Multi-Day Peru Tour Extensions Peruvian Amazon Jungle Lodges

TRIPS BY ACTIVITY

HIKING TOURS AMAZON ECOTOURS RAINFOREST ECOLODGES MULTISPORT ADVENTURES GALAPAGOS SCUBA DIVING GALAPAGOS SEA KAYAKING GALAPAGOS SAILING CRUISES HIKING TO MACHU PICCHU FAMILY ADVENTURES SELF-GUIDED TOURS LUXURY TOURS RAFTING / KAYAKING TOURS CAMPING ADVENTURES PATAGONIA HIKING

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Short Inca Trail, The Two Day Hike to Machu Picchu

Duration: 7 days
4-12 Travelers: $1995 per person
2-3 Travelers: $2145 per person
This short Inca Trail Tour was designed as an alternative to the four day classic Inca Trail hike or for those wishing to hike to Machu Picchu in February, when the normal Inca Trail route is closed. Travel to Peru and explore the Andes Mountains on this exciting Machu Picchu tour. Visit the Sacred Valley and tour the Inca ruins of Sacsayhuaman, Pisac and Ollantaytambo. The short Inca Trail hike starts at Km 104, stopping at the ruins of Wiñay Wayna. Spend several hours visiting these spectacular ruins before our Peru tour takes you to the famous Sun Gate at Machu Picchu. Spend two days exploring Machu Picchu and the surrounding cloud forests. This is an easy-paced Peru hiking tour, perfect for the traveler seeking adventure within a limited timeframe. No camping is involved in this Machu Picchu Tour.
Private departures for our Short Inca Trail can be arranged so please contact us regarding details and private departure costs.

ABOUT PERU TRAVELING TO PERU PERU WEATHER

WHEN TO VISIT PERU
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PERU F.A.Q. MAP OF PERU RECOMMENDED READING

Short Inca Trail Hike Itinerary Details

Day 1 (Sat) LIMA View Lima accommodations picture gallery Arrive and be transferred to your hotel. If you arrive in Lima early, we can arrange optional tours to explore the city, including museum visits and other sites of interest.
Begin Optional Pre-Itinerary Tour Extensions
Day 2 (Sun) LIMA - CUSCO View Cusco accommodations picture gallery Your Peru tour begins with a morning flight to Cusco, center of the Inca Empire. Southern Explorations' guides meet you at the airport and take you on a quick tour of the beautiful Plaza de Armas. From there, you'll be taken to your hotel, where you will be free for the remainder of the day to relax, explore Cusco and get accustomed to the altitude (10,856 ft). (B)
Day 3 (Mon) CUSCO View Cusco accommodations picture gallery The day begins with a guided walking tour through the colorful markets of Cusco, the colonial cathedral and Koricancha, the impressive Temple of the Sun. After a lunch of tasty local Peruvian cuisine, depart for an afternoon tour of prominent Inca sights in or near Cusco. Visit such Peru tour highlights as the fortress of Sacsayhuaman, with its huge stone terraces; Kenko's carved stone surfaces and subterranean altars; the small fortress of Puka Pukara that protected the royal capital; and the water temple, Tambo Machay. In the late afternoon, return to the comfort of your hotel to relax or explore Cusco on your own. (B)
Day 4 (Tue) CUSCO - SACRED VALLEY View Sacred Valley accommodations picture gallery Your Peru ecotour continues as you embark on a day-long guided excursion through snowcapped mountains to the majestic Sacred Valley. Along the way, see Inca terracing that climbs the steep valley walls and the temple ruins of Pisac, set dramatically against the jagged granite mountains. Explore the town of Pisac where one of the best Andean textile markets is located. After lunch, you'll continue on to Ollantaytambo (9,185 ft.), a small town with a remarkable Inca fortress. Spend the night at a hotel in Ollantaytambo. (B)
Day 5 (Wed) SACRED VALLEY - MACHU PICCHU View Machu Picchu accommodations picture gallery An 8 AM train departure from Ollantaytambo gets you to station Km 104. After registering at the checkpoint, you'll begin the three-hour hike to Wiñay Wayna, during which you'll see ruins, waterfalls and many varieties of flora and fauna. You'll take lots of photos on this picturesque stretch of your Peru tour. Spend one to two hours exploring the beautiful Wiñay Wayna ruins. From here it is a two-hour walk to Machu Picchu. You will arrive at the famous ruins in the late afternoon when there are few visitors. After a brief tour, transfer by bus to Aguas Calientes where you'll spend the night at a charming hotel. The evening is free to explore this small village and soak in the hot springs. (B,L)
Day 6 (Thu) MACHU PICCHU - CHINCHEROS ARTISAN MARKET - CUSCO View Cusco accommodations picture gallery Take the early morning bus to Machu Picchu to enjoy the sunrise at Machu Picchu. This is an excellent opportunity for great photos. After experiencing the sunrise, explore the citadel of Machu Picchu and the surrounding areas. Possibilities include climbing Huayna Picchu, the sacred mountain behind Machu Picchu, a visit the temple of the moon or the Inca Drawbridge. An early afternoon train returns you to Ollantaytambo, where you will have the opportunity for some last-minute shopping at the Chincheros Market. This cooperative artisan haven is renowned for its impressive textiles, some of the best in the country. Here the local artisans will explain their ancient craft and its rich history before you return to Cusco for your last night in the Inca heartland. (B)
Day 7 (Fri) CUSCO - LIMA You'll be transferred in the morning to the airport for the return flight to Lima and your connecting international flight, marking the end of Southern Explorations services. We'd be happy to arrange trip extensions to other regions or extra days in Lima or Cusco. (B) Begin Optional Post-Itinerary Tour Extensions
Key: (B)reakfast (L)unch (D)inner

Itinerary Map

PERU EXTENSIONS

Have more time to spend? Why not customize your trip with some of these trip extensions? Add extensions to the beginning or the end of your trip, or add to both ends.
PERU DAY EXTENSIONS Lima City Tour Lima Pre-Departure Tour Lima Culinary Tour Weaving tour from Cusco Cachicata Day Hike Moray - Maras Paragliding from Cusco Cusco Countryside Rafting from Cusco	PERU MULTI-DAY EXTENSIONS Moras - Moray - Cachicata (2D) Ica & Nazca (2D) Ica/Nazca & Ballestas Is. (3D) Lake Titicaca (3D) Rafting the Apurimac (3D) Arequipa & Colca Canyon (4D) Mancora Beach (4D) PERU / AMAZON ECOLODGES Sandoval Lake Lodge (2D/4D) Posada Amazonas (3D/4D) Reserva Amazonica (3-5D) Manu Wildlife Center (4D/5D) Amazon River Expedition (4-8D)

ARTICLES & INFORMATION ABOUT PERU
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2008 SCHEDULED TRIP DATES

Saturday Departures
2 person minimum / 12 maximum

August Contact Us!
September Contact Us!
October 4-10
November 15-21
December 6-12

Private Departures can be arranged. Please contact us regarding private departure costs.

2009 SCHEDULED TRIP DATES