The 4 Day Inca Trail Or Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu
Embarking on a trek to Machu Picchu is not a mere expedition, but a profound exploration of history, culture and natural beauty. Among the countless trails leading to this iconic Inca citadel, the 4-Day Inca Trail and the 2-Day Short Inca Trail offer unique perspectives and experiences. In this article we will meticulously explore both the legendary 4-day Inca Trail and the short 2-day Inca Trail. In the end of this article, you will have a thorough understanding of the differences between these two popular routes, which will help you choose the one that aligns perfectly with your physical capabilities, time constraints and personal preferences.
Differences between the 2-Day Inca Trail and the 4-Day
Most visitors believe that the best way to visit Machu Picchu is by the Inca Trail 4 days and 3 nights, however there is another shorter option which became the perfect alternative for those who could not reserve their space for the Inca Trail 4 days to Machu Picchu. Take into account these differences before opting for one of them.
2-day Inca Trail
you are really looking forward to do the 4-day Inca trail but you don’t feel it is for you, maybe because of your physical condition, health problems, you are afraid of altitude sickness, you heard that it is a very difficult hike for whatever reason that stops you from doing it the 2 day Inca trail is your best option.
Inca Trail 2 day or 4 day?
The 4 day Inca trail sounds very interesting, camping 3 nights surrounded by stars, the moon in the middle of nowhere sounds really very interesting however not everything is as you are told, sometimes camping in the middle of nowhere is not always one of the unique experiences because it depends on many factors, the travel company you hired, of your tour guide, of the quality of the tent where you will sleep, of the good sleeping bag you bought and if you really feel well with the problem of altitude sickness to enjoy it to the fullest, if not believe me that all this will become a nightmare which will make you want to arrive as soon as possible to Machu Picchu for this to end.
But don’t worry! The 2-day Inca Trail is your best option if you are afraid of everything mentioned about the 4-day Inca Trail. On the 2-day Inca trail you will not camp either we do not recommend it because there are travel agencies that offer you to camp on the 2-day Inca trail but where? not in one of the campsites of the 4-day Inca trail but in the town of Aguas Calientes only 20 minutes away from the town. it is definitely not the best option; we recommend you to stay in a hotel.
Some things you should know about the 2-day Inca Trail:
- The 2-day Inca Trail is called as the 2-day Inca Trail, but keep in mind that it is only a one-day hike, because the next day is the day of the visit to Machu Picchu by bus from your hotel.
- On the 2-day Inca Trail you will not have porters at your side, usually each trekker carries his own things, although there is the alternative of hiring a porter who will take your things to your hotel by a different road than the one you will be hiking on.
- The lunch provided by the travel agency for the 2-day Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is a box lunch which will be delivered to you at the beginning of the hike and you will carry it throughout your hike until you arrive at the lunch spot which is located after about 3 and a half to 4 hours of hiking at the WiñayWuayna camp.
- In the 2-day Inca Trail you start at the lowest altitude which is (2,000m/6,560 ft. above sea level)
- The altitude at the lunch site is (2,600m/8,500ft above sea level)
- The highest point during the entire hike is the Sun Gate or Inti Punku located at (2,720 m / 8,924 ft.)
- For the 2-day Inca Trail you don’t need to reserve your space well in advance, at least 4 months before the date of the trek
- For the 2-day Inca Trail you don’t need many days of acclimatization since the starting point of the hike is at a lower altitude and the maximum altitude you will reach is much lower than Cusco
- No altitude problems on the 2-day Inca Trail to Machu Picchu guaranteed.
How long is the 2 day Inca Trail?
What sites will you see on the 2-day Inca Trail?
- You will visit the Inca site of Chachabamba located only 10 minutes from the beginning of the trailhead.
- You will see llamas in the WiñayWayna camp.
- You will visit a beautiful waterfall on the way to WiñayWayna.
- You will explore the ruins of WiñayWayna before lunch.
- Stops at Inca constructions along the road to IntiPunku
- You will visit the Sun Gate or IntiPunku at the end of the hike.
YOU WILL VISIT MACHU PICCHU TWICE! One of the best things that the 2-day Inca Trail can offer you is that it allows you to visit Machu Picchu two times. On the day of the trek you will arrive at Machu Picchu in the afternoon just in time to see the sunset and the next day you will visit it again to see the sunrise.
Do you want to know more about the 2-day Inca Trail itinerary? follow the link of the 2-day Inca trail hike.
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