One Day Inca Trail: Join Us for an Unforgettable Expedition to Machu Picchu in Just One Day
The one day Inca Trail hiking tour gives you the chance to experience all of the breathtaking beauty of Machu Picchu in a fraction of the time. Your day begins in Cusco and takes you to the town of Ollantaytambo, where you take a comfortable train ride to begin the hike. You will see the Wiñay Wayna ruins and be treated to a box lunch as you enjoy views of Urubamba Canyon. You will also climb up to the Sun Gate before descending into the citadel of Machu Picchu. Here, your tour guide will teach you everything you want to know about this glorious Inca monument. Book your one day Inca Trail hiking tour now to experience the best of Peru!
You can start from Cusco or any other town in the Sacred Valley. It will be the same price.
- Secure your spot early! We recommend booking this tour at least 2 months in advance to guarantee availability and ensure a seamless and unforgettable experience.
- Please note that the Inca Trail is closed for maintenance in February, but Machu Picchu remains open for exploration. Plan your visit accordingly to make the most of your experience.
HIGHLIGHTS:
Your private One day Inca trail will take you along the world-famous trekking route, through some of the most wonderful scenery.
Visit the beautiful ruin of Wiñaywayna, and admire its imposing architecture and spectacular setting.
Exploring ancient Inca ruins through a deeply informative guided tour.
Walk through the famous Sun Gate for that once in a lifetime first glimpse of Machu Picchu.
Marvel at magnificent Machu Picchu, one of the new seven wonders of the world.
Enjoying a full, active day with a provided box lunch to energize you before reaching Machu Picchu.
One Day Inca Trail ITINERARY OVERVIEW
The one day Inca Trail hiking tour is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that will give you the chance to see one of the Seven Wonders of the World in a carefully planned, guided environment. The tour begins with a scheduled pickup time of 4:00 a.m. from your Cusco hotel. You also have the option to meet your tour guide at the Ollantaytambo train station at 5:30 a.m. if you want to get a later start. Snacks and coffee are available for purchase at the train station to provide you with the necessary fuel to begin your exciting journey.
You will take the train to 104 kilometers, a scenic and comfortable ride that lasts about one hour. After you arrive at 104 kilometers, you will start hiking the one day Inca Trail. You will begin with a moderate three-hour hike uphill, where you can enjoy seeing several beautiful waterfalls as well as the Urubamba River. Then, you will arrive at Wiñay Wayna, an impressive Inca ruin built into the hillside. In Wiñay Wayna, you will have the chance to rest and take in your expansive surroundings while you eat a provided box lunch.
After lunch, you will hike downhill through a jungle-like path before facing “the gringo killer.” This steep, vertical staircase will lead you to Inti Punku, the Sun Gate, where you will have your first view of Machu Picchu. This site is believed to be the fortress of the city of Machu Picchu, protecting the citadel with the Incan military. After taking a few photos of this important historical sight as well as the view below, you will begin a one-hour descent into Machu Picchu. Once you arrive, your tour guide will take you through a two-hour tour of the ruins, where you will learn the exciting history of the structures around you.
After the tour, you will have time to take photos and enjoy the satisfying finale of your time on the one-day Inca Trail hiking tour. Finally, your tour ends when you take a bus to the nearby town of Aguas Calientes.
Hiking time: 6.00 – 7.00 hours approx.
Kilometers covered: 11 km. (6.8 mi.) approx.
Low point: 2’030 m./6’658 ft. – High point: 2’650 m./8’692 ft. approx.
More photos about this amazing tour HERE
Important Information:
When you book the Inca Trail, you gain access to Circuit 5 of Machu Picchu, offering extensive exploration of this iconic site. If you wish to extend your visit, additional options are available at the time of booking. For more details on Machu Picchu circuits, please refer to the following link.
We recommend you book this tour at least 2 months in advance. If you have any extra questions about this tour please contact us or chat with us via +00 51 971 186 419
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FAQs ABOUT ONE DAY INCA TRAIL TO MACHU PICCHU
- What is the One Day Inca Trail?
- The One Day Inca Trail is a shorter trek that allows visitors to experience the beauty of the Inca Trail leading to Machu Picchu in just one day.
- How long is the trek?
- The trek typically takes around 6-7 hours, including guided tours and exploration at Machu Picchu.
- Is a permit required for the One Day Inca Trail?
- Yes, a permit is required to enter the Inca Trail, even for the one-day trek. It’s advisable to book in advance as permits are limited.As part of our commitment to providing a hassle-free experience, please note that when you book a tour with us, we handle the necessary permits for your Inca Trail entry. These permits are included in your package, offering you peace of mind and ensuring you have a secured spot for this remarkable journey. When you book the Inca Trail, you gain access to Circuit 3 of Machu Picchu, offering extensive exploration of this iconic site. If you wish to extend your visit, additional options are available at the time of booking. For more details on Machu Picchu circuits, please refer to the following link.
- Do I need to be in good physical shape for the trek?
- While it’s not an extremely challenging trek, a reasonable level of fitness is recommended due to some uphill and downhill sections.
- Do I need extra days in Cusco to acclimatize for the One Day Inca Trail?
- No, the One Day Inca Trail does not pass through high altitudes, so additional acclimatization days in Cusco may not be necessary.
- What is the maximum altitude reached during the trek?
- The highest point on the One Day Inca Trail is the Sun Gate (Inti Punku) at approximately 2,720 meters (8,920 feet).
- What should I bring for the trek?
- Essentials include comfortable hiking shoes, a daypack, sunscreen, a hat, water, snacks, a camera, and a rain jacket.
- Are guided tours included in the One Day Inca Trail package?
- Yes, guided tours are typically included, providing insights into the history and significance of the Inca Trail and Machu Picchu.
- Can I explore Machu Picchu on my own?
- Yes, after the guided tour, you have free time to explore Machu Picchu at your own pace.
- Are meals included in the trek?
- We include 1 gourmet box Lunch.
- Is the trek suitable for children?
- The One Day Inca Trail is generally suitable for older children who are accustomed to hiking. Ensure they are in good health and able to handle the trail.
- Where should I leave my big luggage? For the One-Day Inca Trail, we recommend leaving your larger luggage at your respective hotel in either Cusco or Ollantaytambo, where most hotels offer free luggage storage. Alternatively, you can also leave your luggage at the Inca Rail station in Ollantaytambo, which provides a complimentary luggage storage service. This allows you to travel light during the trek, bringing only what you need for the duration of the trail.
- Can I hire a porter for my belongings? Due to the relatively short distance covered on the One-Day Inca Trail, we do not offer porter services for this particular trek. The trek itself is designed to be manageable, with a total duration of around 6 hours. We recommend that participants carry a small backpack with a maximum weight of 8 kilograms (approximately 17.6 pounds). This approach allows you to enjoy the trek comfortably and connect more closely with the experience while ensuring that you have the essentials for the journey. Additionally, all the hotels in Aguas Calientes provide amenities such as towels, shampoo, and soaps for your convenience.
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DepartureCUSCO
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Departure Time4:00 am
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IncludedPermit to Inca Trail from km104Entry ticket to Inca TrailPermit to descend by train in km104- (Only available for travel companies)Virtual pre departure briefingPrivate transfer from your hotel in Cusco or any hotel in the sacred valley to the train station in OllantaytamboTrain from Ollantaytambo to km. 104Afternoon entrance to Machu Picchu on day 1 or Morning entrance on day 2Private bilingual professional guide on day 1First Aid Kit1 Eco-friendly box lunchBus down from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes on day 1
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Not IncludedMeals in Aguas CalientesTrain service from Aguas Calientes to CuscoTipsBuses to Machu Picchu on day 2
It was the most memorable family advevture. Definitely once in a lifetime experience… we are very pleased with Pie Experience. Very attentive, communicative responsive. Rodrigo, our guide was a really good as he kept us peaceful, he went along with our pace and really made it all about us. We appreciate that. The terrain is challenging, but not impossible so if you’re going to attempt even the one day little bit of training, especially step climbing, inclines are my recommendation. Thank you for an unforgettable day! It’s definitely the highlight of our holidays and 2023!
3 Reviews
My girlfriend and I did the one day Inca trail with Pie Experiences and we couldn’t be happier with our experience. Our guide Rodrigo picked us up at our hotel and from there everything was taken care of. The hike is pretty strenuous, but the stunning views were more than worth it. Rodrigo always made sure to keep just the right pace with plenty of rest stops. He also seemed very knowledgeable of the impressive ruins along the trail. Thanks so much to Rodrigo for making our trip unforgettable.
We worked with Pie Experiences to book our day hike to Machu Picchu . Katherine was extremely responsive in helping us get everything squared away for our tour. Our tour guide, Rodrigo, was a dream to work with. My parents and sister along with my husband and myself did the hike. Rodrigo was patient and took an easy pace to make sure we were all comfortable. He was very informative about all the archeological sites on the trail as well as Machu Picchu itself. He even gave us a lot of info about the plants and animals along the way, which was really special to our group, especially to my mom and me. The lunch provided during the hike was great, and the hotel and restaurant reserved for the evening in Agues Calientes was perfect.
This was our first time in Peru, but we will definitely be back. And we will certainly use Pie Experiences to help us when we make the trip!