1 Day Inca Trail To Machu Picchu

Group Tour

With the 1 day Inca Trail, you hike the short Inca Trail and visit Machu Picchu Citadel all in one day. The appeal of the Inca Trail is the stunning cultural show of Inca ruins, exotic mountain views, primitive lush vegetation and extraordinary ecological varieties. The trail goes through the National Park and enters through the Sun Gate with unforgettable views of Machu Picchu. Upon arriving to Machu Picchu, you will get a private guided tour, visiting all the hidden corners of the Inca monument.
It is very important for potential trekkers for the 1 Day Inca Trail to understand that you are doing the same trail as the 2 Day Inca Trail, just more quickly. Trekkers need to be in moderate to excellent physical condition to be able to do this trek and arrive at Machu Picchu Citadel in time. If you think the trek may be too strenuous, you may book the 2 day Inca Trail which arrives to Machu Picchu in one day but at a slower pace later in the day

Overview

At 4:00am your guide will pick you up with our van at your hotel in Cusco (4am) or Ollantaytambo (5:30am)
You will travel through Sacred Valley to Ollantaytambo Train Station. (Train leaves at 6:10 am)
The Expedition train ride consists of spectacular views in the Sacred Valley of the Incas. It takes a little over an hour to get to KM 104.
At 7:30 – 8:00 am, you and your guide will start hiking through the original Inca till the Sun gate, from where you will have the first amazing view of Machu Picchu. The exact time depends on the group.
You will explore amazing Inca cities along the Inca Trail, especially the Wiñay Wayna Inca ruins.
You will have Box lunch after exploring the Wiñay Wayna archaeological site, usually around noon.
An hour or so after lunch you will arrive at the Sun Gate where you will get your first view of Machu Picchu!
By 2:00pm you will start exploring Machu Picchu Citadel. Your guide will explain all the history of this amazing and mysterious Incan city.
In the late afternoon, enjoy the sunset and take the iconic photo of Machu Picchu when it is empty of tourists.
By 5:00pm take the bus down to Aguas Calientes, with time for a quick dinner in a restaurant, or to buy a take out dinner to eat on the train. (Dinner is not included).
The Expedition Train departs at 6:20pm take the train back to Cusco then we will drive you back to your hotel in Cusco in our private van. If you choose the Vistadome, your train will depart at 6:10p

Itinerary

Your we will pick you up at your hotel at 4am in Cusco for the journey with our private transport to the train station of Ollantaytambo. (If you prefer to begin in Ollentaytambo, we will pick you up at your hotel at 5:30am).

Before boarding the train in Ollantaytambo, your guide will provide your box lunch, which you carry in your daypack. After an hour and 15 minutes train ride, you get off the train at the famous Km104, where your hike begins! (2,000m/6,560 ft. above sea level) After crossing the Urubamba river on a picturesque foot bridge, you will show your passport at the checkpoint and visit your first Inca site nearby. The first hour and a half is a gentle hike upward. Along the way, you will stop at several outlooks where you have an expansive view of the Urubamba River. You also pass through several microclimates, including cloud forest, so be ready for damp or even rain at any time of the year. The next hour and a half are a slightly steeper uphill, with a beautiful waterfall as your reward at the end of the hike!

When you cross the bridge below the waterfall, be sure to take some time for photos and as you do you will find yourself gazing up at the spectacular Wiñay Wayna! (2,600m/8,500ft above sea level) These amazing Inca ruins have a fascinating history and some parts are still hidden by the dense jungle. This close to Machu Picchu, you are hiking through lush sub-tropical jungle. Your guide will tell you all about the ruins, plus the incredible flora and fauna of this microclimate and answer any questions you have before the short 5 minute walk to your lunch spot.

You will enjoy your box lunch at a covered shelter at the Wiñay Wayna campground, which is the last campground for those hiking the four day Inca Trail. Nearby are outdoor sinks to wash your hands and also restrooms. Take your time enjoying your hearty, gourmet lunch and admiring the tropical flowers around the campground. Be sure to notify us of any food allergies or dietary restrictions when you book!

After lunch, you will have a mostly flat walk to the Sun Gate, from which you have your first view of Machu Picchu! Though the hour long walk is a gentle rolling up and down, it does end with a set of steep stairs carved directly into the bedrock by the Inca. Once you reach the stairs you will know that you’re almost at the Sun Gate! It is a breathtaking view of Machu Picchu, so take some time to savor the moment and take photos. The last 60 minutes down from the Sun Gate provide many opportunities to take more photos of Machu Picchu from this unique vantage point. There are also a couple more important Inca sites between the Sun Gate and Machu Picchu, so make sure to go slowly, enjoy your time walking in the footsteps of the Inca on the Inca Trail and ask your guide questions about these historical places on the last bit of your hike to Machu Picchu.

Once you reach Machu Picchu, you will have time to take more photos from the viewing platforms above the site, the “House of the Guardians”where you can take the famous postcard pictures of Machu Picchu. You will arrive in the afternoon, as the archeological area starts to empty of tourists, which gives you the opportunity to take beautiful photos in the afternoon light with fewer people in your shots. Your guide will give you a tour, which takes about two hours. You will see some of the most important parts of Machu Picchu. You will also learn about how Machu Picchu is divided into three sectors: agricultural, residential and religious.

Take your time to enjoy this magical experience before you take the bus down to Aguas Calientes. In the evening at 6:20pm you will take the return Expedition Train to Ollantaytambo and catch our private van to Cusco and your hotel. You will arrive around 10:00 pm. If you upgrade to the Vistadome Train, you will depart Aguas Calientes at 6:10pm.

Price

The 1 day Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is available on any date that suits you! We just require a minimum of 2 participants!

IMPORTANT: We require a minimum of 2 hikers in order to start the trek. If you are a solo traveler- please inquire on the dates you are looking to trek so you can join an existing group.

GROUP PRICES:
$390 USD per person

PRIVATE SERVICE PRICES:
$450 USD per person – 2 to 3 persons
$430 USD per person – 4 or more persons

PRIVATE PRICE 1 person only:
$570 USD per person – 1 persons only private trek

Returning train Included in the cost of this tour/trek is the Expedition train, which departs either at 6:20 pm or 7:00 pm and 8:20 p.m. DEPENDING ON AVAILABILITY.

There is also an option to upgrade your train to the Vistadome train which is the extra US $70 per person. Please let us know your preference at the time of booking the tour. Unfortunately, none of the trains go straight to Cusco—they run either to Ollantaytambo or Poroy. In either case, we will transfer you back by bus to Cusco.

Can I change my return train ticket by myself?
At the time of your tour, it may be possible to make changes to your return train ticket if you don’t want to take the 18:20 p.m train. You will have to take your train ticket personally to the train station in Aguas Calientes and ask them to change the return ticket for an early one. You will probably be asked to pay an extra administration fee, which will depend on the train service and departure time. Please notice that once you will change your returning train you will responsible to cover your own transportation back to Cusco

How long is the journey back to Cusco?
You will be traveling for approximately 3 hours before you arrive back in Cusco. First, you will travel for 1.5 hours by train to the Ollantaytambo train station. Then you will be picked up by your driver outside of the train station. The driver will be holding a sign with your name on it so that there will be no confusion. If you do not see the driver initially, wait for them outside of the train station. Once the driver has picked you up, you will travel for another 1.5 hours in a private van/car to your hotel/hostel in Cusco. Arrival time in Cusco will depend on train availability. You will receive your return train tickets once your guide has finished your walking tour of Machu Picchu.

Discounts

Student Discount $20
Under 18 Discount $20
Under 7 Discount $50

Important Notice Regarding Student Discount Eligibility

We offer a student discount (USD $20.00). However, due to several incidents of users falsifying personal data, the ISIC card is no longer valid for purchasing a discounted tour. As of July 1, 2017, the rules for purchasing student tickets to Machu Picchu have changed: discounts are only available with presentation of a student visa granted by the Peruvian embassy or consulate in the student’s country of origin and/or by the National Superintendent of Migrations. These documents must be provided at the time of purchase; discounts cannot be applied retroactively and refunds or reimbursements, in this case, are not available. Please send us a scan or photocopy of your passport, student visa, and university ID card or transcript so that we are able to secure your discount.

IMPORTANT:

WE DO NOT RESERVE THE TICKETS FOR THE HUAYNA PICCHU MOUNTAIN

Rental Items

Small day pack $10
Walking poles (sticks) $10

Inclusions

INCLUDED:
Pick up from your hotel on your departure date
Private transport from your hotel to the train station
Train tickets from Ollantaytambo at 104 kilometers
Entrance fee to the Inca Trail
Packed lunch for the first day
Vegetarian food is available
Visit to 3 Archaeological Inca sites
Entrance fee to Machu Picchu
2 hours guideed tour by your english speaking tour guide
1 way bus ticket from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes
Tourist train from Aguas Calientes back to Ollantaytambo
Private transport from Ollantaytambo to Cusco

NOT INCLUDED FOR THE 1 DAY INCA TRAIL TO MACU PICCHU

It is not possible to do the Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain climb due to time restraints
Energy snacks such as chocolate bars, dried fruits
First breakfast & Dinner at Aguas Calientes
Tips for the tour guide