The unique 1 day Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is offered in private or group service. On the trek visit many Inca sites while trekking and the magical Inca city of Machu Picchu. Just as the Incas did we will arrive at the Sun Gate to get the first view of Machu Picchu. On arrival to Machu Picchu receive a guide tour visiting the most important parts of the Inca citadel.
The highlights of the 1 day Inca Trail is the combination of ruins, mountains and the vegetation. Hike through the National Park to the Sun Gate with the first spectacular views of Machu Picchu. Pass through cloud forest and subtropical vegetation ending at the most impressive Inca ruin, Machu Picchu.
Places to visit: Inca Trail, Water Falls, Wiñaywayna ruins, Sungate, Machu Picchu and train ride!
***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 quicker. Trekkers need to be in moderate to excellent physical condition to be able to do this trek and arrive in Machu Picchu in time.
2730 m.s.n.m
Up to 8
Group or private
Adventure, self-guided
Moderate
1 day
*** This can start in Cusco or Ollantaytambo!
Orange Nation Peru is a specialist in the 1 Day Inca Trail to Machu Picchu Tour; we never pass you onto another company, we are a Direct Local Tour Operator based in Cusco.!
The guide will be at your hotel at 4am in Cusco and journey in our van to the train station in Ollantaytambo. If you are staying in Ollantaytambo we will pick you up at your hotel at 5.30am.
At the train station in Ollantaytambo and before you board the train the guide will give you a lunch box to carry in your backpack. Travel for an hour by train to KM104 and get off the train with your guide for the start of the Inca Trail. Cross the Urubamba river by footbridge, show your passport and visit the Inca site nearby. The first part of the trek is a gentle up hill walk with shelters to rest and take a short break.
Pass through different microclimates that includes cloud forests, that could rain at any moment. The next hours and a half will be slightly steeper with the reward at the end a beautiful waterfall to stop and rest and take photos.
Cross the bridge below the waterfall, then 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 gradual walk to the Sun Gate, only encountering 1 short set of steep Inca steps, aptly names ¨the gringo killer steps¨. After that the Sun Gate awaits with the most breath taking views of the Majestic Machu Picchu Citadel below! Take some time to savor the moment and take photos.
The last 45 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 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. 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 all 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 (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, you will depart Aguas Calientes at 6:10pm
Please note: It is not possible to climb Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain due to time restraints.
*** Once the permits are bought, it will could not be changed and it not transferable at all.
This trek its available on any date! Choose one that suits you best! as long as we have a minimum of 2 people we go(except in February when the Inca Trail is closed for maintenance)
We require a minimum of 2 hikers
“Please read the following information carefully; it will help you answer most of your questions about our services and the 1 day Inca Trail to Machu Picchu”
We will welcome you at the airport in Cusco and take you to your hotel. Please inform us of your full flight details at least 14 days prior to your trek. Look out for our representative holding an orange board reading Incatrailhikeperu at the arrival terminal.
It will take place the night before the trekking departure at 6pm or as arranged, in our office which is located at Garcilaso Street 210 , Office Nº:213 (2and Floor) in the la CASA DEL ABUELO.
Of course! During the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu your main luggage can be stored at our office or at your hotel, both are free. Please don´t pack anything you will need for your hike in your luggage being stored in our offices.
First I would say that the weather is very unpredictable and it’s difficult to foresee. BUT you will have rapidly changing temperatures and weather conditions as you pass through the numerous microclimates depending on your location. We highly recommend that you bring some warm clothes and good rain gear in your day backpack. Dress in multiple layers.
The 1 day Inca Trail Machu Picchu is a 12km (7.5 miles) hike through the Andes in the Cusco region. The maximum altitude you will reach is 2700m above sea level.
In preparation: try walking 15kms in a day or go to a gym in the months leading up to the trek. It is also important to be well acclimatized to the altitude. Try to spend at least 2 or 3 days in Cusco (3350m/11,047ft) prior to starting the trek.
Absolutely! Included in our packages is dropping you off at your hotel on the return from your trek or tour. If you have booked your hotel in the Sacred Valley like Ollantaytambo or Urubamba, we will drop you there too!
If you spend the night at Ollantaytambo before the trek, we wil pick you up there.
If you’re happy with the services provided, a tip – though not compulsory – is appropriate. While it may not be customary to you, it’s of great significance for the people who will take care of you during the trek. It inspires excellent service and is an entrenched feature of the tourism industry across many destinations. Of course, you are free to tip what you feel is appropriate, depending on your perception of the quality and the length of your trip. Remember, a tip is not compulsory and should only be given when you receive excellent service.
Yes, we are a local sustainable & responsible tourism operator becuase of that we incorporate the universal principles of tourism: protect the environment and benefit the local communities respecting their culture and religion. With this in mind, we have trained all our staff to know, understand and respect the local places and it´s people.
Why hike the KM104 Inca Trail to Machu Picchu?
Both the 1 and 2 day Inca Trail hikes are truly fantastic ways to see Machu Picchu in an active way. By choosing the km104 trek over the train you will see more nature and Inca sites than if you take the train, as well as being surrounded by fewer people, and of course, you will be following in the footsteps of the Incas themselves.
Can you hike to Machu Picchu in 1 Day?
Yes. The 1-day Inca Trail to Machu Picchu follows the KM104 route along the Inca Trail, through the Inca Sun Gate and directly into Machu Picchu. This route is a one day trek, with an optional second day to return to Machu Picchu and take a closer look at the ruins after a refreshing nights sleep in the town below.
KM104, or the 1-day Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is the final day of the classic Inca Trail, which takes four or five days to complete. The classic Inca Trail is 43km in length, whereas the 1 and 2 day Inca Trail is a mere 12km /7.5m
Where does the 1 Day Inca Trail start?
The 1 day Inca Trail hike starts at KM104, or Chachamba as the locals call it. KM104 refers to the distance along the train line from Cusco. The route climbs to the Wiñay Wayna ruins before contouring the hillside, through the Sun Gate and into Machu Picchu.
What is the difference between the 1-Day Inca Trail and the 2-Day Inca Trail?
The 1 Day and 2 Day Inca Trail are the same thing, but the two day Inca Trail spend a night in Aguas Calientes (or Machu Picchu town) before returning to the citadel the following day, whereas the one day Inca Trail returns to Cusco or the Sacred Valley the same day.
The actual hiking is totally the same. You will arrive at Machu Picchu on the afternoon of Day 1. It is not possible to spread the trekking out over 2 days. The hike can also be known as the Short Inca Trail.
Two Day Inca Trail with Camping
Yes, it possible and the camping will be at Puente Ruins which is located right at the bottom of the Machu Picchu.
One Day Inca Trail Difficulty
The one day Inca Trail is not a technically difficult and should be achievable to anyone with a reasonable level of fitness. The hike begins with around 200 meters of uphill, before the path winds around the side of the mountain. There is a total of 550m ascension and 250m decent over the day.
Both the 1 day Inca Trail and the 2 Day Inca Trail are suitable for kids aged about 8 years upwards. The hike is 12km in distance and takes about between 5 and 6 hours for most people. Altitude sickness should not be an issue as the maximum heigh is 2650m/8700ft. This is lower than the Sacred Valley and much lower than Cusco. However, you may still notice that breathing is harder on the steep sections.
It can be a little scary for people who are very afraid of heights, so bare that in mind when deciding if this hike is for you. Once you have started the trail there is no exiting or getting back on the train. If you are feeling a little unwell or unsure then it will probably be better for you to stay on the train to Aguas Calientes.
Do you need a permit for the One day Inca Trail?
Yes, you do need a permit for KM104. There are 250 permits per day allocated for the 1 and 2 day Inca Trail. These are separate to the 500 permits for the full Inca Trail. All Inca Trail permits are non refundable and non transferable. You will be required to pay a non-refundable deposit at the time of booking in order to confirm your place.
Permits for the 1 day Inca Trail do not sell out as quickly as they do for the full Inca Trail. Because of this, you can usually book them close to the date- although it is preferable to book early to secure them. The permits are available every day of the year except for the month of February when the trail is closed for maintenance.
