Inca Trail To Machu Picchu 1 Day -

Inca Trail To Machu Picchu 1 Day

OVERVIEW:

Our One Day Inca Trail to Machu Picchu offers the most thrilling way to experience one of the Wonders of the World for those who don’t have the time to complete the full Inca Trail. This famous trek captivates with its stunning display of Inca archaeological sites, breathtaking mountain views, lush vegetation, and extraordinary ecological diversity.

The trail passes through Wiñay Wayna, a beautiful Inca citadel and the most significant site along the entire traditional Inca Trail. You will also enter Machu Picchu, the World Wonder, through the Sun Gate, where you’ll be amazed by the awe-inspiring views of this mystical site. You’ll explore the key areas of Machu Picchu before heading back to Cusco – all in one day!

Day 1: Cusco - KM 104 - Chachabamba - Wiñay Wayna - Sun Gate - Machu Picchu - Aguas Calientes

Hike Ancient Trails and Travel Back in Time at Historic Sites

Kick off this epic day trip with a pickup from your hotel at around 4:00 a.m. We’ll drive to the Ollantaytambo Train Station and take the train for a one-and-a-half-hour journey to the starting point of this one-day Inca Trail, KM 104.

After passing the checkpoint, we’ll head to the first archaeological site, Chachabamba. This was one of the last shelters used by Inca pilgrims before reaching Machu Picchu. It features several buildings, making it the perfect spot for your guide’s first introduction to the fascinating history of the Inca civilization.

Then, the real hike begins with a 3-hour ascent up the stone steps of the original Inca Trail. The ecosystem in this area is truly unique. Along the way, you’ll encounter various types of flora and fauna, including orchids, flowers, trees, and other local species, as well as a waterfall along the trail. We’ll reach the Wiñay Wayna archaeological site, the most significant along the Inca Trail. Here, everyone is amazed by its exquisite architecture!

At Wiñay Wayna, you’ll see its numerous water sources for rituals, impressive agricultural terraces, and sacred areas dedicated to natural deities, such as the Rainbow Temple. Take some time to relax, rest your legs, enjoy the silence, and connect with Mother Nature through the sounds of birdsong or the refreshing breeze. Afterward, we’ll take a short walk to enjoy lunch at one of the Classic Inca Trail campsites. You’ll have time to recharge while gazing at the steep valleys below before continuing on.

We’ll resume hiking toward the famous Inti Punku (Sun Gate), the main entry point to Machu Picchu for all Inca Trail hikers. From here, you’ll be treated to breathtaking views of the majestic Inca city for the first time. This is also the place where the Incas would have gotten their first glimpse of their magnificent citadel. It’s hard to describe the emotional impact of witnessing this ancient, sacred, and world-famous site. You’ll feel the goosebumps as the moment sinks in.

After taking in the views and capturing some memorable photos, we’ll complete the final stretch to Machu Picchu. You’ll have a little more time to explore and contemplate the site and its surrounding landscape while listening to a brief historical explanation from your guide. Take plenty of photos and allow your spirit to be filled with the energy of this magnificent, sacred place.

Later, we’ll begin our descent to the Machu Picchu main entrance. From there, you’ll take the bus down to Aguas Calientes, the small town at the base of Machu Picchu. We’ll catch the train back to Ollantaytambo at 18:20 (subject to availability). Our transport will be waiting to take you back to Cusco, where you’ll be dropped off at your accommodation for a well-deserved rest after this unforgettable journey.

Permits & Entrance Tickets

Inca Trail Permits and Tickets
As soon as we receive your complete information and the deposit that secures your reservation, we will purchase all the necessary permits (subject to availability). These permits are issued for a specific date and will be in your name. They cannot be changed under any circumstances. A change of passport number is only allowed for renewal purposes. In that case, you must bring both your old and new passports.

High-Quality Service & Safety

Pre-departure Briefing
You’ll have an orientation meeting with your guide the evening before the tour. The meeting will be at 5:00 p.m. in our office or, depending on the itinerary, at your hotel.
Experienced Tour Guide
Our official tour guides speak both English and Spanish and are professionally trained and certified. We select them based on their experience, responsibility, passion for exploration, and pride in sharing our culture and history. They will ensure your safety and comfort, allowing you to enjoy your experience without worries.
Bilingual tour guide in group service or shared service (English and Spanish).
Medical Kit / First Aid Kit
All Salkantay Trekking guides receive specialized first aid training. We hold mandatory training sessions for our guides every February. Your guide will always carry a first aid kit to handle basic emergencies (altitude sickness, travelers’ diarrhea, cuts, scrapes, etc.), as well as oxygen. If necessary, we’ll evacuate you from the trail quickly and ensure you receive treatment at a clinic.
24/7 Customer Service
We offer 24-hour telephone support for easy communication with Salkantay Trekking before and during your tour.

Meals

Box Lunch, Snacks, and Water
- One cloth snack bag per person.
  To reduce plastic waste and protect the environment, we provide each participant with a cloth bag for their snacks.

Transportation

Transfers
- Pickup from your hotel in the morning and transfer to Ollantaytambo train station.
- Bus ticket from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes.
- Transport from Ollantaytambo train station back to your hotel in Cusco.
Train Tickets
- Train from Ollantaytambo to KM 104 (the trek starting point).
- Train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo.

Breakfast
Travel Insurance
Tips for our staff
Tipping is customary on any excursion in Peru. Although we provide fair wages to our team, gratuities are always appreciated.
Additional Costs or Delays Beyond Our Control
- Landslides, bad weather conditions, itinerary changes for safety reasons, illness, pandemics, government policy changes, political instability, strikes, or acts of God.

Original Passport (for check-in to the trail),
A light day pack with a change of clothes for the whole period of the trek –
prepare for a vast range of changes in temperature
Rain gear (jacket and pants if available) or rain poncho. Plastic ponchos
can be bought for about $1 in Cusco .
Strong footwear, waterproof trekking boots recommended.
Warm clothes, including jacket, fleeces, gloves, scarf and beanie/touk.
Thermal clothing is also recommended, especially for sleeping.
Camera, films and batteries (batteries consume more quickly under cold
conditions)
Hat or cap to protect you from the sun, rain and cold
Sun block
After-sun cream or hydrating cream for face and body
Insect repellent – minimum recommended 20% DEET – although no
malaria risk has been reported
Snacks: biscuits, energy bars, chocolate, raw fruits, muesli, etc.
Non-disposable canteen (Nalgene type) and water for the first morning.
We advise you to bring water sterilizing tablets in case you collect water
from streams.

Your own medical kit with any special medications that you might require, paracetamol, second skin for blisters etc.
Bathers/swimsuit (if you intend on swimming in hot springs ) Cash – sufficient for snacks, tips and souvenirs.
Walking sticks or poles (we can hire these to you. Please note poles with metal tips cannot be carried into Machu Picchu and should be left at your hotel on the final day)

Permits are needed for your chosen start date. Tour prices are based on the number of people in a group.
(Groups consisting of Max. 8; Min. 2 people)*
400 USD per person for adult.