1 Day Inca Trail to Machu Picchu

What's Included

Meeting and pickup

Itinerary

• Cusco (Pass by)

  04:00 – 04:30 AM | Hotel Pickup in Cusco – Transfer to Ollantaytambo Your adventure begins early in the morning with a hotel pickup in Cusco. We’ll drive through the Sacred Valley in a private tourist transport to the Ollantaytambo train station (approx. 2 hours).

  Admission ticket free
• Ollantaytambo (Pass by)

  06:10 AM | Scenic Train to Km 104 (Chachabamba) Board the tourist train (Expedition, Vistadome, or 360° depending on service booked) for a panoramic 1.5-hour journey along the Urubamba River. We’ll arrive at Km 104, the official starting point of the Inca Trail.

  Admission ticket free
• (Pass by)

  07:30 AM | Starting Point – Chachabamba Archaeological Site (2,100 m / 6,927 ft) After passing the checkpoint, we’ll begin the trek with a guided visit to Chachabamba, an Incan ceremonial and agricultural site that once supplied food to Machu Picchu. Your guide will explain its importance before we continue.

  Admission ticket free
• 1

  08:00 AM – 11:30 AM | Ascent to Wiñayhuayna (2,650 m / 8,747 ft) We’ll climb the original Inca stone steps for about 3 hours, surrounded by lush cloud forest full of orchids, bromeliads, exotic birds, and perhaps even the rare spectacled bear. Our destination is the stunning Wiñayhuayna, “Forever Young,” one of the most beautiful and well-preserved archaeological sites on the Inca Trail. Explore its terraces, temples, and ceremonial areas with your guide.

  30 minutes • Admission ticket free
• 2
  Winay Wayna

  12:00 PM | Box Lunch in Nature Enjoy a nutritious box lunch in the middle of this unique environment while resting and taking in the surrounding scenery.

  1 hour • Admission ticket included
• (Pass by)

  01:00 PM – 02:00 PM | Trek to Inti Punku (Sun Gate – 2,730 m / 8,956 ft) We continue walking on the ancient stone path for about 1.5 hours until we reach the legendary Inti Punku (Sun Gate), the original entrance to Machu Picchu. From here, you’ll witness your first breathtaking panoramic view of Machu Picchu—a once-in-a-lifetime moment.

  Admission ticket free
• 3
  Machu Picchu

  02:00 PM – 04:00 PM | Machu Picchu (2,400 m / 7,874 ft) Descending from the Sun Gate, we’ll officially enter Machu Picchu through the upper trail (circuit 1B). Here you can take your first photos of the citadel. If you booked a guided tour inside Machu Picchu, we’ll continue with one of the available circuits (2A, 2B, or 3B depending on availability). During this 2-hour guided tour, your guide will explain the history, architecture, and mysteries of the Inca civilization.

  3 hours • Admission ticket free
• 4
  Aguas Calientes

  04:00 PM – 05:00 PM | Descent to Aguas Calientes Take the shuttle bus down to the town of Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu Pueblo). Depending on your service, you may enjoy a dinner in a local restaurant before boarding your train.

  1 hour • Admission ticket free
• Ollantaytambo (Pass by)

  06:00 PM – 08:00 PM | Train Back to Ollantaytambo Board your return train to Ollantaytambo. Relax and enjoy the scenic ride after an unforgettable day.

  Admission ticket free
• Cusco (Pass by)

  08:00 PM – 10:00 PM | Return to Cusco At Ollantaytambo, private tourist transport will be waiting to drive you back to Cusco. You’ll arrive at your hotel between 9:30 and 10:00 PM, completing your 1-day Inca Trail experience.

  Admission ticket free

Additional info

• Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
• Not recommended for pregnant travelers
• Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
• Travelers should have a high level of physical fitness

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