Day 1: Cusco – Ollantay tambo – KM 104 – Wiñay wayna – Sun Gate – Machu Picchu – Aguas Calientes – Cusco
Your guide 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 Ollantaytambo, we will pick you up at your hotel at 5:30am.
The journey to Ollantaytambo by private van takes about 1 hour 45 minutes to meet the Expedition Train at 6:10AM. From there we take the train to KM 104, the starting point of the Inca Trail. After crossing the Urubamba River on a picturesque foot bridge, you need to show your passport at the checkpoint. There we visit the first Inca site nearby. At this point, we begin our 3-hour trek to Wiñay Wayna archaeological site (2,650/8,747ft) also known as Forever Young in Quechua. The first hour and a half is a gentle hike upward. Along the way, we stop at several outlooks where you have an expansive view of the Urubamba River and pass through several microclimates, including a cloud forest. We are then challenged by a slightly steeper uphill trek and rewarded at the end with a beautiful waterfall to enjoy.
Upon reaching Wiñay Wayna, we will rest, eat your gourmet box lunch and enjoy the dazzling views of this amazing site. Here at Wiñay Wayna we finally intersect with the Classic Inca Trail. These amazing Inca ruins have a fascinating history and some parts are still hidden by the dense jungle. Be sure to ask your guide to share about its history.
After having our well-deserved rest, just one last one hour trek before reaching the Sun Gate (2,730m/9,00ft). We know we are close to the Sun Gate when we experience our last challenge with a final set of steep stairs carved directly into the bedrock by the Inca Trail. Upon passing through the Sun Gate and taking a turn, we get the first glimpse of the mysterious Machu Picchu Citadel. It is just an hour hike down the flat rock stairs to Machu Picchu. Be sure to have your camera ready to take all of the incredible views of Machu Picchu Citadel along the way.
Once we reach Machu Picchu, you will have time to get 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. Your guide will give you a tour, which takes about two hours. You will see some of the most important parts of Machu Picchu.
Take your time to enjoy in this magical Inca ruins, 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 back to Cusco and your hotel. You will arrive around 10:00PM.
Meals: Picnic lunch
Difficulty: Moderate to difficult
***It is not possible to do the Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain climb due to time restraints
***You can upgrade to the Vistadome Train for $57. This train will depart from Aguas Calientes at 6:10pm.
WHAT IS INCLUDED IN THE 1 DAY INCA TRAIL TO MACHU PICCHU?
INCLUDED:
- Transfer from the airport to your hotel.
- Pick up at your hotel.
- Private transfer from your hotel to the train station.
- Bus ticket from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes.
- Professional English-speaking guide.
- Expedition Tourist Train – Ollantaytambo / kilometer 104 and Aguas Calientes / Ollantaytambo with a private transfer back to Cusco.
- Admission Ticket to the Inca Trail and Machu Picchu.
- 1 Box lunch.
- Private guided tour of Machu Picchu.
- First-aid kit including emergency oxygen tank.
NOT INCLUDED:
- It is not possible to do the Huaynapicchu or Machu Picchu Mountain hike in one day.
- Snacks such as chocolate bars, dried fruits, etc.
- Dinner at Aguas Calientes.
- Tips for the staff (Optional but greatly appreciated).
ADDED VALUES FOR FREE:
- TRANSFER: from the airport to hotel included (Airport to Hotel in CUSCO only).
PRICE
The 1 Day Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is available on any date as long as we have a minimum of 2 people except in February when it is closed for maintenance.
| No. OF PEOPLE | PRICE |
| 2 to 3 people | US$ 387 per person |
| +4 | US$ 377 per person |
***If you are traveling alone, please contact us for a special private price or to find a group you can join.
DISCOUNTS
- Under 17 years and under: US $30 (Please send us a copy of your passport at the time of booking.)
- Under 11 years old: US $40 (Please send us a copy of your passport at the time of booking.)
EXTRAS
- Upgrade to Vistadome: $57 per person from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo
- Stay the night in Aguas Calientes: 2*,3*, 4* or 5*hotel. (we will book your return train back to Cusco for the another day but you must book your own hotel.)
CHECK YOUR 1 DAY INCA TRAIL TO MACHU PICCHU AVAILABILITY BY CLICKING ON THE MONTH!
See if Inca Trail Permits are available for your preferred dates by selecting the Month, Year, and Date on the Calendar below! Hiking the Inca Trail requires a GOVERNMENT-ISSUED PERMIT obtained by a licensed Inca Trail Tour Operator. The government will only release a limited amount of Inca Trail permits each day, and EVERYONE will need a permit (even guides). Tickets sell fast, so you must book your trek in advance!
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Please read the following information! It will help answer any questions you may have about the 1 day Inca Trail to Machu Picchu.
WELCOME TO CUSCO
We will pick you up from the Cusco airport and take you to your hotel in Cusco. Please let us know your flight details at least 14 days before arrival. Our representative will be holding an orange sign reading ORANGE Nation outside the arrivals. You must exit the terminal to find our representative as they cannot enter. (Please let us know if your hotel is in the Sacred Valley so we can make the necessary arrangments).
THE BRIEFING
The Briefing will be the night before the trek at 6pm in our office which is located at Garcilaso Street 210 , Office Nº:213 (2and Floor) in the la CASA DEL ABUELO shopping center.
CAN I STORE MY LUGGAGE AT YOUR OFFICE:
ABSOLUTELY! During the 1 day, Inca Trail to Machu Picchu Tour, your main luggage can be kept in our office or stored at your hotel, both are free.
HOW TO BOOK THE 1 DAY INCA TRAIL TO MACHU PICCHU?
FIRST, to book your Machu Picchu Tour, we need you to fill out our booking form by clicking on BOOK NOW on our homepage or click here – BOOK NOW.
We will need the following information (FROM EACH PARTICIPANT in your group). This information is necessary to purchase the entrance tickets to Machu Picchu the train tickets:
- Personal information (your full name, exactly as on your passport):
- Gender
- Passport number
- D.OB. (dd / mm / yyyy)
- Nationality
SECOND, we require a deposit of USD 211.00 per person to purchase your entrance to Machu Picchu and train ticket. You can make you deposit by clicking on the PAYPAL symbol on the top of our home page, or you can click on the PAYPAL symbol on our booking page.
ALTITUDE SICKNESS
Welcome to Cusco, the capital of the Inca Empire, located at 11,152 ft (3,399 meters) above sea level, where lack of oxygen is the only thing that can prevent you from enjoying your trip. Don’t waste one day feeling sick, prevent altitude sickness before your trip to Cusco.
For some visitors, the first hours in Cusco can be summarized as shortness of breath, discomfort in the body, dizziness, headaches, stomachaches, and even vomiting. As great connoisseurs of natural medicine, the Incas used coca leaves to counteract Soroche Quechua for high-altitude sickness.
Don’t do anything other than rest
If you travel from Lima to Cusco, the effect can be immediate. This lack of oxygen, scientifically known as hypoxia, begins to manifest itself at 7,874 ft (2,399 m) above sea level. That’s why right after landing in Cusco, visitors can feel fatigued and have difficulty walking. Walking one block could feel like walking ten blocks carrying a backpack full of rocks. It is advisable to take it easy on the first day and, if possible, rest the first few hours to help the body acclimatize to the altitude.
Hangover x 2
To start on the right foot, avoid traveling to Cusco with a hangover (this is fundamental so that the body does not become even more dehydrated). Many of the symptoms one feels are the same as those of the almighty hangover, even if you don’t drink the night before traveling. It’s also recommended that you abstain from drink alcohol on the first day in Cusco.
Stay hydrated
How do people feel after a night of drinking? Really thirsty! That’s how you’ll feel when you arrive in Cusco. As already stated, the body dehydrates quickly in high altitudes. It is recommended you drink lots of water before and during your trip to Cusco. Also, avoid heavy meals since your stomach takes longer to digest food at high altitudes. A diet of low proteins and high carbs is advisable.
Discovering Coca Tea
No one knows the effects of high altitude better than indigenous people. Coca is the best natural medicine to combat altitude sickness. It was even considered sacred because of its curative powers and is still used in the same way now as it was in the time of the Incas. It contains iron, vitamins A, B1, B2, and calcium, among other nutrients. Coca makes it easier for your bloodstream to absorb oxygen, suppresses hunger, combats fatigue, headaches and can ease your stomach. If you do not feel like chewing leaves (which can be bitter, apart from numbing your mouth), you can try drinking coca tea, which is most commonly found in the lobby of hotels in Cusco.
Pills help
There’s one magic pill that will save you many of these troubles. It is called Sorojchi Pill, and it contains acetylsalicylic acid, salophen, and caffeine. This over-the-counter drug will help with your blood circulation and headache. If you’re feeling dizzy and nauseous, try Gravol, an over-the-counter pill to stop motion sickness. Take both pills an hour before landing in Cusco. Remember to consult your doctor about medicines you intend to take, and always read the labels.
Still feeling sick? Don’t worry, the body will eventually get used to the altitude, and symptoms will gradually subside. Plus, if you’re traveling to Machu Picchu, remember it’s lower than Cusco, which means more oxygen!
MAY I CHANGE THE DEPARTURE DATE AFTER THE TICKETS HAVE BEEN BOUGHT?
Unfortunately No. Once the tickets have been bought, the government does not allow any changes. We cannot change any departure date after the tickets have been purchased. Tickets are also non-transferable nor refundable.
*** If you cancel your 1 Day Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, your deposit is lost! ***
DO I NEED MY ORIGINAL PASSPORT FOR 1 DAY INCA TRAIL TO MACHU PICCHU?
DEFINITELY! You MUST bring your original passport with the SAME passport number you sent to us to book your entrance to Machu Picchu, train ticket, other entrances, and reservations. They will check when you enter Machu Picchu and to board the train.
In case you are renewing your passport or changing your name, please send us a COPY of your old passport to secure your permit, and we can change it when we receive a COPY of your new passport for a fee of $25 per person. We must have a copy of your old and new passport to make the change. Before you change your passport, keep a copy of your old one.
If you do not wish to pay this fee, you will need to bring both passports to Peru with you. You can enter Peru with your new passport, but you will need to show both passports, old and new to enter Machu Picchu or the train. If you do not have both, you will not be allowed to enter into Machu Picchu or get on the train.
Remember to check your current passport to make sure it doesn’t expire within 6 months of your arrival to Peru!!! The Government of Peru is enforcing the existing law that requires all foreign travelers to have a passport valid for a minimum of six months past the time of entry into Peru. Peruvian authorities will deny entry into Peru for travelers not meeting this requirement.
ARE WE DROPPED AT OUR HOTEL AFTER THE 1 DAY INCA TRAIL TO MACHU PICCHU?
OF COURSE! We will drop you off at your hotel in Cusco or the Sacred Valley when we return from the tour. We will also pick you up from the Sacred Valley if you are staying there.
TIPPING
If you’re happy with the services provided, a tip is appropriate. It means a lot to the staff and their families who will take care of you during the tour. It inspires better service and is a major part of the tourism industry across many ORANGE Nation destinations. Of course, you are free to tip more or less what you want, depending on how you feel about the quality of service and the length of your tour.
ARE YOU SUSTAINABLE?
We are a local, sustainable & responsible tour operator which functions according to the ethical principles of tourism. Protect the environment and help the indigenous communities by respecting their culture and religion. We have trained all of our staff to know, understand, and respect the local communities and the people living there.
PACKING CHECKLIST FOR THE 1 DAY INCA TRAIL TO MACHU PICCHU
The 1 Day Inca Trail to Machu Picchu DOES NOT INCLUDE an extra porter! You need to carry all your things, please try to pack as light.
- Original Passport (Must be the same name and passport number used to Book the Trek).
- Good daypack with extra room for your box lunch.
- Water bottle: 1 – 2 liters (depending on how much you drink).
- Comfortable hiking boots or shoes.
- Toilet Paper.
- Jacket.
- Dress in layers.
- Sun Hat
- Sunscreen
- Rain gear – just in case.
- Snacks like chocolate bars, ice cream, cereal bars or dried fruits.
- Rain poncho.
- Camera.
- Extra Money for Souvenirs, Drinks & Tips.
