1 Day Inca Trail to Machu Picchu

Day 1: Cusco – Ollantaytambo – Km 104 – Wiñaywayna – Sun Gate – Machu Picchu – Aguas Calientes – Cusco

We will pick you up from your hotel lobby at the lovely hour of 4 am in Cusco for the private transfer to the Ollantaytambo train station, arriving at 5:30 am. After an hour & fifteen-minute train ride, we arrive at kilometer 104 (2,100m/6,927ft), where we begin our trek. We start with a moderate climb for only three hours to the magnificent archaeological site of Wiñayhuana (2,650m/8,747ft). There will be flat smooth sections followed by stairs, from the Incas who constructed them for uphill routes. Once we arrive, you may enjoy the pleasant views of the Urubamba Valley, and Inca sites with the Classic 4-day Inca Trail. 

After we some time to enjoy this site, we continue for 1 hour to the Sun Gate (2,730mts/9,007ft), which is moderately flat with mild ups and downs, such as life. From the Sun Gate ( The most famous photos of Machu Picchu), we will have our first view of Machu Picchu! From there, it is all downhill for about an hour to Machu Picchu. Congratulations! You survived. We have a two-hour private guided tour that takes you into the fascinating history of these mysterious ruins before heading down to Aguas Calientes for a bite to eat. At 6:20 pm, we will take the return train to Ollantaytambo and catch our private van back to Cusco and the doorstep to your hotel, arriving around 10:00 pm. 

• Meals: Box Lunch
• Difficulty: Moderate to Difficult

WHAT IS INCLUDED IN THE 1 DAY INCA TRAIL TO MACHU PICCHU?

• 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.

WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED FOR THE 1 DAY INCA TRAIL TO MACHU PICHU?

• It is not possible to do the Huaynapicchu or Machu Picchu Mountain climb 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).

The 1 Day Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is available on any date as long as we have a minimum of 2 people.

***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 or Poroy at 6:10pm.
• 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)

The 1 day Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is almost always available year round – except February when it is closed for maintenance. 

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 & porters!!). Tickets sell fast, so you must book your trek months 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 greet you at 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 arrival terminal. It can be done on any date!

THE BRIEFING

The Briefing will be the night before the trek at 6pm in our office which is located at Calle Santa Teresa  Nº383; 107 (first floor), next to SUBWAY restaurant and across the street from Sunat.

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

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 Not. 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, the 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.

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 CHECK LIST 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 (provided by Orange Nation).
• Camera.
• Extra Money for Souvenirs, Drinks & Tips.