Inca Trail one day hike

Detailed Itinerary – One Day Inca Trail

We will leave Cusco at 04:00 am to start the one-day Inca Trail. We drive for about an hour and a half to Ollantaytambo where we will take our train until kilometer 104, where our trek starts. Our trek today takes us along the most wonderful stretch of the Classic Inca Trail 4 Days. We’ll visit beautiful Inca sites, see a variety of flora and fauna, and get to take in the stunning panoramas of the Andes. Walking 10km of the trail our hike begins in the Sacred Valley and works its way up along a paved Inca trail to the archeological site of Winay Wayna before continuing on to Machu Picchu via the Sun Gate (Inti Punku). After visiting Wiñay Wayna, we will have our box lunch.

After enjoying our meal. we’ll hike through the lush and green cloud forest that covers the mountain and get to see a wide variety of plants, flowers, orchids, and birds along the way. We might see some larger mammals such as Viscachas (rabbit-like Chinchillas) and Spectacled Bears (if we are very lucky).

After a full day of hiking, we’ll arrive at the Sun Gate (Inti Punku) in the afternoon, where we’ll have our first breathtaking view of Machu Picchu nestled on the mountain ridge below. After passing through the Sun Gate, we’ll continue hiking for about 45 minutes to reach Machu Picchu. Once there, we’ll explore the upper section of Machu Picchu along Circuit 01, stopping at three scenic viewpoints to capture iconic photos of the site. The advantage is that these spots are usually less crowded, allowing for a more peaceful experience.

Afterward, we’ll exit Machu Picchu briefly to register and use the restrooms, then re-enter around 3:00 PM for a 1.5-hour guided tour along Circuit 03. This tour will cover the most significant areas of Machu Picchu, including several key temples. At 4:30 PM, we’ll take a bus to Aguas Calientes for dinner. Afterward, we’ll board the 6:20 PM train back to Ollantaytambo, where our van will take us back to Cusco. We’ll drop you off at your hotel around 10:00 PM.

• Elevation Gain: 695 m / 1,683 ft
• Elevation Loss: 391 m / 820 ft
• Walking Distance: 15 km / 9.32 miles
• Trailhead Elevation: 2,000 m / 6,561 ft
• Highest Point: 2,720 m / 8,923 ft
• Weather: Hot and humid
• Highlights: Original Inca Trail hike, Wiñay Wayna ruins, Sun Gate entrance
• Difficulty: Moderate

• Includes
• Pick-up and drop-off at your hotel in Cusco
• Pre-departure Inca Trail briefing
• Professional English-speaking tour guide
• Tourist train ticket for the guide to Km 104
• Inca Trail permits and Machu Picchu entrance tickets
• Two-hour guided tour in Machu Picchu
• Train ticket from Ollantaytambo to Km 104
• Return Expedition train ticket (18:20) to Ollantaytambo
• Private transportation from Ollantaytambo to Cusco
• Bus ticket from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes
• Meal service (breakfast, box lunch, snack)
• Emergency oxygen bottle and first-aid kit
• Rain poncho
• Daypack cover

• Not Included
• Dinner in Aguas Calientes
• Trekking poles
• Tips (optional)

IMPORTANT:

A maximum of 250 people per day are allowed to access the Inca Trail 1 Day at km 104; This number includes all support staff such as authorized porters, cooks and tour guides and is most tightly controlled; when the inca trail reaches its limit of 250 travellers, the Trail is closed off for the day and no further reservations could be made; Booking are not held on the Trail and all permits to trek must be bought a year in advance, if possible.

THINGS TO KNOW

• This Machu Picchu 1 day hike is not recommended for travelers with back problems
• You will have a tour guide during your short Inca trail and on the Machu Picchu tour.
• Daily departures with a group of 2 or more.
• No departures in February due to trail maintenance.
• There is no access for a wheelchair.
• DON’T FORGET THE ESSENTIALS: Original passport, insurance card, and personal medications.
• This short Inca trail will have a maximum of 8 travelers

STRIKES

Strikes and roadblocks are frequent in Peru and can disrupt our short Inca trail to Machu Picchu hike and rail service to and from Machu Picchu. We will do our best that your hike to Machu Picchu continues as planned with some changes.

If the strike happens on the first day of your short Inca Trail tour, we will take you to Aguas Calientes the night before your start date. You will spend the night in a hotel which will be at your expense and the next day, you will hike an extra 1 hour and a half to Km 104 where your 1 day Inca Trail tour starts.

After you finish visiting Machu Picchu, you will take a bus down to Aguas Calientes. You will spend another night there which will be at your expense and the next day, you will hike to Hidreoelectrica for about 3 hours and take our van back to Cusco for about 7 hours.

TRAVEL INSURANCE

We recommend you get travel insurance because if you cancel your one-day Machu Picchu hike at the last minute it can reimburse you for your pre-paid, non-refundable short Inca Trail permit. Also when you get sick or hurt while you are far away from home, it can reimburse you for care following a covered medical emergency while traveling.

SHORT INCA TRAIL WEATHER

The weather is unpredictable in the Andes. The dry season in 1 day Inca Trail hike is from April to October and the rainy season is from November through March, but this does not stop rain from falling in the dry season or the sun from coming out in the rainy season so just be prepared. No matter what season you are hiking the short Inca Trail trek, make sure that you get rain gear such as a rain jacket, rain pants, poncho, and waterproof gloves. You might experience 4 seasons in only one day too. So you must be prepared. Layers are the key since they are easy to adapt to different temperature changes. Be prepared with a down jacket since the early morning and evening will be cold.

RETURNING FROM MACHU PICHU TO CUSCO.

Returning from Machu Picchu to Cusco needs a lot of logistics. But it is already organized by us.

Bus from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes, you will take a bus down to Aguas Calientes for about 30 minutes. Buses run every 15 minutes. Then Train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo or Poroy train station. Our guide will give you your train tickets. Make sure to get to the train station 30 minutes earlier.

• The estimated time on the train is 1 hour and a half from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo.
• The estimated time on the train is 3 hours and a half from Aguas Calientes to Poroy.

Once at the train station, our transfer will wait for you with the Pureq Travel logo. He/She will then transfer you back to Cusco and then to your hotel.

• The estimated time from Ollantaytambo to Cusco is 1 hour and a half.
• The estimated time from Poroy to Cusco is 40 minutes.

HOW TO BOOK THE  INCA TRAIL 1 DAY WITH AB EXPEDITONS?

In order to book your 1 Day Inca Trail hike with us, click on the BOOK NOW button, then select the day of your departure, then, fill out all your personal information of each participant and the last step is the payment of your deposit of $150 per person.

Once we get your deposit, we will send you a confirmation of your trip and the booking form to fill out. Here is all the detail that you need to send us.

• Personal information (your full name, exactly as on your passport):
• Nationality
• Gender
• Passport number
• Date of Birthday (dd/mm /yyyy)

***We need copies of the Passport of each participant because they are required when buying Inca trail permits.

When your Inca trail permits are in our hands, we will send you a confirmation that everything is 100% organized. All start dates, once confirmed, are guaranteed.

CAN I STORE MY LUGGAGE AT YOUR OFFICE?

Yes! During the 1-day Inca trail to Machu Picchu, you can store your luggage at our office or at your hotel, whichever is more convenient for you.  Please bring what you will only need during your Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu.

WHAT ABOUT THE OUTSTANDING BALANCE?

The outstanding balance can be made in cash one day earlier your trip in USD or soles or if you prefer PayPal at least one week prior to your trip(7% service fee applies). Also, you can pay us with a Credit card only Visa(5% service fee applies).  Please let us know what you prefer. Cash payment MUST be paid 1 day prior to your trip.

HOW ABOUT THE STUDENT DISCOUNT?

According to Peruvian law, you have to be under 18 years old at the time of your hike to the One Day Inca trail hike (if you are 18 or over, you need valid student cards). Below is a sample of a valid student card

• All students from 11 to 17 years old have a discount of $30 USD.
• For children from 2 to 11 years old a discount is $40 USD.

All students have to send a copy of their passport and student card at the time of their booking to get the student discount. Send us a copy at info@pureqtravel.com

MAY I CHANGE THE DEPARTURE DATE AFTER THE PERMITS HAVE BEEN PURCHASED?

Unfortunately, it is not possible. The Peruvian government does t allow us to change once the one-day Inca trail permits have been bought. Inca Trail permits are not transferable nor refundable. The only information that the government allows us to change is passport numbers.

HOW HARD IS ONE DAY INCA TRAIL?

This hike is classified as difficult, it’s recommended to be in good physical condition.

DO I NEED TO BRING MY ORIGINAL PASSPORT ON 1 DAY  INCA TRAIL HIKE TO MACHU PICCHU?

Yes! You must bring your original passport and it is very important that it should be the same passport you sent us to reserve your One Day Inca Trail permit. Your passport will be checked at the Short Inca trail checkpoint, Machu Picchu, and when you board the train.

UPDATING PASSPORT NUMBERS

If you are renewing your passport, go ahead and email us a copy of your old passport to book your Short  Inca trail 1-day permits. If you no longer have your old passport, any government issue ID will be accepted, as long as the name is the same. Once you receive your new passport. Please email us a copy of your new passport ASAP to change the information on your permit.