1-Day Inca Trail Hike to Machu Picchu

Daily Tour 15 hours total
Peru Machu Picchu, Cusco and Sacred Valley

Descriptions

1 day inca trail hike. If you want to have your first glimpse of the sacred Inca citadel of Machu Pichu from a spectacular lookout point, to visit a former religious Inca site while walking along the Andean mountainside overlooking the Urubamba river Valley, to then be amazed by an impressive archeological site that can be reached only by foot and from there to descend into the cloud forest to finally reach the Inti Punku or Sungate and from there make a final descent to get to the extraordinary archaeological complex, then, this 1 Day Inca Trail hike Machu Picchu is perfect for you.

You will arrive early in the afternoon, when the crowds have often thinned out from the morning rush having time to snap some photos while the sun disappears behind the huge Andean mountains.

You will arrive early in the afternoon, when the crowds have often thinned out from the morning rush having time to snap some photos while the sun disappears behind the huge Andean mountains.

IMPORTANT TIP

If you want to see the citadel of Machu Picchu and its beautiful landscape, then book your trip in advance. Since, the Peruvian government has imposed a daily limit of visits and tickets tend to sell out quickly. Make sure to buy your tickets in time!

Why to choose Culturandes Travel & Adventure for this 1 day inca trail hike?

Are you looking for unforgettable memories for this adventure? Culturandes Travel & Adventure want you to have a hassle-free planning and an unforgettable travel experience without any stress and unexpected situations by the hand of its experts travel advisors and knowledgeable local guides providing you:

  • Reliable and high level services
  • Certified Peruvian tour operator
  • Safe transport according to the highest standards
  • Adequate equipment for the activity
  • Detailed and personalized information prior to the trip
  • 24 hour support during your trip
  • Excellent official local guides who will be the star of your trip

We are experts in private and customized tours all around Peru, ask our expert travel advisors to upgrade your experience with additional activities and extensions.

Group services versus Private services?

This is a question we all need to ask ourselves when planning a trip. The answer depends largely on the age, the particular interests of each person and, above all, the economy of each passenger. Below, we list the differences between conducting a group service versus a private service. It should be noted that, in either of the two modalities, you will receive top quality care from the entire team of professionals who will make your trip unforgettable

Group Services

  • The driver follows the stops designated by the tour
  • Groups can have between 15 and 20 people
  • Guidance is simultaneous in English and Spanish for the entire group
  • The itinerary has to be strict to fulfill the daily plan
  • Guidance is available at the same time for the entire group
  • The main advantage of group services is the affordable price

Private Services

  • The driver will make the necessary stops where you indicate
  • Of 5 or more people, the private service has a similar price to the group service.
  • You own the time you want to have at each stop
  • Guidance is in only 1 language and at the passenger’s choice (prior consultation for rare languages)
  • The guide will be available only for you and attentive to your requirements
  • The travel experience becomes much more personal and deep in knowledge

We urge you to get in touch with us so we can design your trip to Peru together, probably combining some excursions in private and some in group services. Our team of experienced voyagers knows what it means to plan a trip of a lifetime as well as the investment that implies, therefore, we want everything to go perfect.

Highlights

1 DAY INCA TRAIL HIKE

  • Retrace the steps of the Incas and visit great archeological sites accessible only on foot
  • Take your first look at the “Lost City of the Incas” from the famous Sun Gate
  • Visit Winaywayna, the most important archaeological site besides Machu Picchu
  • Remain astonished by a place where the legend of the past is so vividly present while you discovered the Incas civilization best-kept secret

Gallery

Itinerary

Box lunch

Your adventure for  this 1 Day Inca Trail hike to Machu Picchu will begin very early in the morning departing by bus from Cusco to Ollantaytambo train station where you will board the Expedition train to Km. 104, the starting point of the hike. In there, you will first meet your guide and following you will need to show your Inca trail permit and your original passport. After the formalities of rigor, you will begin your hike and visit the ancient archaeological site of Chachabamba 6889f/2100m, then you will head to the magnificent archaeological complex of Winaywayna 7874f/2400m in a challenging uphill hike, there are many steep steps to climb to reach the ruins. At the arrival and with a fabulous sense of accomplishment and peace far from the crowds, this will be the perfect spot to enjoy your box lunch, with great views of the Cordillera de los Andes and native orchids. The trail becomes gentler as you continue on to Inti Punku or Sun Gate 8964f/2732m, the original entrance the Incas used to access Machu Picchu, from this unforgettable point you will have your first glimpse of Machu Picchu as the sun falls. Afterwards a downhill hike begins until the surroundings of the Macchu Picchu site 7972f/2430m where you will have your guided tour (please see below our IMPORTANT NOTES), you will then take the bus from the citadel to the nearby village of Aguas Calientes 6660f/2030m. and take the train back to Cusco

The weather is unpredictable in the Andes, where rain and clouds can settle in in a matter of minutes and completely change the view. If you’ve dreamed of capturing that postcard-perfect Machu Picchu photo, adding the trek to your tour itinerary doesn’t guarantee that Pachamama (Incan mother of Earth and time) will cooperate with sunny skies. So we advice you to have an extra night in the town of Aguas Calientes, then you’ll have two opportunities to see the famed relic of the Incas in all its glory.

Maximun altitude: 8964f/ 2732m
Minimun altitude: 6660f/2030m
Walking distance: 6.8 m./11 km
Approximate walking time: 6 hours

IMPORTANT NOTES

  • This itinerary is quite tight and you run the risk of arriving too late at the citadel of Machu Picchu and not being able to have the guided tour, we strongly recommend you to overnight in Aguas Calientes town and visit the citadel at a slowly pace the next day.
  • If you do want to see the beautiful scenery and ancient buildings of Machu Picchu, book your trip early. The Peruvian government has placed a limit on the number of people allowed to hike the trails to the city per day. Be sure to book your tickets well in advance. The high season tends to book up quickly!
  • For those who want to hike the Huayna Picchu mountain reservations has to be made well in advance, as the local authorities just allow 400 persons per day in two shifts of 200 persons each one (there is an additional to pay for this entrance)
  • You may be interested in upgrading your train experience, please contact our expert travel planners

We are experts in private and customized tours all around Peru, ask our expert travel advisors to upgrade your experience with additional activities and extensions.  Contact us.

MAKE IT DIFFERENT!
Ask our experts travel advisors to complete your trip including the impressive citadel of Machu Picchu, the challenging Inca Trail, a visit to the impressive Titicaca, the highest navigable lake in the world, the majestic Colca Canyon, the mysterious Nazca lines or the enigmatic jungle or the Kingdom of the Chachapoyas.

Location

Other Tours