Inka Trail Full Day

1 Day

1 Destination

12 GUESTS (MAX)

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Explore the 1-Day Inca Trail and Enjoy a Private Guided Tour of the Majestic Machu Picchu Citadel

Discover the fascinating 1-day Inca Trail and explore the majestic Citadel of Machu Picchu in just 24 hours. This Inca trail is a magnificent cultural spectacle that will allow you to admire ancient Inca ruins, impressive mountains, lush vegetation and surprising ecological diversity. The route crosses the National Park and is accessed through the emblematic Sun Gate, offering spectacular views of Machu Picchu.

Upon arrival at this iconic site, you will enjoy a private guided tour that will take you to discover all the hidden corners of this Inca monument which will take you to the majestic citadel of Machu Picchu.

Service Level:

Comfortable camping with private chef and portable toilet. Modern vehicles with private driver.

Difficulty:

Some steep inclines at high altitudes, that can be regarded as strenuous. With sufficient pre-trail training, its easily achievable.

Travel Style:

Hiking, trekking, and camping.

Group Size

Small group experience; Max 12, Avg 5..

Travel Style:

Hiking, trekking, and camping.

Group Size

Small group experience; Max 12, Avg 5..

Itinerario detallado

Cusco – Ollantaytambo – Km 104 – Wiñay Wayna -Sun Gate – Machu Picchu – Aguas Calientes – Cusco

The day begins with the pick up by our guide who will be waiting for you at the hotel at 4:00 am in the city of Cusco to board our private transportation to the train station in the town of Ollantaytambo, upon arrival at the train station we will show our passport to board our train to kilometer 104.

After a train ride of 1 hour and 15 minutes, we will start our hike from Km 104 also called Chachabamba (2000 m / 6560 ft). After crossing the Urubamba River on a picturesque pedestrian bridge, you will show your passport at the checkpoint where we can use the restrooms to begin our adventure, we will walk for about 5 minutes until we reach the first Inca site called Chachabamba where we will receive information from our guide who will tell us the function and importance of this place, culminating the explanation will be given time for your photos and then continue with the walk the first hour and a half is a gentle and steep walk. On the way, you will stop at several viewpoints where you will have an expansive view of the Urubamba River. You will also pass through several microclimates, including cloud forests, so be prepared for humidity or even rain at any time of the year. The next hour and a half is a bit steeper, with a beautiful waterfall as a reward at the end!

As you cross the bridge under the waterfall, be sure to take time to take pictures: you will find yourself looking at the spectacular archaeological center of Wiñay Wayna (2600 m/8500 ft. above sea level). These amazing Inca ruins have a fascinating history and some parts are still hidden by the dense jungle. So close to Machu Picchu, you will hike through lush subtropical jungle. Your guide will tell you all about the ruins, as well as the incredible flora and fauna of this area and answer any questions you may have before the short 5-minute hike to the lunch spot.

After lunch, we will hike across flat terrain to the Puerta del Sol. Although the one-hour hike is a gentle up and down trail, it ends with a series of steep stairs carved directly into the rock by the Incas. Once you reach the stairs, you will know that you have almost reached the Sun Gate. Upon reaching the Sun Gate you will be treated to the first breathtaking views of Machu Picchu, so take some time to savor the moment and take pictures. There are also a couple of important Inca sites between the Sun Gate and Machu Picchu, so be sure to go slowly, enjoy your time and ask your guide questions about these historical sites on the last stretch to Machu Picchu (lost city of the Incas).

Once you arrive at Machu Picchu, you will have time to take more pictures from the observation platforms above the site. You will arrive in the afternoon, when the archaeological area begins to empty of tourists, giving you the opportunity to take beautiful photographs in the evening light and with fewer people in your shots. The guide will give you a tour that lasts approximately 2 hours where you will see some of the most important parts of Machu Picchu.

Take your time to enjoy this magical experience before taking the bus to Aguas Calientes. At the end of our visit and tour in the majestic Machu Picchu we will go to the exit to board our bus down to the town of Aguas Calientes and upon arrival in town we will go to the train station to take our train at 6:20 pm, heading to the town of Ollantaytambo and then take our private vehicle to the city of Cusco and your hotel. We will arrive around 10:00 pm, if you opt for the Vistadome train (optional), you will leave Aguas Calientes at 6:10 pm.

  • Difficulty: medium
  • Meals included: Box lunch
  • Distance: 12kms / 7.5 miles

An unique experience

Inclusions

  • Pick up at your hotel by your guide.
  • Private transportation from your hotel to the train station.
  • Bus ticket from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes
  • Professional English-speaking guide with trekking experience.
  • Expedition Train from Ollantaytambo at 104 kilometers and from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo with connection by private van to Cusco
  • Entrance ticket to the Inca Trail and Machu Picchu archaeological site
  • Entrance to Machu Picchu (Circuit 3)
  • Box lunch
  • Private guided tour of Machu Picchu
  • First aid kit including emergency oxygen tank.

Does not include

  • Breakfast and dinner.
  • Appreciation for the team (tips).
  • Energy snacks such as chocolate bars, nuts.
  • Vistadome Train: US$57 per person

Dates & Prices

Recomendations

Inside your backpack

Backpacks can be any size for trekking, but we always recommend that the smaller the better. Inside Machu Picchu, backpacks larger than 25 liters will not be allowed.

  • Sun hat
  • Wool hat
  • Camera
  • Music
  • Hand sanitizer
  • Toilet paper and small plastic bag for waste.
  • Extra money for souvenirs, drinks and tips
  • Earplugs
  • Original passport (must be the same one you used to book your trip)
  • Rain gear in the rainy season.
  • Snacks (chocolate bars, cereal bars or any dried fruit)
  • Plastic rain poncho

More Information

Please read the information provided carefully as it will help answer all your questions about our services.

If you wish, we can pick you up from the airport to give you a warm welcome to the city of Cusco and transfer you to your hotel, so you must inform us of your flight details at least 14 days before your trip. On the day of your arrival, please look for our representative who will be holding a sign with the META Peru logo at the airport (coordinate when making your reservation).

The information talk will take place the night before the trek at 6:00 pm at our office or at your hotel.

FIRST, to book your INCA TRAIL tour to Machu Picchu, we need you to fill out our reservation form by clicking BOOK NOW on our home page as well as to the right side of the tour of your choice or click here on the INQUIRE NOW link to contact us so we can give you the best options during your stay in PERU.

Please note that we cannot purchase your Machu Picchu tickets without the following information:

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

Remember: that during the period of 2025 the tickets to the Inca citadel (MACHUPICCHU) are in high demand so we recommend you make the reservation in advance to guarantee an unforgettable quality experience.

***Copies of the passport of each participant are required in order to reserve the tickets for the visit to the Inca citadel (MACHUPÍCCHU)!

SECOND, we require a deposit of $250.00 USD per person, in order to purchase the entrance tickets to the archaeological park of MACHUPICCHU. You can make your deposit by clicking on the symbols VISA, PAYPAL or the payment method that is enabled when you click on BOOK NOW that is located on the right side of the chosen tour or you can also send us a message to our email to contact you, this link will be found in INQUIRE NOW.

We would appreciate it if you pay in cash at our office (we accept US dollars or Peruvian soles) during your briefing 2 or 4 days before your trip. We have many ATMs in downtown Cusco. You can also pay with VISA or PAYPAL online, but you will have to pay a 5.5% service charge, charged by VISA and PAYPAL. To pay your balance via PAYPAL, you must log in to your PAYPAL account using our email address of  metaperutravel@gmail.com.

We recommend you pay in cash at our offices to avoid this charge.

At META PERU your care and experience is the most important thing.

¡Yes! You must bring your original passport and it is very important that it has the same passport number that you sent us to book your permit for the Machu Picchu Tour or package. Your passport will be checked when you enter Machu Picchu and when you board the train. In case you are renewing your passport, please send us a copy of your old passport to secure your permission and be able to change it when you get your new passport. If so, please send us a copy of your new passport as soon as possible.

DISCOUNTS

  • 18-25 years old: 30 USD. Information required on the student card: university name, student name, student photo, expiration date, etc. A copy of the card is required at the reservation and government approval for the discount.
  • Children under 18 years old: 30 USD. Please send us a copy of your passport at the time of booking.
  • Children under 11 years old: 40 USD. Please send us a copy of your passport at the time of booking.

In the event that you are unable to finish the trek due to health reasons, our team will take you to the nearest town for assistance with transportation. We always carry oxygen on our treks for any respiratory issues. In extreme cases, we can arrange for a helicopter at your expense. (Travel insurance required, recommended). There are no refunds in the unlikely situation that you are unable to finish the trek.

Generally, those who need help getting off the trail are taken to Ollantaytambo and if they recover quickly they continue the journey to Aguas Calientes (cost incurred by the trekker) and visit Machu Picchu according to the original plan.

Unfortunately, the answer is No. Once the permits have been purchased, the Peruvian government does not allow any changes, so we cannot change any dates after the permit has been purchased. The permits are also non-transferable and non-refundable. If you cancel your Inca Trail to Machu Picchu 4 days, the deposit is not refundable at all.

Of course! Round-trip transfer to your hotel is included in all our packages! If you have booked your hotel in the Sacred Valley, we will drop you off there and vice versa.

If you are satisfied with the services provided, a tip is appreciated by our staff, although it is not mandatory. While it may not be a custom, it is of great importance to the people who will take care of you during the trek. It inspires excellent service and is an ingrained feature of the tourism industry in many META Peru destinations. Of course, you are free to tip as much as you like, depending on your perception of the quality and length of your trip. Remember, tipping is not mandatory and should only be given when you receive excellent service.

Yes, we are a local, sustainable and responsible tour operator that incorporates universal principles of tourism: protecting the environment and benefiting local communities by respecting their culture and religion. With this in mind, we have trained all our local staff to know, respect and understand local places and people in relation to the environment.

  • Walking sticks 15 USD per pair per trek (Professional walking sticks that can be extended)
  • Additional night in Aguas Calientes – From $60 USD (depending on availability)
  • Vistadome Train Upgrade 67 USD per person (RETURN ONLY)

You can rent from us, please request it in the briefing or at the time of making your reservation.

Inka Trail Full Day
From $625

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