The one-day Inca Trail is for travellers who want to arrive at Machu Picchu on foot but have only one day. The train takes you to Km 104, where you cross the Urubamba and climb on original Inca steps through cloud forest to Wiñay Wayna, then follow the path to Inti Punku, the Sun Gate (about 2,720 m), with the citadel spread out below.
From the Sun Gate you walk down into Machu Picchu for a guided visit, take the bus to Aguas Calientes and the train back, arriving in Cusco at night. It is a long, rewarding day of about 12–15 km. The permit, Machu Picchu entrance, train, buses, guide and food on the route are included for US $490. Is it right for you? Read is the 1-day Inca Trail worth it.
Arrive at Machu Picchu through Inti Punku without a night of camping.
Wiñay Wayna
Curved terraces and fountains on the mountainside, the jewel of the trail.
Original Inca steps
A few hours of steady climbing through cloud forest, orchids and waterfalls.
Machu Picchu the same day
A guided visit after the hike, then the train back to Cusco.
Lower than Cusco
The trail stays between about 2,100 and 2,720 m.
Permit included
Your personal Inca Trail permit and Machu Picchu ticket are part of the price.
Day-by-day itinerary
A single unforgettable day on the Inca Trail — train to Km 104, hike past Wiñay Wayna to the Sun Gate, tour Machu Picchu and return to Cusco.
1 DAY
Itinerary · 1 Day
04:00 AMPickup & train to Km 104. Hotel pickup and a 1.5-hour drive to Ollantaytambo station, then the train to Km 104 (departing ~6:10–6:40 AM).
07:30 AMHike the Inca Trail. Meet your guide at the checkpoint and hike via Chachabamba (2,100 m) up to Wiñay Wayna (2,650 m), learning Inca history along the way.
01:00 PMSun Gate & Machu Picchu. Reach Inti Punku (2,720 m) for your first stunning view, then descend to the citadel for a guided tour.
04:00 PMAguas Calientes & return. Bus down to Aguas Calientes for lunch, then the train to Ollantaytambo and transfer to Cusco, arriving around 10:00 PM.
Good to know: A permit issued under your passport is required and dates are limited, so book ahead. Bring your original passport. The calendar shows live permit availability.
Inclusions & exclusions
Exactly what is covered in your Inca Trail 1 Day tour — and what to budget separately.
What's Included
Train Cusco → Km 104 (Chachabamba).
Inca Trail & Machu Picchu entrance.
Professional guide (assistant guide for 9+).
Food on the route.
Bus up & down (Aguas Calientes ↔ Machu Picchu).
Return train & transfer to your Cusco hotel, first aid kit & oxygen.
Not Included
Walking stick (rentable in Cusco).
Tips for guide and staff (optional).
Before you go
A few essentials we recommend to make your Inca Trail 1 Day day the most rewarding possible.
Acclimatize & bring your passport
The one-day trail needs a permit under your passport — book ahead. Acclimatize in Cusco first, wear broken-in shoes and bring a light rain jacket. It’s a long day; oxygen is carried throughout.
Physical fitness
Moderate. About 12–15 km, with a steady climb of several hours on Inca stone steps from Km 104 to Wiñay Wayna and the Sun Gate (about 2,720 m), followed by the visit of Machu Picchu. The altitude is lower than Cusco; the effort is in the steps.
Best time to go
Dry season: May to September, with the clearest views from the passes and the Sun Gate; April and October are excellent shoulder months. The Inca Trail closes every February for maintenance, and permits for the dry season sell out months ahead.
Sun & weather
The sun is strong even when it is cloudy. Bring sunscreen SPF 50+, a hat and sunglasses, plus insect repellent and a rain jacket or poncho for the humid cloud forest near Machu Picchu.
Cancellations & weather
You can cancel up to 24 hours before the tour if a verifiable emergency keeps you from joining — an illness, an accident or a cancelled flight, for example, with a document that shows it. If weather or road conditions make the trip unsafe, we will offer you a new date or a full refund. Machu Picchu tickets, train tickets and Inca Trail permits are personal and cannot be refunded once purchased. See our refund policy.
What to pack
Travel light but smart. Here's exactly what we recommend bringing for a comfortable, safe day at altitude.
Essentials
Passport — required for the entrance ticket.
Hiking boots (broken in) — terrain is rocky & uneven.
Transparent pricing — no hidden fees. The more travelers in your group, the lower the price per person.
Group Type
Group Size
Price / Person
What's Different
Shared Group Most popular
2 – 14 travelers
US $490 / pp
Mixed international group · set departure
Private Group ★ Best experience
2 – 6 travelers
US $120 / pp
Your group only · personalized pace
Family Package
4+ adults & kids
US $466 / pp
5% discount for adolescents & children
Group of 8+
8 or more travelers
From US $441 / pp
Automatic group discount at checkout
Group discounts apply automatically. Book 4+ travelers and we'll send a custom quote within 2 hours. Larger groups (10+) qualify for additional savings — message us on WhatsApp.
Payment & refund highlights
Secure online payment
Pay with Visa, MasterCard, American Express. All transactions SSL-encrypted via Izipay.
Cancellation policy
We accept cancellations up to 24 hours before the tour when a verifiable emergency prevents you from attending. Machu Picchu tickets, train tickets and Inca Trail permits are personal and cannot be refunded once purchased. Refunds go back to your original payment method and are processed by your bank, not by us: any bank fees are applied by the bank, and the money can take up to 30 business days to reach your account. Thank you for your patience. Read the full policy.
Frequently asked questions
Quick answers to the questions we hear most often. More? See the full FAQ page or reach us on WhatsApp.
About 12–15 km from Km 104 to Machu Picchu, with several hours of climbing on stone steps. The full day from Cusco is long, so you need reasonable fitness.
Yes, issued in your passport name and limited each day. The trail closes every February. See Inca Trail permits.
Train to Km 104 and back, the permit and Machu Picchu entrance, a professional guide, food on the route and the buses. A walking stick can be rented in Cusco.
If you prefer a calmer pace and a second visit of the citadel, choose the 2-day Short Inca Trail with a hotel night.
This trek needs TWO bookings: the government Inca Trail permit (capped at 500 per day and sold out months ahead) and the Machu Picchu entrance ticket. Check both calendars before you book.
