1 Day Inca Trail to Machu Picchu

Your guide will pick you up at your hotel at 4am in Cusco for a 2-hour scenic drive in our private van to the train station of Ollantaytambo. If you are already in Ollantaytambo in the Sacred Valley, then your pick up will be at 5:30am. If you are in another town in the Sacred Valley, please contact our office to organize a suitable pick-up time.

Sit back and enjoy the scenic drive to Ollantaytambo in our private, comfortable and modern van. The journey takes about 1 hour 45 minutes to meet the Expedition Train at 6:10AM. From there we take the train to KM 104, the starting point of the Inca Trail. After crossing the Urubamba River on a picturesque foot bridge, you need to show your passport at the checkpoint.

Our first stop is only a few feet from the checkpoint. This archeological site is called Chachabamba (2100m). We stop to admire this archeological site that is known to have had a number of uses. Firstly, as a guardhouse because of its location at the foot of one of the entrances to Machu Picchu. The site also has many water fountains that were used for irrigation purposes. This site is surrounded by fertile land and was used by the Incas to grow things such as corn, quinoa and potatoes. Like many Inca sites it was also a very important religious monument, a testament to the value the Incas placed on Mother Earth (Pachamama).

After, we begin our gentle upward 1.5- hour hike towards the Wiñay Wayna archaeological site (2,650/8,747ft) also known as ´Forever Young´ in Quechua. Along the way enjoy stunning views of snowcapped mountain peaks like Mount Veronica, watch the calming Urubamba River as it gushes downstream to eventually meet up with the gigantic Ucayali River. Enjoy the expansive view of the valley, stopping at several outlooks to take Instagram worthy pictures. A short, but slightly steep climb leads us to a pristine waterfall only a few steps from the famous Wiñay Wayna.

We rest here for a minute or so before taking on the steep hill leading to Wiñay Wayna. This site was built on the mountain side and when you view it from afar, it gives a magical illusion that its floating in the clouds. A stunning archeologic site that is ageless in its beauty and remains one of the most well-preserved archeological sites in the world. Wiñay Wayna is named after a beautiful orange orchid that grows abundantly all year round along the trail. The various microclimates you get to experience along the way including the breath-taking cloud forest are a stark reminder of how far off you are from modern civilization. The Inca Trail offers you a variety of flora and fauna unique only to this region.

Wiñay Wayna has a fascinating history and was only discovered in 1940. Which explains why this site looks so youthful compared to other sites on the trail. Some parts of it are still hidden by the dense jungle. Once we reach the top of Winay Wayna, we arrive at a campsite of the same name. This is where the Short Inca Trail and the Classic Inca Trial intersect. We stop to rest, enjoy our gourmet box lunch and use the bathroom facilities available at camp. Also use this opportunity to ask your guide as many questions as you want about the Inca Trail, the Incas or any of the sites you have come across along the way.

After our well-deserved break, we embark on our last hour of hiking. Majority of the way is an easy enjoyable hike , where the Andes mountains meet the Amazonian Rainforest. Finally, you will reach the gringo killer steps or monkey steps. These steps are aptly named because they have provided a healthy challenge to a few gringos through the years and the easiest to conquer them is to get on all fours and climb like a proper monkey. The Incas carved them directly into the bedrock and are the last short challenge before reaching the Sun Gate.

The Sun Gate (2,730m/9,00ft) is one of the main reasons for doing this hike. Upon passing through the Sun Gate, you get your first expansive, jaw dropping view of the Ancient Citadel of Machu Picchu. The Sun Gate gives you the first opportunity to take panoramic pictures of the citadel. The rest of the way is a downhill hike on bedrock towards Machu Picchu. Upon arrival to the “House of the Guardians” you can take the famous postcard pictures of Machu Picchu with the imposing Huayna Picchu Mountain behind it.

Your guide will give you a private tour of the citadel, about 2 hours, depending on your hiking speed. You will see some of the most important parts of Machu Picchu.

Take your time to enjoy in this magical Inca ruins, before you take the bus down to Aguas Calientes. In the evening at 6:20PM you will take the return Expedition Train to Ollantaytambo and catch our private van back to Cusco and your hotel. Estimated arrival time in Cusco is 10:00PM.

Meals: Picnic lunch
Difficulty: Moderate to difficult

***It is not possible to do the Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain climb due to time restraints

***You can upgrade to the Vistadome Train for $57. This train will depart from Aguas Calientes at 6:10pm.