One day Inca Trail to Machu Picchu

We will pick you up from your hotel in Cusco to transfer you to the train station in Ollantaytambo for approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes, during the tour you will be able to observe the Sacred Valley of the Incas, farmland and majestic snowcapped mountains. We arrive to Ollantaymtambo at 6:10 AM to board the train that will take you to the km. 104, the trip is about 1 hour. Our one day Inca Trail to Machu Picchu starts at the Km 104 (2,200 m / 7,217 ft), we will pass by the bridge that is on the Urubamba or Willkamayuc River which translated from Quechua means Sacred River, which was very important for them. When you arrive at the control point you have to show the identification documents, either Passport and ISIC (International Student Card) if applicable. A 15 minute walk is the archeological center of Chachabamba and Choquesuysuy that are hidden in the semi-tropical forest, after your visit we will begin the walk through tiers upwards until we reach the next place on the way we will observe the Sacred Valley, waterfalls and different types of orchids of the semi-tropical forest, after 3 hours of walking we will arrive at Wiñaywayna (2,650 m / 8,694 ft) it shows a perfect example of what agriculture was in the time of the Incas, since along its skirts lie a large number of circular terraces, where the Incas cultivated different agricultural products. The name Wiñaywayna comes from a beautiful orchid that abounds in the area and that has as meaning in Spanish "Eternally young" and has more than 20 buildings, one of them the Temple of the Rainbow also called Temple of Fertility, the visit will be 1 hour on average, then you will enjoy the box lunch to replenish energy and continue until you reach the Wiñaywayna control.  

In this second part of the 1 day Machu Picchu hike, we will walk for 2 hours through an Andean plan, stone stairs and tambos ("resting places") until we reach the Inti Punku - Sun Gate (2,720 m / 8,923 ft) that during the Incas functioned as control of entry to the Citadel of Machu Picchu. From here you have an impressive panoramic view of Machu Picchu and the entire surrounding valley, then descend for approximately 30 minutes to reach the wonder of Machu Picchu world (2,490 m / 8,169 ft).  

Once here we will have a guided tour of 2 hours and 30 minutes to know the most important places of Machu Picchu, you can visit the most impressive places like the Royal Mausoleum, the temple of the 3 windows, the main temple, the famous Intihuatana where the wise Incas tied to the sun in the winter solstice in June, stairways, squares, fountains, etc. After the guided tour we will take the bus from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes town, we will make a trip of approximately 25 minutes, once we arrive to the town we will have time to have dinner or to make a small walk around this town and to visit its artisan market. 

At night 6:30 PM we will board the return train to Ollantaytambo, a journey of 1 hour and 45 minutes, from here we will take the car back to Cusco, the hour of arrival time in Cusco will be 10:00 PM, then leave them in their respective hotels.

• Pre-trek briefing with your tour Guide
• Private transportion from Cusco to the railway station at Ollantaytambo
• One day Inca Trail Permit and entrance fee to Machu Picchu; 
• Meals: 1x Boxlunch (please advice us in advance if you are a vegetarian; this option is for NO extra additional cost) 
• Experienced bilingual Tour Guide 
• A shuttle bus between Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes
• A train round trip (Expedition Service) between Ollantaytambo and Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu) 
• Tourist bus from Ollantaytambo to Cusco.

• Breakfast on the first day and Dinner in Aguas Calientes Town 
• Travel insurance 
• Tips to local staff (please note: it is a custom to give tips in Peru, however, it is not obligatory) 

Meal budget: Please allow USD 10-15 for meals not included.

The Inca Trail is closed in February; during this month the rains are stronger and can make it very difficult to walk the trails of the Inca Trail. As the Inca Trail is empty all February, the guards take advantage of the maintenance of the road and the Inca structures, to make it ready for March. So remember the one day Inca Trail permit are available for any time of the year, except February.

The entire southern region of Peru is marked by two different climatic seasons. The rainy season runs from November to March and the dry season occurs between the months of April and October. Most people who travel the Inca Trail tend to choose the dry season to travel the 1 day Inca Trail hike, however coming to Machu Picchu in the rainy season also has its own. In addition, as we already told you, the only month in which you can not travel the Inca Trail is in February; so if you travel  in rainy weather, you will have to come prepared.

• Original passport 
• Student card if applicable. 
• Mountain boots and sandals (very important). 
• Trekking poles (can be rented at the agency). 
• Camera and spare batteries. 
• Sunscreen / hat and sunglasses. 
• Personal medical kit.
• Insect repellent. 
• Rain clothes: a good raincoat and rain pants and a plastic rain poncho. 
• Toilet paper. 
• Extra money for drinks and tips, souvenirs, etc (soles or dollars). 
• Water Bottle (1 liter recommended).