Private Inca Trail to Machu Picchu 1 Day
Description
This is a unique opportunity for those who may not have as much time to hike the full Inca Trail. This trek combines highlights from the original Inca Trail with some of the most beautiful Inca ruins nestled in the dense vegetation of the cloud forest. This is the only tour that allows you to arrive hiking to Machu Picchu to experience the sunset. Why book with us? • Travel with an authentic Local Tour Operator • Hike the last part of the Classic Inca Trail • Arrive to Machu Picchu through the Sun gate • Visit Inca Sites at exclusive hours
Tour Options
Itinerary
Our Short Inca Trail tour starts with an early departure from your hotel in Cusco (around 4:00 AM) and drive for 1.5 hours to the Ollantaytambo Train station. If you stay in a hotel in the Sacred Valley, like Ollantaytambo, we can start around 5:30 am.
Once we arrive at Ollantaytambo, we will board the Expedition Train onto the Inca Trail. It’s a 1-hour 30-minute train ride along the Urubamba river from Ollantaytambo (in the highlands) to km 104 at Chachabamba (in the cloud forest), where we start our hike to Machu Picchu.
The arrival to the Inca Trail at Chachabamba around 8:00 AM. You will show your original passport at the checkpoint, prepare for the hike, visit the first inca Site of Chachabamba archaeological site, and start the Short Inca Trail hike to Wiñaywayna and Sungate.
After 4 hours of hiking the Short Inca Trail, we will arrive at the great archaeological site of Wiñaywayna. You will have time to explore and have a guided tour of the amazing Inca Site of Wiñay Wayna, appreciating its beauty and its significance.
After lunch in Wiñaywayna, we will continue to the Sungate (Inti Punku), arriving around 2:00 PM. Take a moment to enjoy your first breathtaking view of Machu Picchu from a unique place.
Then, you will hike down to Machu Picchu for 1 hour, arrive at View Point, and have a guided tour in the afternoon with fewer people through Circuit 1.
By 5:00 PM, start heading down to Aguas Calientes, have some free time, and board the 6.20 pm Expedition train back to Ollantaytambo and a Private van back to Cusco. The Expected arrival time is around 9.30 pm back in Cusco
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
We also pick up from AirBnB's and any other locations inside Cusco city and Sacred Valley. Wait at the lobby of your hotel at 4.00 am in Cusco
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- A current valid passport is required on the day of travel
- Please advise any specific dietary requirements at time of booking
- Vegetarian option is available, please advise at time of booking if required
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
- Passport name, number, expiry and country is required at time of booking for all participants
Reviews(87)
Frank, Alejandro and entire team were great. The 1 day trip with short inca trail and getting to and from Cusco was a long day but worth it! Trekperience guides were fun and personable, and all of the food was made fresh on the trail and amazing! Highly recommend for those that like a challenge with an awesome reward at the end!
Dear Todd, Thank you so much for your kind review! We are very happy to hear that Frank, Alejandro, and the whole team made your 1-day Inca Trail experience so special and memorable. It’s great to know you enjoyed the guidance, the fresh food on the trail, and the effort of the team during such a full and rewarding day. We truly appreciate your recommendation and your positive words. Thank you for choosing TreXperience and for sharing your experience with us. TreXperience
We had a great experience during our 1-day Inca Trail tour. Our tour guides were David and Gary, and they were extremely friendly and knowledgeable. Highly recommend!
Thank you very much Filio for the tour! The experience was great and Filio accompanied us throughout the tour and gave us a lot of information
Amazing time. Went with Fillio as our guide and it was an incredible time. Great history lesson at a modest pace as we saw the beautiful views of the trail. We will be back!
Dear Josh, Thank you for your kind words! We’re very happy to hear you had an amazing day with Filio and enjoyed the history and views at a comfortable pace. We’d love to welcome you back again! Warm regards, TreXperience Team
The trek experience was awesome Jason our guide was very knowledgeable and answered every question that I had. Alejandro, was our second guide saved my life. I got elevation sickness really bad could not carry my pack and had not been for Alejandro. I would not have finished. The guy carried my pack. The whole trip. Great job. Overall, I would 100% recommend trek experience to everyone Jason and Alejandro were great guides very knowledgeable and spoke everything clearly and the instructions were very clear. Food was outstanding overall I would give this company and the guides a 10 out of 10.
Thank you so much, Raymond! 🌟 We’re thrilled you had an awesome Private Inca Trail (1 Day). Huge kudos to Jason for his knowledge and guidance, and a heartfelt thanks to Alejandro for stepping in when altitude sickness hit—carrying your pack so you could finish safely. Your 10/10 means the world to us. We’re also delighted you enjoyed the clear instructions and the food! We’d love to welcome you back whenever you’re ready for another adventure. — TreXperience
The trail is of decent difficulty, challenging, but fun. The guides are absolutely amazing: Julio, William, and Jason. Definitely recommend.
Dear friend, Thank you for sharing your travel experience with us! We’re glad to hear you enjoyed the 1-Day Inca Trail and that Julio, William, and Jason made the journey so memorable. We truly appreciate your recommendation! Warm regards, TreXperience
We just did the one-day Inca Trail hike to Machu Picchu, and we can’t recommend it enough — especially if you’re lucky enough to have Renato as your guide. This was a challenging hike for us since we’re not used to the elevation, and my wife wasn’t feeling great that day. Renato was patient, supportive, and incredibly attentive the entire time. He inspired her — even when I couldn’t — to keep going, and we’re so grateful for that. We had amazing weather too. It started out a bit cloudy but turned in our favor throughout the day. Along the way, Renato shared so many fascinating details about the history of Peru, the origins of the Incas, and the story of Machu Picchu. He made it fun, answered all our questions, and brought the whole experience to life. To top it off, Renato went above and beyond — he even ran to get us some pizzas just before the last train so we’d have food for the ride back. From start to finish, he took care of every detail and made sure we felt supported and safe. This was truly an unforgettable experience, and we can’t thank Renato enough for making it so special. If you’re considering this trip — do it! And ask for Renato!
Dear horacioh785, Thank you so much for taking the time to share such a thoughtful and heartfelt review! We’re truly happy to hear that you and your wife had a wonderful experience on the 1-day Inca Trail, and that Renato made such a big difference during your hike. It means a lot to us that, even with the challenge of the altitude and your wife not feeling her best, Renato’s patience, support, and encouragement helped her keep going. That’s the kind of care and dedication we’re proud of. We also love that you enjoyed the history and stories along the way — Renato has a true gift for bringing the past to life. And of course, running to get you pizzas before the train shows just how much he cares about every little detail! Thank you again for choosing TreXperience and for recommending us. We feel honored to have been part of this special memory, and we hope to welcome you both again one day for another adventure in Peru! 😊 With warmest regards, TreXperience Team
Highly recommend Katie, our tour guide. She is highly knowledgeable about Incan history and knows her way around the Incan trail like a boss. She got us to where to where we needed to be, on time, every time. The combination of her warm and friendly demeanor and rugged hiking skills was an excellent motivator during the sometimes difficult trail. Love her spirit, and her love of her land.
Dear Sheetal, Thank you so much! 😊 We’re so happy you had a great experience with Katie she truly has a special spirit, and your kind words will mean the world to her! All the best, The TreXperience Team 💛
Katie was excellent! She was very professional, extremely knowledgeable and passionate about her work. She was timely and was both patient with us but also kept us on schedule. Very pleasant personality and good sense of humor! Would highly recommend using Katie!! You will not be disappointed! Would give over 5 stars if I could.
Dear Tapoms, Thank you so much! 😊 We’re so glad you enjoyed your day with Katie she’ll be happy to hear this! All the best, The TreXperience Team 💛
The tour was very thorough- every question was answered with great detail. Filio took his time through the tour and made sure we saw everything we wanted.
