Inca trails over the mountains, in a path of landscapes of indescribable Andean beauty that runs, throughout the day of this adventure, archaeological centers that can only be reached by it; that is the One Day Inca Trail Hike. With a controlled capacity of visitors, per month and per year, there is no visitor who does not wish to visit it. Machu Picchu was connected with the city of Cusco and with the rest of the Inca empire through paths of excellent structure, with ergonomic design, were built in strict harmony with the natural environment and have great aesthetics in its construction. Many of the roads are ledges on the edge of the abyss and are surrounded by beautiful landscapes with lush and varied vegetation. In some sections the road is carved directly into the rock. The Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is considered one of the most spectacular trekking routes on the planet and is the best known of the Inca trails. There are many roads that lead to Machu Picchu but none like the Inca Trail. The most popular among travelers and the most famous pedestrian street of the American continent. From Cusco, 43 kilometers of path between forests and dense fogs, millenarian stone steps and majestic views. At the end is the reward: the famous Inti Punku or Sun Gate and its impressive views of the ruins of Machu Picchu. Doing the Inca Trail is an initiatory rite for the traveler and a unique adventure but it is necessary to plan well before getting on the road.
When embarking on the One Day Inca Trail hike, it is important to understand that you are following the same route as on the 2 day Inca Trail, but at a faster pace. The only distinction is that, by booking the one day version, you will have the opportunity to explore Machu Picchu on the same day and return to Cusco that same night.
The short version Inca Trail tour offers a unique experience visiting impressive Inca archaeological sites such as Wiñay Wayna, a beautiful Inca citadel considered the most significant construction along the ancestral trail. In addition, you will marvel at the exotic mountain views, the lush primitive vegetation, the streams and waterfalls that you will find along the way. In addition, you will have the opportunity to enjoy extraordinary organic varieties and to get the first views of Machu Picchu from the iconic point known as Puerta del Sol.
You must be in moderate to excellent physical condition to be able to do this trek and arrive on time at the citadel of Machu Picchu. If you consider that the "Machu Picchu one day hike" may be too strenuous and fast for you, you have the option to book the 2 day Inca Trail. This itinerary will allow you to reach Machu Picchu in one day, but at a more leisurely and relaxed pace, enjoying additional time to explore the route at a later time.
05:00: Cusco, driver to Ollantaytambo train station
07:20:Train from Ollantaytambo to Km 104 (head trail)
08:30: Starting the Inca Trail
09:00: Chachabamba guide tour
12:30 Wiñaywanyna guide tour
13:00 Continue your hike to Machu Picchu
15:00 Machu Picchu guide tour
17:00: Bus down to Aguas Calientes
17:40: Aguas Calientes
18:30: Train return to Ollantaytambo
20:00: Bus from Ollantaytambo to Cusco
22:00: Cusco
To start our Full Day Inca Trail Hike, we will pick you up from your hotel very early and we will travel by bus to the Ollantaytambo train station, where we will board the train for km 104 (the started point) There a person will be waiting for you to take you to the bus station which will then board for about 20 minutes until you reach the entrance to Machu Picchu. In Machu Picchu you will have a guided tour of 2 hours, followed by free time so you can enjoy the citadel on your own. After finishing the visit to Machu Picchu, we will take the bus back to Aguas Calientes, where you can have lunch and then catch the train back in the afternoon. At Km 104 and after presenting passports at the control, we began to walk a few meters from the Vilcanota River. Starting the road we will see the ruins of Chachabamba. After visiting Chachabamba, we will continue the path to the south and begin a gradual climb to the mountain, before entering a cloud forest and with lots of vegetation, then the trail goes to the forest and goes west, while we continue uphill in an open meadow. After walking 3 hours, the path descends into an amazing forest. Here we will find a beautiful waterfall, then we will reach the lower part of the ruins of Wiñaywayna. We will appreciate the beauty of this place, complemented by the information of our expert guide. After lunch in Wiñaywayna, we will continue in the afternoon in the cloud forest, full of bromeliads, orchids and fern trees. While we walk this last part of the road, we will pass through many impressive features such as stone stairs and tambos ("resting places"). You climb 60 stairs before reaching Inti Punku ("Sun Gate").Finally we will enter into the beauty of the " Lost city of the incas" Machu Picchu, where we will have 2 hours of a guided tour and then you will have some time to explore by your own and take some amazing photos. After you will take the bus down to Aguas Calientes town, where you will take the train return to Ollantaytambo, and there our driver will be waiting for you to return to Cusco.
