1-Day Inca Trail Hike to Machu Picchu

The 1-Day Inca Trail is a permitted, 12 km hike starting at Km 104. It includes scenic cloud forests and the important ruins of Wiñay Wayna. The trek climaxes with the traditional arrival at Machu Picchu via the Sun Gate (Inti Punku). This option provides the prestige of the Inca Trail without the need for camping, ideal for time-conscious trekkers.

To book the Inca Trail permit, you should do it in advance because there are limitations on how many people can hike this trail every day; the capacity is 230 tourists per day. Once your permit is confirmed, the start dates and your name cannot be changed under any circumstance. According to government rules, the only information we can change is the passport numbers, which you should take care of before confirming the booking form.

The government will only allow us to change passport numbers if we have a copy of the new and old passports. If you no longer have your old passport, any government-issued ID will be accepted, as long as the name is the same. Also, make sure your passport does not expire six months or less after your trip.

This one-day Inca Trail trek is an easy-moderate hike through the ancient path, with some narrow-step sections that end in Machu Picchu. It is well recommended for people in good physical condition because the trail goes up and down several times. However, this is located at a lower altitude than Cusco, so you need at least two days to acclimate to the elevation before heading to the trek.

Definitely! It is well recommended for those who are limited on time and still want to experience hiking in a section of the classic 4-day Inca Trail. On this day trek, you will explore the most incredible section of the classic trail, where you will get to visit some mystical Inca sites on the way, get Machu Picchu through the Sun Gate, and have the first view of this iconic Inca complex. Visit Machu Picchu late in the afternoon, once the crowds have already left it.

The hike on this day tour is about 7 hours and covers a distance of 12 km (7,4 miles). It starts at 2,000m (6,560 ft) and goes up to 2,720m (8,924 ft), with some incredible spots along the way.

Yes, there are several toilet spots during the hike, and they are maintained by the personnel who work along the trail. We highly recommend bringing a roll of toilet paper because you'll find them at these toilet spots.

Definitely, it is always recommended to wear light hiking boots if possible. Ones with ankle support are extra helpful, especially for the inexperienced hiker. Because you will be climbing and going down so many steps created by the Incas, some of them become slippery as time goes on. Now that they are uneven and at varying heights, the extra support helps prevent twisting your ankles.

Walking sticks are always helpful to trekkers, but particularly on this trek. There are so many stairs that you will walk down, all made by the Incas 600 years ago. They vary in height and are not all straight. Using walking sticks can help take the pressure off your knees while doing this portion of the trail.

Yes, you need a permit to hike on the Inca Trail full-day tour. It should be booked in advance due to the limited spots; only authorized travel companies with certificate guides can reserve tickets for it.

We recommend hiking to Machu Picchu between May and October; this is the dry season in Cusco, with rare rainy days. The most popular months are June and July, which are therefore the most crowded times. Many people visit Machu Picchu during these months because there are more chances to see the entire landscape clearly.

Machu Picchu is located at 2,430 metres (7,970 feet) above sea level

Well, there is no official minimum age to hike on the Inca Trail. At Vidal Expeditions, we have experience taking children as young as 10 years old; however, it will depend on many factors, including physical conditions, route, how active they are, and preparation. We also had some kids under 5 years old with us, but they definitely had some previous similar hiking experience.

Cusco has two clear well maked season, dry season (May to October) and rainy season (Novemeber to April) However Cusco weather is unpredictable, even if the weather forecast says it’s sunny. We can’t trust it. Prepare for sun and rain, no matter when you come. As far as temperatures go, that is consistent throughout the year. Mornings and evenings are always cold. Make sure to bring a fleece jacket for the mornings and a down jacket for the evenings. Once the sun is up, you should be comfortable hiking and touring Machu Picchu in short sleeves.