Inca Trail One Day Tour in Cusco, Peru
Cusco, Peru

Inca Trail One Day Tour

Outty Ranking 51 5.0 · 6 traveler reviews12 hoursFrom $630
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Outty Ranking

51/100

Worth a Look. Our proprietary evaluation. How we score

Traveler rating

5.0/5

Based on 6 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

Quick answer

Is Inca Trail One Day Tour worth booking?

Inca Trail One Day Tour is a 12-hour experience in Cusco, Peru, from $630 per person. It scores 51 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look”, based on a 5/5 rating across 6 reviews. This booking is non-refundable, so pick your date carefully. Same-day spots are currently showing.

Outty Ranking
51 / 100
Rating
5/5 (6)
Duration
12 hours
From
$630 per person

The Outty verdict

It ranks #7 of the 7 similar experiences we compared in Cusco, with an Outty Ranking of 51. At $630 it sits above the typical similar option ($43), so book it for what is included rather than price. Best for travelers who want a full-day outing.

Prices and availability checked

This one-day Inca Trail experience is designed for travelers with limited time who still want to live the magic of the legendary trail and Machu Picchu. Instead of a multi-day trek, you’ll hike the most iconic section of the Inca Trail in a single day, following the footsteps of the ancient Incas through remarkable archaeological sites such as Chachabamba and Wiñay Wayna. What makes this tour truly special is the combination of adventure and efficiency. You’ll arrive at Machu Picchu through the Sun Gate (Inti Punku), just as the Incas once did, and enjoy breathtaking views from the classic viewpoint. Along the way, you’ll walk through stunning Andean landscapes, surrounded by diverse flora and fauna. With transportation, logistics, and details fully organized, including a scenic panoramic train ride through the Sacred Valley, you can focus entirely on enjoying an unforgettable journey that blends history, nature, and adventure in just one incredible day.

What you get

  • Experienced tour guide
  • Pre-departure briefing
  • Bus ticket from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes
  • Train from Ollantaytambo to KM 104 (Trek starting point)
  • Transport from Ollantaytambo train station to your hotel in Cusco
  • Tourist train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo

About this experience

This one-day Inca Trail experience is designed for travelers with limited time who still want to live the magic of the legendary trail and Machu Picchu. Instead of a multi-day trek, you’ll hike the most iconic section of the Inca Trail in a single day, following the footsteps of the ancient Incas through remarkable archaeological sites such as Chachabamba and Wiñay Wayna. What makes this tour truly special is the combination of adventure and efficiency. You’ll arrive at Machu Picchu through the Sun Gate (Inti Punku), just as the Incas once did, and enjoy breathtaking views from the classic viewpoint. Along the way, you’ll walk through stunning Andean landscapes, surrounded by diverse flora and fauna. With transportation, logistics, and details fully organized, including a scenic panoramic train ride through the Sacred Valley, you can focus entirely on enjoying an unforgettable journey that blends history, nature, and adventure in just one incredible day.

What's included

Included

  • Experienced tour guide
  • Pre-departure briefing
  • Bus ticket from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes
  • Train from Ollantaytambo to KM 104 (Trek starting point)
  • Transport from Ollantaytambo train station to your hotel in Cusco
  • Tourist train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo
  • Box lunch, snacks and water
  • Entrance ticket to Machu Picchu (Circuit 1C)
  • Medical Kit or First AID Kit
  • Pick up from your hotel in the morning and transfer to Ollantaytambo train station
  • Inca Trail permits and entrance tickets

Not included

  • Breakfast and dinner
  • Accommodation
  • Gear: Sleeping bag and trekking poles
  • Personal hiking clothing and gear.
  • Gratuities for the staff (Optional)
  • Travel Insurance

What you'll see and do

  1. Cusco

    Begin your adventure at 4:00 a.m. with a transfer from your hotel in Cusco to the train station in Ollantaytambo.

    120 minutes here

  2. After a beautiful panoramic train ride, start your hike at Km 104, the starting point of the Short Inca Trail.

    60 minutes here · Admission included

  3. Winay Wayna

    Visit the archaeological sites of Chachabamba and Wiñay Wayna, surrounded by lush Andean nature, orchids, and waterfalls.

    120 minutes here

  4. Intipuncu

    After a picnic lunch, continue ascending toward the Sun Gate (Inti Punku), where you’ll enjoy your first magical view of Machu Picchu.

    90 minutes here

  5. Machupicchu

    Walk to the classic viewpoint to capture the iconic photo of the citadel and soak in the energy of this sacred place as your guide shares its history.

    120 minutes here · Admission included

  6. Aguas Calientes

    Finally, descend to Aguas Calientes to board the train back to Ollantaytambo

    30 minutes here

  7. Ollantaytambo

    In Ollantaytambo, our private transportation will be waiting to take you to Cusco.

    120 minutes here

  8. Cusco

    We will drop you off at your hotel in Cusco, ending a day full of culture, nature, and wonder.

    Pass by without stopping

Where it starts and ends

Hotel pickup

Pickup is included for all travelers. Pickup begins about 30 minutes before departure.

Options you can book

  • With Huayna Picchu Mountain

    Huayna Picchu Mountain Ticket Pickup included

  • With Machu Picchu Mountain

    Machu Picchu Mountain Tickets Pickup included

  • With Circuit 3B

    Circuit 3B Ticket Pickup included

  • With Circuit 2A or 2B

    Circuit 2A or 2B Ticket Pickup included

  • With Circuit 3C (Great Cavern)

    Circuit 3C Ticket Pickup included

  • Inca Trail One Day Tour

    Pickup included

  • With Huchuy Picchu Mountain

    Huchuy Picchu Mountain Ticket Pickup included

Before you book

Cancellation
All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.
Languages
en, es
Ticket
Mobile Only
Runs on
Every day
Group size
Up to 12 travelers per booking
Operated by
Salkantay Trekking

Know before you go

  • Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
  • Not recommended for pregnant travelers
  • Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
  • Travelers should have a high level of physical fitness
  • It's recommended to arrive in Cusco at least 2 days before the trek to adjust to the altitude.
  • The Inca Trail is highly demanded, specially in high season (May to September). Book this trip at least five months in advance to secure a spot.
  • Passport name, number, expiry and country is required at time of booking for all participants
  • Please ensure your passport is up to date and ready for use on your travel day
  • Children aged 10 and over may participate and must be accompanied by a responsible adult at all times.
  • Keep in mind this hike is a challenging trek. travellers have to be in good health and physical shape to fully enjoy every moment of this adventure.
  • Vegetarian or, vegan options are available, please advise at time of booking if required

Photos

Inca Trail One Day Tour in Cusco, photo 2Inca Trail One Day Tour in Cusco, photo 3Inca Trail One Day Tour in Cusco, photo 4Inca Trail One Day Tour in Cusco, photo 5Inca Trail One Day Tour in Cusco, photo 6Inca Trail One Day Tour in Cusco, photo 7

What travelers are saying

Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 6 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.

The guide

5 mentions

Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.

Knowledge and storytelling

4 mentions

Reviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.

Physical effort

2 mentions

Expect real walking or climbing: reviewers mention the effort involved.

Traveler reviews

6 verified traveler reviews for Inca Trail One Day Tour. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

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195kushj · August 2026

Pavel is amazing

Pavel was an amazing tour guide he coordinated our pick up and drop off very seamlessly and made the whole process very simple. He was extremely funny and lovely the whole trek and catered to our needs the whole time. Would definitely recommend booking with Pavel.

via Tripadvisor

G7592DTashleym · July 2025

High quality tour company

We had the best time doing the one day Inka trail with Pabo. He was very patient with our slow assent up to the sun gate. He was very knowledgable about the history. A boxed lunch and water was provided on the tour. Pabo was a great story teller and had us laughing. I couldn’t recommend this company enough. This was top notch.

via Tripadvisor

eliasaR525NN · April 2025

Amazing experience!

My wife and I did the one day excursion to Machu Picchu and had such a wonderful time!! Our guide Edison was so kind and knowledgeable- we really appreciated everything he did for us! Carlos the mountain king was responsible for getting us back from Machu Picchu to Cusco and he was also great! He was so friendly and knowledgeable and shared a great amount of Incan history/culture with us.

via Tripadvisor

michaelmC8488OJ · April 2025

Shout out to Javier for an incredible Inca trail and Machu Picchu experience!

We did the 1-day Inca Trail hike to Machu Picchu with this company and had an unforgettable experience! Our guide, Javier, truly made the day—his energy, passion, and deep knowledge brought the whole journey to life. He shared so much insight into Incan history, culture, and architecture, and even pointed out native plants and wildlife along the way. It felt like hiking with a walking encyclopedia (in the best way). Huge thanks to Javier for a day we’ll never forget!

via Tripadvisor

joshuapschiffMD · August 2024

Amazing 1 day Machu Picchu tour!

Excellent 1 day tour of Machu Picchu. Salkantay took very good care of us, picking us up with our luggage in the Sacred Valley and delivering us to our hotel with our luggage in Cusco that night. Credit to Teo who was very helpful arranging this and communicating ahead of time via email. The tour itself was great. They arranged all the transportation including cars, trains, and busses. Our tour guide Bryan was fantastic and we learned a lot about the Inka site as well as plenty of time for photos. Despite the complexity of our requests they handled them with ease and made the whole experience easy so we could focus on the beauty of Machu Picchu.

Response from the operator: We’re thrilled to hear you had such a seamless and enjoyable experience! It’s fantastic that Teo’s communication and organization helped make everything smooth, and Bryan’s expertise truly brought the wonders of Machu Picchu to life. We’re so glad you were able to focus on the beauty of the site while we handled the details. Thank you for sharing your feedback, and we hope to welcome you back for another adventure soon! 🌟😊

via Tripadvisor

Good to know

Duration
12 hours
Free cancellation
Non-refundable
Minimum age to book
18+
Availability
Bookable today
Runs on
Every day
Price range
$630 to $725
Hotel pickup
Included for all travelers
Booked in 30 days
2
Verdict
Worth a Look

Why this scores 51

The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.

Traveler sentiment (30% weight)91
Review evidence (18% weight)32
Booking momentum (14% weight)22
Value for money (12% weight)0
Listing quality (10% weight)100
Local standing (8% weight)55
Booking flexibility (8% weight)0

Inca Trail One Day Tour: questions travelers ask

Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Cusco.

How does Inca Trail One Day Tour compare to similar tours in Cusco?

+

It ranks #7 of the 7 similar experiences we compared in Cusco, with an Outty Ranking of 51. At $630 it sits above the typical similar option ($43), so book it for what is included rather than price. Best for travelers who want a full-day outing.

Who is Inca Trail One Day Tour best for?

+

It suits travelers who want a full-day outing best, based on its 12-hour length, minimum age of 18 and non-refundable terms.

Is Inca Trail One Day Tour good value?

+

It is a premium pick. It starts at $630, above the $43 typical for similar experiences in Cusco.

How much does Inca Trail One Day Tour cost?

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Prices start at $630 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Cusco usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.

How long does Inca Trail One Day Tour take?

+

Plan for about 12 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Cusco is not rushed.

Is Inca Trail One Day Tour worth it?

+

It holds an Outty Ranking of 51 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (5/5 across 6 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable culture & history in Cusco, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.

Can I cancel or reschedule Inca Trail One Day Tour?

+

No. This experience is sold on a non-refundable basis, so only book a date you are confident about. Similar experiences in the city do offer free cancellation if flexibility matters more than price.

Is Inca Trail One Day Tour suitable for kids and families?

+

The operator sets a minimum age of 18. Older children generally do well here, and families should factor in the 12-hour running time when deciding.

How far in advance should I book Inca Trail One Day Tour?

+

Around 2 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Cusco can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.

What should I bring or wear?

+

Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Cusco and add a light layer if any part of the 12-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.

Where does Inca Trail One Day Tour start and how do I get there?

+

The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Cusco within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.

What are the best things to do in Cusco?

+

On Outty we rank every Cusco experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Sacred Valley Full Day Tour, Full-Day Humantay Lake Trek (Meals Included), Full-Day Rainbow Mountain Trek (Meals Included). The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.

When is the best time to visit Cusco?

+

Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.

How many days do you need in Cusco?

+

Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.

Do I book through Outty or through the operator?

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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.

What is included in Inca Trail One Day Tour?

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Included: Experienced tour guide; Pre-departure briefing; Bus ticket from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes; Train from Ollantaytambo to KM 104 (Trek starting point); and Transport from Ollantaytambo train station to your hotel in Cusco. Not included: Breakfast and dinner; Accommodation; Gear: Sleeping bag and trekking poles; and Personal hiking clothing and gear. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.

Does Inca Trail One Day Tour include hotel pickup?

+

Yes, pickup is offered for every traveler from 380 listed pickup locations in and around Cusco. Be ready about 30 minutes before the start time. You can also enter a custom pickup address when booking.

What languages is Inca Trail One Day Tour offered in?

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It is offered in English and Spanish. Pick your language when choosing a date and time, as not every departure runs in every language.

Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for Inca Trail One Day Tour?

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Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.

Is Inca Trail One Day Tour wheelchair or stroller accessible?

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The operator notes: Not recommended for pregnant travelers. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.

What happens to Inca Trail One Day Tour if the weather is bad?

+

This experience depends on good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you are offered a different date or a full refund.

What do travelers say about Inca Trail One Day Tour?

+

Across 6 reviews averaging 5.0 out of 5, recurring themes include the guide, knowledge and storytelling. Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works. One thing to know: Expect real walking or climbing: reviewers mention the effort involved.

What booking options are available for Inca Trail One Day Tour?

+

There are 7 options to choose from, including With Huayna Picchu Mountain, With Machu Picchu Mountain, With Circuit 3B, With Circuit 2A or 2B. Prices and start times differ by option, so compare them on the booking screen.

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