Inca Trail to Machu Picchu 1 Day
Traveler rating
5.0/5
Based on 87 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Inca Trail to Machu Picchu 1 Day worth booking?
Inca Trail to Machu Picchu 1 Day is a 16-hour experience in Cusco, Peru, from $530 per person. It scores 61 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice”, based on a 5/5 rating across 87 reviews. This booking is non-refundable, so pick your date carefully. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 61 / 100
- Rating
- 5/5 (87)
- Duration
- 16 hours
- From
- $530 per person
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
What you get
- All transportation during the duration of the trek
- Professional tour guides
- Bus down from Machu Picchu
- 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch
- Expedition train round trip
- Safety briefing the day before the tour at 6:00 pm in our Office
About this experience
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 • Explora Machu Picchu Circuit 1 • Visit Inca Sites at exclusive hours
What's included
Included
- All transportation during the duration of the trek
- Professional tour guides
- Bus down from Machu Picchu
- 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch
- Expedition train round trip
- Safety briefing the day before the tour at 6:00 pm in our Office
- Pick up from your hotel in the morning of the tour
- Entrance ticket to Inca Trail and Machu Picchu
Not included
- Entrance fees
What you'll see and do
Cusco
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.
60 minutes here
Ollantaytambo
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.
30 minutes here
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.
60 minutes here · Admission included
Winay Wayna
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.
60 minutes here · Admission included
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.
30 minutes here · Admission included
Machu Picchu
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.
120 minutes here
Aguas Calientes
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
60 minutes here
Where it starts and ends
Hotel pickup
Pickup is included for all travelers. Pickup begins about 15 minutes before departure.
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 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- TreXperience
Know before you go
- 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
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 87 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
9 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
7 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Food and drink
3 mentionsThe tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
Physical effort
3 mentionsExpect real walking or climbing: reviewers mention the effort involved.
Pace and timing
2 mentionsSeveral reviewers comment on how the schedule is paced.
Traveler reviews
87 verified traveler reviews for Inca Trail to Machu Picchu 1 Day. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Amazing 1 day experience
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!
Response from the operator: 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
via Tripadvisor
Great experience with Gary and David
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!
via Tripadvisor
Amazing day trip with Fillio
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!
Response from the operator: 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
via Tripadvisor
10 out of 10 stars
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.
Response from the operator: 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
via Tripadvisor
Fantastic experience, moderate difficulty
The trail is of decent difficulty, challenging, but fun. The guides are absolutely amazing: Julio, William, and Jason. Definitely recommend.
Response from the operator: 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
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 16 hours
- Free cancellation
- Non-refundable
- Minimum age to book
- 3+
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $530 to $550
- Hotel pickup
- Included for all travelers
- Booked in 30 days
- 30
- Verdict
- Solid Choice
Who runs this experience
Operated by TreXperience, who run 8 experiences we rank across 1 city, with an average Outty Ranking of 76.4 and 1 in the 90+ Club.
See everything TreXperience runsWhy this scores 61
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Inca Trail to Machu Picchu 1 Day: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Cusco.
How much does Inca Trail to Machu Picchu 1 Day cost?
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Prices start at $530 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 to Machu Picchu 1 Day take?
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Plan for about 16 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 to Machu Picchu 1 Day worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 61 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (5/5 across 87 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 to Machu Picchu 1 Day?
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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 to Machu Picchu 1 Day suitable for kids and families?
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The operator sets a minimum age of 3. Older children generally do well here, and families should factor in the 16-hour running time when deciding.
How far in advance should I book Inca Trail to Machu Picchu 1 Day?
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Around 30 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?
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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 16-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Inca Trail to Machu Picchu 1 Day start and how do I get there?
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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?
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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, Peruvian Cooking Class Cocktails and Market Tour in Cusco, Cusco: Rainbow Mountain & Red Valley Premium Day Trip with Meals. 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?
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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?
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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.
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