1 Day Inca Trail to Machu Picchu
Fit enough to hike 12 km before the afternoon? Then you don’t need four days to walk into Machu Picchu.
The
1 Day Inca Trail is built for strong, fast hikers who want the real Inca Trail experience in a single day. You start at KM 104, climb the original
Inca road system stonework to
Wiñay Wayna, cross the Sun Gate (Inti Punku) for your first view of the citadel, explore Machu Picchu with your guide and sleep back in Cusco the same night.
$450 USD per person, all included. Small groups of 2 to 6 hikers, led by local guides with more than 15 years on the Inca Trail.
Why Book Your One Day Inca Trail With Us
- Guided by people who live here. Our founder has guided the Inca Trail for more than 15 years and grew up near Ollantaytambo.
- Small groups, 2 to 6 hikers. More time with your guide and a pace that matches strong hikers.
- Everything included. Permit, trains, Machu Picchu ticket, guided tour, meals on the day and transport back to Cusco.
- Licensed Inca Trail operator. Only licensed companies can buy Inca Trail permits.
Is the One Day Inca Trail Right for You?
This is a full-day challenge, around 18 hours from Cusco to Cusco. It is perfect for you if:
- You run, hike or train regularly and are comfortable walking 6 to 7 hours on steep stone steps.
- You have already spent at least 2 days in Cusco to acclimatize.
- You have only one free day but don’t want to arrive at Machu Picchu by bus like everyone else.
- You want to finish the day saying: “I hiked the Inca Trail and toured Machu Picchu, all today.”
Prefer a calmer pace? Our
Short Inca Trail (2 days) follows the same trail with a night in Aguas Calientes and your Machu Picchu tour the next morning.
1 Day Inca Trail at a Glance
| Duration |
1 day (approx. 18 hours, Cusco to Cusco) |
| Hiking distance |
12 km (7.5 miles) |
| Hiking time |
6 to 7 hours, including stops at Inca sites |
| Start point |
KM 104 (Chachabamba), 2,170 m |
| Highest point |
Sun Gate (Inti Punku), 2,720 m |
| Arrival at the Sun Gate |
Approx. 1:30 p.m. |
| Difficulty |
Challenging (one long day) |
| Fitness level |
Good to excellent |
| Group size |
2 to 6 hikers |
| Machu Picchu |
Guided tour, Circuit 1 and Circuit 3 |
| Price |
$450 USD per person |
See the Best of Machu Picchu in One Day
Machu Picchu is visited by circuits, and no single ticket covers the whole citadel. On this tour you get two of the best:
- Circuit 1: the upper terraces and the classic postcard view of Machu Picchu with Huayna Picchu behind.
- Circuit 3: the heart of the citadel, with Inca temples, houses and stonework up close.
Plus the Sun Gate view on foot, which only Inca Trail hikers get.
Machu Picchu is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and arriving on the trail is the way the Incas themselves entered.
1 Day or 2 Day Inca Trail?
|
1 Day Inca Trail |
2 Day Short Inca Trail |
| Trail |
Same 12 km from KM 104 |
Same 12 km from KM 104 |
| Pace |
Fast, full-day challenge |
Relaxed |
| Machu Picchu tour |
Same afternoon |
Next morning |
| Night in Aguas Calientes |
No, back to Cusco |
Yes, hotel included |
| Best for |
Fit hikers with one day |
Everyone, including first-time hikers |
| Price |
$450 |
$525 |
What’s Included
- Pre-trek briefing at your hotel in Cusco one day before
- Hotel pickup in Cusco and private transport to Ollantaytambo
- Professional local guide (English and Spanish)
- Inca Trail entrance permit (KM 104)
- Expedition train Ollantaytambo – KM 104 and Aguas Calientes – Ollantaytambo
- Machu Picchu entrance ticket (Circuits 1 and 3) with guided tour
- Bus Machu Picchu – Aguas Calientes
- Box lunch on the trail
- Dinner in Aguas Calientes
- Private transport from Ollantaytambo back to your hotel in Cusco
- First aid kit and emergency oxygen
Not Included
- Breakfast
- Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain (not possible on a 1-day schedule)
- Trekking poles (available to rent)
- Tips for your guide
- Travel insurance
Permits for the 1 Day Inca Trail
Only licensed operators can buy Inca Trail permits, and they often sell out months in advance, especially from May to September. Once a date is sold out, no agency can get more, so book 3 to 6 months ahead. Read our guide to
Inca Trail permits for 2027.
Permits sold out for your date? Try the
Inca Quarry Trail, which needs no Inca Trail permit. Want the full experience? See the
Classic Inca Trail (4 days).
What to Bring
Travel light: original passport, 2 liters of water, energy snacks, rain jacket, sunscreen, hat and broken-in hiking shoes. See the full list in our
Inca Trail packing list.
1 Day Inca Trail FAQs
How fit do I need to be for the 1 Day Inca Trail?
You should be comfortable hiking 6 to 7 hours with steep stone stairs, after a very early start. If you train regularly, you will enjoy it. If not, choose the 2-day Short Inca Trail.
Is the One Day Inca Trail the same as the Short Inca Trail?
It is the same trail from KM 104. On the 1 Day Inca Trail you tour Machu Picchu and return to Cusco the same day. The 2-day version includes a night in Aguas Calientes.
Can I see all of Machu Picchu in one day?
No ticket covers the whole citadel, but with Circuits 1 and 3 you see the classic postcard view and the main temples and stonework, plus the Sun Gate view from the trail.
Can I climb Huayna Picchu on this tour?
No, there is not enough time on a one-day schedule. Choose the 2-day Short Inca Trail if you want to climb it.
Is the 1 Day Inca Trail open in February?
No. The Inca Trail closes every February for maintenance. In February, try the Inca Quarry Trail.
How far in advance should I book?
3 to 6 months ahead for May to September, and at least 2 months for other months.
