INCA TRAIL TO MACHU PICCHU – 1 DAY

Your guide will pick you up from your hotel in Cusco at 4:00 a.m. and you will travel to the train station in Ollantaytambo. If you prefer to start your journey in Ollantaytambo, we will pick you up from your hotel at 5:30 a.m.

Before boarding the train in Ollantaytambo, your guide will give you a box lunch to carry in your daypack. After approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes by train, you will get off at the famous Km 104, the starting point of your hike (2,100 m / 6,890 ft above sea level). After crossing the Urubamba River via a picturesque footbridge, you will present your passport at the checkpoint before visiting the first Inca site along the trail.

The first 1.5 hours of the hike are a gradual ascent. Along the way, you will stop at several viewpoints offering expansive views of the Urubamba River. The trail also passes through different microclimates, including cloud forests, so be prepared for damp conditions or rain at any time of the year. The next 1.5 hours are somewhat steeper, leading you to a beautiful waterfall that awaits at the end of this section.

After crossing the bridge below the waterfall, take a moment to enjoy the scenery and capture some photos as the impressive Wiñay Wayna comes into view (2,600 m / 8,530 ft above sea level). This remarkable Inca site has a fascinating history, with some sections still surrounded and partially hidden by dense jungle. As you continue, the trail winds through a lush subtropical environment close to Machu Picchu. Your guide will explain the history of Wiñay Wayna, as well as the local flora and fauna, and will be happy to answer your questions. From here, it is only about a 5-minute walk to a suitable spot to enjoy your box lunch.

Take some time to enjoy your box lunch while admiring the tropical flowers and natural surroundings along the trail. Please remember to inform us of any food allergies or dietary restrictions when making your reservation.

After enjoying your box lunch, the trail continues toward the Sun Gate (2,720 m / 8,924 ft) along mostly level terrain, with some gentle ups and downs. The walk takes approximately one hour and finishes with a series of steep steps carved directly into the bedrock by the Incas, commonly known as the “Gringo Killers.” Once you reach these steps, you will know that the Sun Gate is very close. From there, you will have your first breathtaking view of Machu Picchu, so take some time to appreciate the scenery and capture memorable photos.

Along the final section between the Sun Gate and Machu Picchu, you will also pass several important Inca sites. Take your time, enjoy the surroundings, and ask your guide any questions you may have as you make your way toward Machu Picchu.

Once you arrive at Machu Picchu, you will have time to enjoy the spectacular panoramic views of the citadel from the viewpoints overlooking the site and take memorable photos. You will arrive in the afternoon, when the archaeological site is generally less crowded than in the morning, giving you a better opportunity to enjoy the scenery and take beautiful photos in the afternoon light.

Your guide will then take you on a tour of Machu Picchu, lasting approximately two hours. During the visit, you will explore some of the most important areas of the citadel and learn about its history, architecture, and significance. You will also discover how Machu Picchu is organized into three main sectors: agricultural, residential, and religious.

Take your time to appreciate this unforgettable experience before taking the bus down to Aguas Calientes. In the evening, you will board the 6:20 p.m. Expedition Train back to Ollantaytambo, where you will continue by van to Cusco and your hotel, arriving at approximately 10:00 p.m. If you choose the Vistadome Train upgrade, your departure from Aguas Calientes will be at 6:10 p.m.

• Meals: Box lunch
• Difficulty: Moderate