Short Inca trail to Machu Picchu 1 day

It all starts very early in the morning. We pick you up from your hotel in Cusco or the Sacred Valley at around 4:00 a.m. From there, we travel by private vehicle to the Ollantaytambo train station, where we board the train to kilometer 104, the official starting point of the trek.

Once we reached kilometer 104, we went through customs and presented our passports. Then we visited the archaeological site of Chachabamba, which marks the start of the ascent.

The climb to Wiñaywayna is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful sections of the route. The hike, which takes between 3 and 3.5 hours, passes through lush vegetation, stone trails, and spectacular views of the Urubamba River.

Once we arrive at Wiñaywayna, we will take a break to explore this amazing archaeological site. The agricultural terraces, stairways, and ceremonial fountains are simply breathtaking. Here we also enjoyed a box lunch that allowed us to recharge our batteries before continuing on.

After the break, we will begin the climb to Intipunku. This section was one of the most exciting moments of the trip, as the Sun Gate offers the first panoramic view of Machu Picchu. The feeling when you get there is indescribable: seeing the citadel from above, surrounded by mountains, is a memory you will cherish forever.

From Intipunku, we begin the descent to Machu Picchu, where we will have time to take the classic panoramic photo and explore the archaeological site. Includes a complete guided tour as in other packages.

After the visit, we will descend by bus to Aguas Calientes (30 minutes). There we will have free time to rest, celebrate the adventure, and have dinner before boarding the train back to Ollantaytambo. Finally, transportation will be waiting to take us back to Cusco in the evening, ending a long but incredibly rewarding day.