What to Bring

Here’s a packing list for the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu in one day:

• Backypack: A small backpack to carry your personal belongings such as water, snacks, sunscreen, camera, and other essentials.
• Hiking shoes: Good hiking shoes with a sturdy sole that provides good traction on uneven terrain.
• Hiking socks: Wearing good quality socks can help prevent blisters and keep your feet dry and comfortable.
• Lightweight clothes: Quick-dry and moisture-wicking clothes are recommended for hiking.
• Warm layers: It can get cold at night, so it’s essential to pack warm layers such as a fleece jacket or down jacket.
• Rain gear: It’s always a good idea to carry a rain jacket or poncho as it can rain anytime in the Andean region.
• Hat and sunglasses: Protect yourself from the sun and UV rays by wearing a hat and sunglasses.
• Sunscreen: Use a high SPF sunscreen to protect your skin from the sun.
• Insect repellent: The trail is in the forest, and there are insects around, so it’s essential to carry insect repellent.
• Water bottle: It’s important to stay hydrated, so bring a refillable water bottle.
• Snacks: Bring some energy bars, nuts, or fruits to keep your energy levels up.
• Personal medication: If you have any medical conditions or take regular medication, bring it with you.
• Camera: Bring a camera to capture the beautiful scenery along the trail.

It’s important to pack light and carry only what you need as you’ll be hiking with your backpack. Additionally, porters will carry most of the equipment, so it’s recommended to limit your luggage to a maximum of 7 kg (15 lb).

Documents to carry with you on tour:

• Original Passports
• Original Studend ID: If you booked the Inca Trail 2 days as a student, you must present your original student ID card and passport at the checkpoint located at km 104 beginning of the Inca Trail.

Prices

Inca Trail 1 Day Tour: Pricing and Services

Group Service Pricing

The Inca Trail 1 Day group service provides an accessible entry to the ancient Inca path, ideal for those seeking a shared adventure with fellow hikers. Groups typically range from 8 to 15 participants, fostering a communal experience while utilizing collective resources for efficiency. This all-inclusive option covers pickup from your Cusco hotel, transport to Ollantaytambo, the Expedition train to Km 104 trailhead, a bilingual guide, lunch en route, Inca Trail and Machu Picchu entry permits, a guided tour of the citadel, the Concetur bus round-trip, and return transport via train and van to Cusco. The 10 km hike lasts 6-7 hours, featuring ruins like Chachabamba and Wiñay Wayna, culminating at the Sun Gate for a dramatic reveal of Machu Picchu. It’s suited for moderate fitness levels, emphasizing affordability and social interaction in a UNESCO-protected setting.

Private Service Pricing

A private Inca Trail 1 Day tour elevates the journey with personalized service, allowing your small group to set the pace and focus on individual interests. This all-inclusive package mirrors the group service but ensures a dedicated guide for in-depth storytelling, custom photo stops, and adaptive itineraries, free from coordinating with strangers. With groups of 1-10, it minimizes trail congestion for a serene hike, includes premium touches like snacks tailored to preferences, and prioritizes comfort through exclusive transport. Advantages include heightened safety with one-on-one attention, flexible timings to avoid crowds at key sites, and enriched cultural immersion, making it worthwhile for families, couples, or solo travelers valuing intimacy and efficiency over budget savings.

Service Upgrades

• Private Guide Upgrade: $100 per group. Delivers focused expertise on Inca lore and trail nuances, vital for profound historical context and pacing adjustments that enhance enjoyment on this condensed trek.
• Extra Porter Service: $50 per person (up to 7kg gear). Essential for lightening loads on the uphill sections, preventing exhaustion and enabling full attention to scenic and archaeological highlights.
• Horseback Riding Option: $80 per person (initial 2-3 km). Key for easing the ascent for less experienced hikers or those conserving energy, providing a novel Andean transport mode while safeguarding trail preservation.
• Vistadome Train Upgrade: $40 per person (return only). Boosts the journey with expansive views and cultural shows, crucial for savoring the Sacred Valley’s beauty post-hike as a rewarding transition from adventure to reflection.

Discounts

Secure a $30 student discount per person for travelers under 25 with valid university ID, or automatically for children under 17 upon passport verification at booking. Agencies commonly extend a 5% early bird reduction for bookings 60+ days ahead, akin to promotions from operators like Alpaca Expeditions, aiding peak-season availability.

Trains to Machu Picchu

Trains connect Ollantaytambo to Km 104 for the trail start and Aguas Calientes back, traversing lush valleys via PeruRail or IncaRail. Schedules run multiple times daily (1.5-2 hours), with base tours using Expedition/Voyager; upgrades add luxury. Book via operators; prices below are one-way additional costs over the included Expedition base.

Expedition Train (PeruRail) / Voyager (IncaRail)

• Additional Price: $0 (included in base tour).
• Characteristics: Economical with padded seats, ample windows for scenery, and light snacks; capacity for 100+, straightforward for efficient travel.

Vistadome Train (PeruRail) / 360° (IncaRail)

• Additional Price: $40 per person.
• Characteristics: Glass-roofed for 360° vistas, featuring folk entertainment and beverages; intimate cars suit photographers seeking immersive, elevated perspectives.

Hiram Bingham (PeruRail Luxury) / First Class (IncaRail)

• Additional Price: $445 per person (includes meals).
• Characteristics: Opulent with fine dining, cocktails, live bands, and concierge; elite for celebratory rides, limited spots ensure exclusivity and pampering.

Circuitos a Machu Picchu (According to Gercetur)

Gercetur’s framework, via Peru’s Ministry of Culture, segments Machu Picchu into three circuits with 10 routes to distribute crowds and safeguard heritage. Each spans 2-4 hours from timed entries (e.g., 6-9 AM slots), emphasizing distinct zones with guided intros. Base Machu Picchu entry is $45 (adult)/$22 (child); add-ons for peaks/routes as listed. Select per priorities like panoramas or rituals.

Circuit 1: Panoramic (Upper Terraces Focus)

• Route 1A: Machu Picchu Mountain: $70 (adult); $35 (child). Ascends to 3,082m summit via switchbacks for aerial citadel sweeps; 2-3 hours, strenuous with 600m elevation, cloud forest immersion.
• Route 1B: Inca Bridge: $45 (adult); $22 (child). Cliffside trails to engineering marvel overlook; 1-hour detour, moderate with vertigo-inducing edges for thrilling isolation.
• Route 1C: Intipunku (Sun Gate): $45 (adult); $22 (child). Path to gateway ruins with valley vistas; 1.5-hour loop, easy-moderate, evoking Inca processions.
• Route 1D: Upper Terrace: $45 (adult); $22 (child). Elevated platforms for broad panoramas; 1-hour stroll, accessible for contemplative overviews.

Circuit 2: Classic Machu Picchu (Core Site Exploration)

• Route 2A: Designed Classic: $45 (adult); $22 (child). Winds through Intihuatana and plazas; 2-hour self-paced, comprehensive urban insights.
• Route 2B: Lower Terrace: $45 (adult); $22 (child). Fields and enclosures with river sights; 1.5-hour gentle path, ideal for relaxed family wanders.

Circuit 3: Machu Picchu Royalty (Sacred and Peak Areas)

• Route 3A: Huayna Picchu Mountain: $110 (adult); $55 (child). Temples plus 2-hour vertical climb to 2,720m; extreme stairs, postcard summit.
• Route 3B: Huchuy Picchu Mountain: $70 (adult); $35 (child). Quieter 1.5-hour rise to 2,497m; moderate, alternative solitude.
• Route 3C: Great Cavern (Temple of the Moon): $45 (adult); $22 (child). Ritual caves via steps; 2-hour mystical delve, high-season exclusive.
• Route 3D: Upper Terrace: $45 (adult); $22 (child). Sacred rock and condor temple; 1-hour spiritual loop, elevated serenity.

Upgrades for Machu Picchu Mountain and Huayna Picchu

These add-ons augment your Inca Trail 1 Day with peak ascents for superior vistas, integrated into Circuits 1 or 3. Daily caps: 800 for Machu Picchu Mountain, 400 for Huayna Picchu. Slots: 7-10 AM or 10 AM-12 PM; 18+ required, demanding fitness; prices are add-ons to base $45 entry.

Machu Picchu Mountain

• Additional Price: $25 per person.
• Characteristics and Route: “Old Mountain” at 3,082m yields expansive citadel, Huayna Picchu, and valley panoramas. 1.5-2 hour trail of steep zigzags (600m gain) from terraces; features Inca ledges amid bromeliads, favoring quiet reflection over adrenaline.

Huayna Picchu

• Additional Price: $65 per person.
• Characteristics and Route: “Young Mountain” at 2,720m dominates with full-site overlooks and Temple of the Moon path. 1-1.5 hour route of sheer granite steps and tunnels (near-cliff exposure); iconic for enveloping postcard angles, thrilling yet vertigo-testing.