Full-Day Inca Trail Tour

Inca Trail Full-Day Itinerary

04:00 a.m. – 10:30 p.m.: Cusco – Km 104 – Aguas Calientes – Ollantaytambo – Cusco

Hiking duration: approx. 6 hours

The day begins around 4:00 a.m. with pick-up from your accommodation in Cusco to start the shared transfer to the train station in Ollantaytambo. From there, you’ll board the train heading to Km 104 (2,200 m / 7,218 ft), the starting point of the hike, where the guide will be waiting for you to begin the trek.

Once at kilometer 104, the adventure along the ancient Inca Trail begins. The path leads you through a magical cloud forest, surrounded by lush vegetation, wild orchids, native flowers, and a variety of birds and animals typical of the Andean region. After approximately 4 hours of uphill hiking, you’ll reach one of the most impressive sites along the route: the archaeological complex of Wiñay Wayna or “Forever Young” (2,650 m / 8,694 ft), an architectural gem harmoniously adapted to the mountainside.

Afterward, it’s time to take a break and enjoy your box lunch, surrounded by Andean nature, before continuing with the second part of the hike.

Later, you’ll begin the section toward Inti Punku or the Sun Gate, the ancient ceremonial entrance to the citadel. This hike takes approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes. It’s important to maintain a steady pace, as access to this point closes at 4:00 p.m. From Inti Punku, you’ll have your first and thrilling visual encounter with Machu Picchu, marking one of the most memorable moments of the day.

Finally, you will arrive at Machu Picchu for a guided tour of Circuit 1, from where you can take the best panoramic photos with the citadel and the iconic Machu Picchu mountain in the background.

After the guided tour is over, you will begin the descent toward the town of Aguas Calientes. This section can be done either on foot or by tourist bus (optional, with an additional cost). Upon arrival in Aguas Calientes, you will board the train bound for Ollantaytambo.

Once at the Ollantaytambo train station, you will continue the journey to the city of Cusco in shared transportation. There, our private vehicle will be waiting to take you to your hotel. If you prefer, you can choose to complete the entire journey from Ollantaytambo to Cusco in private transportation, depending on the option you select at the time of booking.

Note: The arrival time in Cusco will depend on the train schedule available at the time of booking.

Inca Trail Full-Day Tour Price Includes:

• Briefing one day before the tour.
• Professional guide in English, Spanish, or Portuguese (ask for availability in these or other languages) for the Inca Trail hike and the guided visit of Machu Picchu ruins.
• One box lunch.
• Inca Trail entrance ticket.
• Machu Picchu Circuit 1 entrance ticket.
• Round-trip transportation to/from Cusco:
  • Shared transfer from your hotel in Cusco’s historic center to the Ollantaytambo train station. Sometimes, access may be limited due to the city’s narrow streets; if that’s the case, a nearby meeting point will be suggested.
  • Round-trip Expedition category tourist train tickets from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes. (You may upgrade your train category for an additional fee)
  • Tourist bus ticket from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu.
  • Shared transfer from the Ollantaytambo train station to Cusco train station.
  • Private transfer from the Cusco train station to your hotel in Cusco’s historic center.

The Inca Trail Full-Day Tour Price Does Not Include:

• Transfer from hotels outside the city of Cusco (ask about additional costs for pick-up from the Sacred Valley or other locations).
• Breakfast, dinner
• Drinks
• Guide tip

What to Bring for the Inca Trail Full-Day Tour from Cusco:

• Passport or ID (mandatory).
• Backpack: Suitcases or large luggage are not allowed. Entry to Machu Picchu is limited to backpacks with a maximum capacity of 25 liters. Remember to leave space in your backpack for the box lunch, which will be provided at km 104 at the start of the hike. During the tour, each traveler is responsible for carrying their own backpack.
• It is recommended to bring: comfortable trekking shoes, light clothing for the day and warm clothing for the evening, sun hat, wool hat, gloves, sunglasses, sunscreen, and rain gear (especially between November and April).
• Insect repellent (important for this tour).
• Travel insurance.
• We recommend bringing a small rechargeable power bank for your phone.
• Camera.
• Cash (local currency) for small purchases (e.g., water or snacks before the hike).
• Between 1.5 and 2 liters of water, the ideal amount for the hike.
  

What should you consider when taking this Inca Trail Full-Day Tour?

• It is important to have the physical ability required to comfortably complete the hike.
• Please remember that suitcases and large luggage are not allowed. Each passenger will be responsible for carrying their own backpack during the tour. Luggage larger than 25 liters may cause problems and put the tour at risk without the possibility of a refund.
• Our itinerary is designed for an average walking pace, which allows us to enjoy all the tour’s highlights without rushing. However, if you prefer a more relaxed pace, please note that this could cause minor delays in the schedule. Despite our best efforts to ensure the best possible experience, we are not responsible for delays caused by a slower walking pace.
• It is possible to upgrade your train ticket category. (See options)
• Train schedules may vary depending on availability (we recommend booking as early as possible).
• Minors must be accompanied by an adult.
• Keep in mind that since these are outdoor activities, the natural features of the landscape may vary depending on weather conditions and natural daylight. Each visit is an authentic experience, where nature reveals itself in unique and unrepeatable ways.

Not allowed:

• Pets
• Smoking
• Large suitcases or bags

Not recommended for:

• People in wheelchairs
• Pregnant women
• People with heart conditions, joint problems, or reduced mobility.
  

According to Peruvian regulations, foreign tourists may be exempt from the local tax IGV (VAT). As a formal and registered travel agency, we are required to submit to the local authorities a copy of the document you used to enter the country, as well as your date of entry. For this reason, a few days before your arrival, we will contact you to request a photo of that document and ask you to let us know the date you entered Peru. If we do not receive this information, we will be required to add the 18% corresponding to the IGV tax. 

Thank you for your cooperation!

Important Considerations:

To book the tour, a deposit of 350 USD per person is required. This allows us to purchase entrance tickets to the attractions and train tickets. The remaining balance must be paid no later than 30 days before the start date of the tour.

The passport details provided must be accurate and up-to-date as of the tour date. If you have changed your passport, you must notify us at least 14 days in advance with the new information; otherwise, an additional fee of 15 USD will apply.

If the passenger decides to abandon the Inca Trail during the trek, they will be responsible for any extra expenses incurred, such as food or transportation.

There will be no refund in the case of flight delays, train delays, bad weather, or other external factors.

Cancellation Policies:

Please note:

• The deposit is non-refundable.
• Inca Trail entrance tickets are non-refundable and non-transferable.
• No refunds will be issued for Machu Picchu Mountain or Huayna Picchu tickets.
• Cancellations made 30 or more days in advance will receive 50% of the amount paid, excluding the deposit or extra tickets such as Machu Picchu Mountain or Huayna Picchu.
• Cancellations made 29 days or less in advance are not eligible for a refund.

Date Changes:

• Date changes are subject to the availability of train tickets, Machu Picchu entry, and Inca Trail permits.
• For date changes requested 15 days or more in advance, an additional fee of 180 USD will apply.
• It will not be possible to make date changes with 14 days or less notice.

Force Majeure Policy

• Guru Explorers values your time and strives to adhere to the itinerary. However, the itinerary may be affected by force majeure events such as weather, rain, natural disasters, protests, roadblocks, or other circumstances beyond our control. In such cases, no refunds or compensations will be issued, as these are unforeseen and unavoidable situations. Nonetheless, we will do everything possible to offer alternatives and efficient solutions for your enjoyment. Any additional costs arising from changes or alternative activities will be the responsibility of the client and not of Guru Explorers.