One Day Inca Trail

Do you want to experience the majestic beauty of one of the new Seven Wonders of the World, without the epic hike?

The One Day Inca Trail is a great option for those wanting to set their sights on Machu Picchu and experience a taste of trekking in Peru, without doing one of the multi-day Classic Inca, Quarry or Choquequirao trails. This four-hour trek starts from the train station known as KM 104 and after a steep ascent, it follows the last portion of the Classic Inca Trail up to the Sun Gate to the ancient civilisation of Machu Picchu.

At a glance

Number of ruins

2

Average duration

1 day

Peak time to trek

May to September

Our one day Inca Trail trips

The One Day Inca Trail is included in the following trips. However, we're happy to discuss ways to include it in other Peru itineraries. Contact us to discuss your options.

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Highlights

Winayhuayna
Winayhuayna (Forever Young)

Winayhuayna packs a punch overlooking the Urubamba River – with upper and lower terraces lined with well-preserved stone houses on a hillside. Said to be one of the region's highlights, this is one of the final ruins you will see before you reach Machu Picchu.

Sun Gate
Into Punku (Sun Gate)

Inti Punku, better known as the Sun Gate, leads to the spectacular entrance of Machu Picchu. Evidence suggests this structure was used as a security checkpoint, and the views overlooking the ancient city ruins are impressive, to say the least.

Why choose us

Trek experts

All our guides are certified local tour guides and trained in-house on Intrepid Safety Policies. Each trekking guide also receives exclusive Intrepid training, provided by mountain rescue experts in the field.

Safety first

All our guides and trek leaders have been trained by medical specialists in handling altitude illness and are proficient in first aid. Our team carries oxygen cylinders on all treks for emergency use.

Local matters

Our team members live and work in the Andean region, which means revenue from all our treks benefit the local economy.

Full inclusions

We take care of the details, so you can focus more on enjoying the journey. Our tours include all meals, with essential camping equipment and the option to hire additional hiking equipment if needed.

Rainforest Alliance tick of approval

We are proud to have the tick of approval from the Rainforest Alliance indicating that we meet and operate at the highest standards in environmental, social and economic sustainability.

Sustainable travel

We strive to use travel as a force for good. That’s why we choose to give back to the communities we visit, carbon offset all our trips and take our social and environmental responsibilities seriously. We’ve been officially certified as the world’s largest travel B Corp, which means when you choose Intrepid Travel, you can rest assured you’re travelling to improve the planet.

The people who make our trips great

Woman standing in front of the ruins of Machu Pichu
Maritza, operations manager

"I am passionate about empowering local Indigenous communities, especially women, and am also a committed defender of Mother Earth, known in the Andes as Pachamama. I have also worked tirelessly with local communities and governments to help improve the sustainability of treks in the Cusco region".

Man standing in front of the ruins of Machu Picchu in Peru
Paul, leader

“It will be a pleasure to share our traditions and beliefs, take you to the most amazing sites and, most importantly, interact with the locals! Get ready for a behind-the-scenes tour where we’ll visit hole-in-the-wall restaurants and find the best picarones (Andean doughnuts). I’ll be waiting for you here, in my beloved Peru."

Man smiling into the camera with camping gear in the background
Fernando, general manager

"I like working for Intrepid because their social and environmental philosophy isn’t just a slogan to sell more trips, they really do care about it. I have changed my life in so many aspects due to all the learning coming from Intrepid, from recycling to accepting myself, and being proud for who I am."

A local porter giving a thumbs up to the camera along the Inca Trail in Peru
Ascencio, porter

"I started working with Intrepid in 2014 and now I'm 61 years old. I'm very happy to be working with Intrepid because each porter's treatment is better than other tour operators in Peru. Because of this job (which includes fair pay), I can provide a better education for my children". 

Local woman with a backpack on along the Inca Trail in Peru
Valentina, porter

"I come from Huilloc Community in Ollantaytambo town in the Sacred Valley (Cusco), and I started working as a porter on the Inca Trail in 2021. I love walking the Inca Trail and I'm very happy to be working for Intrepid as my income enables me to provide a better education for my 7 children". 

A smiling man standing in front of the Intrepid logo at an office in Peru
Teofilo, porter

"I'm from the Community of Kalla Rayan (Calca town) in the Sacred Valley, and I'm 53 years old. I've worked as a porter for Intrepid since 2009, mainly because I love it and we have very good working conditions. Thanks to my job, I've saved money to spend on my wife and better education for my children". 

Frequently asked questions

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 based on 68 reviews submitted.
Reviews are from travellers who have completed their trip and want to share their experience. We show all reviews, but may remove any that include profanity or inappropriate content, are unrelated to the trip or reveal personal details.

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Majestic Peru

Anne · Traveled August 2024
The Majestic Peru trip was wonderful. We had an experienced and caring tour leader and a friendly group of travellers. The itinerary covered coastal, desert and mountainous areas with spectacular scenery and history. We also had a lot of laughs and memorable dinners as a group. Highly recommended.
Review submitted 06 Sep 2024

Majestic Peru

Elizabeth · Traveled August 2024
Intrepid are a fantastic company to travel with. With the small groups they take the worry out of traveling and give you a taste of the real destination.
Review submitted 06 Sep 2024

Majestic Peru

Martin · Traveled August 2024
An absolutely stunning deep-dive into the history and culture of this amazing country. Our tour leader Giscard has encyclopaedic knowledge and a very obvious love of his beautiful homeland.
Review submitted 06 Sep 2024

Majestic Peru

Patrick · Traveled August 2024
This trip was outstanding. We learnt more about Peru, its history, food and culture than we could have imagined. I would strongly recommend this trip.
Review submitted 06 Sep 2024

Majestic Peru

Shane · Traveled August 2024
Intrepid, and particularly the leader Giscard, made the trip amazing. No stress, just great experiences.
Review submitted 06 Sep 2024

Responsible trekking

We're committed to ensuring the environmental sustainability of the destinations we visit, and we take our social responsibilities very seriously. In Peru, we've committed to paying our porters and guides a fair wage and supplying them with the necessary equipment and resources to undertake their work safely. We also support several community initiatives to promote the long-term sustainability of the environment and preserve its communities' traditional cultures. 

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