It is possible to do a shortened one day hike on the Inca Trail to visit Machu Picchu instead of the longer traditional trekking itineraries. This is a great option if you are limited on time, or are a less experienced hiker/camper. We love to hike but were time-constrained, which is why we went this route. We booked a private tour with SAM Travel Peru (select the "Inca Trail to Machu Picchu 1 Day"), who provided all transportation, permits, and a hiking guide. Because Machu Picchu now limits visitors, it is important to book your tour or secure permits well ahead of time - I personally booked this hike 8 months prior to our trip.
What to wear and bring: LAYERS. At high elevations, you may experience cold and hot temperatures all in the same day. I'd opt for lightweight pants, a breathable t-shirt or long sleeve top, a light fleece jacket, a lightweight puffer, and a backpack that can easily fit water and a few of these layers. I also brought a lightweight packable raincoat, which I didn't have to use, but would have been grateful to have it had it rained. Additional items to consider include light gloves, an extra pair of warm socks, and your hat of choice. Good hiking shoes are definitely recommended, and it is also very important to bring adequate water and food/snacks. I brought a backpack with a 2 liter CamelBak water pouch, which was perfect. Anytime I hike, I also bring simple first-aid items, insect repellent wipes, sunscreen, Advil, and Benadryl (side note: I got stung by a wasp on my mouth on this hike - total freak accident - my Benadryl and Advil pretty much saved the day!!!). Important: you also need to have your passport with you.
Another thing to note is that we were required to meet with our tour company in Cusco the night before the hike (they will work with you depending on your itinerary - we ended up meeting with them 2 nights before), to confirm all details, and go over plans for the hike. We had a bit of trouble finding their Cusco location, and they were doing some construction around the entrance which made the entry in a side alley a bit weird. Regardless, once we got inside, all was good!
Fast forward to the day of the hike:
Depending on where your hotel is, you will be picked up between 4 - 5:30 am (these times change a bit depending on the time of year, but either way - prepare for an early morning). You will then drive to the Ollantaytambo Train Station, where you will board the PeruRail train.
If you are doing the 1 day hike, you will get off early at KM 104. It takes about an hour to get here on the train, and it will be loudly announced, and a decent amount of people will get off here. Now it's time for some hiking!!
We started on the trail at around 7:15 am. In the next few hours, the hike will take you through the Sacred Valley, with stops at some beautiful Inca ruins along the way - most notably Wiñay Wayna. I couldn't believe how few people were on the trail around us, we had some amazing ruins completely to ourselves at times. You will gain some elevation, so make sure to take breaks along the way. Our guide was great, and let us hike at our own pace. He was also able to show us some great spots in the ruins and was very knowledgeable. We had a quick early lunch stop after seeing Wiñay Wayna (which was the scene of the wasp sting lol), before continuing on.
We made it to the Sun Gate by a little after 12:00 pm, although our guide said this was way ahead of schedule (probably thanks to our Colorado roots!). From the Sun Gate, you will get your first glimpse of Machu Picchu.
The hike from the Sun Gate to Machu Picchu is another 45 minutes or so, but it's at least downhill! Machu Picchu is absolutely incredible as are the surrounding mountain views. It is my favorite of all the world wonders I've visited so far. You can spend as much or as little time touring the ruins as you'd like.
We spent ~2.5 hours at Machu Picchu before heading to the main entrance, where you will take a bus down to Aguas Calientes, a town at the base of the ruins. We explored the town and stopped for dinner (and a well deserved beer) before boarding the train back to Ollantaytambo. From there, SAM Travel provided transportation back to our hotel in the Sacred Valley - I believe we arrived around 9 pm, but would be later if you are staying in Cusco. It was a long day, but worth every minute! As avid hikers, I am glad we got to experience the Inca Trail - even for a day.
