Inca Trail Express – 1 Day

As soon as possible. Ideally, book about 8 months ahead and, in high season (April to October), at least 4 to 6 months ahead. The government strictly limits access to the Inca Trail: daily permits are issued to only 200 hikers, not counting support staff and porters. That is why we recommend booking as soon as your travel dates are confirmed.

The Inca Trail Express includes Route 5, which enters Machu Picchu via the panoramic circuit. This route covers the panoramic sector of the citadel, where you will get the best views of the site.

You enter Machu Picchu through the Sun Gate (Intipunku) and walk to the Guardhouse, where you get the classic panoramic view of the citadel. This part takes about an hour and a half.

If you also want to see the inside of the citadel the same day, you can buy a second ticket for Circuit 2B, at about US$ 60 per person. To re-enter, you must reach the main gate of Machu Picchu before 2:30 p.m., as the last entry to Circuit 2B is at 3:00 p.m. If you don’t arrive in time, the ticket is lost and non-refundable; since timing depends on your hiking pace, this option is only recommended for people with good stamina.

If your main interest is to visit the inside of Machu Picchu at a calmer pace, we recommend the 2-Day Inca Trail, with a night in Aguas Calientes.

The Andes have two seasons: the dry season, from April to October, and the rainy season, from November to March; even in the rainy season, a single day can bring cloudy skies and plenty of heat. The Inca Trail is open from March 1 to the end of January, and the busiest months are April to September. Machu Picchu lies in the cloud forest, with a warm, humid climate and temperatures of 8 °C to 20 °C (46 °F to 68 °F), so bring clothes for both cold and warm weather.

This route follows one of the best-preserved sections of the original trail built by the Incas and, due to high demand and limited permits, not every traveler manages to get a spot. It is ideal for couples, groups of friends and families. You don’t need trekking experience or intense physical training, but you do need basic fitness, to be used to walking for several hours and to be able to move independently along the route. We recommend spending at least one or two days in Cusco or the Sacred Valley beforehand to acclimatize to the altitude.

The Inca Trail Express Full Day is an excellent way to experience the trek to Machu Picchu on a shorter, more accessible route. We recommend it for children aged 8 and over, especially if they are used to walking and enjoy outdoor activities. There is no maximum age for adults: many older travelers complete the route successfully. Even so, we advise a medical check-up beforehand and travel insurance covering hiking and medical emergencies. More than age, what matters is being able to walk for several hours at a comfortable pace and arriving in Cusco early enough to acclimatize.

Children pay a special rate from age 3. To enjoy the experience more, we recommend it from age 8, as the trails are steep and have many stone steps. If you are traveling with younger children, you can choose the private service, which lets you move more comfortably, take more breaks and enjoy the trip at your own pace.

No. Andean Community (CAN) citizens do not get a discount on the Inca Trail or the Machu Picchu ticket. The CAN benefit applies only to programs that do not include the Inca Trail.

We believe the Inca Trail should be a unique and intimate experience, so we work with small groups of up to 6 travelers. Departures are guaranteed from 2 people: if no other travelers are booked on your date, your departure still goes ahead, because we never share or transfer groups to other agencies.

The Inca Trail closes for the whole of February for maintenance and conservation work, which coincides with the heaviest rainy season of the year. The route officially reopens on March 1.

To make the most of the trip and avoid altitude sickness, we recommend arriving in Cusco at least 2 days before. During that time we can help you arrange acclimatization activities, such as a half-day Cusco city tour or a full-day Sacred Valley tour. If you are coming from another high-altitude area of Peru, 1 full day in Cusco is enough to rest and enjoy the city before the hike.

It is not mandatory, but for your peace of mind and safety we recommend having it. Travel insurance assists you with lost luggage, cancellations, strikes, natural disasters and other unforeseen events.

Signal is limited on some sections of the hike. Even so, our team carries a phone with coverage throughout the route to handle any emergency and stay in touch. Please note there is no signal on the train.

Yes. The day before departure, your guide will give you detailed information about the tour, in a group briefing or individually at your hotel.

The government only allows the change if we have a copy of both the new and the old passport. If you no longer have the old passport, any government-issued ID is accepted, as long as the name is the same. Also, make sure your passport does not expire within six months before or during your trip.

Most travelers reach Cusco by plane. Remember that Cusco airport only handles domestic flights: if you are flying in from abroad via Lima, you must collect your luggage in Lima and check it in again for your flight to Cusco. Several airlines fly from Lima to Cusco, such as LATAM, JetSmart and Sky Airline, with similar schedules.

The hike starts at Chachabamba (Km 104), at 2,170 m (7,119 ft), and climbs to 2,720 m (8,924 ft) at Intipunku, the highest point of the route.

You hike about 12 km (7.5 mi), in 5 to 6 hours at a relaxed pace. That is why the Inca Trail Express Full Day is usually a more comfortable and accessible alternative to the 4-Day Classic Inca Trail.

No. We recommend asking your hotel for a box breakfast or having breakfast in Ollantaytambo before boarding the train.

Comfortable, lightweight clothing suited to the Andean climate. The most important items are:

• Trekking shoes with good support and grip.
• Comfortable, quick-dry trekking pants.
• Waterproof clothing or a rain poncho.
• A small backpack of about 30 liters.
• A hat or cap for sun protection.
• Trekking poles for more stability on the climbs.
• Insect repellent and sunscreen.
• A camera with a charged battery.

They are very useful and recommended. The trail has many steps carved by the Incas that you will have to walk down, of varying heights and not always even; poles ease the pressure on your knees and give you support on the climbs. If you bring your own, they must have rubber tips; otherwise, park rangers will not allow them. If you forget them, you can book them with the tour.

Machu Picchu and the Inca Trail are protected by the Peruvian State and UNESCO, so drones may not be brought or flown. You can bring a GoPro or small cameras to capture the best moments of the route.

Occasionally, external factors such as strikes, protests or roadblocks can change the itinerary’s schedules or services. Our operations team monitors the situation constantly to offer timely solutions and support you throughout the trip.

If something unexpected happens, we will arrange alternatives such as schedule changes, alternative routes or possible rescheduling, in line with the Ministry of Culture’s guidelines. Our goal will always be your safety and the best possible experience. Some of these changes may involve extra costs, which is why we recommend travel insurance.

Of course. If you take the same return train time as in your original itinerary, usually 6:20 p.m., there is no extra charge for delaying your return by one day. If you need us to book your hotel or another Machu Picchu visit, there is an additional cost. Let us know at least one month in advance so we can buy your train ticket for the right day.

If a traveler suffers from altitude sickness, exhaustion or any other problem during the hike, the guide will assess the situation right away and provide assistance. Depending on their condition and where they are on the route, we will arrange the return by the safest route or the necessary help with the authorities: the Ministry of Culture, SERNANP and the Peruvian National Police (High Mountain Division). Our goal is to act quickly and responsibly to protect the safety and well-being of every traveler.

1. Availability check: Write to us at info@sakuraexpedition.com or via WhatsApp at +51 941 411 418 to check available dates. We will send you a booking form that each member of the group must complete.

2. Traveler details: To process the permits, we need each participant’s full name, gender, passport number, date of birth (dd/mm/yyyy) and nationality, exactly as they appear on the passport. Without this information we cannot buy permits or tickets.

3. Deposit: Once we receive the completed forms, we request a deposit of US$ 300 per person to buy the permits. Book early, as spaces sell out quickly.

4. Final confirmation: Once the permits are secured, you will receive your official confirmation invoice and your booking will be 100% guaranteed.

Unfortunately not. The Inca Trail requires buying permits, tickets and train tickets in advance, so the deposit is non-refundable and non-transferable. Before making any changes, check the cancellation conditions and deadlines with your sales executive.

Of course. During the trip you can leave your main luggage at our office or at your hotel, free of charge.

Tipping is part of the tradition of hikes to Machu Picchu. Although we pay good wages to our whole team, a little extra is always appreciated. It is not mandatory, and you should never feel pressured.