Machu Picchu day trip from Cusco

THINGS TO KNOW 

• When visiting Machu Picchu, you must bring your passport with you as you will need it to enter the site.
• With the standard entry ticket to Machu Picchu, you will not be allowed back in after you exit, even if you do not spend the full 2 hours allotted with each ticket.
• Machu Picchu entrance tickets are subject to availability; It is highly advisable to secure reservations for this tour at least two months in advance, as the daily allocation of Machu Picchu tickets is 5600 per day.
• The Machu Picchu tickets, including those for Huayna Picchu and Machu Picchu Mountain, are non-refundable, non-transferable, and cannot be rescheduled. This policy aligns with the regulations set forth by the Peruvian Ministry of Culture.
• Be careful with selfie-and-jumping pictures, as these cause most of the accidents in the mountains.
• Training shoes or lightweight walking shoes are highly recommended do this Machu Picchu day trip.
• The Machu Picchu day tour from Cusco does not allow you to Climb Machu Picchu Mountain due to the limited time.
• The one day Machu Picchu tour does not allow you to witness the sunrise at Machu Picchu because the earliest you get to Machu Picchu is 8 am.
• Strong insect repellent is recommended because there are many mosquitoes.
• Machu Picchu is a unique site, and if you want, you can get a pretty unusual stamp on your Passport.
• This one day trip to Machu Picchu is ideal for couples, families, friends, and children.
• Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level.
• This full-day Machu Picchu tour stands out as the optimal choice for travelers with limited time.
• You have to arrive in Cusco City at least one day prior to your Machu Picchu day tour.
• Your guided tour inside Machu Picchu will take around 2h 30m.
• This Machu Picchu tour will have a maximum of 08 participants

Bathroom

Bad news, there are no bathrooms or food stalls in Machu Picchu. Make sure you use the bathroom before you enter the site. It is right in front of the entrance and costs two soles.

Food and Water

When it comes to food and water, bring your own. The ticket says that eating inside the site is prohibited, but you can bring a small snack with you, only try not to eat too openly, and it goes without saying that you should not litter. Also, you should bring your water in reusable flasks or canteens, because Machu Picchu tries to fight against single-use plastic bottles.

Prohibited objects inside Machu Picchu

• Walking sticks are not allowed unless the person needs them.
• It is not allowed to enter Machu Picchu with drones, tripods, or selfie sticks as well. Older people can carry a cane, but with a rubber tip, not a metal one.
• Professional cameras are not allowed. Permits for professional cameras are over $300 so avoid bringing a professional-looking camera in to save some money.
• You cannot enter Machu Picchu with your travel backpack. Only smaller models are allowed so leave your backpack in Aguas Calientes in your Hotel.

Strikes

Strikes and roadblocks are frequent in Peru and can disrupt our Machu Picchu day tours and rail service to and from Machu Picchu. We will do our best that your Machu Picchu full day tour by train continues as planned with some changes.

If the strike happens the day of your Machu Picchu 1-day tour, we will take you to Aguas Calientes town the night before your start date. You will visit Machu Picchu normally, After visiting the Inca Ruins, you will need to hike extra 3 hours from Aguas Calientes to Hydroelectric. Then we will drive 7 hours to Cusco. We will drop you off at your hotel around 11:00 pm.

How Can I Book With AB Expeditons?

In order to book your Inca Trail 4 days, Click on the BOOK NOW button above and then select the day of your departure. Then you need to fill out all your personal information (for each participant). The last step is completing payment which you can do with your credit or debit card. If you want to learn how to make a booking on our booking platform, Click Here for a step-by-step guide.

On the booking platform, you will also find the extras. This includes Huayna Picchu Mountain, Vistadome Train, Air Mattresses, Sleeping Bags, and Trekking Poles. You have to book Huayna Picchu and the Vistadome together with your Inca Trail deposit because those permits run out fast like Inca Trail permits. However, You can rent a sleeping bag, inflatable mattress, and walking sticks here in Cusco at our office 1 day before your Machu Picchu trekking Tours.

Once your Inca Trail permits are in our hands, we will send you a confirmation that everything is 100% organized. All start dates, once confirmed, are guaranteed.

Is There a Waiting List for the Inca Trail 4-Day Trek When It Is Fully Booked?

Unfortunately, there is no waiting list for the Inca Trail 4-day trek. Once permits are sold out, they are completely unavailable. Even in the case of cancellations, those spaces do not return to the system because Inca Trail permits are strictly non-transferable and non-refundable.

For this reason, it is highly recommended to book the Inca Trail several months in advance—especially during the high season—since availability is limited and demand is extremely high.

When Is The Best Time To Hike Inca Trail 4 Days?

The best time to hike the Inca Trail for four days is generally considered to be from May to August, as these months fall within the dry season. However, each month offers a unique experience, which is why we have created a detailed blog post for each month, outlining the pros and cons of hiking the Inca Trail during that time. Each blog post also includes a video showcasing the landscape of the trail for that specific month. Click on the month links—January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, and December—to explore more

Which Machu Picchu Circuits Are Included In The Inca Trail 4-Day Trek?

The Inca Trail 4-day permit automatically includes access to Circuit 1 – Route 1C (Sungate) and Circuit 3 – Route 3B (Designed Royalty Route).

Upon arriving at the Sungate, you will continue hiking directly to Machu Picchu for approximately 45 minutes, following Route 1C. Once you reach Machu Picchu, you will proceed to the Upper Terrace, an area that offers the iconic panoramic view of the citadel. Here, your professional guide will provide a comprehensive introduction to the site, including its historical context and cultural importance.

After completing the visit to the Upper Terrace, you will exit the citadel and then re-enter to continue along Route 3B. This circuit leads through some of the most important temples and architectural structures of the ancient Inca city, allowing you to explore areas closely associated with Inca royalty and ceremonial life.

Can I Store My Luggage At Your Office?

Yes, we offer secure luggage storage for all travelers joining the 4-day Inca Trail trek to Machu Picchu. Any extra luggage or personal belongings that you do not need during the trek can be safely stored at our office in Cusco.

You may bring your additional belongings to our office one day before your departure, or you can hand them to our driver when our guide picks you up from your hotel in Cusco. If you choose to give your luggage to the driver, it will be transported back to Cusco after you are dropped off at the Inca Trail trailhead.

Once back in Cusco, your belongings will be securely stored by our team until you complete your Inca Trail hike. All stored items will be returned to you upon your return to Cusco after finishing the trek to Machu Picchu.

What About The Outstanding Balance?

The outstanding balance, you should pay 2 days before your departure at our office (which is located on Marquez Street 250, Second Floor, Office 03, in the Historic Centre of Cusco). Our office hours are in the morning from 9:00 am – 1:00 pm and in the afternoon from 3:00 pm – 7:00 pm. You can also pay us with a Credit Card (a 5% service fee applies).  Please let us know what you prefer. If you want to pay with Cash, you should pay us 2 days prior to your departure.

Can I Stay An Extra Night In Aguas Calientes?

Yes, you can stay an extra night in Aguas Calientes after your Inca Trail hike tours. Just let the organizer know when you book, so we can arrange your train ticket and transportation from Ollantaytambo to Cusco on the fifth day at no extra charge. After your guided tour of Machu Picchu in the afternoon, you can visit the hot springs. Remember to book your own hotel in Aguas Calientes, or if you’d like, we can book a 3-star hotel (Tara Machu Picchu) for an extra $90.

May I Change The Departure Date After The Permits Have Been Bought?

Yes, it is possible. However we have to buy another Inca Trail permit for your new desired date, and we will also have to pay a penalty to change train tickets. So the extra cost to change the departure date is $100 per person.

Note: If you want to change your departure date, you have to first see our ava