The Royal Inca Trail to Machu Picchu
The KM104 day hike to Machu Picchu can be done over 1 or 2 days. It’s the perfect alternative to the 5-day Inca Trail for those who are short on time but still want to hike into Machu Picchu.
The 1 day Inca Trail hike to Machu Picchu sees an early start, and a same day return to Cusco. Alternatively, for those with a little more time to explore the magnificent citadel, the 2 day Inca Trail sees travelers spending a night in Machu Picchu Town (or Aguas Calientes).
Two-day explorers will return the next day for a more in-depth look, with the option to climb one of the peaks (Machu Picchu Mountain or Huayna Picchu) as well before returning to Cusco in the late afternoon.
Both the one day Inca Trail and the two day Inca Trail can be done as stand alone hikes, or they can be combined with the Lares Trek, mixing local culture with Inca Sites.
What are the highlights of the two day Inca Trail?
- Hike through the Sun Gate for your first view of Machu Picchu
- Pass through countless important Inca Ruins on your way
- Spot tropical birds, rare orchids, and a myriad of incredible flora and fauna
- Get the opportunity to visit the Chachamba and Wiñay Wayna Inca sites
- Escape the crowds of people and enjoy the peace of the Inca Trail
- Perfect for families, those short on time, or those who don’t want to do a multi-day trek
Why hike the KM104 Inca Trail to Machu Picchu?
The 2 day Inca Trail hike is a truly fantastic ways to see Machu Picchu in an active way. By choosing the km104 trek over the train you will see more nature and Inca sites than if you take the train, as well as being surrounded by fewer people, and of course, you will be following in the footsteps of the Incas themselves.
How Long is the Royal Inca Trail/Km 104
The Royal inca Trail is 11 km so it ca be completed in 3 to 5 hours.
Map of the Royal Inca Trail:
Can you hike to Machu Picchu in 1 Day?
Yes. The one day Inca Trail to Machu Picchu follows the KM104 route along the Inca Trail, through the Inca Sun Gate and directly into Machu Picchu. This route is a one day trek, with an optional second day to return to Machu Picchu and take a closer look at the ruins after a refreshing nights sleep in the town below.
KM104, or the 1-day Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is the final day of the classic Inca Trail, which takes four or five days to complete. The classic Inca Trail is 43km in length, whereas the 1 and 2 day trail is a mere 12km.
Where does the 1 Day Inca Trail start?
The 1 day Inca Trail hike starts at KM104, or Chachamba as the locals call it. KM104 refers to the distance along the train line from Cusco. The route climbs to the Wiñay Wayna ruins before contouring the hillside, through the Sun Gate and into Machu Picchu.
What is the difference between the 1 Day Inca Trail and the 2 Day Inca Trail?
The 1 Day and 2 Day Inca Trail are the same thing, but doing two days allows you to visit Machu Picchu twice by spend a night in Machu Picchu town (or Aguas Calientes) and returning to the citadel the following day, whereas the one day returns you to Cusco or the Sacred Valley the same day.
The actual hiking is exactly the same. You will arrive at Machu Picchu on the afternoon of Day 1. You can not spread the trekking out over 2 days. The day hike can also be known as the Short Inca Trail, the Royal Inca Trail or the KM104.
Can you camp on the KM104 two day inca trail?
It is not possible to camp on the two day Royal Inca Trail, as the trail itself is just a one day hike, and there are no available camp sites along the route. It is possible to camp in Aguas Calientes (or Machu Picchu town).
Unfortunately this is not out in the wild, but at the base of the town. Along with the sheer number of sand flies waiting to bite you and ruin the next week of your trip we don’t believe this is worth it, when even the most backpacker budget can afford a hostel in Aguas Calienets.
Is the One Day Inca Trail Difficult?
The one day Inca Trail is not a technically difficult and should be achievable to anyone with a reasonable level of fitness. The hike begins with around 200 meters of uphill, before the path winds around the side of the mountain. There is a total of 550m ascension and 250m decent over the day.
Both the one day and the Two Day are suitable for kids aged about 8 years upwards. The hike is 12km in distance and takes about between 5 and 6 hours for most people. Altitude sickness should not be an issue as the maximum heigh is 2650m/8700ft. This is lower than the Sacred Valley and much lower than Cusco. However, you may still notice that breathing is harder on the steep sections.
It can be a little scary for people who are very afraid of heights, so bare that in mind when deciding if this hike is for you. Once you have started the trail there is no exiting or getting back on the train. If you are feeling a little unwell or unsure then it will probably be better for you to stay on the train to Aguas Calientes.
Do you need a permit for the One day Inca Trail?
Yes, you do need a permit for km 104. There are 400 permits per day allocated for the 1 and 2 day Inca Trail. These are separate to the 500 permits for the full Inca Trail. All permits are non-refundable and non-transferable. You will be required to pay a non-refundable deposit at the time of booking in order to confirm your place.
Permits for the One day Inca Trail do not sell out as quickly as they do for the full Inca Trail. Because of this, you can usually book them close to the date- although it is preferable to book early to secure them. The permits are available every day of the year except for the month of February when the trail is closed for maintenance.
Day 1 One Day Inca Trail Hike to Machu Picchu
You will be picked up from your hotel in Cusco or the Sacred valley and transferred to the train station. From here you will enjoy a train to the km 104 starting point, and after passing through the control point, you are ready to begin your short Inca Trail.
The first Inca site you will pass will be Chachabamba, shortly after which comes the ascension through beautiful cloud forest before arriving at Wiñay Wayna. After exploring this ancient site you will climb ancient Inca stairwells through terraces, exploring water features and building of times gonebye.
From here, the most beautiful section of the entire Inca Trail takes over. Lush vegetation flanks you on either side. The scent of wild orchids fills the air. And all around you, brightly coloured songbirds fill your ears with song.
Soon you will reach a final set of stairs to arrive at Inti Punku, better known as the Sun Gate. As you step through the old stone gate-way, Machu Picchu unfolds before your eyes. Those who chose the one day hike will explore the ancient citadel as much as their tired legs will allow, before taking the bus down to Aguas Calientes and taking the train back to Cusco.
Day 2 of the KM 104
Those who chose the two day hike to Machu Picchu will travel to Aguas Calientes below, where they can enjoy a hot shower and delicious meal before a well deserved rest. The following day they will have the opportunity to explore the citadel at leisure before returning to Cusco or the Sacred Valley via train.
What do I need to carry?
When hiking the one day Inca Trail all you need is a daypack. You will need a bottle of water- we have a porter who carries spare water for you to refill your canister. Please ensure that your bottle is reusable and not disposable plastic. You should also bring clothes for all weathers, in case of rain or shine. When I went the weather was very unpredictable and changed maybe every 30 minutes- so raincoat,
If you like to hike and snack, bring some snacks- but we do also provide lunch and snacks.
If staying overnight, we will transfer an overnight bag to your hotel.
What is Included on an Amazonas Explorer KM 104 day hike to Machu Picchu?
- Lunch
- English-speaking guide
- porter support
- transport
- train tickets
- Permits and entrance fees
- bus ticket
- hotel (if doing the 2-day version)
