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Inca Trail Express

7 Days | Discover the ancient civilisations of Peru on the Inca Trail

4.9 out of 5 based on 321 reviews submitted.
Walking & Trekking
From
CHF  1,180
View dates and book

Travel to Peru to retrace the steps of the Incas – Peru's fascinating ancient civilisation. Travel from Cusco, through the fertile heartland of the Sacred Valley and to the magnificent Ollantaytambo ruins before the ultimate destination – Machu Picchu, one of the famed Seven Wonders of the World. This week-long trip is a choose-your-own-adventure type of deal – you can hike the Inca Trail, the Quarry Trail, or take it easy in Cusco and take the train to Machu Picchu. Allowing travellers of all abilities the opportunity to see this wonder first-hand, this trip is a perfect way to see Peru’s highlights when you don’t have more than a week.

Trip overview

Map of Inca Trail Express including Peru
Start
Cusco, Peru
Finish
Cusco, Peru
Theme
Walking & Trekking
Destinations
Peru
Physical rating
Indicates how physically exerting a trip is, and how fit you will need to be to enjoy it. More info on physical ratings
Style
Original
Ages
Min 15
Group size
Min 1 - Max 16
Trip code
GGTA
This trip generates 11.79 kg of CO2-e per person per day.
We offset these emissions on your behalf. But we know that is not enough, so we also have a carbon reduction target.

Why you'll love this trip
  • This trip allows both trekkers and non-trekkers to visit Machu Picchu – one of the magnificent Seven Wonders of the World, perched high in the Andes mountains – with scenic hiking trails and train options.
  • Travel through the Sacred Valley of the Incas, known for the steep and soaring scenery, mystical significance and the Indigenous cultures that still reside here.
  • Visit a locally-run restaurant and café in Urubamba in the Sacred Valley that hires single mothers to support their children and the local community – and sit down to enjoy an organic, homemade beet cake and coffee.
  • Explore Cusco, South America's oldest continuously inhabited city. The city has ancient foundations, an interesting blend of Incan and colonial influences and seemingly endless things to do and see.
  • Whether you trek the Inca Trail, Inca Quarry Trail or take the scenic train route, you'll be travelling responsibly with a company that cares about balancing profit and purpose. Intrepid is the largest B Corp certified operator on the Inca Trail and we’re committed to operating our treks for the benefit of all. 
  • By travelling on this trip, you’ll directly support our Intrepid Foundation partner, Awamaki. Donations help them empower indigenous women artisans in Peru with skills training and job opportunities that provide financial independence.

Is this trip right for you?
  • This trip visits places that are at high altitude, and as a result some people can suffer from altitude sickness, regardless of age or physical health. Please see the ‘Medical and Health Information’ section of the Essential Trip Information for more detail.
  • This trip involves a lot of walking to see the sites, and if you trek the Inca Trail* or Quarry Trail, there'll be strenuous hiking. The trip is recommended for those with a good level of fitness. Please bring comfortable footwear suitable for hiking. See the ‘Packing’ section of the Essential Trip Information for more detail.
  • For those who trek the Inca Trail or Quarry Trail, you'll be camping with basic facilities. It's definitely the journey as well as the final destination (Machu Picchu) that makes this way of exploring Peru worthwhile.
  • According to Machu Picchu visiting regulations, all visitors must follow a pre-determined route within the site. This route must be followed in one direction only, and once the guided visit commences exiting and re-entering the site is not permitted. Once the guided visit concludes, visitors must exit the site and personal exploration of Machu Picchu is not permitted. Please refer to the itinerary for details.
  • Travellers who choose different ways of reaching Machu Picchu (Inca Trail, Quarry Trail or Train), will not follow the same routes within Machu Picchu. This means that you may not be able to have photos together, overlooking Machu Picchu. This applies to travellers on the same booking or separate bookings.

Itinerary

This itinerary is valid for departures from 01 January 2024 to 31 December 2024.

View the itinerary for departures between 01 January 2023 - 31 December 2023

Map of Inca Trail Express including Peru

Inclusions

Meals

6 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 3 dinners

Transport

Private vehicle, Bus, Taxi, Train - Route 3 only

Accommodation

Route 1 - Inca Trail: Camping with basic facilities (3 nights), Hotel (3 nights). Route 2 - Quarry Trail: Camping with basic facilities (2 nights), Hotel (4 nights). Route 3 - Train option: Hotel (6 nights)

Activities
  • Cusco - Leader-led orientation walk
  • Sacred Valley - Community visit & lunch
  • Sacred Valley - Coffee & cake
  • 3 Night/4 Day Inca Trail (or 2 Night/3 Day Inca Quarry Trail) guided hike(s) with porters' support. Or guided Cusco stay (Machu Picchu by train)
  • Machu Picchu - Guided tour
Add on activities
  • Cusco - Full Boleto Turistico Pass (access to 16 archaeological sites, transport & guides not included) - PEN135
  • Cusco - Half Boleto Turistico Pass (access to selected archaeological sites, transport & guides not included) - PEN75
  • Cusco - Cathedral Entrance Fee - PEN40
  • Cusco - Coricancha Temple (entrance fee) - PEN15
  • Cusco - Pisco Making Urban Adventure (Based on 2 participants) - USD57
  • Cusco - Pre-Colombian Museum - PEN20
  • Cusco - Inca Museum (entrance fee) - PEN10
  • Cusco - Machu Picchu Museum & Botanical Garden - PEN25
  • Cusco - Cusco Eat Street (Price based on 4 participants) - USD50
  • Cusco - Cusco Cooking Class - USD70
  • Cusco - City tour and 4 Ruins (Price based on 4 participants)) - USD15
  • Ollantaytambo - Archaeological site - PEN70
  • Cusco - Rainbow Mountain Hike (Based on 4 participants) - USD105
  • Cusco - Palcoyo Rainbow Mountain Hike (Based on 4 paticipants) - USD100
  • Sacred Valley - Mountain Biking (Price Based on 2 Participants) - USD170
  • Cusco - Humantay Lake Hike (Based on 4 participants) - USD130
  • Cusco - Full Day Via Ferrata & Zipline - USD95
  • Cusco - Full Day Stand Up Paddle Boarding (Based on 4 participants) - USD85

Dates and availability

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Essential Trip Information

Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.

Read Essential Trip Information

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 based on 321 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.

Filter by rating

Ed · Traveled September 2023
The intrepid team in Peru was absolutely fantastic and made the whole experience so much better !!
Review submitted 11 Sep 2023

Joanne · Traveled September 2023
A wonderful destination and itinerary. Highly recommended to see all the sights of Peru and experience the wonderful culture in a safe, fun way. Carmen Solis is a wonderful guide!
Review submitted 12 Sep 2023

Hernan · Traveled September 2023
Intrepid Travel has surprised me yet again. A great itinerary with great level of service. The Inca Trail is the perfect example of a complex itinerary operated in a magnificent way.
Review submitted 09 Sep 2023

Delia · Traveled September 2023
The Inca Trail with Intrepid surpassed all my expectations. My group leader's professionalism, knowledge and friendliness left a lasting impression on me that will not be forgotten, not to mention all the wonderful history and culture lived through this hiking trek.
Review submitted 09 Sep 2023

Hernan · Traveled September 2023
The Intrepid Inca Trail Express was a better than expected trip for me. The camping, the service and the food were amazing, apart from the great scenery and great leader with all the information he provided.
Review submitted 13 Sep 2023
Inca Trail Express
From
CHF  1,180