Original
Walking & Trekking
Inca Trail Express
7 days • 4.9
5
Excellent
601 reviews
7 days
Start
Cusco, Peru
Finish
Cusco, Peru
Trip Code
GGTA
Min Age
15
Trip Size
1 - 16
Physical Rating
Meals
6 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 3 dinners
Transport
Private vehicle, Bus, Taxi, Train
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)
From £854(7 days)
Trip Informations
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 Spanish 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. Tuuur is the largest B Corp certified operator on the Inca Trail and we’re committed to operating our treks for the benefit of all.
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 to 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 to Machu Picchu must follow a pre-determined circuit within the site as a way to relieve crowding. The circuit-based entrance tickets are available on a first come first serve basis. We will do all that is possible to get everyone traveling in a group on the same route, but be aware that it is possible that members of the same group might be visiting Machu Picchu on a different circuit and not be together during this visit. Once the guided visit concludes, visitors must exit the site and personal exploration of Machu Picchu is not permitted.
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.
Can't decide which trek is for you? Read up on them here: https://www.tuuur.com/adventures/inca-trail-vs-quarry-trail/ Inca trail permits are limited and it's important to book well in advance, read more about it here:  https://www.tuuur.com/adventures/inca-trail-permit/ https://www.tuuur.com/adventures/inca-trail-vs-quarry-trail/ (https://www.tuuur.com/adventures/inca-trail-vs-quarry-trail/) https://www.tuuur.com/adventures/inca-trail-permit/ (https://www.tuuur.com/adventures/inca-trail-permit/)
Itinerary
Discover the ancient civilisations of Peru on the Inca Trail
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.
Inclusions
Meals
6 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 3 dinners
Transport
Private vehicle, Bus, Taxi, Train
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)
Included activities
Cusco - Leader-led orientation walk
Sacred Valley - Community visit & lunch
Sacred Valley - Snack & drink at AMA Restaurant social enterprise
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
Optional 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 - Cusco Eat Street (Price based on 4 participants) - USD50
Cusco - Cusco Cooking Class - USD70
Cusco - 4 Ruins + Qorikancha (Price based on 4 participants) - USD40
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
Starting
Ending
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Important notes
1. Inca Trail permits are sold on a request basis only. Once a deposit is paid and passport details are provided, Tuuur will endeavour to secure a permit for you. If Inca Trail permits are unavailable, you can opt to hike the Quarry Trail instead
or travel to Machu Picchu by train.
2. Full passport details are required at the time of booking. These details must match the passport you will travel on. Mismatched details can lead to refusal of entry by the Inca authorities. Delays in providing this information may result in booking fees or changes to your itinerary.
3. We will request an Inca Trail permit for you unless, at time of booking, you advise us that you wish to hike the Quarry Trail or take the train. Fees may apply to changes made after the time of booking, and availability on other options cannot be guaranteed.
4. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement applies to all nights of your trip and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
5. This trip starts at 2pm on Day 1.
6.The Inca Trail closes in February to allow cleaning and restoration works. If the trek portion of your trip starts in February, you will be automatically booked to hike the Quarry Trail.
7. According to Machu Picchu visiting regulations all visitors must follow a pre-determined circuit within the site as a way to relieve crowding. The circuit-based entrance tickets are available on a first come first serve basis. For travellers who opted for the Quarry Trail and Train options we will endeavour to get everyone traveling in a group on the same circuit. Regardless of the circuit you will enjoy the beauty and grandeur of the site. Travellers completing the Inca Trail will enter Machu Picchu via the Sun Gate with a guided tour taking place on circuit 5.
8. As you can choose different ways of reaching Machu Picchu (Inca Trail, Quarry Trail or Train), you may be joined by other Tuuur and/or non-Tuuur travellers. There is also a small chance you may be the only traveller from your group on your selected option.
Reviews (586)
5 stars
546
4 stars
36
3 stars
2
2 stars
1
1 star
1
Jane
May 16, 2025
This was my first Intrepid trip and it completely surpassed my expectations.. the whole Intrepid team that support our trek were professional, incredibly hard working and invested in us having a wonderful experience. We laughed, we learnt, we were fuelled with amazing food, we cheered each other on the tough sections and we embraced the wonder of the nature and history that we were blessed to walk and sleep in over 5 days. Complete escapism. Going home feeling beyond grateful.
Sarah
May 14, 2025
Intrepid was a step above. Was highly recommended and I can see why!
Mick
May 14, 2025
One of the best experiences of my life! The Intrepid crew were amazing and our guide, Wilson, is both great at his job and a good human. 100% recommended.
Gina
May 10, 2025
The Inca Trail Express was a great experience! I'm so glad we chose the Inca Quarry Trail. Every second was beautiful. It was very challenging, even after training for it, but worth it! Hernan was a great guide and our chefs and porters were terrific. Highly recommend.
Iliana
May 08, 2025
A bucket list checked in a way that exceeded my expectations from all angles. Highly recommend to use Intrepid for your next adventure; and if you are going to Machu Pichu, request Hernan as the crew lead (if you can!!!)
Michelle
May 04, 2025
Carlos was great! You can tell that he is very passionate about the Inca history. This was our first time taking an intrepid tour and we will probably do it again. Really like the small group and the fact that it doesn’t feel rush even though the itinerary is packed. Feels like you’re travelling and not on just some tour!
Christine
May 03, 2025
Would recommend Intrepid for any future travell plans
Rudy
May 01, 2025
This trip was an incredible way to learn about the amazing Inca culture and surround yourself in the vast natural beauty of Peru.
Katherine
Apr 25, 2025
I highly recommend Intrepid's Inca Express trip. There were other operators doing the Inca Trail but our group was much smaller (5 as opposed to 20+ in some groups), more personalised, amazing camps and campfood, heaps of interesting information about the sites and natural world, well organised, more porters so less for me to carry, and absolutely worth the little bit more.
Hannah
Apr 25, 2025
The Inca Trail Express trip was amazing! Miguel, our guide, was awesome—super knowledgeable and friendly. I chose the Inca Trail route and the porters who carried our things, set up camp, and made all of our meals were incredible and made everything run so smoothly. Their hard work really made the trip unforgettable. Highly recommend this experience!
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