The Express Inca Trail

2 days
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
View all 7 photos
Video not provided by operator
4.9/5 Excellent
100+ reviews  
97%
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
none
Cancellation Policy
Small Group Tour
This express and small group 2-day Inca Trail to Machu Picchu covers the key sites but in a less strenuous hike. Explore the sites of Chachabamba, see the terraces of Wiñay Wayna, and be the few ones to cross the Sun Gate. You will kick off the next day with a full guided tour of Machu Picchu Citadel as you learn about the history of the Incas. All along with...
29%
$755
From$539
See departure dates

Member Savings

Save up to $700!

Sign in to see which companies give additional
savings to Travelstride Members (it’s free)

Unlock Savings

Overview

Trip type
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Basic - 2 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Highlights

    • Take the shorter version of the Inca Trail with the same striking sites and scenery
    • Spend one night in a comfortable hotel in Aguas Calientes
    • Access Machu Picchu through the famous Sun Gate or Inti Punku
    • Take the scenic round trip train ride to Km 104 and Ollantaytambo

What's this trip about?

    This express and small group 2-day Inca Trail to Machu Picchu covers the key sites but in a less strenuous hike. Explore the sites of Chachabamba, see the terraces of Wiñay Wayna, and be the few ones to cross the Sun Gate. You will kick off the next day with a full guided tour of Machu Picchu Citadel as you learn about the history of the Incas. All along with a striking Andean backdrop and the luscious upper rainforest.

Compare to similar trips

Details

Itinerary focusOff the Beaten Path
Group sizeIntimate group - 12 max
Age range13 years and up
Flights and transportN/A
Start CityCusco
End CityCusco

Travel Themes

  • Cultural
  • Hiking & Walking
  • Nature & Wildlife
  • Trekking & Expeditions

Destinations

  • South America
  • Peru

Attractions

  • Inca Trail
  • Machu Picchu
  • Vicanota River

Activities

  • Adventure & Adrenaline
  • Culture
  • Hiking
  • History
  • Mountaineering
  • Nature
  • Photography
  • Ruins & Archaeology
  • Trains & Rail
  • Trekking

Trip includes

    • Briefing session the day before the tour
    • Small-group tour for up to 10 people
    • Licensed Tour Guide
    • All pickups and transfers during the tour
    • Hotel in Aguas Calientes
    • 1 Breakfast, 1 Box Lunch, 1 Dinner
    • Water and snacks (Day 1)
    • Round trip tourist class train
    • Inca Trail & Machu Picchu entrance fees

View Similar Trips

Itinerary

Travel Map
Day 1 Cusco - KM 104 - Chachabamba - Wiñay Wayna - Sun Gate (Inti Punku) - Machu Picchu - Aguas Calientes The adventure begins with an early 4:00 am pickup. You’ll travel to the town of Ollantaytambo to take a short but scenic train ride to KM 104, the trek starting point. You’ll start with stunning landscapes over the Urubamba River up to the first site, Chachabamba, a beautiful Inca enclave near the river. Next up is a 3-hour walk to the site of Wiñay Wayna, known for its dramatic terraces overlooking the valley. Here, you’ll explore the site, be enlightened with history, and have lunch nearby with dramatic nature. Continue for 1 hour to the Sun Gate (Inti Punku), the must-stop for every Inca trail hiker. This is also the spot where you’ll get your first sights over Machu Picchu Citadel. Only a few places on the earth compete with it! With a final stroll down to the Citadel, you’ll close the day with a bus transfer to Aguas Calientes where you’ll have dinner and spend the night in a comfortable hotel.

Meals
: Snacks, Box Lunch, and Dinner

Accommodation
: Hotel

Difficulty
: Moderate

Walking Distance
: 9 km / 5.59 miles

Walking Time
: 5 to 6 hours

Starting Elevatio
n: 2,100 m / 6,890 ft

Highest Elevation
: 2,720 m / 8,924 ft

Day 2

Aguas Calientes | Machu Picchu – Ollantaytambo - Cusco

Awake with a fresh coffee or breakfast at the hotel. You'll take one of the first buses to arrive at Machu Picchu before the crowds and see the first sunrise lights as you cro...

Meals
: Breakfast

Difficulty
: Easy

Machu Picchu Site Elevation
: 2,430 m / 7,972 ft

Optional Activities
: Huayna Picchu and Machu Picchu Mountains (2-3 hours of extra hike)

Want a tailor-made trip instead?

Your trip, your way, planned by an expert:

  • You choose budget, destinations, activities, transport & lodging type
  • Expert designs the itinerary for you, and once approved, takes care of logistics
Design custom trip

Dates & Availability

Price From $539
Price per day$270
Last Updated: 2/23/2024

Check Current Availability, prices, specials with Salkantay Trekking.

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

Travelstride Gift Card
One card, thousands of extraordinary trips
Gifts Card

Salkantay Trekking Reviews & Ratings

4.9/5  Excellent
Excellent
175
Great
2
Average
3
Disappointing
0
Terrible
3
Write a Review

Other Salkantay Trekking Reviews

R

Richard Crawford

Oct 2023

Written on

A pleasure to work with Salkantay…

A pleasure to work with Salkantay trekking. Their pre trip organisation's and friendly and comprehensive responses really made booking easy. The tour was well organi...

S

Skylar Yan

Oct 2023

Written on

Best thing on 2023

How do I even start? Without my tour guide Pabel, I probably won’t be able to finish my trip at all. Facing multiple unexpected situations such as my hiking boots br...

B

Brian Kohn

Oct 2023

Written on

Fredy is the best!!

We booked a 7 day whirlwind tour of all the sights and trekking around Cusco with Salkantay Trekking for our family of five. This amazing experience was made perfec...

Write a Review

Travelers also viewed

Tour Operator

Salkantay Trekking

none
View Profile

We’re passionate about what we do and want to share it with the world.

Through tourism, we get to show visitors to our incredible country all it has to offer, as well as making it hugely beneficial to the local people. We also take great care in preserving customs, traditions, the history of our grand country, and all the beautiful natural sights it boasts.

About Travelstride

Find your perfect trip

An epic selection of pre-planned trips on every continent, for every style. Thousands of itineraries from over 1,000 trusted travel companies.

Save time

Use simple search and comparison tools to easily find the best trip. Don't sweat the logistics — travel providers plan for you.

Save money

Book directly with the operator. See inclusive packages for the best values, and get access to amazing deals.

Travel confidently

Read unbiased user reviews, pick the operator that suits your needs, and connect with them directly.

Logistics

What's excluded

    • Breakfast on day 1, Lunch and Dinner on day 2
    • Huayna Picchu Mountain ticket (If option selected, it’s subject to availability)
    • Tips for our staff (Optional)
    • Travel Insurance
    • Additional costs or delays beyond our control

Accommodation

,1 Night hotel accommodation
Guides
Local Guide(s). Our Tour Guides are professionally trained and certified. We choose them for their experience, responsibility, unbridled passion for exploring, and pride in sharing our culture and history. In every experience, they will keep you safe and comfortable so you can enjoy your time worry-free.
Requirements
,Solo travelers are welcome on this trip. We assign them a group on a date that has reached the minimum number of travelers. The single supplement price is given on request.
Cancellation policy
  • Non refundable
  • Amendments of dates and traveler key data may incur extra fees. These are determined according to the days prior the tour
Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance alongside your travel package to safeguard against unforeseen circumstances such as medical expenses, trip cancellations, and other contingencies. It offers you peace of mind and ensures you are prepared for unexpected events that may occur before or during your journey
Visa requirements
Visa requirements vary depending on your country of origin and your country of destination. It is your responsibility to familiarize yourself with the relevant requirements. For a handy tool that can help you quickly find the requirements, please visit this link .
Meals Included
  • 1 breakfast
  • 1 Box Lunch
  • 1 Dinner
  • Snacks and drinks on the trail
Age Requirements
13 years and up
Suitable for all ages after 12
Optional Activities
Climb to Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountains
Additional Information
Trip ID
salkan-ExInTr

Become a member

(it's free)
  • Save up to $700 per person
  • Access members-only specials
  • Personalize trip recommendations
Sign up and save
Top Tour Companies on Travelstride:
All 1,600+ companies >
Sign in to reveal savings up to $700 per person!