Inca Trail Express
A 5-day adventure to Cusco, the Sacred Valley, and the 2-day Inca Trail.
Hike the Inca Trail even if you’re short on time with this express package featuring an abbreviated version of the Inca Trail. First you’ll explore the fascinating archaeological sites of Cusco, the former capital of the Inca Empire, followed up by a tour of the impressive sites of the nearby Sacred Valley. Finally you’ll set out on a hike of the famous Inca Trail’s main highlights, culminating in a full tour of Machu Picchu. This is the perfect package for those who want to experience a bucket list trek of the Inca Trail but only have a few days to spare.
Day 1: Cusco City Tour
A church in Cusco’s main plaza.
One of our representatives will pick you up from the airport and bring you to your hotel to check in. Then, in the afternoon you will depart on a Cusco city tour to explore all of the city’s most important sites.
Known as the archaeological capital of the Americas, Cusco is the oldest city in the Western Hemisphere and was the heart of the Incan empire during the 14th and 15th centuries. Today, Cusco is a blended city, with a mix of ancient pre-Inca & Inca architecture and Spanish/Colonial influences. Today we will have the chance to visit a number of fascinating sites which will allow you to appreciate the city’s extraordinary history and culture:
Cusco Cathedral
The Cusco Cathedral is the main temple of the city of Cusco and is located in the northeast sector of the current Plaza de Armas (main square). Here you will have the chance to admire the cathedral’s architecture and see some famous works of art belonging to the “Cusco School” tradition.
Qoricancha & Santo Domingo Convent
The Qoricancha temple was the primary temple dedicated to Inti, the sun god, and the most important temple in the Inca Empire. The baroque Santo Domingo Convent was later built on top of the Incan temple, but much of the majestic original stonework still remains.
Sacsayhuaman
Sacsayhuaman is an Inca ceremonial fortress located two kilometers north of the city of Cusco. Built with massive megalithic stone walls, Saqsaywaman is considered by many to be the greatest architectural work accomplished by the Inca Empire during its heyday. You will also be able to enjoy a beautiful panoramic view of the city of Cusco from the nearby Cristo Blanco lookout point.
Q’enqo
Located about 4 km (15 minutes) northeast of the city of Cusco, this mysterious site is one of the largest huacas (pre-Columbian places of worship) in Cusco and features a number of intricate underground passageways.
Puca Pucara
Puca Pucara, whose name means “Red Fortress” in Quechua, is a fortress composed of large walls, terraces and stairways which shows us an excellent example of Inca military architecture.
Tambomachay
This stunning Inca site consists of a series of aqueducts, canals and several waterfalls running through natural rock formations. This site serves as one of the most impressive examples of the Incas’ ability to manipulate water. Though its exact purpose is unknown, it may have been a place of devotion for a local water cult.
After visiting all of these sites, you will return to your hotel and have the rest of the day free.
Day 2: Sacred Valley of the Incas
Agricultural terraces at the ruins of Pisac in the Sacred Valley of the Incas.
We will depart at 7:00 a.m. to begin your full-day tour of the Sacred Valley.
The Sacred Valley of the Incas was the center of the vast Incan Empire. This fertile land features an excellent climate and has been a major agricultural region for thousands of years. The extensive ruins stretch from the villages of Pisac to Ollantaytambo before you eventually arrive at the citadel of Machu Picchu.
Today we will have the opportunity to visit the following incredible sites:
Pisac
This site functioned as the Southern Gateway to the Sacred Valley, and is known for its military, ceremonial and agricultural purposes. Here you can admire numerous agricultural terraces lining the mountainside, the most of any site in the Sacred Valley. After visiting the ruins we will walk through the local town of the same name and explore its colorful artisan market before heading to the town of Urubamba for lunch (cost of meal not included in tour).
Ollantaytambo
Our second stop will take us to the Inca Fortress and Citadel of Ollantaytambo, built to guard the Northern entrance of the Valley. It was designed to protect it from possible invasion from the various lower jungle tribes. As you walk through the quaint streets of the town and make your way up the steps of the fortress, you will start to realize what an important strategic Military, Religious, and Agricultural Center it was during the reign of the Inca Empire. This is also the place where the Inca had their last stand against the Spanish before retreating to seek refuge at Vilcabamba.
Chinchero
Next we will stop off at the picturesque Andean Village of Chinchero to visit the Royal Hacienda Ruins of Tupac Inca Yupanqui. We will admire a well-preserved Inca Wall in the Main Square and visit the beautiful Colonial temple built on Inca foundations, featuring a series of mysterious fresco paintings.
After the tour you will head to your hotel in the Sacred Valley to rest for the evening.
Day 3: Inca Trail Highlights
We will pick you up early from your hotel and take you to the train station. We will travel by train, on a very picturesque route to the starting point of the trek (Kilometer 104). We then have a walk of approximately four hours up to the Inca site of Wiñay Wayna (Forever Young), (2,680 m/8,792 ft), the most impressive site on the Inca Trail.
After lunch, we will continue on to Inti Punku (Sun Gate), (2,730 m/8,792 ft) to have your first incredible, panoramic view of Machu Picchu (2,400 m/7,873 ft). We will finish the last part of the trail towards the ancient city and getting some great photo opportunities as we go. Before reaching Machu Picchu, we will take a side path off the trail and our descent to the town of Aguas Calientes where we will have dinner and the rest of the evening at your leisure. You can explore the town, soak in the local hot springs or rest for our full day tour of Machu Picchu the following day.
Day 4: Machu Picchu
Today is the day you’ve been waiting for!
We will pick you up from your hotel at 5:00 a.m. to catch the bus from Aguas Calientes to the entrance of Machu Picchu.
One of the Seven Wonders of the World, Machu Picchu deserves all the attention that it gets for being an engineering and architectural masterpiece. Visitors will be impressed by the many plazas, temples, houses, storage facilities, sundials, stairs that still maintain their structure more than 500 years later despite constant exposure to intense weather and earthquakes.
During your tour through this magnificent site, your bilingual guide will explain all about the historical sanctuary of Machu Picchu and visit all the major sites within the lost city. The guided tour will take around 2 hours.
After the tour we will descend to Aguas Calientes, where you will have time to visit the hot springs that the town is named for (not included in cost of tour). Then, you will have the opportunity to eat lunch and shop for some souvenirs before catching the train back to Cusco.
Day 5: Departure From Cusco
One of our representatives will escort you from your hotel to the airport for your flight home.
Note: We may modify this itinerary as necessary according to your arrival and departure times.
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DepartureCusco
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IncludedAll tours mentioned in the itineraryEntrances fees to all tourist sitesGround transportationAccommodation at 3-star hotelsBreakfast at all hotelsLunch on the Inca Trail
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Not IncludedAirfareMeals not mentionedTips
