Inca Trail Express 1 Day

The Express Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is one of the best one-day experiences for travelers looking to discover and immerse themselves in the treasures, nature, and history of Inca culture. This innovative route offers the chance to explore the Inca Trail from Cusco to Machu Picchu in a shorter version.

You will enjoy stunning landscapes, learn about the region’s history and culture through a guided tour, visit key archaeological sites, and experience a unique way to encounter the wonder of Machu Picchu.

INCLUDES:

• Pre tour-information.
• Transfers in tourist transportation.
• Assistance during the whole tour.
• Professional guided tour, English — Spanish.
• All entrance tickets to archaeological sites and tourist attractions mentioned in the tour.
• Entrance to Inca Trail.
• Train ticket, Ollantaytambo — Km.104.
• Train ticket, Aguas Calientes — Ollantaytambo.
• Bus ticket, Machu Picchu — Aguas Calientes .
• Box lunch.

NOT INCLUDED:

• Hotels.
• Food not mentioned.
• Tips.
• Other services not mentioned.

RECOMMENDATIONS:

• Hiking time is approximately 6 hours, we recommend you to wear trekking shoes.
• Carry a small backpack, a camera, a sun hat, sunscreen, a warm jacket, sunglasses, mosquito repellent, and a water bottle.
• The hike is at high altitude, so make sure to be comfortable.
• Wear trekking shoes.
• Bring a waterproof jacket.
• Personal hygiene items.

Our Inca Trail Express tour starts early, with a 3:30 AM pickup from your hotel in Cusco to transfer you to the train station in Ollantaytambo. There, we will board the 5:40 AM train, which will take us to Km. 104. The 90-minute train ride offers the chance to admire Andean landscapes surrounding the Sacred Valley, along with views of the Vilcanota River.

The astonishing geography of this area provides a haven for ornithologists, biologists, scientists, and nature lovers to explore archaeological sites, landscapes, and diverse climates that support a rich variety of plants, animals, and insects across the mountains and jungles.

We’ll stop at Km 104 at Chachabamba, where we will cross a bridge and enter the Inca Trail network. After our tickets and passports are checked, we will begin the trek along the sacred path. As we climb uphill, we’ll reach the first site, where you will enjoy beautiful views of Chachabamba and Choquesuysuy, a small archaeological group linked to Machu Picchu, hidden in the semi-tropical forest.

After visiting the site, we will begin an ascent, encountering orchids, mushrooms, and various epiphytes and lithophytes (plants that grow on other plants or rocks). Continuing, we will reach the first panoramic view of Wiñaywayna from stunning viewpoints. Along the way, we will pass by the Phuyuwachi waterfall, a natural water formation that comes from the heights of Phuyupatamarka, where you will observe a variety of wild flora and native birds of the region.

After a 3-hour trek, we will reach the well-preserved remains of Wiñaywayna, located at 2,650 meters and 5 km southeast of Machu Picchu. It is an archaeological site with a ceremonial and productive complex, architectural distribution belonging to the Inca culture, and a control center for access to Machu Picchu. The name Wiñaywayna comes from an abundant orchid found in the area.

After recharging, we will continue to Intipunku, or 'Sun Gate,' the entrance to the citadel. With the satisfaction of completing the Inca Trail, we’ll take some time to rest, enjoy the beauty, and discover from this point the first view of Machu Picchu and its surroundings.

Finally, we will cross the ridge, descend, and explore the archaeological site, a modern-day delight for every visitor. After a general overview of the Machu Picchu citadel, we will take the tourist bus to Aguas Calientes. From there, we will board the train back to Cusco, concluding our one-day Inca Trail Express tour. 

Hiking level:

The hiking level for the 1-DAY EXPRESS INCA TRAIL is categorized as level 3 to 4:

• Level 1: Easy on flat terrain, without major difficulty.
• Level 2: Combination of flat terrain and gentle slopes.
• Level 3: Uneven terrain with steeper slopes.
• Level 4: Steep and rugged terrain.

INCLUDES:

• Pre tour-information.
• Transfers in tourist transportation.
• Assistance during the whole tour.
• Professional guided tour, English — Spanish.
• All entrance tickets to archaeological sites and tourist attractions mentioned in the tour.
• Entrance to Inca Trail.
• Train ticket, Ollantaytambo — Km.104.
• Train ticket, Aguas Calientes — Ollantaytambo.
• Bus ticket, Machu Picchu — Aguas Calientes .
• Box lunch.

NOT INCLUDED:

• Hotels.
• Food not mentioned.
• Tips.
• Other services not mentioned.

RECOMMENDATIONS:

• Hiking time is approximately 6 hours, we recommend you to wear trekking shoes.
• Carry a small backpack, a camera, a sun hat, sunscreen, a warm jacket, sunglasses, mosquito repellent, and a water bottle.
• The hike is at high altitude, so make sure to be comfortable.
• Wear trekking shoes.
• Bring a waterproof jacket.
• Personal hygiene items.

IMPORTANT:

• TRAINS: Our service includes the EXPEDITION or VOYAGER Train for the round trip; you can upgrade to the VISTADOME Train category for an additional 30 USD per person, only for the return trip.
• We can also offer you the VISTADOME OBSERVATORY TRAIN, with an additional 90 USD per person round trip.
• HOTELS: You can choose packages based on the type of Hotel, you can also opt for Hotels that are not listed in our offer, before confirming you must inform us of the hotel you prefer and we will add it to the package.
• PRIVATE: Consult with one of our advisors if you want any of the services in private.

To start your reservation process please send us the following information:

• Name and surname:
• Passport No.:
• Nationality:
• Date of birth:
• Sex:
• Phone:
• It is very important your information about your hotel in the city of Cusco, so we can pick you up there at the beginning of the tour..

1. Payment by credit card VISA or MASTERCARD through our system www.cuscoperu.com/payment the system charges an additional 5% (SSL secure system and foreign bank transfer fees).
2. Sending the advance via Western Union coordinating with our sales representative and sending the request to info@cuscoperu.com, then you must send us the MTCN code of your deposit.
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4. Payment by credit card VISA - MASTERCARD with the PAYPAL system generating the payment order that we would send you from CuscoPeru.com e-commerce If you accept this option you will have a 7% surcharge.