Itinerary
DAY 1 – LIMA – CUSCO
Arrival in Cusco, reception at Cusco airport. Transfer to your selected hotel.
Morning at leisure.
Overnight in Cusco.
DAY 2 – CITY TOUR
Breakfast included at the hotel.
8:00 AM Pick-up from your hotel to begin the city tour. We will meet at the Plaza de Armas (Main Square) and begin our walk along Loreto Street towards Qoricancha, the Inca Temple. This site is also known as the Temple of the Sun, where we can appreciate a colonial temple built upon the foundations of an Inca temple. We will continue our tour to the upper part of the city where we will visit four archaeological sites: Sacsayhuaman, Qenqo, Pucapucar, and Tambomachay.
After the visits, we will return to the city.
- Free time
- Free afternoon
- Overnight in Cusco
DAY 3: CUSCO – KM 82 – HATUNCHACA – AYAPATA
4:30 AM Pick-up from your hotel for your transfer to the town of Ollantaytambo, where you will enjoy breakfast while admiring the mountains surrounding the valley. This will also be your last opportunity to purchase anything you might need for the trek.
From there, we will continue to Km 82, the starting point of our trek to Machu Picchu. There you will meet the team that will make this experience possible: our chef, the porters, and, of course, our expert guides, who will accompany you throughout the entire route.
The hike begins with a leisurely two-hour stretch to Willkarakay, where we will pause to enjoy the view of the first archaeological site: Llactapata, visible from a nearby viewpoint. Next, we’ll continue for another two hours to the picturesque village of Hatunchaca, where our team will welcome you with a delicious lunch prepared with fresh, local ingredients.
With our energy replenished, we’ll hike for another two hours to our first campsite in Ayapata, located at 3,300 meters. There you’ll find your tent already set up, ready for you to rest. In the evening, you’ll enjoy a delicious dinner before a well-deserved rest, preparing you for the next day’s adventure.
- Distance: 14 km / 8 miles
- Duration: 6 hours
- Camp Altitude: 3,300 m / 10,826 ft
- Maximum Altitude: 3,300 m / 10,826 ft
- Meals: Breakfast, snacks, lunch, afternoon tea, dinner
- Difficulty: Moderate
DAY 4: AYAPATA – WARMIWAÑUSKA – CHAQUICOCHA
We’ll start the day with hot coffee or coca tea right in your tent. After a nutritious breakfast, the most challenging section of the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu awaits: a 4-hour hike to Dead Woman’s Pass, the highest point of the trek (4,215 m). Don’t worry, we’ll take a well-deserved rest at the summit to enjoy the scenery and participate in a traditional ceremony offered by our guide to the Apus, the mountain spirits.
Afterward, we’ll hike down for two hours to the Pacaymayo Alto Valley, where a delicious lunch awaits. After refueling, we’ll have a gentler two-hour ascent to Runkurakay Pass, located at 4,000 meters (13,000 feet). Along the way, we’ll explore two fascinating Inca sites: Runkurakay and Sayacmarca.
Our day will conclude at the second campsite, Chaquicocha, at an altitude of 3,600 meters (12,000 feet). Here, you can marvel at a beautiful sunset over the Vilcabamba mountain range before dinner. In the evening, you’ll enjoy a breathtaking view of the constellations—the perfect spot for stargazing!
- Distance: 16 km / 10 miles
- Duration: 10 hours
- Campsite Altitude: 3,600 m / 11,811 ft
- Maximum Altitude: 4,215 m / 13,829 ft
- Meals: Breakfast, snacks, lunch, afternoon tea, dinner. Difficulty: Moderate to Difficult
DAY 5: CHAQUICOCHA – INTIPATA – WIÑAYWAYNA
Once you’ve conquered the most challenging part of the Inca Trail, you can relax and enjoy the most pleasant and exciting day. Today’s route is incredibly varied and consists of a 5-hour hike to the final campsite. Along the way, you’ll traverse diverse ecosystems, such as the lush cloud forest, and enjoy magnificent panoramic views of Salkantay Mountain, the second highest peak in Cusco.
We’ll visit two Inca archaeological sites: Phuyupatamarca, known as the “City in the Clouds,” with spectacular views of the Urubamba River and Machu Picchu Mountain; and Intipata, or the “Terraces of the Sun,” where you’ll have time to rest and enjoy its magical surroundings.
We’ll arrive at the campsite just in time to enjoy lunch, relax, rest, follow the llamas, or take a refreshing shower. In the afternoon, we’ll visit the impressive Inca site of Wiñaywayna, where you’ll learn about its history and explore its incredible terraces.
Finally, we’ll return to camp for tea, dinner, and a surprise farewell.
- Distance: 10 km / 6.2 miles
- Duration: 5 hours
- Camp Altitude: 2,600 m / 8,530 ft
- Maximum Altitude: 3,600 m / 11,811 ft
- Meals: Breakfast, snacks, lunch
- Tea time, dinner.
- Difficulty: Moderate
DAY 6: MACHU PICCHU – CUSCO
On our last day of the Classic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, we’ll wake up very early to visit Machu Picchu, the Lost City of the Incas. We’ll go directly to the checkpoint and wait for it to open at 5:30 a.m. At daybreak, we’ll hike for an hour to the Sun Gate (Intipunku) and enjoy incredible views. If the sky is clear, you’ll see the sunrise over Machu Picchu; it’s an unforgettable sight.
After admiring the view, we’ll descend gently for an hour to Machu Picchu and explore Circuit 1, the best place for panoramic photos. Then we’ll continue to the main entrance, where you’ll find restrooms, a cafe, and the official checkpoint.
After checking in, we’ll explore Machu Picchu along Circuit 3, visiting its most exclusive areas: temples, palaces, water fountains, and observatories, guided by our experts. If you’re looking for more adventure, you can climb Huayna Picchu (tickets must be booked in advance).
Afterward, you’ll take the bus back to Aguas Calientes.
Lunch on your own.
In the afternoon, depart on the train back to Ollantaytambo, where your transportation will be waiting to transfer you to your hotel in Cusco.
DAY 7: RAINBOW MOUNTAIN
We’ll pick you up from your hotel and depart from Cusco. The journey takes approximately 2 hours to the community of Cusipata, where we’ll have breakfast.
Then, we’ll continue for another 1 hour and 30 minutes to reach Phullawasipata, the starting point of the hike, which is at an altitude of approximately 4,600 meters above sea level. From there, we’ll begin our hike along an easily accessible trail for approximately 1 hour and 40 minutes, arriving at Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca).
Vinicunca is located at approximately 5,200 meters above sea level.
After enjoying this natural wonder, we’ll return along the same route, where our transportation will be waiting. We’ll then travel for 1 hour and 40 minutes to Cusipata for lunch (the same place where we had breakfast).
Afterward, we’ll return to Cusco.
Overnight in Cusco
DAY 8: CUSCO – LIMA
At the indicated time, transfer to the airport (2 hours before your flight).
