Overview
Your week-long expedition starts in Cusco with a warm-up hike to the San Cristobal neighborhood and a welcoming dinner in the Plaza de Armas. Day two takes you to Chinchero for an immersive community farming experience, complete with a natural textile demonstration and a farm-to-table lunch. Next, the trekking begins: departing from Mollepata, you will hike an original Inca canal to Soraypampa, including an afternoon ascent to the striking Humantay Lagoon. Day four tests your endurance with a steep climb to the 4,630-meter Salkantay Pass before descending to the lush Chaullay campsite. The landscape transforms on day five as you trek through the dense Santa Teresa valley past waterfalls, eventually hiking along the railway to Aguas Calientes. On day six, you will explore the majestic Machu Picchu citadel and summit Huayna Picchu before returning to Cusco by train for a final celebratory evening.
Summary
ARRIVAL IN THE IMPERIAL CITY
Arrive at Cusco Airport at noon, meet your leader, transfer to accommodation, start acclimatizing with a hike, and end the day with a welcome dinner.
WEAVING TRADITIONS IN THE SACRED VALLEY
Enjoy a day trip from Cusco to a Chinchero community project for farm work, a farm-to-table lunch, a textile demonstration, and shopping before a farewell dinner.
THE TURQUOISE LAGOON
The second day is dedicated to the in-depth exploration of Machu Picchu, including options to climb Huayna Picchu, before returning by train and transport to Cusco.
ASCENT TO THE MIGHTY SALKANTAY PASS
The second day is dedicated to the in-depth exploration of Machu Picchu, including options to climb Huayna Picchu, before returning by train and transport to Cusco.
FROM CLOUD FOREST TRAILS TO THE GATES OF MACHU
The second day is dedicated to the in-depth exploration of Machu Picchu, including options to climb Huayna Picchu, before returning by train and transport to Cusco.
THE LOST CITY OF THE INCAS REVEALED
The second day is dedicated to the in-depth exploration of Machu Picchu, including options to climb Huayna Picchu, before returning by train and transport to Cusco.
RELAX AND DEPART CUSCO
The second day is dedicated to the in-depth exploration of Machu Picchu, including options to climb Huayna Picchu, before returning by train and transport to Cusco.
Itinerary
DAY 1: ARRIVAL IN THE IMPERIAL CITY
You’ll be picked up from your hotel around 5:30 a.m. (depending on the train schedule) and taken to the Ollantaytambo train station. From there, you’ll take a scenic 2-hour train ride to kilometer 104, where the hike begins.
After crossing a bridge over the Urubamba River, you’ll visit the Chachabamba ruins (2,050 m), known for their water channels and fountains. Then, we’ll hike uphill for about 8 km (around 4 hours). The trail is clear but has lots of stairs, so a good fitness level is needed. Next, we’ll arrive at Wiñay Wayna (2,680 m), a beautiful Inca site with terraces, temples, and housing areas. Many people say it’s the most impressive part of the Inca Trail. We’ll stop here to enjoy our packed lunch.After lunch, we’ll hike for about one more hour to the Sun Gate (Inti Punku – 2,730 m), where you’ll get your first amazing view of Machu Picchu. Since we’ll arrive later in the day, it might be quieter and less crowded.
Then, we’ll take a side trail down to Aguas Calientes (without entering Machu Picchu yet). From there, we’ll take a bus into town, check in to the hotel, and have dinner (not included). Get a good night’s rest – we’ll visit Machu Picchu early the next day!
DAY 2: WEAVING TRADITIONS IN THE SACRED VALLEY
We have breakfast and then take the first bus up to Machu Picchu. A walking tour
(approximately 2.5 hours) is given by your guide and after this you can explore the
mysterious city by yourselves. If you have energy, you can also climb Huayna Picchu
(2720m/8890ft)!! (you need to buy a separate entry to do this) From the top of
Huaynapicchu is one of the most spectacular views of Machu Picchu and there is
also an opportunity to visit the Temple of the Moon or the Inca Bridge. We include in
your tour a bus ticket back down to Aguas Calientes. The train usually leaves
between 2.30pm and 6pm depending on availability. You will board the train to
Ollataytambo where transportation awaits you to return to your hotel in Cusco.
DAY 3: THE TURQUOISE LAGOON
We have breakfast and then take the first bus up to Machu Picchu. A walking tour
(approximately 2.5 hours) is given by your guide and after this you can explore the
mysterious city by yourselves. If you have energy, you can also climb Huayna Picchu
(2720m/8890ft)!! (you need to buy a separate entry to do this) From the top of
Huaynapicchu is one of the most spectacular views of Machu Picchu and there is
also an opportunity to visit the Temple of the Moon or the Inca Bridge. We include in
your tour a bus ticket back down to Aguas Calientes. The train usually leaves
between 2.30pm and 6pm depending on availability. You will board the train to
Ollataytambo where transportation awaits you to return to your hotel in Cusco.
DAY 4: ASCENT TO THE MIGHTY SALKANTAY PASS
We have breakfast and then take the first bus up to Machu Picchu. A walking tour
(approximately 2.5 hours) is given by your guide and after this you can explore the
mysterious city by yourselves. If you have energy, you can also climb Huayna Picchu
(2720m/8890ft)!! (you need to buy a separate entry to do this) From the top of
Huaynapicchu is one of the most spectacular views of Machu Picchu and there is
also an opportunity to visit the Temple of the Moon or the Inca Bridge. We include in
your tour a bus ticket back down to Aguas Calientes. The train usually leaves
between 2.30pm and 6pm depending on availability. You will board the train to
Ollataytambo where transportation awaits you to return to your hotel in Cusco.
DAY 5: FROM CLOUD FOREST TRAILS TO THE GATES OF MACHU
We have breakfast and then take the first bus up to Machu Picchu. A walking tour
(approximately 2.5 hours) is given by your guide and after this you can explore the
mysterious city by yourselves. If you have energy, you can also climb Huayna Picchu
(2720m/8890ft)!! (you need to buy a separate entry to do this) From the top of
Huaynapicchu is one of the most spectacular views of Machu Picchu and there is
also an opportunity to visit the Temple of the Moon or the Inca Bridge. We include in
your tour a bus ticket back down to Aguas Calientes. The train usually leaves
between 2.30pm and 6pm depending on availability. You will board the train to
Ollataytambo where transportation awaits you to return to your hotel in Cusco.
DAY 6: THE LOST CITY OF THE INCAS REVEALED
We have breakfast and then take the first bus up to Machu Picchu. A walking tour
(approximately 2.5 hours) is given by your guide and after this you can explore the
mysterious city by yourselves. If you have energy, you can also climb Huayna Picchu
(2720m/8890ft)!! (you need to buy a separate entry to do this) From the top of
Huaynapicchu is one of the most spectacular views of Machu Picchu and there is
also an opportunity to visit the Temple of the Moon or the Inca Bridge. We include in
your tour a bus ticket back down to Aguas Calientes. The train usually leaves
between 2.30pm and 6pm depending on availability. You will board the train to
Ollataytambo where transportation awaits you to return to your hotel in Cusco.
DAY 7: RELAX AND DEPART CUSCO
We have breakfast and then take the first bus up to Machu Picchu. A walking tour
(approximately 2.5 hours) is given by your guide and after this you can explore the
mysterious city by yourselves. If you have energy, you can also climb Huayna Picchu
(2720m/8890ft)!! (you need to buy a separate entry to do this) From the top of
Huaynapicchu is one of the most spectacular views of Machu Picchu and there is
also an opportunity to visit the Temple of the Moon or the Inca Bridge. We include in
your tour a bus ticket back down to Aguas Calientes. The train usually leaves
between 2.30pm and 6pm depending on availability. You will board the train to
Ollataytambo where transportation awaits you to return to your hotel in Cusco.
Details
What Trip Includes
What Trip Excludes
Packing List
What to bring?
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