Multi-Day Trek to Machu Picchu

Welcome! Please be prepared to meet in the lobby at 5:30 P.M. to depart for your welcome dinner. The dinner reservation time will be finalized closer to your trip date. Keep in mind that Cusco and the locations you will be visiting sit at or above 9,000 feet above sea level. If you're arriving from sea level or are sensitive to altitude, it's a good idea to take precautions—consider arriving early to acclimate or bringing altitude sickness medication. If you plan on arriving today, we recommend flying into the Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport (CUZ).

On our first hiking day, we'll explore the surroundings of Cusco to help adjust to the altitude before our Salkantay traverse. The hike takes us through four ancient ruins—Tambomachay, Pukara Pukara, Quinqu Qenqo, and Sacsayhuaman. By midday, we'll reach downtown Cusco for lunch on your own. Afterwards, we'll take a guided walking tour, checking out Cusco's top spots like the main square, the Stone of Twelve Angles, and the Qoricancha temple. It's recommended to carry a small backpack with water and some snacks. For attire, we recommend comfortable clothing and walking shoes, along with a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen.

• Hiking Through Cusco Ruins

  After breakfast, meet your trekking guide in the hotel lobby for a brief 25-minute transfer to Tambomachay ruins, marking the start of your hiking adventure. Throughout the day, connect with four distinct archaeological sites on foot, traversing the hills surrounding Cusco. At Tambomachay, experience Inca water worship showcased through aqueducts and ceremonial baths. A mere 10-minute walk leads to Pukara Pukara, known for its red-hued defensive structures and strategic hilltop position, believed to have served as a military checkpoint, offering panoramic views. Descend for about an hour to reach Quinqu Qenqo, an enigmatic site featuring intriguing rock formations and ceremonial spaces with supposed ritual significance in Inca culture. Next, a downhill hike of 25 minutes brings you to Sacsayhuaman, an impressive Inca site flaunting monumental stone walls crafted with astounding precision. Conclude the hike with an easy 30-minute walk back to Cusco downtown. You'll have free time to enjoy lunch on your own at the nearby restaurants close to your hotel. Distance: 6.5 miles / Elevation Gain: 1312 feet / Duration: 4 hours / Difficulty: Moderate

  08:00· 240 min· Cusco
• Cusco Downtown Walking Tour

  Step into the heart of history with an afternoon walking tour through Cusco, starting right from your hotel. Follow your expert guide to discover the secrets of the city, known as the Capital of the Inca Empire. Along the tour, immerse yourself in remarkable sights, from the famous Stone of Twelve Angles to the awe-inspiring Qoricancha temple, the vibrant Plaza de Armas, and the grand Cathedral of Cusco. The exploration culminates in the enchanting San Blas neighborhood, renowned for its artistic allure, brimming with studios, artisan workshops, and an array of inviting bars and restaurants. Here, you'll have free time to savor dinner at your own pace. Afterwards, a brief transfer will take you to your hotel. This tour covers approximately 0.5 to 1 mile on foot. Please note that restroom facilities are available at cafes and restaurants for an additional fee.

  14:00· 180 min· Cusco

Today marks the beginning of your trekking adventure through the Peruvian Andes. An early morning pick-up will transport you to the trailhead of the Salkantay Trek. Our goal for the day is to reach 'Humantay Lake,' famous for its stunning views of the Salkantay and Humantay peaks. We'll arrive at our camp in the late afternoon. All meals are included and are prepared by our professional chef. For the Salkantay traverse, it's best to have a 20-30-liter backpack for your daily hiking essentials. The rest of your belongings, with a maximum of 12 pounds per traveler, will be carried by mules. A sleeping bag, provided for you, will not count against the 12 pound limit of personal belongings. Any extra luggage can be stored at the Cusco hotel. We'll provide the essential equipment: a sleeping bag, sleeping pad, and trekking poles. As for clothing and personal items, here's what we recommend: good hiking boots, gloves, a sun cap, a wooly hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, snacks or energy bars, electrolyte beverages, a water canteen, hiking pants, thermal socks, long-sleeve T-shirts, a warm or down jacket, a waterproof jacket, a personal first aid kit, toilet paper, a small towel, a flashlight, and extra batteries. It's highly advisable to consult a doctor before the trip, discussing altitude sickness prevention and possibly obtaining prescribed medication.

• Salkantay Trek: Hummantay Lake & Salkantaypampa

  After breakfast, there will be an introductory meeting with your guide to organize equipment and the mules. Our trekking day starts at Soraypampa (at an altitude of 12,600 feet), heading to Humantay Lake (at 13,780 feet). The hike offers views of the majestic snow-capped Salkantay and Humantay mountains. It's about a 2-hour trek (covering 2 miles) to reach the stunning Humantay Lake. The sight of the turquoise waters nestled in the Andes is truly magical. We'll have time for pictures and offerings to the Apus. After admiring the lake, we'll return to Soraypampa (approximately 1.5 hours, 2 miles) for lunch. Post-lunch, our trek continues to Salkantaypampa (at 13,100 feet) for about 3.5 hours (covering 4 miles). Upon arrival, your camp will be set in a breathtaking location amidst glacier valleys, perfect for stargazing. You'll have free time to rest and explore the camp surroundings. Dinner will be served at the main tent. Please note that the camp's bathrooms are basic 'toilet tents,' and there is no electricity. The camp setup does not require your assistance upon arrival. Some camps are near local houses offering showers and Wi-Fi for an additional fee, but availability varies on the final confirmed camp. Distance: 8 miles / Elevation Gain: 972 feet / Duration: 8 hours / Difficulty: Moderate-Challenging.

  09:00· 480 min· Cusco
• Transfer · Cusco → Soraypampa

  The epic trekking adventure kicks off with an early sunrise pick-up, and a 3-hour journey to the trailhead of Salkantay Trek in Soraypampa town. Along the way, we'll make a planned stop in Mollepata town for restrooms and a short break.

  private · 180 min

Start your day with a cup of coca tea in your tent, followed by breakfast with your group. Then, embark on a new hiking adventure in the Andes Mountains. Today marks the most challenging part of the traverse—reaching Salkantay Pass, the highest point of the trail. Around midday, take a break at Huayracmachay. Here, you'll have time to rest and savor lunch. Then, continue trekking for a few more hours, arriving at the camp in the afternoon, with ample time to explore the surroundings or simply unwind with your fellow travelers. It's recommended to stay hydrated to help your body acclimate to the high altitude of the area. Drinkable water is provided during the traverse, and the staff will offer you coca tea, which is ideal for altitude sickness.

• Salkantay Trek: Salkantay Pass

  Start your day with a healthy breakfast, then prepare your gear and lace up your boots. The morning hike gradually ascends, guiding you through a diverse terrain that includes rocky paths and lush valleys. As you continue, the trail becomes steeper and more demanding, culminating in the iconic Salkantay Pass, the pinnacle of this trek. This ascent, spanning roughly 3.5 miles from Salkantaypampa (13,100 ft) to Salkantay Pass (15,100 ft), can be physically challenging due to the altitude and rugged terrain, typically taking about 4 hours. Once you conquer Salkantay Pass, the journey transitions to a descent, revealing a contrasting landscape with rich vegetation and evolving ecosystems as you descend into lower altitudes. Descending approximately 3 miles along the winding serpent trail for about 3 hours, you'll arrive at Huayracmachay (12,600 ft), our lunch spot. Following lunch, the final leg of the hike leads you through captivating cloud forests, offering glimpses of diverse flora and potential wildlife sightings. The descent to the final campsite covers 5 miles and takes roughly 3 hours. This part of the trail can be steep, involving narrow paths and rocky sections. By afternoon, you'll arrive at Chaullay (9,500 ft), a picturesque village nestled in the cloud forest. Our campsite awaits, providing free time to relax before dinner. Distance: 12 miles / Elevation Gain: 4,265 feet / Duration: 10 hours / Difficulty: Very Challenging

  05:00· 600 min· Cusco

Unzip your tent and immerse yourself in the breathtaking nature that surrounds you. Today's trail offers an incredibly scenic route with gentle slopes, leading you through lush cloud forests, verdant valleys, and picturesque agricultural fields. Along the way, you'll pass by thriving coffee and fruit plantations, cross rivers, and marvel at stunning waterfalls. Our journey includes stops at various family hamlets, where you'll indulge in locally grown fruits and vegetables. Upon arriving at your camp in Lucmabamba in the afternoon, you'll be nestled amidst coffee farms. Here, you'll have the unique opportunity to participate in roasting and grinding coffee beans, culminating in the creation of your own delicious espresso.

• Salkantay Trek: Rivers & Farmlands

  Begin your day with a comforting cup of coca tea, followed by a delightful breakfast served in the main tent. Your guide will lead you on the hike linking Chaullay camp (9,500 ft) to Lucmabamba camp (6,800 ft). Leaving the campsite, you'll venture through dense jungle terrain, following the picturesque Salcantay River on a gradual trail. This leg of the hike may involve river crossings and the chance to witness stunning waterfalls along the way. After covering 6 miles, we'll reach La Playa, offering a well-deserved break, and a tasty lunch. Here, engage with local farmers, savoring delicious fruits like passion fruit, banana, avocado, mango, orange, and papaya. With luck, you might catch sight of the iconic 'Cock of the Rocks' bird. From La Playa, a scenic 4-mile trek leads through coffee trees and plantations, arriving at Lucmabamba camp in the early afternoon. Enjoy the rest of the day to explore the surroundings, including the opportunity to roast and grind coffee beans, culminating in preparing your own espresso. Cap off the day with dinner served in the main tent. Distance: 10 miles / Elevation Gain: 2,874 feet / Duration: 9 hours / Difficulty: Challenging

  05:30· 540 min· Cusco

Your hard work is about to be rewarded! Today's journey marks the final stretch of the Salkantay Trek. The trail maintains a steep slope as you approach the pass, offering your first glimpse of the magnificent Machu Picchu site on the distant horizon. Descending from the pass, the path leads you to 'La Hidroelectrica,' marking the end of the Salkantay Trek. Relish a well-deserved lunch at 'La Hidroelectrica,' followed by a scenic train ride to your Aguas Calientes hotel, where you'll arrive in the late afternoon.

• Salkantay Trek: Machu Picchu

  Fuel up with a healthy breakfast as we set out for our ultimate day of hiking. Today's trail spans a steep 6-mile slope leading us to Llactapata (8,850 ft) in the morning. En route, we'll follow a well-preserved Inca trail, an ancient route to Quito. As we ascend the ridge, a breathtaking sight unfolds—the first view of the legendary Machu Picchu. Llactapata provides a restful pause, allowing us to marvel at the plethora of butterflies, citronella, orchids, rocky streams, and the stunning vistas of the Santa Teresa Valley. From here, a further 5-mile stretch takes us to La Hidroelectrica (6,100 ft), the end of this unforgettable trek. This part is a downhill enveloped by vines, jungle vegetation, and towering trees. Upon reaching La Hidroelectrica, your cook will have a tasty lunch prepared. After lunch, we'll walk to the train station, and embark on our journey to Aguas Calientes, arriving at our hotel by late afternoon. Distance: 11 miles / Elevation Gain: 360 feet / Duration: 9 hours / Difficulty: Challenging

  05:00· 540 min· Cusco
• Transfer · La Hidroelectrica → Aguas Calientes

  After lunch, a short walk to the train station awaits, followed by a quick journey to Aguas Calientes town. Upon arrival at the Aguas Calientes train station, a transfer will take you directly to your hotel.

  train · 45 min

Get ready to capture the magic as you embark on a captivating journey to the breathtaking Machu Picchu site. The day kicks off with a short transfer to these hidden ruins, nestled amidst towering mountains, offering a morning of exploration in this historical gem. At midday, a traditional lunch is included. Later, you'll return to Cusco by train, enjoying a scenic journey. Once at Cusco, you will have some free time to rest and refresh before the farewell dinner. Wear comfy clothes and walking shoes, and bring a rain jacket, hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen for your Machu Picchu adventure.

• Machu Picchu Tour

  Start your day with an early breakfast and check out of the hotel, leaving your luggage stored there. A 30-minute transfer will take you to the Machu Picchu checkpoint. Upon arrival, your guide will lead a 3-hour tour showcasing the highlights of this ancient town. The exploration will cover the main attractions along a 2-mile trail, unveils awe-inspiring terraces and stone structures. Gain profound insights into the historical significance and architectural marvels. The tour offers stunning panoramas of the Andes Mountains and the Urubamba River, allowing visitors to explore at their own pace. The permit for this tour will depend on overall availability. Typically it will either be circuit 2-A or 2-B. Post-midday, return to Aguas Calientes by transfer, with a stop at a local restaurant for a delightful lunch. Restrooms are available at the site's entrance for an additional fee.

  07:00· 180 min· Aguas Calientes town
• Transfer · Aguas Calientes town → Cusco city

  After lunch, a short 5-minute transfer will bring you to the train station. Relax on a scenic 1.5-hour journey back to Ollantaytambo. Upon arrival to the Ollantaytambo train station, a vehicle will be waiting to transfer you 2-hours to your hotel in Cusco.

  train · 210 min

All good things must come to an end, but only until your next adventure! Enjoy a final breakfast and then make your own way onward. If departing directly from the hotel, we recommend flying out of the Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport (CUZ).