Itinerary
- Day 1
Mollepata to Challacancha
Your guide picks you up from the hotel early, which takes about 2 hours to reach Mollepata where you'll grab breakfast on your own. From there, head to Challacancha to link up with your trek team and get the horses loaded before starting out on the original Inca Trail Canal. The hike takes roughly 3.5 hours before you reach your first camp. After settling in and having lunch, you'll make the push up to Humantay Lake, climbing for about 2 hours to see the snowcapped mountain before the 1-hour descent back to camp and dinner.
- Start point
- Plaza Kusipata 237, Cusco, Cusco, Peru (Plaza Regocijo, Cusco, Cusco, Peru, 05:00 - 05:30)
- Meals
- Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Camping (Star camp)
Included Activities
- Hike along original Inca Trail Canal
- Visit Humantay Lake
- Lunch at campsite
- Dinner at campsite
Optional Activities
- Breakfast in Mollepata (available for purchase)
Landmarks Humantay Lake Humantay Mountain - Day 2
Challacancha to Wayracmachay
Get up early for breakfast, then begin the hike toward Salkantay Pass with breaks built in to take in the scenery. Once you hit the summit at 4,630m/15,228ft, there's time to photograph the snowcapped peak. The descent takes you to Wayracmachay where lunch is waiting, and then it's down to your second camp at 2,900m/9,514ft. You'll notice the temperature shifts noticeably warmer as you drop in elevation.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Camping (Chaullay cabin)
Included Activities
- Breakfast at campsite
- Hike to Salkantay Pass (4,630m/15,228 ft)
- Pass through Salkantay Pampa
- Lunch at Wayracmachay
- Hike descent to second campsite
Landmarks Salkantay Pass Salkantay Mountain Salkantay Pampa 
- Day 3
Wayracmachay to Lucmabamba
This day involves a more relaxed hike through thick forest and lush vegetation with some nice trails. On the way down through Santa Teresa Valley toward Lucmabamba, you'll see various orchids and waterfalls that rise about 80 meters. You'll arrive early enough in the afternoon for lunch, then the rest of your time is yours. There's an optional trip to the Santa Teresa Cocalmayo hot spring in the evening if you want to arrange it with other trekkers and get your guide's advice, though this costs extra.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Breakfast at campsite
- Hike through Santa Teresa Valley
- View orchids and 80-meter waterfalls
- Lunch at Lucmabamba
- Dinner at campsite
Optional Activities
- Visit Santa Teresa Cocalmayo hot spring (not included, can be organized with group)
Landmarks Santa Teresa Valley Santa Teresa Cocalmayo - Day 4
Lucmabamba to Aguas Calientes
Walk through sub-tropical forest along an original Inca trail up to Llactapata at 2,700m where you get your first glimpse of Machu Picchu's back side with the other peaks around it. From there, descend to Hidroelectrica for lunch, then walk about 2 more hours to reach Aguas Calientes where you'll stay in a proper hotel. Dinner is on the tour, and your guide goes over what's happening the next day at Machu Picchu.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Hike through sub-tropical forest
- Visit Llactapata ruins with Machu Picchu views
- Lunch at Hidroelectrica
- Dinner at hotel
Landmarks Llactapata Machu Picchu - Day 5
Machu Picchu to Cusco
Start before dawn since your timing depends on your admission slot. You can either hike to the entrance in about 1.5 hours or catch the first bus at 5:30am, which gets you there in roughly 30 minutes. Your guide leads you through a thorough 2-hour exploration of the archaeological site. Head back to Aguas Calientes for lunch on your own, then catch the afternoon train to Ollantaytambo, making sure to arrive 30 minutes early. A company rep meets you there for the final drive in a tourist-class vehicle back to your hotel in Cusco.
- End point
- Plaza Kusipata 237, Cusco, Cusco, Peru (Plaza Regocijo, Cusco, Cusco, Peru, 06:00 - 09:25)
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Machu Picchu archaeological site (approximately 2 hours)
Optional Activities
- Hike to Machu Picchu entrance (approximately 1.5 hours) as alternative to bus
- Huayna Picchu entrance fee: US$70.00 per person (if you want to climb this mountain)
Landmarks Machu Picchu Huayna Picchu 
