Itinerary
- Day 1
Cusco to Humantay Lake
Your pickup happens early at 4:30am from your Cusco hotel, followed by a 2-hour drive to Mollepata where you'll have breakfast. From there, you'll drive another hour to Soraypampa to meet your muleteers and horses. The hike uphill takes about 2 hours to reach Humantay Lake at 12,470 feet/3,800m. You'll spend time exploring and taking photos before heading back down. Lunch happens at the Quiswarniyoc camp, and then the afternoon is yours to relax, walk around the area, or take an optional hike to Mirador Salkantay for views of the surrounding peaks and valleys.
- Start point
- Cusco, Cusco, Peru (Pickup from your accommodation in Cusco, 05:00 - 05:25)
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Hike to Humantay Lake
- Guided tour and explanation of Humantay Lagoon significance
- Accommodation at Quiswarniyoc camp with Mountain Sky Huts or glass igloos
Optional Activities
- Breakfast in Mollepata
- Optional hike to Mirador of Salkantay for panoramic views
Landmarks Humantay Lake Salkantay Mountain 
- Day 2
Salkantay Pass Trek
This is the toughest day of your trek. You'll wake at 5:00am, have coca tea to help with altitude, then eat breakfast at 5:45am. The uphill hike to the summit at 15,200 feet/4,630m takes 3 to 4 hours and it's relentless climbing. Once you reach the top, there's a traditional Andean ritual honoring the mountain gods. After that, you'll descend for about 2 hours before stopping for lunch. Then you'll hike another 3 hours downhill to reach Chaullay camp at 9,500 feet/2,900m, which marks where the Amazon jungle starts. You'll get camping gear, hot tea, and dinner when you arrive.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Uphill hike to Salkantay Pass (4,630m)
- Traditional Andean ritual at mountain pass
- Downhill hike to Chaullay camp
- Accommodation at Chaullay camp
Optional Activities
- Optional hot shower offered by locals (10 soles)
- Purchase drinks (beer, soda, water)
Landmarks Salkantay Pass - Day 3
Santa Teresa Valley Trek
Wake at 6:00am with coca tea in the humid jungle warmth and have breakfast afterward. Your hike starts at 7:00am and lasts about 5 hours through the Santa Teresa Valley alongside the Salkantay River. The trail passes through coffee, banana, avocado, coca, and passion fruit plantations, so you'll see what grows here. You'll reach La Playa Sahuayaco and then take local transportation for roughly 1 hour to Santa Teresa camp. After lunch at camp, heading to the hot springs at Colcampayo is optional (it's 15 minutes by car). If you go, you can soak in natural hot water for a couple of hours, then return for tea time, dinner, and a group bonfire. Everything in the afternoon is your choice.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Afternoon Snack, Dinner
Included Activities
- 5-hour hike through Santa Teresa Valley
- Transportation from La Playa Sahuayaco to Santa Teresa
- Accommodation at Santa Teresa camp
Optional Activities
- Hot springs visit at Colcampayo
- Relaxation at camp
Landmarks Santa Teresa Valley Salkantay River - Day 4
Llactapata to Aguas Calientes
Breakfast is at 5:30am, then you'll drive 45 minutes by local transportation to Lucmabamba. From there, you'll hike uphill for 3 hours on the original Inca trail to reach the Llactapata ruins, where you get unique views of Machu Picchu and Huayna Picchu Mountain (and possibly Salkantay Mountain if the weather cooperates). A 2-hour downhill hike brings you to Hidroelectrical for lunch and a rest. The final 3-hour trek follows the train tracks into Aguas Calientes town. You'll check into your hotel, shower, and relax before sitting down for your final meal at 7:00pm at a local restaurant.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Final supper at local restaurant at 7:00pm)
Included Activities
- 3-hour uphill hike to Llactapata Inca ruins
- Guided exploration of Llactapata with views of Machu Picchu
- 2-hour downhill hike to Hidroelectrical
- 3-hour hike along train tracks to Aguas Calientes
- Accommodation at hotel in Aguas Calientes
- Final supper at local restaurant
Landmarks Llactapata Machu Picchu Huayna Picchu Mountain 
- Day 5
Machu Picchu
You'll wake at 4:00am and get ready for the highlight. A packed breakfast goes with you on a 30-minute walk to Puente Ruinas checkpoint, where you'll show your passport, Machu Picchu ticket, and student ID if you have one. Climbing stairs for about 1 hour gets you to Machu Picchu's main gate by 6:00am. A 2-hour guided tour covers the history and layout of this Inca site. After the tour ends, you have free time to walk around and explore on your own. Your return to Cusco depends on which transport option you chose.
- End point
- Cusco, Cusco, Peru (Drop off at your accommodation in Cusco)
- Meals
- Breakfast (Packed breakfast)
Included Activities
- 30-minute walk to Puente Ruinas checkpoint
- Access through Machu Picchu main gate
- 2-hour guided tour of Machu Picchu
- Free time to explore Machu Picchu
Optional Activities
- Entrance to Wayna Picchu (additional cost)
Landmarks Machu Picchu Puente Ruinas 
