Itinerary
- Day 1
Cusco
After arriving at the airport, you'll get picked up and head to your hotel for some rest and time to adjust to the altitude. Once you've settled in, you'll have lunch and then join a half-day city tour that takes you through Cusco Cathedral and Qoricancha, where you can see how Inca and colonial architecture blend together. From there, you'll drive up to Sacsayhuamán, the hilltop fortress, and then check out the ceremonial centers at Qenqo, Puka Pukara, and Tambomachay. You'll get back to your hotel by evening to relax.
- Start point
- Hauqaypata, Cusco, Cusco, Peru (Pickup from Cusco hotels 30 minutes before departure time.)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hotel in Cusco)
Included Activities
- Cusco Cathedral entrance
- Qoricancha entrance
- Convent of Santo Domingo visit
- Sacsayhuamán fortress visit
- Qenqo ceremonial center visit
- Puka Pukara visit
- Tambomachay ceremonial complex visit
Landmarks Cusco Cathedral Qoricancha Convent of Santo Domingo Sacsayhuamán Qenqo Puka Pukara Tambomachay 
- Day 2
Cusco - Taray - Pisac - Ollantaytambo - Chinchero - Cusco
Your guide picks you up at 8:30 a.m. for a full day exploring the Sacred Valley. You'll make brief stops at Qorao and Taray viewpoints to take in the landscape, then head to Pisac where you can walk through the archaeological site and check out the traditional market. After grabbing a buffet lunch with typical Peruvian dishes in Urubamba, you'll continue to Ollantaytambo to see the temples and terraces there. The day finishes in Chinchero where you'll watch a natural dyeing demonstration and visit both the archaeological site and a colonial church before heading back to Cusco.
- Meals
- Lunch (Buffet lunch featuring typical Peruvian dishes in Urubamba)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hotel in Cusco)
Included Activities
- Qorao and Taray viewpoints visit
- Pisac archaeological site visit
- Pisac traditional artisan market visit
- Ollantaytambo archaeological complex visit
- Chinchero Andean textile art natural dyeing demonstration
- Chinchero archaeological site visit
- Chinchero colonial church visit
Landmarks Qorao Viewpoint Taray Viewpoint Pisac Ollantaytambo Chinchero 
- Day 3
Cusco - Mollepata - Challacancha - Soraypampa - Humantay Lake
A 4:00 a.m. pick-up starts your Salkantay trek. After a 2 hour 15 minute drive to Mollepata, you'll have a light breakfast and then head to Challacancha to connect with your trekking team. You'll hike 7 km along an ancient Inca canal, climbing to Soraypampa at 3,900 m. After lunch and a rest at Sky Camp, you'll hike about 2.5 hours to Humantay Lake at 4,200 m for photos and some quiet time. Back at camp, you'll have tea and dinner while watching the sunset, then settle in for the night at your igloo.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Light breakfast at Mollepata), Lunch (Lunch at Sky Camp), Dinner (Delicious dinner at Sky Camp accompanied by sunset)
- Accommodation
- Camping (Sky Camp)
Included Activities
- Trek to Soraypampa along ancient Inca canal
- Hike to Humantay Lake
- Sky Camp stay with igloo accommodation
Optional Activities
- Optional horseback ride from Soraypampa to Humantay Lake
Landmarks Mollepata Challacancha Soraypampa Humantay Lake 
- Day 4
Soraypampa - Abra Salkantay - Huayracmachay - Collpapampa
You'll start early with a hearty breakfast and coca tea to help with the altitude as you head up to Abra Salkantay at 4,630 m, the highest point on the trek. Over about 4 hours, you'll cover 7 km with views of snow-capped mountains the whole way. The descent takes you 7 km down to Huayracmachay where lunch is waiting. After resting, you'll trek 9.5 km through the cloud forest for about 3.5 hours to reach Collpapampa at 2,950 m and Mountain Sky View Camp, where you'll have dinner and rest for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Energy-packed breakfast with coca tea), Lunch (Lunch at Huayracmachay), Dinner (Delicious dinner at Mountain Sky View Camp)
- Accommodation
- Camping (Mountain Sky View)
Included Activities
- Ascent to Abra Salkantay
- Descent to Huayracmachay
- Hike through cloud forest to Collpapampa
- Mountain Sky View Camp stay
Landmarks Abra Salkantay Salkantay Mountain Humantay Mountain Huayracmachay Collpapampa 
- Day 5
Collpapampa - Santa Teresa Valley - La Playa - Lucmabamba
Starting at 6:00 a.m., you'll hike through Santa Teresa Valley for about 5 hours, crossing rivers and passing wild orchids, waterfalls, and fruit and coffee plantations along the way. You'll take a short break at La Playa before pushing on for 30 minutes to Lucmabamba at 2,000 m where lunch is served. In the afternoon, you'll visit an organic coffee farm to see the whole process from harvesting to exporting, and you can also explore local orange and avocado plantations. After dinner, you'll spend the night at Super Jungle Domes.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast at Mountain Sky View Camp), Lunch (Lunch at Lucmabamba camp), Dinner (Dinner at Super Jungle Domes)
- Accommodation
- Camping (Super Jungle Domes)
Included Activities
- Hike through Santa Teresa Valley
- Visit organic coffee farm
- Explore orange and avocado plantations
- Super Jungle Domes camp stay
Landmarks Santa Teresa Valley La Playa Lucmabamba - Day 6
Lucmabamba - Llactapata - Ahobamba - Hidroelectrica - Aguas Calientes
You'll wake up early for hot coca tea and your last camp breakfast. A 3-hour ascent takes you to the original Inca Trail section and the archaeological site of Llactapata at 2,700 m where you get panoramic views of Machu Picchu and Huayna Picchu. After descending to Ahobamba for lunch, you'll continue to Hidroelectrica at 1,800 m. From there, you can either take the train to Aguas Calientes (extra cost) or walk about 3 more hours along the train tracks through tropical vegetation. Check into your hotel in Aguas Calientes and have the rest of the afternoon to relax or explore town, then meet at 7:00 p.m. for dinner.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Last breakfast prepared by chef at Jungle Domes with hot coca tea), Lunch (Lunch at Ahobamba), Dinner (Dinner at local restaurant in Aguas Calientes)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hotel in Aguas Calientes)
Included Activities
- Ascent to Llactapata archaeological site
- Guided explanation at Llactapata
- Descent to Ahobamba
- Walk or train option to Aguas Calientes
- Aguas Calientes hotel check-in
Optional Activities
- Train from Hidroelectrica to Aguas Calientes - additional cost USD 41 per person
Landmarks Lucmabamba Inca Trail Llactapata Machu Picchu Huayna Picchu Ahobamba Hidroelectrica Aguas Calientes - Day 7
Aguas Calientes - Machu Picchu - Ollantaytambo - Cusco
You're picked up at 6:00 a.m. for a light breakfast before catching one of the first buses to Machu Picchu, so you'll arrive before the big crowds. Your guide will take you on a 2-hour tour through the temples, terraces, palaces, and ceremonial areas with time to take photos on your own. If you want, you can climb either Huayna Picchu Mountain at 2,720 m or Machu Picchu Mountain at 3,000 m, both requiring an additional ticket and taking 2-3 hours round trip. After you're done exploring, you'll head back to Aguas Calientes for lunch, then take the train to Ollantaytambo where a private vehicle will drive you back to your hotel in Cusco.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Light breakfast before Machu Picchu visit)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hotel in Cusco)
Included Activities
- Machu Picchu guided tour (approximately 2 hours)
- Machu Picchu entrance
Optional Activities
- Huayna Picchu Mountain climb - additional cost USD 60 per person, approximately 2 hours round trip
- Machu Picchu Mountain climb - additional cost USD 60 per person, approximately 3 hours round trip
- Huchuy Picchu Mountain climb - additional cost USD 50 per person, approximately 2 hours round trip
Landmarks Machu Picchu Huayna Picchu Machu Picchu Mountain Huchuy Picchu 
- Day 8
Cusco - Quiquijana - Rainbow Mountain - Cusco
A 4:00 a.m. pick-up takes you south toward Cusco's South Valley. After a 3-hour drive, you'll stop for a continental breakfast before reaching the hike starting point at 4,630 m. As you climb, you'll see the snow-capped Ausangate mountain and Andean communities with llamas dressed in colorful traditional clothing. About 1.5 hours of hiking brings you to Rainbow Mountain at 5,100 m where you'll have 30-60 minutes to explore and photograph. You'll descend for 45 minutes, then transport takes you to Cusipata for lunch before heading back to Cusco.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Continental breakfast after 3-hour drive), Lunch (Lunch at Cusipata)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hotel in Cusco)
Included Activities
- Continental breakfast
- Hike to Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca)
- Guide explanation at Rainbow Mountain
Landmarks Quiquijana Rainbow Mountain Ausangate Mountain Cusipata 
- Day 9
Cusco - Cusco Airport or Bus Station
You'll have a more relaxed morning to enjoy breakfast and pack your things. If you'd like to grab any last-minute souvenirs, there's time for that too. Your guide will coordinate your pick-up time to transfer you to either the airport or bus station for your departure home.
- End point
- Cusco, Cusco, Peru (Drop-off at Cusco hotels)
