Itinerary
- Day 1
Ayapata
Your hotel pickup happens early morning from either Cusco or the Sacred Valley, and then you'll drive toward Km 82 where the trail begins. Stop in Ollantaytambo around breakfast time to grab some food and meet up with your trekking team. From there, you'll start hiking through local villages and come across ancient Inca ruins along the way with some nice panoramic views of the valley. The first day wraps up when you reach Ayapata camp, where you'll set up for your first night at around 9,100 feet elevation.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast in Ollantaytambo), Lunch (Fresh lunch in Hatunchaca), Dinner, Snack (Daily snacks and purified drinking water)
Included Activities
- Scenic drive from Cusco or Sacred Valley to Km 82 trailhead
- Guided trek through villages
- Visit Llactapata ruins
- Visit Willkaraqay ruins
- Views of Patallacta
- Hike to Ayapata campsite
- Hot drinks and tea time at camp
Optional Activities
- Sleeping bag rental: $25
- Inflatable air mattress rental: $20
- Trekking poles rental (pair): $20
Landmarks/POIs Llactapata Willkaraqay Patallacta - Day 2
Ayapata to Chaquicocha
Start early with coffee or coca tea served in your tent, then prepare for the toughest part of the trek. You'll climb for about four hours straight up to Dead Woman's Pass, which sits at 13,100 feet and is the highest point on the entire route. At the summit, your guide will perform a traditional offering to the mountain spirits. After that, you'll hike down into Pacaymayu Valley for lunch, then continue on in the afternoon to reach two more Inca sites, Runkurakay and Sayacmarca, before getting to Chaquicocha camp by evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Well-earned lunch in Pacaymayu Valley), Dinner, Snack (Daily snacks and purified drinking water)
Included Activities
- Early morning coffee or coca tea service
- Four-hour climb to Dead Woman's Pass (4,215 m)
- Traditional offering to mountain spirits (Apus) at summit
- Descent to Pacaymayu Valley
- Visit Runkurakay Inca site
- Visit Sayacmarca Inca site
- Hike to Chaquicocha campsite
- Sunset and starry sky viewing
Landmarks/POIs Dead Woman's Pass Runkurakay Sayacmarca - Day 3
Chaquicocha to Wiñay Wayna
This day feels quite different from the previous one since the hiking is easier and the scenery shifts to lush cloud forest. You'll walk through beautiful vegetation with Andean peaks visible in the distance. The morning takes you to Phuyupatamarca and Intipata, both important Inca sites with great views of the surrounding landscape. After that, you'll head back to camp for lunch and get some rest time in the afternoon. Later, you'll visit the Wi\u00f1ay Wayna ruins before returning for a warm dinner and some time to reflect on the trek so far.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Warm celebration dinner), Snack (Daily snacks and purified drinking water)
Included Activities
- Hike through lush cloud forests
- Visit Phuyupatamarca Inca site
- Visit Intipata Inca site
- Visit Wiñay Wayna ruins
- Panoramic views from Inca sites
- Celebration dinner
Landmarks/POIs Phuyupatamarca Intipata Wiñay Wayna - Day 4
Wiñay Wayna to Machu Picchu to Ollantaytambo
Wake up well before dawn since this is the day for Machu Picchu. You'll hike to the Sun Gate (Inti Punku) in time to see the sunrise light hit the citadel below, and the view from up there is really something special. After passing through the checkpoint, you'll enter the site via the upper trail and do a guided walk through all the main structures and terraces. Later in the morning, you'll head down to Aguas Calientes where you can grab lunch at a restaurant of your choice. From there, catch the scenic Vistadome train back to Ollantaytambo (about two hours), and your driver will take you back to your hotel in Cusco or the Sacred Valley.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Snack (Daily snacks and purified drinking water)
Included Activities
- Early morning hike to Sun Gate (Inti Punku)
- Sunrise view of Machu Picchu from Sun Gate
- Guided entrance to Machu Picchu via upper trail
- Full guided tour of Machu Picchu temples, terraces, and ruins
- Descent to Aguas Calientes
- Panoramic Vistadome train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo
- Private transfer from Ollantaytambo to hotel
Optional Activities
- Huayna Picchu Mountain climb: $68.00 per person (advance booking required)
- Lunch in Aguas Calientes (at own expense)
Landmarks/POIs Sun Gate Machu Picchu
