Itinerary
- Day 1
Airport/Hotel to Calca
You'll get picked up from your airport or hotel and head directly to Sacsayhuaman, where you can walk through this important archaeological site that once protected Cusco. After spending time exploring the ruins, you'll have a picnic lunch with local organic food (around 60-90 minutes depending on your pace). From there, it's a short drive to Calca in the Sacred Valley where you'll settle in for the night and have time to rest after traveling.
- Start point
- Plaza de Armas de Cusco, Plaza de Armas, Cusco, Cusco, Peru (Hotel, 06:00 - 07:00)
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Picnic lunch featuring local organic food native to the area)
Included Activities
- Visit Sacsayhuaman archaeological site with guided exploration
- Picnic lunch featuring local organic food native to the area
Landmarks Sacsayhuaman Calca 
- Day 2
Calca to Pisac and Return
Early in the morning you'll travel to Pisac, a village known for its traditional market and the ancient ruins built into the mountainside. You'll explore the archaeological complex with its balconies, tunnels, terraces, and irrigation systems while enjoying the views. After that, you'll have time to browse the artisanal market for handmade crafts. If you're interested, you can take a combi bus to nearby towns like Urubamba or Ollantaytambo before heading back to Calca for the evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Explore and trek around the archaeological complex of Pisac
- Visit Pisac's unique artisanal market
Optional Activities
- Explore Urubamba by combi bus
- Explore Ollantaytambo by combi bus
Landmarks Pisac Urubamba Ollantaytambo - Day 3
Calca to Ollantaytambo and Yucay
After breakfast, you'll head to Ollantaytambo to see the Inca fortress and ceremonial site with its well-preserved ruins and quiet plaza. Later you'll drive to the Sayri Tupac temple near Yucay, which served as a resting place for the royal Inca family. From there, you'll walk a scenic trail that follows a mountain stream from snowcapped San Juan, with valley views from the old terraces. You'll return to your hotel by evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Walk around Inca Fortress and ceremonial site of Ollantaytambo
- Visit temple of Sayri Tupac
- Trail walk from Yucay temple following mountain stream with valley views
Landmarks Ollantaytambo Sayri Tupac Yucay - Day 4
Moray and Maras
Your day starts at Moray, an ancient site where the Incas tested different potato varieties. The road between Maras and Moray offers an optional cross-country biking route if you want something more active. You'll see views of the Vilcanota Mountain Range including Chicon, Pumahuanca, and Wakay Willca peaks. After a picnic lunch in Maras, an agricultural town known for salt extraction, you'll walk down the paths to the salt mines and check out how the locals work there.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Picnic lunch in Maras)
Included Activities
- Visit Moray archaeological site
- Explore salt mines paths in Maras
- Picnic lunch in Maras
Optional Activities
- Cross-country biking between Maras and Moray
Landmarks Moray Maras Salineras de Maras - Day 5
Machu Picchu
After lunch you'll catch a bus to Machu Picchu, arriving in about 25 minutes at the 7,874-foot sanctuary. As most visitors leave, you and your guide will start exploring the ruins, discovering different sections of this archaeological site. The guided tour lasts roughly 2 hours with plenty of time for photos. Later you'll head down to Aguas Calientes, catch a train back to Ollantaytambo, and then private transportation takes you back to Calca.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Machu Picchu archaeological site (approximately 2 hours)
- Bus transfer to Machu Picchu sanctuary
Optional Activities
- Climb Huayna Picchu mountain (requires separate advance ticket purchase)
Landmarks Machu Picchu Huayna Picchu Aguas Calientes 
- Day 6
Rainbow Mountain
You'll depart around 7:30 a.m. for Rainbow Mountain, starting the hike from Hanchipata-Quesuno at 12,140 feet elevation. The three-hour uphill hike brings you to the famous pass where you can see the surrounding landscape and Ausangate Glacier Peak on clear days. For the night, you'll choose between camping in Chacco Huayllasca community (cold but with good equipment) or staying at Tambo Queque Norte dairy farm (warm bed, dinner, and farm experience).
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Hike to Rainbow Mountain summit
- Views of Ausangate Glacier Peak (weather permitting)
Landmarks Rainbow Mountain Ausangate Glacier Peak Chacco Huayllasca Tambo Queque Norte 
- Day 7
Rock Climbing at Altitude
You'll do rock climbing in one of Cusco's southern valleys at 13,123 feet with unique landscape around you. The climbing is designed to be fun while helping you improve your skills. You'll get a briefing before starting and all equipment like helmets, harnesses, ropes, and belts are provided. You'll stay either at cold Chacco Huayllasca (excellent equipment supplied) or at the warm Tambo Queque Norte dairy farm with bed, dinner, and farm life included.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Pre-experience rock climbing briefing
- Rock climbing at 4,000m altitude with all equipment provided (helmet, harnesses, ropes, billets)
Landmarks Chacco Huayllasca Tambo Queque Norte 
- Day 8
Tinqui and Upis Thermal Springs
Private transport leaves Cusco early for a three-hour drive through the countryside and small towns to reach Tinqui, an Andean village at the base of the Vilcanota mountains. You'll meet your trekking team and mules where the expedition officially begins. In the afternoon you'll walk the plains below the mountain with constant views of Apu Ausangate (the guardian mountain). Tonight you'll camp at Upis where you can soak in natural thermal springs, so bring your swimsuit.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Walk plains below Vilcanota mountain range with Apu Ausangate views
- Bathe in natural thermal springs at Upis
Landmarks Tinqui Upis Apu Ausangate - Day 9
Arapa and Apechata Passes
Today is demanding as you'll summit two high passes. After about 2.5 hours of walking, you'll reach Arapa Pass at 15,912 feet. Then you'll begin your circuit around the glacier, passing Lake Jatun Puqa Q'ocha. You'll continue climbing to Apechata at 16,076 feet, your second summit of the day. The landscape features turquoise lagoons fed by glacial water as you move through the quiet high Andes. After an easier downhill section, you'll arrive at camp near the stunning Laguna Ausangate Q'ocha.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek and summit Arapa Pass at 4,850m
- Trek and summit Apechata Pass at 4,900m
- Walk circuit around glacier and past Lake Jatun Puqa Q'ocha
- Camp near Laguna Ausangate Q'ocha
Landmarks Arapa Pass Jatun Puqa Q'ocha Apechata Pass Laguna Ausangate Q'ocha - Day 10
Palomani Pass Summit
You'll wake to silence and nature sounds with mountains lit by early morning light. Today brings the expedition's highest point, Palomani Pass at 17,060 feet. The ascent is fairly steep and altitude may slow your pace, but the summit rewards you with views of snow-capped Puka Punta and Tres Picos mountains. You'll descend through Finaya Pampa valley for a long downhill stretch to camp at Jampa. Along the way you'll probably see free-roaming alpacas and llamas, and may pass local farmers in their stone homes.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek and summit Palomani Pass at 5,200m (highest point of expedition)
- Descend through Finaya Pampa valley
Landmarks Palomani Pass Puka Punta Tres Picos Finaya Pampa - Day 11
Q'ampa Pass and Pacchanta
You'll walk into the sun while following a mountain stream with bright glaciers visible ahead. Before reaching Q'ampa Pass, the terrain gets very rocky, great for spotting Viscachas (animals similar to chinchillas). You'll pass through the small community of Q'ampa before reaching Q'ampa Pass at 16,404 feet. On clear days from the summit you can see Apu Salkantay, which is unforgettable. As you gradually re-enter civilization, you'll walk to the village of Pacchanta for your final campsite and another soak in hot natural thermal springs.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek and summit Q'ampa Pass at 5,000m
- Pass through Q'ampa community
- Bathe in thermal springs at Pacchanta
Optional Activities
- Spot Viscachas (wildlife similar to chinchillas) in rocky terrain
Landmarks Q'ampa Pass Q'ampa Apu Salkantay Pacchanta - Day 12
Pacchanta to Tinqui and Return to Cusco
After breakfast in the mountains, you have a 3 to 4-hour downhill walk back to Tinqui, finishing your circuit trek. You'll say goodbye to the arrieros (pack handlers) and meet your driver. With a boxed lunch ready, you'll head back to Cusco, carrying memories of an incredible high-altitude adventure.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Boxed lunch)
Included Activities
- Downhill walk from Pacchanta to Tinqui completing the circuit
- Boxed lunch during return drive to Cusco
Landmarks Tinqui - Day 13
Cusco
You'll spend this final day in Cusco at your own pace, relaxing and soaking in the local life and food of this historic Andean city. Check out cafes, wander through neighborhoods, and enjoy the atmosphere before your departure tomorrow.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Explore Cusco at own pace
- Experience local food and dining
Landmarks Cusco - Day 14
Cusco to Airport
Private transport takes you to the airport in time for your connecting flight to Lima for your international departure.
- End point
- Plaza de Armas de Cusco, Plaza de Armas, Cusco, Cusco, Peru (Hotel, 20:00 - 21:00)
- Meals
- Breakfast
