Itinerary
- Day 1
Cusco
You'll arrive at Cusco Airport and head to your hotel in the city center. Spend the rest of the day taking it easy and letting your body adjust to the altitude, 11,150 feet/3,400 meters. Sipping coca tea helps with the acclimatization process.
- Start point
- Aeropuerto Internacional Alejandro Velasco Astete (CUZ), Av. Velasco Astete S/N, Wanchaq, Cusco 08006, Peru (From arrival area of Cusco airport or Bus Station )
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Ayni Cusco or similar hotel.)
- Day 2
Maras - Chinchero - Cusco
After your hotel pickup at 8:00 AM, you'll drive through the Andean peaks and small villages toward Moray. The main attractions include exploring the circular Inca amphitheater terraces, then moving on to the ancient salt mines of Maras with its thousands of small pools still in use. Next, you'll tour Chinchero to see Inca stone walls, a colonial church, and watch textile weavers at work. Lunch is on your own back in Cusco.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Afternoon Snack
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Ayni Cusco or similar hotel.)
Included Activities
- Explore Moray amphitheater-like terraces
- Visit Maras salt mines
- Explore Chinchero Inca walls
- Visit colonial church in Chinchero
- Participate in textile weaving demonstration
Landmarks Moray Maras Salt Mines Chinchero 
- Day 3
Day 1)
The Lares Trek begins in the village of Pumahuanca in the Sacred Valley early this morning. You'll trek 14 kilometers (8.7 miles) gaining 1,150 meters (3,773 feet) elevation to reach Puyoc village. Along the way, you'll see the Inca site of Pumahuanca and learn about native plants and wildlife from your guide. Tonight you camp at 4,100 meters (13,451 feet), where snow is possible depending on the season.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Camping (Camping in Puyoc.)
Included Activities
- Visit Inca site of Pumahuanca
- Trek from Pumahuanca to Puyoc (14 kilometers / 8.7 miles with 1,150 meters / 3,773 feet ascent)
- Learn about native plants, flowers, and wildlife
Landmarks Pumahuanca Puyoc - Day 4
Day 2)
Today's trek is a bit easier in terms of distance but still rewarding. You'll hike 13 kilometers (8 miles) starting with a 2-hour climb to reach a mountain pass, then descend into the village of Cuncani. The scenery includes snow-capped peaks, quiet lakes like Yanacocha, and local people wearing traditional colorful clothing. Your guide shares information about Andean culture and Quechua language throughout the day.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Afternoon Snack
- Accommodation
- Camping (Camping in Cuncani.)
Included Activities
- Trek from Puyoc to Cuncani (13 kilometers / 8 miles with 2-hour ascent to mountain pass)
- Learn about Andean culture and Quechua language from guide
Landmarks Yanacocha - Day 5
Day 3)
Wake early and visit a local family at their home to understand how they live day to day, with the chance to exchange gifts or buy alpaca products directly. Then you'll trek 6 kilometers (3.7 miles) through small villages heading toward Lares Hot Springs. Keep an eye out for Andean parrots along the way. After reaching the springs, you'll soak in the warm water before taking a bus to Ollantaytambo for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Intitambo hotel (Ollantaytambo))
Included Activities
- Visit local family home
- Trek to Lares Hot Springs (6 kilometers / 3.7 miles)
- Soak in Lares Hot Springs
Optional Activities
- Purchase locally made alpaca products
Landmarks Lares Hot Springs - Day 6
Ollantaytambo to Chachabamba to Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes (Inca Trail)
This morning you board a train from Ollantaytambo to Km104 (Chachabamba), where the Inca Trail officially starts. You'll hike through thick cloud forests with unusual plants, colorful flowers, and birds throughout the day. Later, you'll reach Winay Wayna, an important archaeological site, then continue on to the Sun Gate (Inti Punku) arriving in late afternoon for your first sight of Machu Picchu. After taking photos from this famous viewpoint, you head down to Aguas Calientes for dinner.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Train journey from Ollantaytambo to Chachabamba (Km104)
- Hike through cloud forest on Inca Trail
- Visit Winay Wayna archaeological site
- Reach Sun Gate (Inti Punku)
- View Machu Picchu from lookout point
Landmarks Winay Wayna Sun Gate (Inti Punku) Machu Picchu - Day 7
Machu Picchu - Cusco
Rise early and catch the first bus up to Machu Picchu, entering just as the sun comes up. A 2-3 hour guided tour walks you through temples, altars, and stone structures while your guide explains the history and purpose of this UNESCO World Heritage Site. If interested, optional permits let you climb Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain for different perspectives. In the afternoon, you'll board a train back to Ollantaytambo, then continue by bus to Cusco.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Ayni Cusco or similar hotel.)
Included Activities
- Early morning bus to Machu Picchu
- Sunrise entry to Machu Picchu
- 2-3 hour guided tour of Machu Picchu temples, altars, and constructions
Optional Activities
- Climb Huayna Picchu (additional permit required)
- Climb Machu Picchu Mountain (additional permit required)
- Climb Huchuy Picchu (additional permit required, subject to availability)
Landmarks Machu Picchu 
- Day 8
Cusco
Your morning is free to relax or wander around Cusco on your own terms. Depending on your flight time, you'll get a hotel transfer to the airport for departure.
- End point
- Aeropuerto Internacional Alejandro Velasco Astete (CUZ), Av. Velasco Astete S/N, Wanchaq, Cusco 08006, Peru (Drop Off at the airport or Bus Station)
Optional Activities
- Explore Cusco at leisure
