Itinerary
- Day 1
Cusco to Panticalle
Your adventure starts with a 5:00 a.m. pickup from your Cusco hotel, and you'll drive through the Sacred Valley passing Ollantaytambo before climbing up to the Abra Málaga pass. From there, you begin hiking down the ancient Capac Ñan trail through Polylepis forests. During the 4 to 5 hours on the trail, you'll look for orchids, Royal Cinclodes birds, and if you're lucky, Andean bears. By afternoon you reach Panticalle at the base of snow-capped Verónica peak, then it's a private vehicle ride to Huyro where you'll check out Inca ruins and visit local tea and coffee plantations.
- Start point
- Cusco, Cusco, Peru (From your Hotel, 06:00 - 06:30)
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Hotel pickup from Cusco
- Guided hike on Capac Ñan (Inca Trail) through Polylepis forests
- Visit Inca ruins at Huyro
- Tour of local tea and coffee plantations
Landmarks Capac Ñan (Inca Trail) Abra Málaga Pass Verónica Peak Polylepis Forests - Day 2
Capac Ñan to Cocalmayo Thermal Baths
After breakfast, you'll hike another section of the Capac Ñan through forested terrain and coffee plantations for roughly an hour until reaching Inca Carcel, which has great views of Salkantay Mountain. You'll have lunch with local flavors, and then you can opt for an optional zipline that goes across a river and brings you down to Cocalmayo Thermal Baths. There you'll spend time relaxing in the warm waters before heading back.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Local lunch), Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided hike on Capac Ñan section through forests and coffee plantations
- Visit Inca Carcel archaeological site
- Views of Salkantay Mountain
Optional Activities
- Zipline experience crossing river to Cocalmayo Thermal Baths
Landmarks Inca Carcel Salkantay Mountain Cocalmayo Thermal Baths - Day 3
Llactapata to Aguas Calientes
Starting after breakfast, you trek toward the Llactapata archaeological complex with excellent views of Machu Picchu in the distance. The path takes you through Aobamba Valley where you'll spot exotic birds, orchids, and waterfalls along the way. The 3-hour trek passes the Intihuatana, an Inca astronomical solar clock, and you'll explore Llactapata's ruins before continuing down to Aguas Calientes. By evening you check into your hotel there and settle in for tomorrow's Machu Picchu visit.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided hike to Llactapata archaeological complex
- Views of Machu Picchu from Llactapata
- Trek through Aobamba Valley
- Visit Intihuatana (Inca astronomical solar clock)
- Hotel check-in at Aguas Calientes
Landmarks Llactapata Machu Picchu Aobamba Valley Intihuatana - Day 4
Machu Picchu to Cusco
You'll grab breakfast early and head out on one of the first buses heading up to Machu Picchu, getting there in time to experience the quiet morning atmosphere. A 2-hour guided tour walks you through the citadel's temples, altars, and other key areas. You have free time to wander around further, and if you want, you can climb Huayna Picchu for wider views (permits are required). After lunch back in Aguas Calientes, you take the train to Ollantaytambo and then a private vehicle back to your Cusco hotel, finishing your trek.
- End point
- Cusco, Cusco, Peru (To your Hotel, 20:00)
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Early morning bus to Machu Picchu
- 2-hour guided tour of Machu Picchu citadel
- Free exploration time at Machu Picchu
- Bus return from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes
- Train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo
- Private transport from Ollantaytambo to Cusco hotel
Optional Activities
- Climb Huayna Picchu with prior permits for panoramic views of the citadel
Landmarks Machu Picchu Huayna Picchu 
