Itinerary
- Day 1
Cusco
You'll meet your group and take a morning walking tour around Cusco to get your bearings on the city. After that, the rest of the day is yours to explore at your own pace. Wander through local shops, check out the colonial architecture, grab some food from places you find, and pick up anything you need before heading out on the trek tomorrow.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Xima Hotel Cusco (or similar)), Hotel (Tierra Viva Cusco Saphi (or similar))
Included Activities
- City walking tour of Cusco
Optional Activities
- Shopping at artisan shops
- Exploring colonial architecture
- Dining at local restaurants
- Last-minute supplies shopping
Landmarks San Pedro Market Cusco Cathedral San Blas Church Coricancha 
- Day 2
Cusco to Lares Valley
Head out early from Cusco to begin the Lares Valley trek toward Cancha Cancha. Your trekking chef prepares lunch by the river, then you'll make your way to an isolated traditional community sitting over 12,000 feet high with no roads (electricity only arrived in winter 2019). After setting up camp, a local family welcomes you to learn about Andean village life with guide translation. Dinner and stargazing follow, and the locals still navigate by Inca constellations for farming.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch by the river prepared by the trekking chef), Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Inca Trail Camping)
Included Activities
- Lares Valley trek toward Cancha Cancha
- Visit to traditional Andean community
- Guide-interpreted visit to local family
- Stargazing and Inca constellation lesson
Landmarks Lares Valley Cancha Cancha - Day 3
Lares Valley
You'll hike for about 7 hours through Andean terrain with glaciers, lakes, alpacas, and valleys all around. Keep an eye out for Caracara falcons and Andean geese along the way. Reach the summit for photos, then stop by Q'oalay village on the descent. Meet indigenous people there, see their homes, and learn some Quechua words (the Inca language). Llamas roam the trail, and you'll camp near the Q'oalay lake for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Inca Trail Camping)
Included Activities
- 7-hour alpine trek with views of glaciers, lakes, and mountains
- Visit Q'oalay village
- Meet local indigenous people and visit their homes
- Quechua language lesson
Optional Activities
- Wildlife observation (Caracara falcons, Andean geese, llamas, alpacas)
Landmarks Q'oalay Lake Q'oalay Village - Day 4
Lares Valley to Ollantaytambo
Travel to Quiswarani community to see seven waterfalls and the Colquecruz mountains. You'll meet local indigenous children and visit their school. Later, soak in the natural volcanic Lares Hot Springs at 3,100m (10,170 feet) for about an hour. Head to Ollantaytambo for dinner together, then settle into the hotel so you're rested for tomorrow.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Sumptuous dinner at hotel)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Inca Trail Camping), Hotel (Tunupa Lodge Ollantaytambo (or similar))
Included Activities
- Trek to Quiswarani community
- Visit to local indigenous school
- One hour soak in Lares Hot Springs (natural volcanic)
Landmarks Quiswarani Community Lares Hot Springs Colquecruz Mountains Ollantaytambo - Day 5
Ollantaytambo to Machu Picchu to Cusco
Start early at the train station and take the Inca Express toward Km104 at 6,000 feet elevation. Hike to the Sun Gate for views of Machu Picchu, then explore this Wonder of the World. Visiting in the afternoon means fewer crowds and clearer conditions. Your guide shows you the most important areas without the typical hassle. Take the bus down to Aguas Calientes, then return to Cusco through Ollantaytambo to rest after this full day.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Xima Hotel Cusco (or similar)), Hotel (Tierra Viva Cusco Saphi (or similar))
Included Activities
- Train journey on Inca Express to Km104
- Hike to Sun Gate
- Guided tour of Machu Picchu (afternoon visit to minimize crowds)
Landmarks Sun Gate Machu Picchu Km104 Urubamba River Aguas Calientes 
- Day 6
Cusco
Your Inca Trail adventure wraps up. Take time to reflect on what you've done over these days and head home with your memories, completed bucket list items, and plenty of stories to share.
