Itinerary
- Day 1
Cusco to Humatay Lake
Your pickup starts at 4:00 a.m. from your Cusco accommodation, so pack the night before and be ready. You'll head to Mollepata for breakfast and fuel up since the hiking's about to begin. From there, you're looking at roughly 3 hours of trekking along an ancient Inca canal that leads to Soraypampa and Sky Camp. After you settle in and grab lunch, there's an afternoon push up to Humantay Lake where the water's this incredible turquoise color. You'll return to camp for dinner, eating under the stars at around 12,500 feet elevation.
- Start point
- Plaza de Armas de Cusco, Plaza de Armas, Cusco, Cusco 08002, Peru (Pickup from Cusco hotels 30 minutes before departure time., 04:00 - 04:30)
- Meals
- Breakfast (Energy-packed breakfast at Mollepata), Lunch (Delicious, freshly prepared lunch at Sky Camp), Dinner
- Accommodation
- Camping (Sky Camp)
Included Activities
- Hike along ancient Inca canal to Soraypampa (approximately 3 hours)
- Visit Humantay Lake with views of sacred glaciers
- Stay at exclusive Sky Camp
Optional Activities
- Optional horseback ride from Soraypampa to Humantay Lake
Landmarks Humantay Lake Mollepata Soraypampa 
- Day 2
Salkantay Pass to Collpapampa
Start your morning with coca tea and breakfast, which helps with the altitude since you're heading higher today. The main event is ascending to Salkantay Pass at 4,630 m (15,190 feet) - the trek's highest point. Along the way you'll see several sacred mountains: Salkantay, Humantay, and Pumasillo. The descent is where things get interesting because the landscape shifts dramatically from snowy peaks down through cloud forest into more tropical terrain. Lunch happens at Huayracmachay, and you'll finish the day at Collpapampa where Mountain Sky View Camp is your base for the evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Energy-packed breakfast with coca tea), Lunch (Revitalizing lunch at Huayracmachay), Dinner (Hearty dinner at Mountain Sky View Camp)
- Accommodation
- Camping (Mountain Sky View)
Included Activities
- Ascend to Salkantay Pass (4,630 m)
- View sacred mountains: Salkantay, Humantay, and Pumasillo
- Hike through cloud forest with tropical vegetation
- Stay at exclusive Mountain Sky View Camp
Optional Activities
- Optional horseback ride from Soraypampa to Abra Salkantay
Landmarks Salkantay Pass Salkantay Mountain Humantay Mountain Pumasillo Mountain Huayracmachay Collpapampa 
- Day 3
Collpapampa to Aguas Calientes
Breakfast happens at 6:00 a.m., and then you're hiking for about 5 hours through Santa Teresa Valley where it's much warmer. The vegetation changes to tropical, and you might spot local wildlife along the way. Lunch is at La Playa, and this is where you'll learn about traditional coffee production from locals. After eating, a private vehicle takes you to the train station at Hidroeléctrica. From there, you either walk a scenic vegetated route or take the train to Aguas Calientes. Once you arrive, check into your hotel, spend time relaxing in the hot springs, and have dinner at a local restaurant.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Nutritious breakfast), Lunch (Delicious lunch at La Playa), Dinner (Dinner at local restaurant in Aguas Calientes)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hotel)
Included Activities
- Hike through Santa Teresa Valley (approximately 5 hours)
- Experience tropical nature, flora, and fauna
- Cultural immersion at local coffee farm at La Playa
- Transfer to Hidroeléctrica train station
- Walk or take train to Aguas Calientes
Optional Activities
- Train ticket from Hidroeléctrica to Aguas Calientes
- Relax in Aguas Calientes hot springs
Landmarks Santa Teresa Valley La Playa Hidroeléctrica Aguas Calientes - Day 4
Machu Picchu to Cusco
You'll need to rise very early with just a light breakfast before heading to the first buses from Aguas Calientes. The goal is reaching Machu Picchu before the crowds and catching sunrise over the ruins. A two-hour guided tour walks you through temples, terraces, and the sacred enclosures. If you booked ahead, optional hikes up Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain are available for more views. After the tour, you'll head back to Aguas Calientes for lunch, then catch the train to Ollantaytambo. A private vehicle handles the final transfer back to Cusco.
- End point
- Cusco, Cusco, Peru (Drop-off at Cusco City hotels)
- Meals
- Breakfast (Light breakfast)
Included Activities
- Early morning bus from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu
- Sunrise viewing at Machu Picchu
- Two-hour guided tour of temples, terraces, and sacred enclosures
- Train from Ollantaytambo to Cusco
Optional Activities
- Huayna Picchu Mountain: Approximately 2-hour hike (round trip). Additional cost: $60 per person
- Machu Picchu Mountain: Approximately 3-hour hike (round trip). Additional cost: $60 per person
- Return bus ticket (Machu Picchu - Aguas Calientes)
Landmarks Machu Picchu Huayna Picchu Machu Picchu Mountain Ollantaytambo 
