Itinerary
- Day 1
Cusco to Chilipahua
You'll leave Cusco by bus heading north toward Huarocondo, then drop down into Pachar gorge with the Urubamba River coming into view. The trek starts at Parpishu footbridge where you'll make your way up through the valley. By midday you'll reach Watuq'asa Pass, where there's an old Inca storage building and a perfect lunch spot with views looking back toward Cusco. After eating, continue descending to Chilipahua community for your first night camping.
- Start point
- Cusco, Cusco, Peru (Pick-up from your hotel in Cusco)
- Meals
- Lunch (Hearty lunch at Watuq'asa Pass), Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek from Parpishu footbridge to Watuq'asa Pass
- Visit Qosqoq'awarina (Inca wall and ancient tambo/storage building)
- Trek descent to Chilipahua
Landmarks Parpishu Watuq'asa Pass Qosqoq'awarina Urubamba River - Day 2
Chilipahua to Ancascocha
From camp you'll trek northwest through the moist highlands, crossing Quencomayo stream and then heading upward to Chi Chusqasa Pass. The route drops down to the Silque River gully from there, and you'll keep moving toward Ancascocha. The campsite offers views of Huayanay Glacier, so you'll have a pretty backdrop for the evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek through moist highlands to Quencomayo
- Cross Chi Chusqasa Pass
- Descend to Silque River gully
- Trek to Ancascocha
Landmarks Quencomayo Chi Chusqasa Pass Silque River Huayanay Glacier - Day 3
Ancascocha to Camicancha
After breakfast, walk alongside the Silque River as it rushes downhill toward the Sacred Valley. The trail has lots of Masdevallia orchids during blooming season, their pink to magenta flowers standing out against the vegetation. You'll cross several footbridges and eventually reach Camicancha community. Tonight you'll camp in a volcanic rock area, and you can see the snow-capped Huacayhuilque peak (also called La Veronica) from the site.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek along Silque River
- Trek through orchid-abundant area
- Cross footbridges
- Trek to Camicancha
Landmarks Silque River Huacayhuilque - Day 4
Camicancha to Machu Picchu
After breakfast, a private vehicle takes you to Ollantaytambo and then you board a train heading to Km 104. From there you'll cross a hanging bridge to reach Chachabamba ruins, an ancient site connected to water worship. Next comes a steep 3-hour uphill trek to Wiñay Wayna ruins clinging to the mountainside. You'll push on to Inti Punku (Gate of the Sun) for your first view of Machu Picchu appearing below you. Sleep in a hotel in Machu Picchu village.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Brunch
Included Activities
- Visit Chachabamba ruins
- Trek to Wiñay Wayna ruins
- Trek to Inti Punku (Gate of the Sun)
- View Machu Picchu from Inti Punku
Landmarks Ollantaytambo Chachabamba Wiñay Wayna Inti Punku Machu Picchu - Day 5
Machu Picchu
Wake early, have breakfast, then take a bus up to the ruins for a half-hour ride gaining elevation. Your English-speaking guide will walk you through the site, explaining the structures and how people lived here long ago. You can wander around and take in the complex while breathing the thin air of the cloud forest environment. By afternoon you'll head back down to the village and catch a train back to Cusco or Ollantaytambo.
- End point
- Cusco, Cusco, Peru (Drop off at your hotel in Cusco)
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Guided exploration of Machu Picchu ruins
- Bus ride up to Machu Picchu ruins
Landmarks Machu Picchu
