Itinerary
- Day 1
Cusco to Wayllabamba
Your pickup happens at 5:00 am from the Cusco hotel, then it's a drive to Km 82 with a stop in Ollantaytambo for breakfast and any last-minute supplies. From the trailhead, you'll show your original passport at the checkpoint before starting the 4-hour trek along the Urubamba River. The route takes you through local villages and past the Llactapata archeological site, and lunch gets served in Tarayoc village. After eating, there's a 2-hour trek to Wayllabamba where you'll camp for the night at 3,000m/9,843ft elevation.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast stop in Ollantaytambo), Lunch (Buffet lunch with fresh local products in Tarayoc village), Dinner
Included Activities
- Breakfast stop and shopping in Ollantaytambo
- Guided trek along Urubamba River
- Visit to Llactapata archeological site
- Lunch at Tarayoc village
- Trek to Wayllabamba campsite
Landmarks Llactapata Urubamba River 
- Day 2
Wayllabamba to Pacaymayo Alto
Wake early for coffee or coca tea and breakfast before tackling the toughest day on the trail. You'll spend 4 hours hiking through cloud forest to reach Lluchapampa at 3,800m/12,467ft, noticing how the landscape and climate shift as you climb. The ancient stone-paved Inca Trail is visible throughout. After lunch, the final 2-hour push takes you to Warmihuañusca Mountain (Dead Women's Pass) at 4,215m/13,828ft, the highest point of the trek where your guide performs a ritual. From there, it's a 2-hour downhill walk to Pacaymayo Alto campsite at 3,650m/11,975ft.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- 4-hour hike through cloud forest to Llulluchapampa
- Experience micro-climates and ancient Inca Trail
- Lunch at Llulluchapampa
- 2-hour ascent to Warmihuañusca Mountain (Dead Women's Pass)
- Ritual performance by guide at summit
- 2-hour downhill trek to Pacaymayo Alto campsite
Landmarks Warmihuañusca Mountain (Dead Women's Pass) Llulluchapampa - Day 3
Pacaymayo Alto to Phuyupatamarca
Following breakfast, the day involves ascending Runkuraqay to 4,000m/13,123ft and visiting the archeological site there. The views take in mountains, waterfalls, lakes, and the Urubamba range stretching across the horizon. You'll descend into the cloud forest and pass through Sayamarca and Conchamarca along the way, arriving at Phuyupatamarca at 3,680m/12,073ft in time for a sunset over the Vilcabamba mountains. The campsite offers some of the best stargazing of the entire trek thanks to the clear skies.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Ascent and visit to Runkuraqay archeological site at 4,000m
- Descent through Cloud Forest
- Visit to Sayamarca archeological site
- Visit to Conchamarca archeological site
- Sunset viewing at Phuyupatamarca
Landmarks Runkuraqay Sayamarca Conchamarca Phuyupatamarca Vilcabamba Mountain Range - Day 4
Phuyupatamarca to Aguas Calientes
Start early to catch the sunrise, then have breakfast with mountain views before a guided tour of Phuyupatamarca. From there, descend stone steps to Intipata overlooking the Urubamba River and surrounding peaks. The hike continues to Wiñaywayna at 2,659m/8,725ft, the largest and most significant site after Machu Picchu itself, where you'll walk through terraces, temples, and residential areas. After a special farewell lunch, it's a 1-hour hike to Sun Gate for your first real look at Machu Picchu, then a 1-hour descent into the citadel. Spend the late afternoon exploring the upper section when crowds thin out, then take a bus to Aguas Calientes for dinner and an overnight stay at a 3-star hotel.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast with mountain views at Phuyupatamarca), Lunch (Special farewell lunch), Dinner (Dinner at a local restaurant)
Included Activities
- Sunrise viewing from Phuyupatamarca
- Guided tour of Phuyupatamarca archeological site
- Descent to Intipata with river and mountain views
- Guided tour and exploration of Wiñaywayna
- 1-hour hike to Sun Gate
- Machu Picchu upper citadel visit in late afternoon
- Bus transfer to Aguas Calientes
- Dinner at local restaurant
Optional Activities
- Optional farewell song and tipping ceremony for guide team
Landmarks Phuyupatamarca Intipata (Place of the Sun) Wiñaywayna Sun Gate Machu Picchu Urubamba River 
- Day 5
Machu Picchu to Cusco
Have an early breakfast at your hotel, then catch the first bus heading up to Machu Picchu and show your original passport at the checkpoint. A 3-hour guided tour covers the best spots within the citadel, after which you'll get free time to wander on your own. Optional climbs of Huayna Picchu Mountain or Machu Picchu Mountain are available if you've booked separate tickets in advance. From there, it's a bus ride back down to Aguas Calientes, then the panoramic Vistadome train to Ollantaytambo followed by a private van back to Cusco, arriving around 7:30 pm.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Early breakfast at hotel
- Bus transfer to Machu Picchu
- 3-hour guided tour of Machu Picchu
- Self-guided exploration of Machu Picchu citadel
- Bus transfer to Aguas Calientes
- Panoramic Vistadome train to Ollantaytambo
- Private van transfer to Cusco
- Hotel drop-off
Optional Activities
- Climb Huayna Picchu Mountain (separate ticket required, must be booked far in advance)
- Climb Machu Picchu Mountain (separate ticket required, must be booked far in advance)
Landmarks Machu Picchu Huayna Picchu Mountain Machu Picchu Mountain 
