Itinerary
- Day 1
Cusco to Inca Trail
You'll drive from Cusco or the Sacred Valley to reach the trailhead, then start your trek along a quieter section of the Inca Trail. The first 5 hours take you across the Urubamba River at Km 88, where you'll pass the ancient ruins of Q'oriwayrachina. If you're interested, there's time to check out Wayna Q'ente and Llaqtapata before heading to your private campsite in Chamana. A hot shower after the day's hiking is a nice way to finish, and you'll camp here for the night.
- Meals
- Lunch (Delightful picnic lunch), Dinner
Included Activities
- 5-hour trek on Inca Trail starting from Km 88 crossing
- Visit ruins of Q'oriwayrachina (approximately 200 ancient stone structures)
- Option to visit archaeological sites of Wayna Q'ente and Llaqtapata
Optional Activities
- Visit archaeological sites of Wayna Q'ente and Llaqtapata (optional)
Landmarks Q'oriwayrachina Wayna Q'ente Llaqtapata 
- Day 2
Cusichaca Valley to Llulluchapampa
After breakfast, you'll continue trekking up the Cusichaca Valley, moving past farmhouses and the Huayllabamba community. The trail climbs steeply through native forest on ancient cobblestone paths, then becomes easier as you reach your campsite near Llulluchapampa, which sits just below the first pass. During the trek, you'll get views of Mt. Huayanay and your first real look at the Andean cloud forest filled with Quenua trees, which are quite rare in this region.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek through Cusichaca Valley
- Hike on ancient cobblestone Inca Trail through native forest
- Views of Mt. Huayanay and Quenua cloud forest
Landmarks Huayllabamba Mt. Huayanay 
- Day 3
Llulluchapampa to Phuyupatamarca
You'll rise early to tackle the ascent to Warmiwanusqa (Dead Woman's Pass) at 4,228 meters, which puts you nearly 1,800 meters higher than Machu Picchu itself. The views behind you open up across the terrain you've covered. After lunch, the trek continues up to Runkuraqay and the second pass, then you'll descend through cloud forest past Sayacmarca ruins. Walking along a ridge gives you views of Mt. Salkantay and Mt. Pumasillo before you reach Phuyupatamarca (village at the edge of clouds) for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Hearty lunch in Pacaymayo), Dinner
Included Activities
- Ascent to Warmiwanusqa (Dead Woman's Pass) at 4,228 meters
- Visit Runkuraqay ruins
- Visit Sayacmarca ruins on original Inca Trail
- Trek through Andean cloud forest with opportunity to spot hummingbirds, butterflies, and orchids
Landmarks Warmiwanusqa (Dead Woman's Pass) Runkuraqay Sayacmarca Phuyupatamarca Mt. Salkantay Mt. Pumasillo - Day 4
Phuyupatamarca to Machu Picchu Pueblo
Wake up early and head to a spot near your campsite where tea will be waiting for you to catch the sunrise. From there, you'll trek past Phuyupatamarca ruins, which still have a functioning 500-year-old irrigation system. The trail drops sharply into the cloud forest to reach Wiñay Wayna ruins, then continues for about 2 hours on ancient Inca footsteps through misty forest. You'll arrive at Machu Picchu through Intipunku (Gate of the Sun). After spending time with the views, you'll take a bus down to Machu Picchu village and check into your hotel for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Sunrise hike and sunrise view from near campsite
- Trek past Phuyupatamarca ruins with ancient irrigation system
- Visit Wiñay Wayna ruins (Forever Young)
- 2-hour trek through cloud forest to Machu Picchu
- Arrival at Machu Picchu via Intipunku (Gate of the Sun)
- Bus ride to Machu Picchu Pueblo village
Landmarks Phuyupatamarca Wiñay Wayna Intipunku (Gate of the Sun) Machu Picchu - Day 5
Machu Picchu to Cusco
A short bus ride gets you to Machu Picchu's gates for a guided 3-hour tour where you'll explore different sectors, houses, and temples of this hilltop citadel. Once you've finished looking around, you'll head back to the village. In the afternoon, you'll catch a train back to Ollantaytambo or Cusco. Your hotel and dinner arrangements are on your own from here.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Guided 3-hour tour of Machu Picchu including different sectors, houses, and temples
- Bus ride to Machu Picchu gates (roundtrip)
Landmarks Machu Picchu
