Your day begins with a hotel pickup in Cusco between 4:30 and 4:45 am. You travel by private vehicle for approximately two hours to Rimactampu, where you stop for breakfast. After your meal, the journey continues by road for about one hour through the Limatambo region, allowing you to take in the natural scenery as you pass toward the community of Qoyllor. Upon arrival, you reach the starting point of your trek. Here, you can see the Aobamba mountain range and the snow-capped Humantay peak. Wildlife sightings are possible, and you may spot deer or the Andean condor if conditions allow.

You start your trek from this point, hiking for about two hours. Along the way, you experience panoramic views of the surrounding mountains before arriving at the turquoise Incachiriasqa Lagoon. You continue on to the Salkantay Pass at 4,750 meters, where the imposing presence of Salkantay Mountain dominates the landscape. After taking in the views, you begin a two-hour descent toward your camp.

You arrive at the Inca House Camp in Soraypampa, where you will spend the night. The camp offers views of Salkantay Mountain, and in the evening, you have the chance to stargaze and observe the constellations. The clear mountain air and open sky provide a striking backdrop for your first night in the Andes.

The Salkantay route has long served as a vital passage for Andean communities, connecting valleys and sacred sites across the region.

Meals: Lunch, Dinner

You wake early at 5:00 am to begin your day. After breakfast at the camp, you set out to visit the Humantay Lagoon, a glacial lake known for its vivid turquoise color. You spend time exploring the lagoon and taking in the mountain scenery. Afterward, you return to camp for lunch.

Following lunch, you continue with a one-hour walk to reach your waiting vehicle. From here, you travel by car for approximately three hours through the Sacred Valley, heading toward Ollantaytambo. Upon arrival in Ollantaytambo, you have dinner and spend the night in a hotel.

Humantay Lagoon is revered in Andean culture, with local traditions often leaving offerings to honor the mountain spirits believed to inhabit the area.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

You begin the day with breakfast in Ollantaytambo before heading to the train station. You board the train and travel to Km 104, the starting point of your Inca Trail trek. After disembarking, you start a hike covering approximately 9 kilometers along the Inca Trail. The route leads you through mountain landscapes and passes archaeological sites as you make your way to Intipunku, the Sun Gate. Here, you enjoy panoramic views of Machu Picchu and have time to take photos from above the citadel.

After your time at the Sun Gate, you take a bus down to the town of Aguas Calientes. You check in to your hotel and spend the night in Aguas Calientes.

The Sun Gate, or Intipunku, served as a strategic entryway to Machu Picchu for travelers arriving via the Inca Trail, offering the first dramatic view of the ancient city.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

You start the day with a visit to Machu Picchu, entering the citadel via route 3B. A guide leads you on a two-hour tour, providing detailed insight into the history, architecture, and significance of this ancient Inca site. After completing your guided visit, you take the bus back down to Aguas Calientes. You return to your hotel to collect your belongings and then proceed to the train station.

You board the train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo. Upon arrival in Ollantaytambo, a private vehicle is waiting to transfer you directly back to Cusco, where your journey concludes.

Machu Picchu, rediscovered by Hiram Bingham in 1911, is celebrated as one of the New Seven Wonders of the World and remains a symbol of Inca ingenuity and culture.

Meals: Breakfast