Walking and journey times are approximate.

Day :2 Arrive Cusco (Overnight in Cusco hotel).

Fly from Lima to Cusco and transfer to hotel where you will meet your tour leader who will be with you during the trip. The rest of the day is free to relax and acclimatise. Take a look round Cusco’s beautiful Main Square with its colonial architecture or take an optional city tour (this can be arranged at our office).

Day :3 Tour of the Sacred Valley (Overnight in Cusco).

Travel through the Sacred Valley and visit the towns and Inca ruins of Pisaq and Ollantaytambo.  Get a chance to learn a little about the local people, their way of life and their traditional weaving techniques. 

After an early morning start our panoramic bus ride (about 3 hours) brings us to the village of Mollepata where we meet up with our wranglers. From here we start gently, climbing rural paths through the crops of the locals towards Marcoccasa (3450m /11,400 ft). After lunch we continue hiking for another hour uphill to our first camp at Hornadapata (3500m / 11,550 ft) from where we have some fantastic views of the surrounding mountains and valleys. Approx. walking time 3 hours.

Day:5 Marcoccasa – Salkantay Pampa.

After breakfast we have a short ascent to the Pakiswaraka Ridge (3,665m / 12,100 ft), from where we continue on an easy path towards the water canal built by the community. From this point we can enjoy beautiful views into the valley and towards the majestic Mt. Humantay. We continue on a nice flat path along the canal into the valley until lunchtime. In the afternoon we have another 1-2 hours of gentle climbing to our camp at Salkantay Pampa (3900m / 12,900ft) right below Apu Salkantay, offering some breathtaking views of this spectacular mountain (prepare for a cold night). . Approx. walking time 3½ hours.

Day:6 Salkantay Pampa – Accobamba

In the morning we start refreshed for our climb, passing glaciers and lakes on the way up to the Salkantay Pass (5000m /16,500 ft and highest point of our hike). From the summit we descend for approximately 3 hours into the valley where we camp at Accobamba, beside an Inca canal. This is a famous alpaca breeding region and with luck we may observe large flocks of these beautiful animals in their natural habitat. Weather permitting we will have the most spectacular views of Mt. Salkantay above us

Today we leave the cold heights of Salkantay behind us and descend into warmer regions, following the Inca canal and later the Cusichaca creek, passing local farms. We stop at the restored archaeological group of Paucarcancha for lunch, with time to explore the site and rest. Here we say goodbye to our wranglers and meet up with the Quechuan porters who will accompany us for the rest of our adventure. A short hike brings us mid afternoon to the start of the Inca Trail at the village of Huayllabamba where we camp for the night (3000m /9,900 ft).

Day:8 Huayllabamba-Pacasmayo.

After an early breakfast we start our long and steep climb up to Warmiwañusca Pass (4200m /13,900 ft) which is the highest point on the Inca Trail. The ascent leads through different ecological levels that offer a variety of orchids and birds (many endemic to the area). From the summit we can view the next pass, the ruins of Runcuracay and our camp down in the valley which we will reach after a 2 hour descent. On a clear day the camp offers fantastic views towards the glaciers of Mount Veronica. Approx. walking time 7 hours.

Day:9 Pacasmayo – Phuyupatamarca

Today is the most diverse day of our adventure. We start in the morning with the climb up to the third pass at Runcuracay (3900m /12,900 ft) with fantastic views of the Vilcabamba Range with its glaciers. A 2 hour descent brings us to the fascinating archaeological site of Sayacmarca. After exploring this beautiful construction we continue – now on original Inca stone paths – through high cloud forest with its lush vegetation, offering glimpses of waterfalls, valleys, canyons and the glaciers of Salkantay. In the afternoon we arrive at our campsite at last high pass of Phuyupatamarca (3600m /11,900 ft) from where we will get our first glimpse of Machu Picchu. Weather permitting we will have the most spectacular views of the surrounding snow peaks and far way down the Urubamba River. Approx. walking time 6 hours.

Day:10 Phuyupatamarca – Machupicchu – Aguas Calientes - (Overnight Aguas Calientes)

After breakfast we say goodbye to our Quechuan porters and start the long and steep descent (over Inca staircases) towards the archaeological site of Wiñaywayna, considered one of the most beautiful sites in the area due to its location and architecture. We visit this magnificent site and enjoy lunch in fantastic surroundings before we continue our hike through high cloud forest with its diverse flora and fauna towards the famous Sungate or Intipunku. From here we can enjoy the first and best view of the Lost City of the Incas: legendary Machupicchu (2400m /8,000 ft). A short walk brings us down to the entrance from where we continue by bus to the village of Aguas Calientes. Here we can choose to relax in the natural hot springs and stay overnight in a comfortable hotel.

Day:11 Visit Machu Picchu (Overnight Cusco).

After an early breakfast we take the first bus up to Machu Picchu to enjoy sunrise in this magical place before other tourists arrive from Cusco.

Day:12 Arrive Lima (Overnight Lima hotel).

Transfer to airport and say your goodbyes to your tour leader before catching your flight to Lima. The rest of the day is free to spend as you wish. You may want to book a city tour if you have time.

Day:13 Depart Peru

Transfer to airport to catch your international flight.