Sacred Inca Trail – Trekking to Machu Picchu (8D/7N)

Upon your arrival in the city of Cusco, our staff will be waiting at the Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport or at the bus terminal to provide a warm welcome and transfer you in a private vehicle to your hotel. This first ride is essential for receiving initial recommendations about altitude and enjoying a brief historical introduction while settling into your accommodation.

In the afternoon, we will begin the City Tour, the perfect circuit to discover the essence of the Inca capital. We will start by visiting the majestic Qorikancha or Temple of the Sun, the spiritual foundation upon which the Santo Domingo Convent was built, where Inca and colonial architecture merge in an astonishing way.

Subsequently, we will head to the outskirts of the city to explore the imposing Sacsayhuaman Fortress, famous for its megalithic walls of millimetric precision. The tour continues to the mystical center of Qenqo, a site carved into rock where sacred rituals were performed, followed by a visit to the “Red Fortress” of Puca Pucara, a strategic military control point. We conclude the circuit at Tambomachay, a site dedicated to the cult of water with channels and fountains that flow to this day. After this tour, we will return to the city center so you can rest and prepare for the adventure days ahead.

This second day in the imperial capital is designed for your body to finish adapting to the altitude of the Andes. You will have the morning and part of the afternoon free, allowing you to explore Cusco at your own pace. It is the ideal time to walk through the picturesque streets of the San Blas neighborhood, visit the colorful San Pedro Market, or enjoy a coffee facing the majestic Plaza de Armas. We recommend light activities and staying well hydrated to be in optimal condition for the expedition days ahead.

In the evening, our specialist guide will visit your hotel to conduct the Briefing (informational session). This session is essential, as you will receive all the technical details for the upcoming 5 days of adventure. We will review the itinerary step by step, the necessary equipment, weather conditions, and all final questions will be addressed to ensure your experience is safe and memorable. After the meeting, you can enjoy a quiet dinner before resting, as the following day we will begin the great route.

Our day begins with pickup from the hotel, heading to our first stop: Chinchero. Here we will enjoy an authentic cultural experience at a traditional textile center, observing the ancestral process of natural dyeing and weaving. Additionally, we will explore its archaeological site, featuring its Inca terraces and beautiful colonial temple.

We will continue to Moray, one of the most fascinating agricultural laboratories of the Inca Empire, famous for its circular terraces that recreate various microclimates. Then, we will visit the spectacular Maras Salt Mines, consisting of over 3,000 salt pools (entrance is paid directly to the local community). After a morning full of history, we will head to Urubamba to enjoy an exquisite Buffet Lunch, where we will sample the best of regional cuisine.

In the afternoon, we will arrive at the imposing archaeological complex of Ollantaytambo. We will tour its temples and monumental stone structures, learning about its strategic importance. Unlike the traditional tour, we finish our journey here, in the “Living Inca City.” Once we are at the Ollantaytambo Plaza, our guide will indicate or provide directions on how to reach our accommodation for the night. Staying in this town is essential, as it allows you to rest better at a lower altitude and be ready at the starting point to begin the great 4-day Inca Trail adventure the following morning.

Today begins the most legendary adventure in the Andes. Having spent the night in the Sacred Valley, you will enjoy a more agile pickup. At the coordinated time, our guide will pick you up at the Ollantaytambo Plaza or at a point near your accommodation to transfer to Piscacucho, better known as Kilometer 82, the official Inca Trail checkpoint.

After the initial registration, we will begin the hike along historic paths flanked by the Urubamba River and with impressive views of the La Veronica snow-capped peak. On this first stretch, we will visit the archaeological sites of Llactapata and Willkarakay, ancient administrative and agricultural centers. We will enjoy a revitalizing outdoor lunch prepared by our cooking team. We will continue the gentle ascent to our first campsite at Wayllabamba (9,842 ft / 3,000 m.a.s.l.), a setting surrounded by Andean nature where we will have dinner and spend our first night under the starry sky.

This is the most demanding and rewarding day of the route. After an energetic breakfast, we will begin the ascent toward the highest point of the trek: the Warmiwañusca Pass or “Dead Woman’s Pass,” located at 4,215 m.a.s.l. The effort will be rewarded with unmatched personal satisfaction and panoramic views of the surrounding glacial peaks.

After reaching the summit, we will descend stone stairways to the Pacaymayo river valley. Here our campsite awaits, where we will enjoy a well-deserved lunch and have the afternoon to rest, recover energy, and share a group dinner, celebrating having overcome the highest challenge of the expedition.

Considered the most beautiful day of the journey, today we will traverse the best-preserved sections of the original Inca trail. We will visit the circular site of Runkurakay and the administrative center of Sayacmarca, perched on a rocky promontory with spectacular views. The landscape will change dramatically from the high sierra to the lush cloud forest, where vegetation becomes dense and full of orchids.

We explore Phuyupatamarca (“Town above the clouds”), a site with ritual fountains of crystalline water. Finally, we will descend toward the Wiñay Wayna campsite (2,650 m.a.s.l.), one of the most impressive archaeological complexes before Machu Picchu. After dinner, we will have an emotional farewell with our team of porters and cooks who accompanied us on this journey.

The most anticipated moment. We will begin the hike very early toward Inti Punku or the Sun Gate. From this point, we will witness the sunrise gradually illuminating the Citadel of Machu Picchu, one of the most iconic views in the world.

We will descend to the citadel for a guided visit of 1 to 2 hours, touring the agricultural, urban, and ceremonial areas, including temples and sacred fountains. After the visit, we will take the bus down to the town of Aguas Calientes for lunch (on your own). In the afternoon, we will board the return train to Ollantaytambo, where our transport will be waiting to transfer you back to the city of Cusco, concluding this epic adventure at Plaza Regocijo according to our train schedule.

Today concludes your unforgettable journey along the trails of the Incas. After enjoying breakfast at your hotel, you will have the morning free to make your final handicraft purchases at the San Pedro market, walk through the cobblestone streets of the historic center, or simply relax and process the incredible experience of the Inca Trail.

At the coordinated time, and according to your travel itinerary, our staff will pick you up in the lobby of your hotel to provide a private transfer to the Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport or the Cusco bus terminal. We will ensure you arrive with the necessary advance time for a completely smooth boarding process.

We say goodbye with the joy of having shared with you the magic of Cusco and the majesty of Machu Picchu. We wish you an excellent journey home and hope to welcome you soon for a new adventure in the Andes.