CUSCO – SORAYPAMPA – HUMANTAY LAKE – SALKANTAY PAMPA

Our hike will begin with an early morning pick up from your hotel in Cusco. The estimated pick-up time will be between 5:00 AM to 5:30 AM. In our private transportation, we will head to the trailhead at Soraypampa (3,800 m.a.s.l./12,467 ft.a.s.l.). The car drive will take us in the direction of Mollepata and will have an approximate duration of 3 hours.

Once at Soraypampa, we will first enjoy a warm breakfast prepared by our chef. After breakfast, we will begin the first section of the hike to Humantay Lake. This hike will take approximately 1.5 hours along a steep trail. However, the views of the crystalline blue waters at the base of Humantay Mountain will reward all efforts. We will spend some time to explore before returning to the basecamp for lunch.

Our campsite for today will be away from the crowds and constructions in Soraypampa. After lunch, we will hike closer to Salkantay Mountain to set up our campsite at Salkantay Pampa. This site is perfect for night photography of the surrounding glaciers.

SALKANTAY PAMPA – INCA CHIRIASKA – INCA CANAL

The morning wake – up call will be early to ensure time for a hearty breakfast before the day’s hike. From Salkantay Pampa we will hike towards the highest point of the trail, Inca Chiriaska (5,100 m.a.s.l./ 16,730 ft.a.s.l.). This hike will be uphill and will feel moderate to challenging due to the altitude gain and cold breeze. However, the Inca Chiriaska Mountain Pass offers some of the most breathtaking views of the Salkantay Mountain.

From the pass, we will continue to our lunch spot at Sisaypata. The hike will be downhill and will take approximately 3.5 hrs. Our lunch will be accompanied by the views of the surrounding mountains peaks of Paltayoc.

The last stretch of the hike will be to our campsite at Inca Canal. This will be another 3 hours downhill.

DAY 3: INCA CANAL – LLACTAPATA – KM 82 – OLLANTAYTAMBO

After breakfast, we will take some time to visit the nearby archaeological site of Paucarcancha. This will be a gentle start of the day, and a prelude to our hike along the Inca Trail.  In this first section of our hike, we will also visit the archaeological site of Llactapata (2,650 m.a.s.l./8,694 ft.a.s.l.). This site is known for its water channels and agricultural terraces that gently surround the mountainside.  Lunch will be after our visit to Llactapata.

After lunch, we will hike to KM 82 for approximately 2 hrs. Once at KM 82, we will board our private transfer to Ollantaytambo town. Once in Ollantaytambo, we will enjoy a delicious dinner and a comfy overnight stay (in hotel) to prepare for our Inca Trail hike.

DAY 4: OLLANTAYTAMBO – INCA TRAIL KM 104 – WIÑAYWAYNA – INTI PUNKU (SUN GATE) – MACHU PICCHU

we will board our train to KM 104 where the trailhead is located. It is here at Km 104 (2,200 m.a.s.l. / 7,217 feet) where we will begin our hike. We will first cross the bridge that is over the Urubamba or Willkamayuc River, which translated from Quechua means “Sacred River.”

Upon arrival at first Inca Trail checkpoint, you will be required to show your identification documents or passport. From here, it will be a short 2-minute walk to the first archaeological site found along the trail. This site is called Chachabamba and is hidden within the surrounding semi-tropical forest.

From Chachabamba, we will continue hiking for approximately 3 hours to the well-known site of Wiñay Wayna. Along this hike, we will see the Sacred Valley, waterfalls, different types of semi-tropical orchids among others. Wiñay Wayna (2,650 m.a.s.l. / 8,694 ft.) is an Inca archaeological site that shows that shows a perfect example of what agriculture was like in the time of the Incas. This site is widely recognized for its large number of agricultural terraces perched on the surrounding mountain slopes. The name Wiñay Wayna” comes from a beautiful orchid that abounds in the area. The name itself translate into “forever young” in Spanish. The visit at this archaeological site will take approximately 1 hour during which you will visit some of the most accessible temples and buildings of the site. After the visit, we will take a lunch break before continuing with our hike to Machu Picchu.

Our hike to Machu Picchu will take approximately 2 hours. This hike will be along gently rolling Andean flats, original stone paths and steps and tambos (resting places). Our entry point to Machu Picchu will be the Inti Punku – Sun Gate (2,720 m.a.s.l. / 8,923 ft). During the Inca Empire, the Inti Punku worked as a controlled entry point to Machu Picchu. From here, we will have impressive panoramic views of Machu Picchu and surrounding mountaintops and valley.

The last section of our hike will be our descent to the town of Aguas Calientes (2160 m.a.s.l. / 7,086 ft). To do so, we will hike from the Inti Punku to the entrance of Machu Picchu *note: we will not enter Machu Picchu* from where we will take the bus down to Aguas Calientes. In Aguas Calientes, we will grab dinner in one of the town’s best restaurants and will rest for the night at the hotel accommodation included.

MACHU PICCHU – CUSCO

Our day will begin with an early breakfast at our hotel in Aguas Calientes. After breakfast, we will take the bus to the main entrance to Machu Picchu. Once inside, we will have a guided tour of 2.5 hours to see the most important places in Machu Picchu including the Royal Mausoleum, the Temple of the 3 Windows, the Main Temple, the Sacred Plaza, and the famous Intihuatana where the Inca sages tied the sun at the winter solstice in June, steps, squares, fountains, etc. After the guided tour, you will have free time to visit Machu Picchu on your own.

The return to Cusco will be after lunch (not included) and will require a train ride from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo and a bus ride from Ollantaytambo to your hotel in Cusco. The estimated time of arrival back in Cusco is between 8PM to 8:30PM.