Day by Day Itinerary

Pick up from the Hotel at 6:00am, leaving Cusco by car, on the route to Pisaq until arriving at Huaran creek (2840m/93152ft). Here starting to hike up a small side valley that narrows gradually while ascending on an original Inca Trail, enjoying a variety of native flora and fauna. After a 3 hour hike, arrival at Cancha Cancha (3800m/12464ft), where trekkers will be received with some typical food and have the opportunity to share an insight into the traditional lifestyle and culture of this Andean community, camping night here.

Meals Included: Box-lunch, Dinner

Total distance: 7 km (4, 35 miles)

Estimated walking time: 4-5 hours

Maximum altitude point: (3800m/12464ft)

After breakfast start slowly uphill until reaching Accopata, an extension of Cancha Cancha Community, we continue north east up the valley, passing small thatched stone houses. After ½ hour the path flattens out before climbing steeply for the 2½ hour trek to the first pass, called Pachacuteq Pass (4458m/14622ft). From the pass you’ll be rewarded with superb views of Pachacuteq Lake and the snowy peaks of Pitusiray. The path continues for an hour along a narrow ridge until dropping down into a beautiful secluded corrie filled with glacial lakes and rich in birdlife. The lip of the corrie descends into the next valley, following a series of cascading waterfalls to the village of Quishuarani (3700m/12136ft) camping enjoying traditional food and spending our time with children and women weavers.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Total distance: 10 km (6, 21 miles)

Estimated walking time: 6-7 hours

Maximum altitude point: (4458m/14622ft)

Breakfast, heading west up a small valley you’ll arrive at a lake at the head of the valley and start a steep zig-zag climb up a narrow trail to the top of the second pass known as Abra Huillquijasa (4200m/13776ft). It’s possible to observe the Chicon and Colque Cruz glaciers and the 7 lakes full of huallatas (Andean geese), ducks and other water fowl. Over the high point continuing downhill and have a well deserved break beside the lakes before continuing on for the short trek to the next village of Cuncani (3750m/12300ft) in the bottom of the valley (1½ hour from the pass).

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Total distance: 8 km (4, 97 miles)

Estimated walking time: 5-6 hours

Maximum altitude point: (4200m/13776ft)

Breakfast; start slowly downhill to Lares the trail follows the river valley downhill; on the way to Lares Town, we’ll have another opportunity to meet and spend time with local people in Huacawasi Village (where we’ll have our lunch). Then we continue for about 1 hour to the town of Lares (3100m/10168ft) where you’ll have the opportunity to enjoy a soak in some open air thermal springs (bring a swimsuit). After having lunch, boarding a private car that will take back to Ollantaytambo town, transfer to the train station from where we’ll take the train to Aguas Calientes. Overnight at Aguas Calientes Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Total distance: 6 km (3, 72 miles)

Estimated walking time: 2-3 hours

Maximum altitude point: (3100m/10168ft)

Breakfast at the hotel; full day Excursion to Machu Picchu from Aguas Calientes, early transfer at 5:30am to the Bus Stop for the short ride (25 minutes) up to the citadel of Machu Picchu. Upon arrival, you will participate in a guided tour of the Citadel, visiting the Main Plaza, the Circular Tower, the Sacred Sun Dial (the most important preserved Intihuatana), the Royal Quarters, the Temple of the Three Windows, houses, warehouses, a large central square; and all connected by narrow roads and steps that are surrounded by terraces cut into the mountain side. After the tour you’ll have time to stroll around the Archaeological Site at your leisure.
Then, you will have time to perform some of the following activities by yourself (not included in the price):

1. Climb to Wayna Picchu; for the most adventurous people, we suggest to go up the Wayna Picchu from where you can appreciate the immensity of Machu Picchu, even more amazing being high and distant.

Buffet Lunch at the Sanctuary Lodge Restaurant in Machu Picchu

Train back to Cusco: In the afternoon you’ll return to the train station in Aguas Calientes for the trip back to Cusco – train departure to Cusco; upon arrival to Cusco reception and transfer to the Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Includes

• Pre-departure briefing
• Collection from your hotel in the morning of trek departure
• Transport to Huaran (head of the trek) and from Lares to Ollantaytambo
• Entrance fee to Machu Picchu
• English speaking Professional Guide (two guides for groups over 8 persons)
• 4 season tents, 2 people in each 3-people-capacity tent
• Therma-Rest self-inflating mattress
• Chef and cooking equipment
• Dining tent with tables, chairs, kitchen tent and toilet tent
• Meals as indicated in the itinerary (optional vegetarian food)
• First aid kit including emergency oxygen bottle.
• Horses to carry camping equipment, food, cooking equipment and personal items of the trekkers (maximum of 9 kg/ 19 lbs per person including sleeping bag)
• One emergency horse every 4 trekkers
• Bus up and down from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu
• Expedition train Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes and train back to Poroy (Vistadome Class upon request)
• One night accommodation in Aguas Calientes with Tourist Class Hotel (Superior Tourist Class or First Class upon request)
• Transfer from Poroy train station to your Cusco hotel

Not included

• Sleeping bag (can be hired in our office for US$ 30 for the 5 day trek)
• Tips for the guide, cook and porters
• Domestic airfare to and from Cusco (+/- US$ 290 per person round trip)
• Visa fees (if required)
• Passport & Visa Costs
• Vaccination Costs
• Personal Spending Money
• Meals not mentioned in the itinerary
• Drinks
• International Flights
• Travel Insurance
• Airport departure taxes
• Border taxes or fees

Optional Services

• Upgrade the train to Vistadome Class: add US$ 50
• Sleeping bag during the tour ( -10°C): add US$ 30
• Upgrade the Hotel to Superior Tourist Class: add US$ 40