On the first day, we will pick you up at 5:00 am from your Cusco hotel and will drive 4 hours to the start of the hike. We will stop to stretch our legs in Mollepata and then will continue to the starting point of the trail, called Soraypampa at 3,883 meters or 12,740 feet. If it is a clear day, we will already be able to see the majestic Humantay and Salkantay Mountains before us. We will first have the option to hike up to Humantay Lake which takes about 2 hours, and total we will hike about 10 km (6 miles) to our campsite. Once we reach the turquoise lake, we will get to enjoy its clear beautiful waters and have a snack. Then we will continue hiking for about 1 hour to our lunch spot called Salkantay Pampa. After enjoying a hearty lunch and we will continue our uphill hike to the first campsite which takes 2 hours. Our campsite is called Pampa Japonesa and is located at 4,400 meters or 14,435 feet. The view at this campsite is one of the most spectacular views of the trail, overlooking the snow-capped Salkantay Mountain. Here, it is essential to have warm clothing, thermals, and a sleeping bag good for at least -20°C (-4°F) since the temperature can reach below freezing and during the winter it might snow.

On the second day, we will climb up to the pass called Inca Chiriasca for about 2 hours and reach the highest point of our hike, at 5,000 meters, or 16,400 feet. We will walk slowly up to this pass, as it is steep and challenging because of the high altitude. At the pass, we will take a break and celebrate reaching such a high point, and will get to take in the beautiful view of Salkantay Mountain and also Umantay Mountain from a different angle. Afterwards, we will descend for 1 and a half hours passing by thousands of giant boulders and will stop for lunch which we will have in the grassy highlands. After lunch, we will continue downhill through the valley to our campsite at 4,000 meters, or 13,200 feet which is called Canal Inca. At this location, there are ruins from an Inca canal which was the main channel that the Incas used from the Salkantay Mountain to irrigate the valleys farther down. Also at this campsite, we will still see the Salkantay Mountain range, but from the back, providing another picturesque view. We will also see some traditional stone houses where locals live as well as their farms and herds of alpacas and llamas.

On the third day, we will descend for 4 hours to our lunch site. Here, we will enter a different ecological zone, starting in the treeless highlands and making our way into a green wooded valley. We will follow the stream from the Inca canal to Paucar Cancha where we will rest and have lunch. This is the beginning of the Machu Picchu National Park, and at this location we will see Inca farming terraces and ancient buildings that provided a resting point for travelers hundreds of years ago. Paucar Cancha also has an impressive irrigation system in the terraces which still works today. After touring the ruins here, we will continue down through the valley for about 1 hour to our campsite called Wayllabamba located at 3,000 meters or 9,842 feet. This is the first campsite of the traditional Inca Trail, so here we will say goodbye to our horseman but will welcome our Quechuas who will carry the camping equipment for the rest of the hike.

After having breakfast, we will start our uphill hike which will take about 5 hours to reach the pass. On the way, we will pass through different climactic and ecological zones as we climb higher and higher. We will start in green mossy forests and will end in the grassy highlands where there are no trees. Once we reach the highest point of the Inca Trail, known as Dead Woman’s Pass at 4,215 meters (13,828 feet), we will take a well-deserved break and will be able to enjoy the amazing view of both valleys below. Then we will start our descent to the campsite which will take about an hour and a half. We will climb down Inca stone steps heading down through the highlands until we reach our campsite called Pacaymayo which is at 3,630 meters or 11,910 feet. Here we will have our lunch, then have time to rest and explore the area before having supper in the evening.

On the fifth day we will hike the farthest distance and will also see the most archaeological sites along the way. After waking up early and eating breakfast, we will hike up the opposite side of the valley to reach the second pass which will take about 2 hours. About halfway up we will see a small, round, roofless stone building, known as Runkuracay. This building was a shelter and a checkpoint for travelers following the trail to Machu Picchu. After our history lesson here we will continue to the second pass, Runkuracay, at 3,941 meters, or 12,800 feet. Then we will descend for about 2 hours to our lunch site, stopping first at another Inca site called Sayaqmarka, translated to “Town in a Steep Place.” Here, we will see an important temple for the Salkantay Mountain. Then we will arrive to our lunch site and once we are full will continue hiking 4 more hours to our last campsite. The first part of the trail will involve little ascents and descents until we reach the next archaeological center called Phuyupatamarka which means “City above the Clouds.” Here, we will see where the Incas took their final baths before reaching Machu Picchu. This location is also a second option for the last campsite. After our tour, we will hike downhill and will visit the farming terraces at Intipata. From there we will continue to our campsite called Wiñaywayna, which means “Forever Young,” and is located at 2,650 meters, or 8,694 feet. This is our last night camping, and in the evening after supper we will get to thank our amazing Quechuas for their hard work.

On the last day we will wake up very early (at about 3:15 am) and after having breakfast will wait in line until the Control opens at 5:30 am. Once we pass the Control, we will start hiking to Machu Picchu which will take 2 hours and we will follow the trail which is relatively flat until we reach Intipunku, the famous Sun Gate. Here, we will have our first view of Machu Picchu below us and depending on the season we may get to see the sunrise. From there, we will descend down to Machu Picchu which sits at 2,400 meters or 7,874 feet, and we will first check any large backpacks at the entrance. We will then have our 3-hour tour where you will see and learn about important sites that include temples, plazas, terraces, and canals. Please note that certain temples are open only at specific times. After your tour, you will take the bus down to Aguas Calientes, and in the afternoon you will take the train back to Cusco where we will pick you up from the train station and drop you off at your hotel.