Itinerary

1. Day 1: Arrival in Cusco: Acclimatize to the Heart of the Inca Empire

   • Begin your Peruvian adventure in Cusco, the historic capital of the Inca Empire! 
   • Upon arrival, you’ll be greeted with a warm cup of coca tea to help you adjust to the altitude. 
   • Spend the day relaxing or exploring the city’s vibrant streets, where colonial architecture blends seamlessly with ancient ruins. 
   • ­Optional: Join an afternoon tour to uncover Cusco’s secrets, including the awe-inspiring Sacsayhuamán fortress and the golden Temple of the Sun (Qoricancha). 
   • Rest at your comfortable hotel, ready for the trek ahead.

   ­ Meals included: -/-/-

   Overnight: Cusco

2. Day 2: Trek Begins: From Mollepata to Humantay Lake’s Turquoise Majesty

   • Embark early as you journey through the Andes, passing quaint villages like Mollepata. 
   • After a light breakfast, meet your support team in Challacancha and hike to Soraypampa, your first campsite. 
   • A challenging ascent to Humantay Lake, a glacial jewel nestled beneath snow-capped peaks. Its surreal turquoise waters and sacred energy make every step worth it. 
   • Descend for a hearty dinner under the stars at Lodge Del Cielo.
     • Difficulty: Challenging
     • Maximum elevation: 4,200 m / 13,780 feet
     • Camp elevation: 3,900 m / 12,795 feet
     • Walking distance: 12 km / 6.21 miles
     • Hiking time: Approximately 5-6 hours

   Meals included: B/L/D

   Overnight: Campsite

3. Day 3: Conquer Salkantay Pass: Andean Glaciers and Jungle Transitions

   • Today’s the toughest yet most rewarding leg! 
   • Trek through Pampa Salkantay, reaching the pass at 4,630m (15,190ft), where the glacier’s grandeur will leave you breathless, literally and figuratively. 
   • Soak in panoramic views of rugged peaks before descending into the cloud forest. 
   • Witness the landscape transform as you arrive in Chaullay, where warmer temps and lush greenery welcome you. 
     • Difficulty: Challenging
     • Maximum elevation: 4,630 m / 15,190 feet
     • Camp elevation: 2,900 m / 9,514 feet
     • Walking distance: 24 km / 13.67 miles
     • Hiking time: Approximately 10 hours
     • Weather: It can be quite cold and wintry, or rainy at the Salkantay Pass

   Meals included: B/L/D

   Overnight: Campsite

4. Day 4: Jungle Adventures: Coffee Trails and Orchid-Scented Valleys

   • Hike through the Inca Trail Network into the jungle’s embrace, surrounded by coffee plantations, passionfruit vines, and rare orchids. 
   • Opt for a coffee tour to learn about local bean-to-cup processes or zip-line over the canopy for adrenaline thrills. 
   • End at Lucmabamba’s Sky Lodge, where the microclimate’s magic lulls you to sleep.
     • Difficulty: Moderate
     • Maximum elevation: 2,900 m / 9,514 feet
     • Camp elevation: 2,000 m / 6,562 feet
     • Walking distance: 18 km / 11.18 miles
     • Hiking time: Approximately 5 to 6 hours
     • Weather: It can be hot and rainy

   Meals included: B/L/D

   Overnight: Campsite

5. Day 5: Inca Secrets Revealed: Llaqtapata’s Hidden Vista of Machu Picchu

   • An early start leads you to Llaqtapata, an Inca site offering a sneak peek of Machu Picchu across the valley. 
   • Descend to Hidroeléctrica for lunch, then stroll along train tracks to Aguas Calientes. 
   • Soak in hot springs (optional) or explore this charming town before your big day.
     • Difficulty: Moderate
     • Overnight: Accommodation in Aguas Calientes
     • Maximum elevation: 2,800 m / 9,186 feet
     • Machu Picchu citadel elevation: 2,040 m / 6,693 feet
     • Walking distance: 25 km / 15.53 miles
     • Hiking time: 6 to 7 hours
     • Weather: It can be hot and rainy

   Meals included: B/L/D

   Overnight: Aguas Calientes

6. Day 6: Machu Picchu Sunrise: Unveiling the Lost City of the Incas

   • At dawn, ascend to Machu Picchu by bus. 
   • A 2-hour guided tour reveals its temples, terraces, and the Intihuatana sundial, all shrouded in morning mist. 
   • After free time to photograph the citadel, return to Cusco via train and transfer, reminiscing about this Wonder of the World.
     • Difficulty: Easy
     • Elevation: 2400 m / 7872 feet
     • Walking Distance: 6 km / 3.7 miles
     • Walking Time: 5 hours
     • Weather: Can be hot and rainy

   Meals included: B/-/-

   Overnight: Cusco

7. Day 7: Farewell, Peru! Depart with Memories to Last a Lifetime

   • Enjoy a final breakfast before your transfer to Cusco Airport. 
   • Depart with a heart full of Andes highs, jungle whispers, and the indelible magic of Machu Picchu. 

   ­ Meals included: B/-/-