After this hike, you will feel rejuvenated and renewed! We will start the day with breakfast at your hotel, either in Cusco or in the Sacred Valley, before picking you up for a 5-hour drive to the Cachora travelers’ junction. There we will meet the rest of our team, including riders and cooks, before beginning our ascent. As we cross the Capuliyoc pass, we may see condors gliding overhead. From this viewpoint, we will enjoy a breathtaking view of the Apurimac Canyon and experience the lush microclimate of the valley. From there, we will descend through a cactus forest to La Playa Rosalina, located on the banks of the Apurimac River, the main tributary of the Amazon River. Along the river, we will experience another microclimate. Our first night will be spent camping at La Playa Rosalina (1550 MASL – 5085 FASL), from where we will be able to see the distant location of Choquequirao.

Distance : 22 km – 13.6 miles
Climate : Warm
Hiking time : 7 hours

Physical Level

1, Easy

After a satisfying breakfast, we will provide you with a bag of snacks to nibble on during the day. The first leg of our journey is a challenging four-hour ascent on a long and narrow trail. Our adventure begins with an exciting cable car ride over the untamed river, enveloped by dense vegetation with numerous varieties of orchids. In Maranpata, we stop for lunch after reaching the halfway point, where we get our first glimpse of the Choquequirao complex. We then continue our hike for two more hours until we reach Choquequirao (Cradle of Gold), which is often referred to as Machu Picchu’s sister city due to its various similarities. It is 1500 meters/4921 feet above the Apurimac Canyon, while Machu Picchu is above the Urubamba Canyon. In the afternoon, you will have free time to enjoy the breathtaking views of the canyon at sunset. You may even spot Andean condors flying over the mountains. We will camp near Choquequirao (3050 MASL – 10006 FASL).

Distance : 14 km – 8.7 miles
Climate : Warm Day/Cold Night
Hiking time : 7 hours

Physical Level

1, Easy

We recommend watching the sunrise from this picturesque location before breakfast. Breakfast will be served at 6 AM, after which we will begin our day hike exploring the ruins of Choquequirao. We will hike uphill, passing through cloud forests, mountains and valleys until we reach the Choquequirao pass. After 5 hours of hiking, we will continue along the trail, which will take us through agricultural terraces known as Pinchinoyoc or “waterfall forward” (2750 MASL – 9022 FASL). During this stretch, we will have the opportunity to see diverse bird species, orchid varieties and local coca plantations. We will pause for lunch near Rio Blanco, where we can take a refreshing dip in the clear, cold water of the river if we wish, before crossing the river on foot as there are no bridges. On the other side, we will begin the challenging climb up to our campsite at Maizal, situated high above the river, and closer to the sacred Apus of the Incas. This ascent will take us approximately three hours. We will camp at an altitude of 3000 MASL – 9842 FASL.

Distance : 18 km – 11.2 miles
Climate : Warm
Hiking time : 9 hours

Physical Level

1, Easy

Waking up on the hillside to the serene sounds of the forest and birds is a truly extraordinary experience. After recharging our batteries with a hearty breakfast, we will continue our ascent surrounded by lush vegetation. With clear skies and high spirits, we can take a moment to simply sit and appreciate the majestic snow-capped mountains that surround us. Today’s ascent is approximately 7 hours to the summit, and along the way, we will encounter archaeological remains and Inca canals, making this trail historically significant. We will pass the impressive Inca mines known as Minas Victoria, where silver was once extracted, and head towards the Victoria Pass (4200 MASL – 13773 FASL). Although the climb is long, the breathtaking views make the trip worthwhile, starting in the cloud forest and reaching the Andean puna with its famous Ichu grass. As we approach the summit, we can appreciate the original paved Inca roads. We will enjoy lunch at the pass, contemplating the views of the Choquetakarpo and Pedrayoc mountains. While we have dinner, we may have the opportunity to witness the flight of the condors, depending on the weather. Finally, we will descend to our campsite in Yamana, a charming village nestled at the bottom of a long valley surrounded by mountains (3800 MASL – 12467 FASL).

Distance : 17 km – 10.6 miles
Climate : Warm and windy day, Cold night
Hiking time : 8 hours

Physical Level

1, Easy

We start the day surrounded by the beauty of the village of Yamana and the warmth of its people. An outdoor table awaits us for breakfast, and we enjoy the sun and the sound of the nearby waterfall. We start our hike uphill to the highest point of the trek, which takes about 5 hours. The Yamana Pass (4700 MASL – 15419 FASL) is today’s destination, and along the way, we will be able to see Andean farmers cultivating their potato fields, even frozen. We will also encounter impressive views of the Saqsarayoc and Pedreyoc mountain ranges, and may see condors flying in the sky. This morning’s hike takes us through a variety of landscapes, including wet grassy fields below the snow line and streams. On the pass, we may encounter snow as we enter a new gateway into the Santa Teresa valley. One of the Inca gods, Salkantay mountain, can be seen from here. We will then descend through misty trails, crossing bridges and passing through grassy fields and bush areas before reaching the community of Totora. There we will spend the night surrounded by the natural beauty of the area and the local people. We will stay in tents.

Distance : 20 km – 12.4 miles
Climate : Cold and Windy
Hiking time : 9 hours

Physical Level

1, Easy

Today’s hike takes us downhill as we follow the original Inca trail through the forest, allowing us to fully immerse ourselves in the vastness of the jungle. The hike will last 10 hours, as we make our way back to the tropical climate of the jungle and enjoy fruit picking as we descend towards the Totora River. Along the way, we will have the opportunity to observe a variety of wildlife, such as hummingbirds, woodpeckers and various species of orchids and begonias. Crossing to the left of the Santa Teresa River, we will find small plantations of bananas, passion fruit and coffee, which you can taste if you wish. We will also stop at refreshing waterfalls along the way. The climate and vegetation on this day are different from what we have seen so far. In La Playa, the largest village we will encounter, we will have lunch and find small stores where we can buy snacks, water and use the restrooms. After lunch, we will board a small van for a 40-minute drive to Santa Teresa (1600 MASL – 5249 FASL), where we will camp for the night. In the afternoon, we recommend visiting the town’s hot springs to rejuvenate after a challenging trip.

Distance : 18 km – 11.2 miles
Climate : Warm
Hiking time : 10 hours

Physical Level

1, Easy

This day allows you a late start, giving you time to explore the rebuilt town that collapsed in 1997 due to the El Niño phenomenon. Once you have learned about the history of the area, we will head to Hidroeléctrica (a 40-minute drive), where we will begin our 3-hour hike to Aguas Calientes. Along the way, we will be able to enjoy the sight of various types of orchids and birds. As we approach Aguas Calientes, we will be able to see the city of Machu Picchu from below, surrounded by dense and unusual vegetation. The Machu Picchu mountain, which gives its name to the city, also offers an exceptional view. If necessary, there is an optional train ride to Aguas Calientes for tired or sick hikers, at a cost of US$32. We will spend the night in a comfortable lodge with amenities such as hot water and Wi-Fi.

Distance : 10 km
Climate : warm
Hiking time : 3 hours

Physical Level

1, Easy

Get ready to experience the highlight of our trip: the majestic Machu Picchu! We will rise early in the morning and hike through the jungle to reach the site before most tourists arrive, including Inca Trail trekkers. You will witness the breathtaking sunrise and have plenty of time to explore this ancient wonder during our two-hour guided tour of the ruins. If you have reserved tickets in advance, you can also climb Huayna Picchu or Machupicchu Mountain, or hike to the Sun Gate or the Inca Bridge without additional entrance fees.

Our day begins after a good night’s sleep at our lodge, and we will beat the crowds by arriving early at Machu Picchu. We can hike or bus up to the top of the mountain. We will then explore the hidden Royal Citadel of the Incas during our two-hour guided tour. This ancient city is an engineering marvel, built without modern tools and with canals for water supply, terraces, palaces, temples and cultivated fields. After the visit, you will have the option to climb Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain (tickets reserved in advance) or hike to the Sun Gate or the Inca Bridge.

You will have more than seven hours to enjoy the city before returning to Aguas Calientes for our train ride to Ollantaytambo at 6:45 pm. A private bus will pick us up and drop us off at our lodge in Cusco at around 11:00 pm. After a day of adventure, take some time to rest, but the memories of Machu Picchu will stay with you for a long time.

Physical Level

1, Easy