DAY 1: CUSCO – SORAYPAMPA – APACHETA PASS – SALKANTAY LAKE – HUAYRACMACHAY

We will collect you at 4:30am from your hotel lobby and drive for 3 hours in our private van to Soraypampa (trailhead). As we travel through curvy roads in the Andes, there are views of the villages of Iscuchaca and Limatambo, the surrounding valleys and the famous spectacular snowcapped Salkantay Mountain. At the trailhead (Soraypampa), we have our breakfast while enjoying the views of the Humantay (5,900m/ 19,356ft) and Salkantay (6,217m/ 20,396ft) Mountain glaciers. We gradually climb through Andean valley landscapes before arriving at Sorococcha (4,400m / 14,517ft) for lunch. Onwards and upwards for one more hour, we reach Apacheta Pass (4,650m / 15,367ft). We are breathless with the most spectacular views of snowcapped mountains such as Salkantay(6,277m / 20,717ft), Humantay, Huayanay, agitated white rivers, and small humble lakes. A short 35-minute hike takes us to the turquoise Salkantay Lake. After lunch, we have a one hour zig-zag uphill by switchback and arrive at our first campsite at Huayracmachay located at the foot of the great Salkantay Mountain. Then, you can relax with a coffee or hot chocolate while enjoying the amazing views.

Meals: Lunch – Afternoon Tea Time – Dinner

Accommodation: Camping facilities with large 4 person Tents for every 2 people for space and comfort

Distance: 14kms / 8.7 miles

Difficulty: Challenging

DAY 2: HUAYRACMACHAY – CHAULLAY – LA PLAYA

After a scrumptious breakfast, we descend for 3 hours toward the rural community of Chayllayand.  Along the way, you will enjoy the refreshing lush green valleys and spectacular waterfalls. After lunch, we walk for 5 hours through the beginning of the Peruvian cloud forest, enjoying fruit bearing trees and varied flora and birds. Feeling dizzy at the undulating views of coffee, cacao and fruit plantations, we finally we arrive at Lucmabamba, where we spend the second night (2,050m/6,767ft).Here we take a relaxing tour, where we get to experience Peru at the source of its coffee exportation, forging a connection to the real world of Peruvian coffee. We begin by browsing the fields, learning about the different types of beans and picking our own.  Then, we roast and grind them into coffee. Finally, we get to brew and drink our own coffee! It is a truly unique experience. However, it does not end there. Engulfed in fields of tomatoes and avocados are multiple ecosystems from beginning to end. After picking our fresh produce for our dinner, our trekking chef prepares it for us.

Meals: Breakfast – Lunch – Afternoon Tea Time – Dinner

Accommodation: Camping facilities with large 4 person Tents for every 2 people for space and comfort

Distance: 18kms / 11 miles

Difficulty: Moderate

DAY 3: LA PLAYA – LLACTAPATA – HYDROELECTRIC – AGUAS CALIENTES

After the last delicious breakfast prepared by our chef, we continue along the ancient and remote Inca Trail for 3 hours uphill to the Puncuyoc Pass (2,700m/8,858ft). Along the way, you will not believe the incredible views and long valleys reaching into the distance with their fruit plantations. We finally arrive to Llactapata Inca Ruins; located right in front of Machu Picchu. There, we take time to enjoy the strategic location of the Citadel of the Grand Machu Picchu from far away and it’s surrounding mountains Huayna Picchu, Machu Picchu and the Aobamba Canyon. Then, we descend for 2 hours to the hydroelectric plant, the primary power source for Cusco, where we have lunch. Then we will continue walking two hours to Aguas Calientes, where we sleep in a nice Hotel with a proper bed.

Meals: Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner

Accommodation: Wiracocha Inn Hotel or Andean Terra Hotel

Distance: 15kms / 9 miles

Time: Approximately 9 hours

Difficulty : Moderate

DAY 4: AGUAS CALIENTES – MACHU PICCHU – CUSCO

We leave our hotel after a very early breakfast to take the bus for the journey up to Machu Picchu ruins. Once inside the citadel, we will be provided with a guided 2 hour tour with plenty of free time for further exploring, taking photos and the option to climb Huayna Picchu, Machu Picchu Mountain, or hike to the Sun Gate. Then, back to Aguas Calientes at 12pm as we end out time at Machu Picchu, we take a leisurely lunch in Aguas Calientes and at 4:22pm, we return to Cusco on the Expedition train to Ollantaytambo station with a private van connection to Cusco arriving at your hotel in the evening around 8:30PM.

Meal: Breakfast

Difficulty: Easy