Day 1 : Arrival in Cusco. Day at leisure to rest and acclimatise

Welcome to Cusco! Our representative will meet you at the airport to facilitate your transfer to your hotel. Day at leisure to acclimatise to the high altitude. You can choose to take a stroll through the picturesque town square and the arts quarter.

Day 2 : Visit the Quillarumiyoc archaeological site. Hike to the Salkantay Lodge at Soraypampa.

After an early breakfast, your guide and driver will pick you up at your hotel in Cusco.

The first stop is a visit to the Quillarumiyoc archaeological site enroute to the mountain village of Mollepata. Enjoy lunch at El Pedregal, a beautiful farmhouse in the village, where you will also have the opportunity to learn about local agricultural practices.

After lunch, there is a scenic drive on the winding mountain road to Challacancha. Here you will begin your hike to the Salkantay Lodge at Soraypampa along a picturesque path called the “Camino Real” (Royal Path).

Note: Although we highly recommend participating in the hike as part of your continued altitude acclimatization, guests may opt out and continue by transport to Salkantay Lodge.

Trekking Time: 3 hours

Day 3 : Hike to Lake Humantay.

A challenging but an extremely rewarding hike awaits us today. We head out on a round-trip hike to the turquoise waters of the Lake Humantay. The lake is located at the foot of the Nevado Tukarway. It has crystal clear water with green hues.

 This is a very popular area for trail running, so you'll likely encounter other people while exploring. 

 Trekking Time: 4 hours

Day 4 : Cross the Salkantay Pass enroute Wayraccmachay. 

After an early start, the ascent toward the Salkantay Pass begins. You will circle Humantay Peak, gradually making your way along expansive plateaus connected by enormous boulders, remnants of the Rio Blanco Valley that was once bisected by a fast-flowing river. The last and most challenging part of the ascent is conquering the mountain switchbacks that lead you to the pass, the highest point on the trek (15,213’ / 4,636m). The journey continues with a dramatic descent through fields of large boulders and natural stone formations often shrouded in fog, followed by a very welcome hot picnic lunch. After lunch, you will have some time to rest before the final hike through the area’s bucolic countryside; its rolling hills will eventually lead you through marsh-like plateaus to the Wayra Lodge at Wayraccmachay.

Trekking Time: 6 hours

Day 5 : Hike into the cloud forest via the Santa Teresa River Valley

After a leisurely breakfast at Wayra Lodge, you will continue the descent toward the cloud forest along the banks of the Salkantay River through increasingly verdant scenery. Today you will see more local Andean people as the trail takes you past their simple homes and makeshift fences. At approximately midday, you will arrive at Colpa Lodge, located on a high promontory at the confluence of three rivers. The Colpa staff will greet you with lunch and after lunch, you will hike through the Santa Teresa River Valley along a rolling trail that crosses fertile fruit orchards and bisects streams originating from glacier-fed waterfalls. You will be met by a transport vehicle for the short drive to the bottom of the Llactapata Inca Trail steps that lead to Lucma Lodge.

Day 6 : Hike to Llactapata Pass for the first views of Machu Picchu. Continue to Aguas Calientes by train

After breakfast, depart from Lucma Lodge and embark on a 2-3 hour climb through the cloud forest up a path mostly comprised of original Inca steps. Upon arrival at the Llactapata Pass (8,974’ / 2,736m), you will delight in a southeast view of Machu Picchu, a sight few travellers get the chance to admire.

After exploring Llactapata, the Inca tambo (fort) that marks the pass, enjoy a picnic lunch at a mountain lookout point with panoramic views. The final descent along a trail that zigzags down to the roaring Aobamba River. Celebrate as you cross the bridge over the river and take your final steps of the trek en route to the Hidroelectrica train station for a scenic one-hour train ride to the town of Aguas Calientes, at the base of Machu Picchu.

Trekking time: 5 hours

Day 7 : Explore the citadel of Machu Picchu

Your journey to Machu Picchu begins with a morning rollicking uphill bus ride. As you enter the ‘sanctuary’ (as locals refer to it), prepare to be awed by the imposing, skillful architecture of the Watchtower, the Temple of the Sun, and the royal Inca residences, among others. After a two-hour guided tour, you will have free time to explore on your own, including a hike up Huayna Picchu, the iconic mountain that looms over the citadel. After the visit you will have lunch in Aguas Calientes before a scenic train ride to Poroy (Cusco) aboard the iconic Belmond Hiram Bingham Express.

Day 8 : Hike to Vinicunca- The Rainbow Mountain

It is time for an awe-inspiring high-altitude trek to Vinicunca, known more commonly as Rainbow Mountain. The Rainbow Mountain is a surreal and highly photogenic natural phenomena of mineral deposits streaked across sandstone rock. While the views are breathtaking, the altitude can also quite literally take your breath away. The Rainbow Mountain Peru is located at 17,060’ / 5,200 m higher than any peak in the continental USA, it can take a toll on the lungs of even the most experienced trekkers.

Trekking Time: 2.5 hours

Day 9 : Departure from Cusco

Time to bid adieu to the Andes.

Transfer from the hotel to Cusco airport in time for your onward flight.