Our exciting adventure for today will start early in the morning from your Sacred Valley hotel. After having your first early breakfast there (or you may require them a box breakfast and you can have it along the way), our expert guide will welcome you and escort you in our private transportation to Km 82, which is the trekking start point. We rise with the sun to begin our scenic 5-hour trek, starting from a section of the Inca Trail few have visited. While many cross the Urubamba River at Km 82, we’ll follow the river downstream to cross at Km 88, setting the tone for the rest of the trek and creating some space between us and other groups. Once we are ready to go, we will start our amazing hike passing through various archaeological sites and seeing lavish vegetation and fauna, learning about them and taking stunning photos on the process. After a 3 hours hike we will arrive to Q’oriwayrachina site (2675 mts/8776.3 ft) and placidly have our sumptuous lunch and recover energy.

After a delightful picnic lunch, we’ll cross the Urubamba River at Q’ente. Here, we’ll have the option to visit the archaeological sites of Wayna Q’ente and Llaqtapata, charming ruins consisting of Inca stone walls, stairs, and other constructions, monuments to their ancient Andean past in a country-like setting amidst the vast Inca terracing nearby. We’ll set up camp for the night at our luxury campsite. We are the only company with access to this site, known as Chamana, a small village that’s part of the Llaqtapata Community. Before dinner, you will have the opportunity to have a well-earned hot shower and then, our massage tent is ready for a session of relaxing massage that will ease your body and mind; our professional therapists use organic essential oils to help you relax and loosen your muscles. Then, it is time to visit our dining tent for a fantastic gourmet dinner prepared with organic food from the region by some of our best chefs and served by a special waiter for your personalized attention. Meanwhile, your bedroom tent will be waiting for you to enjoy a comfortable evening surrounded by nature and mountains.

After our early and hearty breakfast, we will initiate our 1.5 hours hike towards the narrow Cusichaca Valley, passing houses inhabited by farmers and herdsmen, until we finally reach the Andean community of Huayllabamba. From here, the cobble-stoned Inca Trail ascends steeply through an ancient native forest bursting with melodic birdsong. At Ayapata (3328 mts/10918.7 ft) we will have our exquisite picnic lunch appreciating spectacular views, especially of the vegetation and the humid Andean forest which covers the majority of our hike. The trail begins to level out at our campsite at Llulluchapampa, situated just below the first pass. Here, we’ll experience breathtaking views of Mt. Huayanay and a first glimpse of the rare Andean cloud forest of Queuña, or Polyepis trees. Their reddish bark peels into paper-like sheets, hence their familiar name, “Paper Tree.”

For a second time, our hot shower and massage tent will be at your disposal, when it is time for our dinner you can share your fantastic photos with your guide and then relish in your bedroom tent for a restful and soundly sleep.

The day begins with a steady ascent up to Warmiwanusqa (Dead Woman’s) Pass (4,228 masl / 13,871 fasl) where we’re met with panoramic views of the terrain we’ve just conquered.

We can revel in a real sense of accomplishment at having reached this challenging high point of the journey. The pass is so named because its crest resembles a lying down woman. This point is nearly 1,800 m (5,905 ft) higher than Machu Picchu itself! Now, the much-welcomed descent to the Pacaymayo River lies ahead of us. After a hearty lunch in Pacaymayo, we ascend again to the ruins of Runkuraqay and our second pass (3,968 masl / 13,018 fasl). From here, we walk down to the site of Sayacmarca on the original Inca Trail, passing a dry lake and our first signs of the mist-filled Andean cloud forest. Many plants and animals thrive in the cloud forest, including endemic species found nowhere else on Earth! We may spot hummingbirds, butterflies, and delicate orchids of various brilliant hues.

Our trek along the steady ridge offers a bit of a respite from the day’s arduous climbs and challenging descents. Now we get to catch our breath a bit and admire incredible views of the beautiful Aobamba Valley below. We continue along the ridge through amazing landscapes and views of snow-capped Mt. Salkantay on the western side, as well as Mt. Pumasillo silhouetted on the horizon to the north. We follow the flag-stoned trail until we arrive at our campsite at Phuyupatamarca, whose name in Quechua means “village at the edge of the clouds”.

At last, we have arrived at the day we’ve all been waiting for; the day we get our first glimpse of the citadel of Machu Picchu! Early, but not too early, we’ll awaken for a glorious sunrise view just a short hike up the hill from our campsite, where our porters await us with steaming cups of tea. This site is known to deliver some of the most radiant sunrise views in the entire Machu Picchu Sanctuary. After breakfast, we continue our trek along a buttress, passing the ruins at Phuyupatamarca. These ruins contain an irrigation system that was built over five centuries ago, and still works today!

Now, the flag-stoned trail begins to wind sharply downwards, taking us into the cloud forest to the well-conserved ruins of Wiñay Wayna (“Forever Young”) located just below the ridge. Walking in the Inca’s footsteps, along the very same trail they once used, we now trek for two hours through dense, misty cloud forest until we at last reach Machu Picchu via Intipunku (the Gate of the Sun). We will marvel at our first sight of the magnificent citadel of Machu Picchu spread out below us. After some time soaking up the glorious view, we’ll take a bus to the village of Machu Picchu, where we’ll spend the night at a local hotel. Dinner on your own.

This day the tour in Machu Picchu will take place early in the morning, after getting ready at the hotel, we will take the bus at 5:30 am. After a trip along the road surrounded by vegetation and impressive views of the Putukusi mountain, we will arrive at the access point for the sacred sanctuary of Machu Picchu.
First, before passing the control, those who wish to use the toilets will be able to do so. Since there are no bathrooms inside Machu Picchu, if you are going to go outside once inside, unfortunately you will not be able to re-enter.
Our visit to the wonder of Machu Picchu will be through circuit number 2, since it is one of the most complete. On this tour you will be able to go up to the famous guardian’s house from where the postcard photo of Machu Picchu will be taken, then you will pass through the main gate, the ceremonial plaza, the Inca’s house, the ceremonial fountains, you will see the temple of the sun, but not up close; You can also access the pyramid where the sundial is located.
Continuing with the circuit you will arrive at the sector of the sacred rock, and finally you will visit the urban area where the royal houses of the Inca nobles were, and also the room of mirrors. After 3 hours of travel we will retire with our guide, and once outside you can have a drink or food. Because inside the complex is prohibited.
Then you can take the bus down to the town of Aguas Calientes, where you will have enough time to have your lunch. At 2:30 p.m. it will be the time of the return train to the Ollantaytambo station, where your return transportation to Cusco awaits you, arriving at approximately 7:00 p.m.