Your journey begins with an early pickup at 4:30 am from your hotel in Cusco, followed by a scenic 3.5-hour drive to Challacancha. There, you’ll enjoy a nourishing breakfast prepared by your private trekking chef, setting the tone for the days ahead.
You’ll then start a gentle 3-hour hike to Soraypampa (3800 m / 12,467 ft), surrounded by breathtaking mountain views. A gourmet lunch awaits you here, crafted with fresh local ingredients. In the afternoon, continue for 2 hours uphill to the stunning Humantay Lake, where you’ll have time to explore its crystal-clear turquoise waters and peaceful surroundings.
From the lake, a final 1-hour walk brings you to the exclusive Salkantay Basecamp (3900 m / 12,795 ft), set beneath the towering snow-capped peak. Upon arrival, your luxury tent will be ready complete with hot showers and the option of a relaxing massage. Enjoy a glass of wine or your favorite drink as the sun sets over the Andes, and indulge in a chef-prepared dinner under the stars.

• Meals: Breakfast, snacks, lunch, tea time, dinner
• Accommodation: Luxury campsite with hot showers and massage
• Drinks available: Wine, beer, sodas
• Hiking hours: 6 hours
• Distance: 12 km / 7.4 miles
• Difficulty: Moderate

Wake up to breathtaking mountain views and a warm cup of coca tea delivered to your tent. After a hearty breakfast, prepare for the most demanding yet rewarding day of the journey. You’ll begin a steady ascent to the legendary Salkantay Pass at 4630 m / 15,190 ft, the highest point of the trek.

At the summit, take time to absorb the dramatic scenery of towering glaciers and jagged peaks. Here, a traditional Andean ceremony led by your shaman will honor Pachamama (Mother Earth), offering a spiritual connection to the mountains.
Following the pass, descend for two hours to the village of Wayraqmachay, where a gourmet lunch will be served in the heart of the high Andes. In the afternoon, continue on a 3-hour descent into the lush cloud forest, where the climate turns warmer and greener.

Tonight’s luxury campsite is set in Collpapampa (2800 m / 9,186 ft), nestled among waterfalls and tropical vegetation. Unwind with a hot shower or Inca massage, toast with a glass of wine or champagne, and enjoy a chef-prepared dinner surrounded by the soothing sounds of the forest.

• Meals: Breakfast, snacks, lunch, tea time, dinner
• Accommodation: Luxury campsite with hot showers and massage
• Drinks available: Wine, champagne, beer, sodas
• Hiking hours: 9 hours
• Distance: 18 km / 11.1 miles
• Difficulty: Challenging

Begin your day with a fresh breakfast in the village before entering the heart of the Cloud Forest. Over the next three hours, you’ll hike through vibrant landscapes filled with waterfalls, river crossings, granadilla and banana plantations, and lush tropical flora until you reach the village of Lucmabamba.

Here, you’ll take part in a unique culinary experience: a traditional Pachamanca lunch cooked with hot stones—an ancient Andean technique. You’ll actively join in preparing this festive meal before enjoying its rich flavors in the open air. After lunch, visit an organic coffee farm, where you’ll learn the process from bean to cup and prepare your own fresh brew.
In the afternoon, continue with a 3-hour scenic hike along an original Inca Trail. As you reach the archaeological site of Llaqtapata, you’ll be rewarded with your first dramatic view of Machu Picchu from a unique angle. Spend the night in a rustic mountain lodge surrounded by cloud forest, directly facing the iconic citadel.

• Meals: Breakfast, snacks, lunch, tea time, dinner
• Accommodation: Rustic lodge facing Machu Picchu
• Hiking hours: 6 hours
• Distance: 16 km / 9.9 miles
• Highlights: Cloud Forest, Pachamanca experience, coffee farm, Llaqtapata ruins, first view of Machu Picchu

Wake up to breathtaking views of Machu Picchu at sunrise, a rare and unforgettable sight from the mountainside lodge at Llaqtapata. After a relaxed breakfast with your trekking team, begin your final day of hiking with a gentle 5-hour descent to the town of Aguas Calientes.
Along the way, visit the fascinating Sundial at Hidroelectrica and explore the lush Mandor Botanical Gardens—once visited by explorer Hiram Bingham III during his journey to discover Machu Picchu. This serene trail takes you through tropical forest and along the base of Machu Picchu Mountain.
Arrive in Aguas Calientes and check in to a comfortable 4-star hotel where you can unwind and prepare for your visit to the Inca citadel the next day.

• Meals: Breakfast, snacks, lunch, dinner
• Accommodation: El Mapi by Inkaterra or similar (4-star hotel)
• Hiking hours: 5 hours
• Distance: 14 km / 8.6 miles
• Highlights: Llaqtapata sunrise, Mandor Gardens, historic trail, arrival in Aguas Calientes

Rise early and take one of the first buses up to Machu Picchu to witness the sunrise over the legendary citadel—an awe-inspiring moment that marks the grand finale of your journey. Enjoy a 3 to 4-hour private guided tour exploring the most iconic landmarks: temples, terraces, ceremonial centers, and royal residences.

You’ll also have free time to continue exploring or opt for an optional hike to Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain (subject to availability and prior booking). After your visit, indulge in a gourmet lunch at the exclusive Sanctuary Lodge, located just outside the entrance to Machu Picchu.
Later in the afternoon, board the Vistadome panoramic train, offering comfort and spectacular Andean views, as you return to Cusco.

• Meals: Breakfast at the hotel, lunch at Sanctuary Lodge
• Accommodation: Not included (you will arrive in Cusco in the evening)
• Transportation: Vistadome panoramic train
• Highlights: Sunrise at Machu Picchu, guided tour, optional hike, luxury lunch