We’ll leave from Cusco at about 5.30 am and drive to Capuliyoc for about 4.30 h, passing through the village of Cachora (2,850m / 9,350ft). Capuliyoc is the meeting point with the team of cooks and muleteers, as well as the caravan of horses or mules, who will accompany us throughout the trek. After loading all our camping gear and personal belongings, we’ll start the trek through a flat trail to the Capuliyoc Pass (2,800m / 9,186ft). Here, we will observe the evolution of the landscape and vegetation from the depths of the Apurimac Canyon to the peaks and snow-capped mountains that dominate the Vilcabamba mountain range. We will descend into the Apurimac Canyon to the village of Chiquisca (1,930m / 6,332ft), Playa Rosalina (1,550m / 5,085ft) or Santa Rosa (2,100m / 6,890ft) where we will camp for the night.

• Transportation time: 4h.
• Walking time: 6h.
• Distance: 14 Km
• Difficulty level: moderate
  Meals: L = lunch, D = dinner.
• Overnight: tent
• Climate: warm during the day with mosquitoes and moderate cold at night.
• Elevation: Cusco (3,400m) – Cachora (2,850m) – Capuliyoq (2,800m) – Chiquisca (1,930m) – Playa Rosalina (1,550m) – Santa Rosa (2,100m).

After breakfast, we’ll start the hike amidst a mountain scenery, right in the middle of the Apurimac canyon. In Santa Rosa village, we’ll be visiting some local families and we’ll try the sugar cane, which is grown in the region. Then, a steady climb will take us towards the village of Marampata (2,850m / 9,350ft) where we’ll have lunch. From here, we’ll be able to appreciate a magnificent view of Choquequirao archaeological site (3,033m / 9,951ft), and part of the road to where we’ll be heading. Once we have arrived at the site, we’ll have a first visit to enjoy the sunset, and with a bit of luck, see Condors flying. Our campsite is located in Marampata/Choquequirao. 

• Walking time: 7h.
• Distance: 15 km
• Difficulty level: challenging
• Meals: B = breakfast, L = lunch, D = dinner
• Overnight: tent
• Climate: warm during the day with mosquitoes and moderate cold at night.
• Elevation: Santa Rosa (2,100m) – Marampata (2,850m) – Choquequirao (3,030m).

Sunrise will allow us to discover the Inca citadel of Choquequirao (3,033m / 9,950ft) called ‘Cradle of Gold’. Currently, only 30% of Choquequirao has been discovered and can be visited, the archaeological site still keeps many secrets. We’ll take enough time to learn more about the Inca culture by visiting the houses of the Andean priests, collcas (Inca storage building), terraces, palaces, liturgical water fountains, local flora and fauna among others.
After this visit, we’ll walk to the Choquequirao pass (3,270m / 10,728ft). In addition, we’ll take a break at the archaeological site of Pinchaunuyoc (2,450m / 8,038ft) and finally descend into a mini canyon called Rio Blanco or Silvestre (1,900m / 6,234ft) where we’ll spend the night.

• Walking time: 5h.
• Distance: 11 km
• Difficulty level: challenging
• Meals: B = breakfast, L = lunch, D = dinner
• Overnight: tent
• Climate: warm during the day with mosquitoes and moderate cold at night.
• Elevation: Choquequirao (3,033m) – Choquequirao pass (3,270m) – Pinchaunuyoc (2,450m) – Río Blanco (1,900m).

Due to the constantly changing ecosystem, this day is the most arduous and also the most spectacular. After a hard ascent to the community of Maizal (3,000m / 9,843ft), we’ll have a short stop to catch our breath and enjoy the magnificent scenery of mountains and snow-capped peaks. Although the remains of the Inca Trail are in good condition despite the constant weather changes during the rainy season, it’s important to walk carefully. At the San Juan pass (4,170m / 13,681ft), you’ll see splendid mountains and glaciers, originating from a chain of snow-capped peaks at over 5,000m / 16,404ft. Later, we’ll spend the night camping in the community of Yanama (3,530m / 11,581ft).

• Walking time: 9h.
• Distance: 18 km
• Difficulty level: challenging
  Meals: B = breakfast, L = lunch, D = dinner
• Overnight: tent
• Climate: warm during the day with mosquitoes and cold at night.
• Elevation: Río Blanco (1,900m) – Maizal (3,000m) – San Juan pass (4,170m) – Yanama

Early in the morning, we’ll head for the highest pass of this trek – the Yanama Pass (4,670m). During the morning, we’ll see the Salkantay (6,264m) and Pintuyuc (5,450m) mountains and snow-capped peaks, and if lucky enough, we’ll be able to see Condors flying. We’ll be camping at the Totora Pampa valley (3,200m).

• Waking time: 8h.
• Distance: 17 km
• Difficulty level: challenging
• Meals: B = breakfast, L = lunch, D = dinner
• Overnight: tent
• Climate: warm during the day with mosquitoes and cold at night..
• Elevation: Yanama (3,530m) – Yanama pass (4,670m) – Totorapampa (3,200m).

The community of Totora Pampa is represented by Andean people who are dedicated to agriculture and cattle raising. After breakfast, we’ll start our downhill hike towards the Santa Teresa valley. The vegetation increases and you’ll have the opportunity to see the diversity of orchids, bromeliads and other plant species. During the afternoon, we’ll learn about the variety of coffee that the Lucmabamba region produces, as well as tasting real coffee and the most fruits of the region. We’ll have an overnight camp in Lucmabamba (2,020m / 6,627ft).

• Walking time: 7h.
• Distance: 13 km
• Difficulty level: challenging
• Meals: B = breakfast, L = lunch, D = dinner
• Overnight: tent
• Climate: warm during the day with mosquitoes and cold at night.
• Elevation: Totorapampa (3,200m) – Lucmabamba (2,020m).

The day starts with a good cup of organic coffee to wake you up. This morning you’ll have the opportunity to meet a local family who will tell us all about the growing and processing of the best coffee in the village of Lucmabamba (2,000m).
After getting to know the coffee varieties, we’ll take a local transport to the Hydroelectric station (1,950m / 6,398ft) and then start the hike inside the Wilcamayuc canyon towards the village of Aguas Calientes (2,050m / 6,726ft). A cosy setting that will allow us to discover more about the flora and fauna of the natural park of Mandor and Machu Picchu. You’ll spend the night at a hotel in Aguas Calientes.
Are you energetic and passionate about discovering more about the Inca Culture?
If you still have energy, this is a good alternative to taking a taxi to the Hydroelectric statioA path will take you to the archaeological centre of Llactapata at 2,650m. From this site, you’ll have the opportunity to observe the Machu Picchu mountain and the deep Vilcanota Canyon. Then, a deep path through the vegetation will take you to the Hydroelectric station (1,950 m) from where you’ll walk along the railway towards the village of Aguas Calientes (2,050 m).

If you’d like to take this option, we suggest getting the train from Hidroeléctrica to Aguas Calientes to avoid walking at an additional cost.

• Walking time: 4h.
• Distance: 8 Km
• Difficulty level: moderate
• Meals: B = breakfast, L = lunch, D = dinner.
• Overnight: tent
• Climate: warm during the day with mosquitoes and moderate cold at night.
• Elevation: Lucmabamba (2,020m) – Hydroelectrica (1,950m) – Aguas Calientes (2,050m)

We’ll leave our hotel after breakfast, and head to Machu Picchu (2,400m / 7,874ft) by tourist bus. We´ll enter the Inca citadel at around 7:00 am, just in time to enjoy the sunrise at the site. After a guided tour of the archaeological site, which includes information about the life and customs of the Incas, we’ll have enough time to enjoy Machu Picchu and the option to hike up Huayna Picchu mountain (2,750m / 9,022ft). Later, we’ll return by train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo and then drive to Cusco. While waiting for the train, you’ll have time for lunch at one of the restaurants in the town of Aguas Calientes.

• Transportation time: 3h 30.
• Visiting time: 2h-3h.
• Difficulty level: easy
• Meals: B = breakfast.
• Overnight: on your own
• Climate: warm during the day with mosquitoes and moderate cold at night.
• Elevation: Aguas Calientes (2,050m) – Machu Picchu (2,400m) – Cusco (3,400m)