Today we will wake up around 6:00 am and enjoy a nice hot cup of coca tea and some breakfast. Then we will continue our ascent towards the INCA CHIRIASCA pass. It will be a challenging uphill trek to reach one of the highest passes in the Andes (5,200 m / 17,000 feet high). Close to our destination we will pass by the Salkantay glacier, and will feel the spiritual energy of the mountains and mother earth. Once we reach the top, we will stop for a cup of coca tea and to take pictures. Then, we will start our descent with views of the white peaks of Salkantay to enjoy on the way down. After 45 minutes we will arrive at our lunch spot, where our team will be waiting for us with some amazing hot drinks and yummy food prepared by our chef. Once we finish our lunch, we will continue walking downhill for 3 hours until we reach our camp site, near an ancient Incan canal village where, if we have time, we can visit one of the local families there.

Optional:

If you reach the camp site early you can enjoy the countryside in the village and visit a local family and bring them a gift if you like.

• Meals: Breakfast – lunch – dinner – snacks
• Accommodation: Camping
• Maximum Altitude: 5200 m/ 17060, 37 ft.
• Minimum Altitude: 3700 m/ 12139, 11 ft.
• Distance Travelled: 14km approx. 8, 6992 miles
• Approximate Walking Time: 7 hours / Ascent up: 1500m
• Weather: cold

We will get up at around 6 am and appreciate the immense Andes mountains surrounding us and taking us back in time to when the Incas were one with the natural world. After breakfast we will continue our descent for about 2 hours until we arrive at an Incan archeological site where the guide will give us some background and history of the Incas. After our tour, we will move into the WAYLLABAMBA valley where we will notice a change in the climate and vegetation and after walking a bit further, we will finally arrive at the Inca Trail. Setting out on the trail we will walk another 2 hours to reach the archeological site of PATALLACTA where we will see a bit more history of the Incan and stop for lunch. After lunch we will hike for another 2 hours until “KM 82” and from here we will take our private transportation for 30 min drive to OLLANTAYTAMBO. Here we will have dinner before boarding our train, so around 6:55 pm to Aguas Calientes (about a 2-hour ride). Once we arrive to aguas calientes town, the guide will show you to your hotel and we will be able to have a rest.

• Meals: Breakfast – lunch – dinner – snacks
• Accommodation: Camping
• Maximum Altitude: 3,000 m/ 9842,52ft
• Minimum Altitude: 2,680 m/8,790 ft
• Distance Travelled: 10 km approx. 8,69 miles
• Approximate Walking Time: 4-5 hours / Ascent up: 620 m

Today we will visit MACHUPICCHU, a magical and spiritual place and one of the seven wonders of the word.

In 2019 the government changed the rules for visitors to Machupicchu, with less people now being allowed in, and the permitted stay being shorter. So, to make the most of our time there and to fully enjoy this once in a lifetime experience, we will start our tour by taking a bus from Aguas Calientes to Machupicchu (the departure time will depend on the time of the entrance tickets you have reserved). Once we arrive, we will have a 3-hour guided tour through the different sections of Machupicchu- such as the urban sector, religious sector, and agricultural sector. After the tour we will head back to Aguas Calientes by bus and from there we will take a train back to Cusco. Usually, the train we take will be the one leaving at 2:55pm, but this will depend on your schedule. The train will take us to Ollantaytambo, from where we will take a bus back to the hotel, dropping you off at your hotel around 7:30pm.