Inca Trail Trek to Machu Picchu Adventure

You will be greeted at the Cusco Airport for your private transfer to our city hotel. In the afternoon, you will meet your local guides and Explorer Chick Leader who will be guiding you throughout your adventure. Then, we dive straight into Cusco’s magic!

This guided tour dives right into Inca history, starting with Qoricancha—the “Golden Courtyard”—once literally covered in gold until the Spanish built the Convent of Santo Domingo over it. You’ll see stunning Inca stonework that survived centuries. Next stop is Cusco’s Plaza de Armas, buzzing with life and history as the former heart of the Inca Empire. Your guide will cover its story before we head to Sacsayhuaman, a fortress of mind-blowing stonework where stones fit together so precisely that not even paper can slide between them!

Then it’s off to Q’enqo, an ancient ceremonial site featuring a rock carved into a sacred puma and mysterious animal pictographs. From there, we’ll visit Puka-Pukara, the “Red Fortress” that glows at sunset, and Tambomachay, the “Inca Baths,” with its flowing aqueducts and cascading water thought to be a spa for Inca royalty. This tour is the perfect way to start uncovering Inca and Pre-Inca cultures and start that acclimation journey. Afterward, you’ll walk to the San Blas district for a Welcome Reception including dinner, drinks, and a stunning view overlooking the city of Cusco.

Accommodation: Hotel, Cusco (Shared)
Meals: D

You’ll continue acclimatizing with light walking and tours today. You’ll start your morning with a visit to Awanacancha, a “Living Museum” and weaving project where local artisans share their craft. Meet the weavers and their fiber-giving camelid pals—alpacas, guanacos, llamas, and vicuñas—and learn what makes each animal’s fiber unique. You’ll even get to pet and feed these fluffy friends!

Then we’re off to Pisac! After a winding mountain drive with stunning views, we’ll explore the Pisac Ruins, a mix of ancient ceremonial site, fortress, and mystery, overlooking the Sacred Valley and its protective mountain peaks, or Apus. We’ll finish with a scenic hike down to Pisac’s colorful open-air market, where you can browse vibrant textiles, local crafts, and tasty Andean treats. After a day of exploring, we’ll settle into our boutique hotel, our stylish base for the next two nights.

Accommodation: Boutique Style Hotel, Sacred Valley (Shared)
Meals: B-L-D

It’s your final day of acclimatization before hitting the Inca Trail. The day will be spent touring the Sacred Valley. The first stop will be to the Inca site of Moray. This fascinating complex was built in a shape of an amphitheater at the top of a plateau standing 3,500m high. This is an incredible experimentation in microclimates for tropical production in the highlands with enormous terraced, circular depressions and an incredible irrigation system. Next, you’ll visit the main salt mine in Peru and one of the most productive in the world, Maras Salt Pans.

Afterwards, we drive to Willoc community for an immersive experience with the only community that preserves their traditions as Incan people did in ancient times. They will welcome us with a lovely buffet lunch. You will join families in their homes getting in close touch with the Peruvian culture. You’ll feel their lives, learn about the ancient weaving techniques, and appreciate their reciprocity. This is the ideal place to purchase beautiful tapestries and scarves.

Your final stop is the village of Ollantaytambo where you will explore the best example of an intact Inca village. It will charm you with it’s waterways running through the quaint streets of the town while your guide shares it’s historically significance in battles against the conquistadors. Finally, we travel to our hotel in Urubamba for a fine dinner and relaxation.

Accommodation: Boutique Style Hotel, Sacred Valley (Shared)
Meals: B-L-D

Today is the day you embark on the historic Classic Inca Trail! After an early breakfast, we’ll head to the trailhead, where you’ll meet our crew of porters and chefs as they prepare for the adventure ahead.

The first day’s trek covers 5-6 hours, with a stop at the Q’oriwayrachina ruins—nearly 200 ancient stone structures just waiting to be explored. After a scenic picnic lunch, we’ll cross the Urubamba River to discover two hidden archaeological gems, Wayna Q’ente and Llaqtapata.

Our day wraps up at Chamana, a private campsite nestled in the Llaqtapata Community—complete with a hot shower! Our exclusive setup puts us behind the main trekking crowds, so you’ll get to experience the Inca Trail with a little extra breathing room.

Hiking Hours: 5-6 hours
Distance: 6.8 miles
Elevation Gain/Loss: 2,336’/2,644′
Level of Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Camp Altitude: 8,497 feet
High Altitude: 8,800 feet

Accommodation: Deluxe Camping (Shared – 2 per Tent)
Meals: B-L-D

Today will be a challenging day, but first Peruvian coffee! After our yummy and hearty breakfast, we begin our trek to Warmiwañusqa Pass – the infamous Dead Woman’s Pass. Today is all about just enjoying the views and hiking your hike as we trek most of the way to the summit. That’s right, today you only climb up Incan stairs, and then up some more. You’ll get your first real taste of trekking in high elevation, but we intentionally dedicate a full day to the climb.

Our team of porters and tent city will be set up and waiting for us below the summit. Feast your eyes on epic views of Mt. Huayanay and get your first taste of the rare Andean cloud forest with its mystical Quenua trees, aka “Paper Trees”. This evening grab a cup of tea and Peruvian popcorn to rest your legs while enjoying a stunning alpine sunset high in the Andes.

Hiking Hours: 6 hours
Distance: 7.3 miles
Elevation Gain/Loss: 5,003’/1,132′
Level of Difficulty: Challenging
Camp Altitude: 12,598 feet
High Altitude: 12,598 feet

Accommodation: Deluxe Camping (Shared – 2 per Tent)
Meals: B-L-D

Get ready for another big day as you conquer all three epic passes on the Inca Trail, considered the most stunning stretch of the journey. First, Dead Woman’s Pass at a whopping 13,829 feet—the highest point along the trail. No, it’s not as grim as it sounds; the name comes from the mountain’s silhouette that looks like a woman gazing skyward.

From there, you’ll descend into the Pacasmayo Valley before tackling the 2 hour trek up the second mountain pass. Along the way, we’ll stop at the ruins of Runkurakay, one of the best lookout points in the valley. Then, it’s down to Sayacmarca, where you’re treated to panoramic views over the snow-capped Pumasillo Mountain. 

Next, you’ll trek through a rare Andean cloud forest—an enchanting stretch of high jungle—with views of the majestic Salkantay Mountain, the second-highest peak in the region. Your final push takes you to the third and last pass, where you’ll set up camp at Phuyupatamarka, “the village at the edge of the clouds.” Here, you’re surrounded by breathtaking views of the Urubamba River, Machu Picchu, the Urubamba mountain range, and the mystical ruins of Puyupatamarca. Relax and soak it all in—this spectacular spot is home for the night.

Hiking Hours: 7-8 hours
Distance: 7.5 miles
Elevation Gain/Loss: 3,937’/4,209′
Level of Difficulty: Challenging
Camp Altitude: 11,975 feet
High Altitude: 13,858 feet

Accommodation: Deluxe Camping (Shared – 2 per Tent)
Meals: B-L-D

Today is our final day on the Inca Trail as we descend down to the Sun Gate. With a majority of trekkers camped ahead with a pre-dawn wake-up call, we’ll enjoy the tranquility of the mountains on our final full day.

Along the way our local guide will share the stories of the Incan sites we pass and explore including Wiñawayna and Intipata. After a long day of the hiking, you’ll find your step quicken as the Sun Gate draws near. The excitement of reaching Machu Picchu after 4 hard earned days on the trail will fire up that hiker booty to Super Woman strength!

And just as the sun is starting to set, you will cross into Machu Picchu with the expanse of the Citadel laid before you at the coveted Golden Hour. Yes, you did it!

After the mandatory Glamour Shots, we make our way out of the Citadel to board buses down to Machu Picchu town (Aguas Calientes). Tonight you are spoiled with hotel rooms, real beds, and hot showers! If you’re really feeling frisky, maybe you have a few celebratory beers!

Hiking Hours: 7 hours
Distance: 7 miles
Elevation Gain/Loss: 564’/4,603′
Level of Difficulty: Moderate
High Altitude: 11,975 feet

Accommodation: Hotel, Aguas Calientes (Shared)
Meals: B-L-D

This morning we go for Round 2 of Machu Picchu. We’ll get an early start to board the buses back up to the Citadel. This time, our local guide will lead us on a private tour through the most important points in the city. The time after the tour is yours to enjoy.

After our time in Machu Picchu, we’ll board the bus to Aguas Calientes. We enjoy an incredible celebratory lunch at a local eatery in the village. Then you’ll board the train back to Ollantaytambo and then a private transfer back to Cusco city arriving roughly at 8pm. Your evening is free to enjoy how you see fit!

Accommodation: Boutique Style Hotel, Cusco (Shared)
Meals: B-L

Farewell Peru

Our saddest day of the adventure: hugs and farewells. Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before boarding your private transfer to Cusco airport. You are welcome to book your flight from Cusco at any time today if you are not joining us for the Rainbow Mountain Trek extension.

Meals: B

*Explorer Chick reserves the option to modify trip itineraries at the discretion of your tour director as necessary due to weather, conditions, illness, injury, group dynamics, availability, or other unforeseen incidents.

It’s an early start to an epic and challenging day of hiking to Rainbow Mountain. You’ll go deep into the spectacular painted hills, also known as Palccoyo. These Rainbow Mountain Peaks are off the beaten path, filled with snow-covered glaciated peaks, wildly desert landscapes, herds of alpaca, and immaculate beauty.

The day starts with a 6am departure and 3 hours of driving through traditional villages with a panorama of the Andes before arriving at the trailhead at 15,000 ft nestled in the Vilcanota Mountain Range.  You’ll slowly make your way through the valley and colorful stone forest,  gradually making your way to the summit.

As soon as you arrive at the peak of the mountain, you will see a variety of wildlife including llamas and alpacas. This is the only place in Peru where wild Vicuñas and Andean camels can be seen. You will have plenty of time to take in the panorama of the valley, the tallest peak in the region – Ausangate Glacier (21,000′), and snap infinite pictures of the vibrant minerals that form the painted hills. As one of the three most sacred peaks (Apus) in Incan culture, Ausangate adds a profound sense of wonder to this already spectacular journey. 

We will take our time descending and making our way back, stopping along the way. Afterwards, we will return to our hotel in Cusco for an evening to enjoy on our own.

Hiking Hours: 3.5 hours
Distance: 2.5 miles
Elevation Gain: 900 feet
Level of Difficulty: Challenging
High Altitude: 16,000 feet

Accommodation: Boutique Style Hotel, Cusco (Shared)
Meals: B-L

Day 10 – Farewell Peru

Our saddest day of the adventure. Hugs and farewells. Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before boarding your private transfer to Cusco airport. You are welcome to book your flight from Cusco at anytime from Cusco.

Meals: B