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.

Take your Peru adventure deep into the wild with a 3-night, 4-day escape to the heart of the Amazon Rainforest. Journey by riverboat to the only eco-lodge inside the protected Tambopata National Reserve, surrounded by miles of untamed jungle and the soundtrack of squawking macaws, howler monkeys, and rushing water.

Each day, join expert naturalist guides to uncover the secrets of the rainforest — hike to vibrant macaw clay licks, climb canopy towers above the treetops, cruise the river at sunset, and search for caiman beneath a sky full of stars. When you’re ready to unwind, swing in a hammock, indulge in a jungle spa treatment, and soak in the pure magic of being in the frickin’ Amazon.

This is the wildest, most soul-stirring way to end your Peru adventure — raw, remote, and 100% unforgettable.

Activity Level: 2+
Duration: 3 Nights / 4 Days
Packages: 1 or 2 person packages available at booking in comfort or deluxe rooms.

After saying goodbye to your Sacred Valley soul sisters, hop on a quick domestic flight from Cusco (CUZ) to Puerto Maldonado (PEM). At the airport, a local naturalist guide from Tambopata Research Center will be waiting to escort you deep into the Peruvian Amazon.

Your adventure begins with a 1-hour drive, followed by a 2.5-hour motorized canoe ride upriver into the heart of the Tambopata National Reserve. Keep your eyes peeled—this is your first wildlife safari! Monkeys swinging through the treetops, colorful macaws, capybaras lounging by the river, and caimans basking in the sun…consider it a welcome party only the jungle could throw.

Arrive at the eco-lodge just in time to settle in, sip something tropical, and choose how to spend your first jungle evening. The lodge offers a cozy retreat with meals, tea, coffee, and guided excursions included. Take a moment to relax before dinner, then dive into a night lecture with scientists from the Wired Amazon Program, followed by a night hike to explore the rainforest after dark. Listen for frogs, spot nocturnal wildlife, and soak in the sights and sounds of the jungle.

Accommodation: Tambopata Research Center
Meals: L-D
Transfer Time: 1 hr ground transfer + 2.5 hrs boat ride

Wake up to howler monkeys as your alarm clock and enjoy coffee with a jungle view—welcome to your Amazon morning! ​​Think National Geographic, but with more laughs, sisterhood, and amazement.

Your morning kicks off with a trip to the Macaw Clay Lick, one of the rainforest’s most jaw-dropping wildlife spectacles. Dozens of macaws and hundreds of parrots descend in a flurry of vibrant feathers and chatter, creating a living rainbow along the riverbank. From a discreet viewing spot, you’ll feel like you’ve stepped into a nature documentary—without leaving the jungle. Green-winged, Scarlet, and Blue-and-gold Macaws strut their stuff, while smaller parrots add pops of color and personality.

In the afternoon, climb the 30-meter Canopy Tower at the lodge for a bird’s-eye view of the Amazon. From this elevated perch, spot monkeys, toucans, and macaws as they move through the treetops, while taking in the sweeping vistas of endless rainforest. It’s a perfect combination of thrill, awe, and Instagram-worthy moments—and the guides will help point out wildlife you might otherwise miss.

Wrap up your day still buzzing from the jungle’s energy, with stories to share, memories in the making, and maybe a little dirt under your nails.

Accommodation: Tambopata Research Center
Meals: B-L-D

Rise and shine, jungle explorers! Your morning kicks off on the Bamboo Trail, a quirky and magical ecosystem dominated by Guadua bamboo. Keep your eyes and ears peeled for bamboo specialists—antbirds flitting through the undergrowth, woodpeckers tapping out their rhythms, and mischievous capuchin monkeys swinging overhead. Don’t forget to listen closely—you might hear the cricket-like calls of tiny bamboo frogs hiding inside the stalks, adding a secret soundtrack to your adventure.

In the afternoon, become a citizen scientist with the 8 Primates Project. Hike a 5-km rainforest trail through towering trees, creeks, and ponds, spotting squirrel monkeys, spider monkeys, and more along the way. With the lodge perfectly perched in prime primate habitat, it’s one of the Amazon’s best wildlife-watching experiences—and your guide will point out all the jungle secrets you might otherwise miss.

Wrap up your day with a Sunset Cruise along the Tambopata River. Drift quietly on the water as the sky bursts into shades of orange and pink, reflecting off the river. Wildlife often makes a final appearance along the riverbanks, giving you a peaceful, magical glimpse of the Amazon before night falls.

Accommodation: Tambopata Research Center
Meals: B-L-D

Good morning, rainforest wanderers! Enjoy a slow, lazy breakfast and soak up your final moments at the lodge. Swing in the hammocks, sip your coffee, and let the sights and sounds of the Amazon wash over you one last time.

When it’s time to depart, embark on your boat and bus transfer back to Puerto Maldonado. Keep your eyes on the riverbanks—capybaras, birds, and other wildlife often make a last appearance, as if sending you off with a proper jungle farewell. Glide along the river one final time, letting the scenery and serenity of the Amazon sink in.

Your adventure concludes as Tambopata staff drop you off at the Puerto Maldonado airport for your onward travels or journey home. Leave with your heart full, your spirit refreshed, and the stories of the Amazon etched in your bones—a jungle adventure that will inspire and stay with you long after you’ve left the rainforest.

Meals: B
Transfer Time: 2.5 hrs boat + 1 hr ground transfer

Lodging and Transfers

• 3 nights / 4 days at a luxury eco-lodge inside Tambopata National Reserve
• All ground and river transfers to/from the lodge
• 1-person and 2-person room packages available

Activities

• Daily guided excursions (wildlife hikes, canopy walks, night safaris)
• À-la-carte access to a variety of included adventures
• Conservation-focused programming with local researchers

Meals

• All meals indicated in the itinerary

Practical

• Professional leadership from local naturalist guides
• Gratuities for local guides, drivers, and included meals/activities.
• Airport transfer in Cusco: Private transfer from your tour hotel to the airport for your flight to Puerto Maldonado
• Airport transfer in Puerto Maldonado: Pick-up upon arrival and drop-off for your departing flight, plus all ground and river transportation to and from the eco-lodge
• A detailed Adventure Extension Guide upon booking with everything you need to know for your trip

Not Included

• Roundtrip domestic flights between Cusco, Puerto Maldonado, and onward.
• Alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages outside the itinerary
• Meals not listed in the itinerary
• Explorer Chick Guide (this extension is operated by trusted local partners)

Important: This eco-lodge has very limited space and availability. Please wait to book your flights until your reservation for this add-on is confirmed.

FAQ

Can I book both add-ons?

Yes! Add both to your reservation. Our team will contact you to confirm availability and share an updated schedule + seamless itinerary.

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

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 from Cusco.

Meals: B

Lodging and Transfers

• 1 additional night at our Cusco hotel (same property as your main tour for a seamless transition).
• All private ground transportation to and from Rainbow Mountain.
• Private departure airport transfer from your Cusco hotel for your flight home.

Activities & Meals

• Fully guided excursion to Rainbow Mountain, led by a professional local guide and your Explorer Chick Leader.
• All meals as indicated in the itinerary.

Practical

• Explorer Chick Tour Leader throughout your add-on.
• Professional local guide providing expert insight into the mountain’s culture and geology.
• All gratuities for local guides, drivers, and included meals/activities.

Not Included

• Alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages outside the itinerary
• Meals not listed in the itinerary

Important: A minimum of 3 Explorer Chicks is required for this add-on to confirm.

FAQ

Can I book both add-ons?

Yes! Add both to your reservation. Our team will contact you to confirm availability and share an updated schedule + seamless itinerary.