The tour begins with a strenuous 7 km (4.35 mi) hike approximately 3 hours, to the highest point of the trek: the Salkantay Pass (4,630 m / 15,190 ft) The climb is arduous, especially along the curve-clad stretch of the “Pathway of Seven Snakes.” Once at the top, you’ll be clicking away at views of the surrounding valleys and the majestic Salkantay Mountain (6,271 m / 20,574 ft), Peru’s second-highest peak in the Cusco region. It is known as an Apu (Inca god) which represents protection and strength. Upon reaching the summit, your guide will honor the Apus and Pachamama (Mother Earth) with a sacred ceremony, gratitude rituals and a request for blessings on your next journey. After admiring the breathtaking scenery and enjoying an ample rest, you will descend 7 km down to Huayracmachay (3,850 m / 12,631 ft), where a delicious and energizing lunch will await. This section of the trek is steep and rocky, but the dramatic views of the surrounding valleys make every step worth it.

You will hike all day and arrive to Collpapampa and cozy Andean Cabins. Enjoy a filling, comforting dinner to finish the day, enjoying the serenity and beauty of the surroundings. As you nestle in for the night, jungle sounds will soothe you to sleep, and make you ready for the adventures of the next day.

About 6:00 a.m. you get up. A cup of warm tea comes in just the right time for waking you up gently in the morning. Then a tasty breakfast is served to give you energy. Today’s trek is more or less easy going with a goodly number of descents (and few ascents), so you can thoroughly enjoy the luxuriant beauty of Santa Teresa Valley. On your push forward, there is an eye full of rivers and waterfalls, orchids as well as substantial plantations for bananas, coffee and avocados. You’ll pass through Collpapampa, a delightful village of many that you’ll find along this valley walk. A bit further down the river we’ll take a right turn into another, picturesque valley.

At Lunchtime in Lucmabamba (2000 m/6562 ft) you can taste a delicious meal. The rest of the afternoon provides free time for exploring these great surroundings of a tropical nature. You have the opportunity to visit an organic coffee farm which is paradise for coffee lovers. But, even if coffee is not your favorite drink, the aromatic fragrance from roasting this freshly-gathered harvest has authority to attract anybody by its incomparable allure. Coffee planting is one of the valley’s chief agricultural activities. Its products are shipped all over the world.

You’ll visit avocado and orange plantations too. For those with extra adrenaline at their disposal, our guide can make arrangements for optional transport to the exceptionally relaxing Cocalmayo Hot Springs-an experience that will soothe any tired muscles. Note: This optional activity carries an additional charge for transport and entrance fees. When dinnertime is over, the night is spent in our own private Jungle Cabins with the calming sounds of the rainforest accompanying your rest in preparation for another day’s adventures.

Take advantage of Your first Look at Machu from Llactapata Once breakfast, and your stomach is full, it’s time to put onthe walking boots for our last day of trekking. This isyour chance this morning to do part of the original world famous Inca Trail! After two hours of uphill walking and superb views over the Santa Teresa Valley, you will reach Llactapata (2,700 m / 8,858 ft), an Inca archaeological site directly facing Machu Picchu.

Then we continue down for a further 1 1/2 hours, with Machu Picchu appearing in a couple of glimpses more between the trees. Each time we shall do nothing more than increase our sense of expectation for tomorrow. We have lunch at Aobamba before walking to Hidroelectrica (1,800 m / 5,906 ft), a further 1/2 hour. One of the most outstanding scenes in this section is the 250-metre-tall artificial waterfall, Dawi Urqu. This is also the entire power supply for the city of Cusco. In Hydropower Plant there are two ways for you to choose: If you have already done enough walking, you can take a train to Aguas Calientes on your own (not included). If you still wish enjoy some more of the trek, then you may follow along a flat path next opposite side tracks Aguas Calientes. This takes around 03 hours. Here you’ll have one more opportunity to embrace warm jungle surrounds as you trek.

On the way, the ancient Intihuatana rock used by Incas as agnomon The stone worked together with a similar sundial at Machu Picchu to measure and interpret the winter solstice, which was when farming began again for them Year. Next you come to the railway tracks for Aguas Calientes. You walk along these and soon are in the little town where You’ll have dinner at a restaurant before spending nightone of its comfortable hotels. Rainy Season Note: The Llactapata Trail climb is not 100% guaranteed in rainy season due to frequent heavy rains, it can be dangerous.

The moment you have all been waiting for! Today you’ll enter the breathtaking realm of Machu Picchu, the mythical city of the Inca Empire that was mysteriously abandoned in the 16th century and rediscovered centuries later. Its ancient citadel on top of a mountain pinnacle that seems impossible to reach is the crowning moment of your journey and will leave you speechless. You wake up before dawn, full of excitement for the day ahead, have a great breakfast at your hotel, then get on the earliest bus to see the magnificent sunrise over Machu Picchu. It is something that you will keep in your heart for as long as you have it when you watch the sun light up this architectural masterpiece.