Your journey begins with a 7:30 AM pick-up from your hotel in Cusco, heading into the heart of the Sacred Valley. Our first stop is an Andean alpaca farm, where you'll meet South American camelids like llamas, alpacas, and vicuñas, and learn about traditional weaving techniques and native textiles.

We then visit the remarkable Pisac archaeological site, perched high above the valley with sweeping views and well-preserved Inca terraces. After a guided walking tour, we continue through the valley to Urubamba, where you’ll enjoy a delicious lunch made with local ingredients.

In the afternoon, we explore Moray, the mysterious circular terraces believed to be an ancient agricultural lab, followed by a visit to the stunning Maras Salt Mines, where thousands of salt pools are still harvested by hand. Our final stop is the charming town of Ollantaytambo, home to an impressive Inca fortress. After the visit, you’ll spend the night in Ollantaytambo, ready for the adventure to come.

After an early 5:40 AM pick-up from your hotel in Ollantaytambo, we board the train to KM 104, the official starting point of the Short Inca Trail. At the checkpoint, you’ll show your original passport before beginning your once-in-a-lifetime hike toward Machu Picchu.

The first stretch is a gentle 3.5-hour ascent, offering stunning views of the Urubamba River and lush cloud forest. Along the way, you’ll encounter unique Andean flora and fauna, including wild orchids such as Wiñay Wayna (Forever Young) and Waqanki, and colorful hummingbirds often dancing between blooms.

We arrive at the spectacular Wiñay Wayna Inca site, known as the "little Machu Picchu" for its terraces and beauty. Enjoy a guided tour and free time to explore before savoring a freshly prepared camping lunch in a scenic rest area.

After lunch, continue hiking for about an hour until reaching the famous Sun Gate (Inti Punku), your first breathtaking view of Machu Picchu from above. From here, it’s another hour of gentle descent to the upper terraces of the citadel, where you’ll capture the iconic postcard-perfect views in the magical late afternoon light, often with fewer crowds.

Finally, take the shuttle bus down to Aguas Calientes, where you'll spend the night in a comfortable hotel, resting up for tomorrow’s full exploration of Machu Picchu.

After an early breakfast at your hotel, we take one of the first shuttle buses to Machu Picchu, arriving in the serene morning hours, ideal for photos and a peaceful experience. As a Short Inca Trail hiker, you'll enter through Circuit 3, as per the latest Machu Picchu regulations. This route offers an up-close journey through the core of the citadel, passing sacred temples, ceremonial plazas, agricultural terraces, and royal residences.

Your expert guide will lead a fascinating 2.5-hour walking tour, diving into the rich Inca history, architecture, and spiritual significance of this UNESCO World Heritage Site. You’ll gain a deeper understanding of how Machu Picchu was built, why it remained hidden for centuries, and what made it one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.

If you’ve pre-booked the optional Huayna Picchu hike (advance reservation required, $75 USD), you can embark on a steep but unforgettable climb. This exhilarating 2-hour round trip rewards you with sweeping panoramic views over the citadel and surrounding peaks.

After your visit, descend to Aguas Calientes by shuttle bus and enjoy some free time for lunch at a local restaurant (not included). In the afternoon, board the scenic train back to Ollantaytambo, where our private driver will be waiting to take you back to your hotel in Cusco. Expect to arrive around 7:30 PM, filled with unforgettable memories from this incredible day.

We begin early with a 4:30 AM pick-up from your hotel in Cusco, heading northwest toward the stunning Salkantay region. After a 2-hour scenic drive, we stop in Mollepata for a nutritious breakfast to energize us for the adventure ahead. We then continue by vehicle for another hour to Soraypampa (3,800 m / 12,467 ft), the starting point of the Humantay Lake hike.

Expect crisp mountain air and cold temperatures at this altitude, so dress in warm layers, and don’t forget your hat, sunscreen, and sturdy hiking boots. The trail begins gently but becomes steeper as you ascend, taking about 2 hours uphill. Along the way, you'll be surrounded by breathtaking Andean landscapes, with snow-draped peaks towering above. You’ll walk beneath the shadows of Salkantay Mountain, Cusco’s second-highest peak, and the glaciated face of Humantay, both revered by locals as sacred Apus (mountain spirits).

At the top, the reward is spectacular: the shimmering turquoise waters of Humantay Lake, framed by dramatic glaciers and rugged peaks. Enjoy time to take photos, explore the area, and simply absorb the peace and beauty of this sacred natural wonder.

Afterward, we descend back to Soraypampa along the same trail, where our transport awaits. We return to Mollepata for lunch, then drive back to Cusco, arriving at your hotel around 6:00 PM, tired but filled with unforgettable high-altitude memories.

Today offers one of the most unforgettable highlights of your journey. We begin with an early pick-up from your hotel between 4:00 and 4:30 AM, followed by a scenic 2-hour drive southeast of Cusco to the village of Cusipata, where you’ll enjoy a fresh, locally prepared breakfast.

From Cusipata, we continue another hour by vehicle to the trailhead at 4,600 meters (15,091 ft). The hike to Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca) begins with a gentle 2-hour uphill trek, offering stunning views of snowcapped peaks, herds of alpacas, and remote Andean villages along the way. As you ascend, the colorful ridges of the mountain begin to reveal themselves, bands of red, yellow, green, and lavender formed naturally by mineral deposits.

Reaching the summit at 5,100 meters (16,732 ft), you’ll be rewarded with panoramic views of this world-famous geological wonder. Take time to rest, take photos, and soak in the magic of one of Peru’s most iconic landscapes.

But your adventure doesn’t stop here. After enjoying Rainbow Mountain, we hike an additional 45 minutes to the stunning Red Valley, a lesser-known but equally spectacular area with surreal, rust-colored hills and sweeping open views, often with far fewer tourists. This tranquil setting offers a peaceful contrast and a perfect finish to the day’s hike.

We return along the same path to the trailhead, where our driver will be waiting. From there, we head back to Cusipata for a well-deserved lunch, and then make the 2-hour drive back to Cusco, arriving at your hotel around 5:00 PM, ending your epic adventure on a truly high note.