We'll meet you at your hotel in the morning, and then we'll drive for 1 hour and 50 minutes to Soqma (3,205 m/10,512 ft). That's where our trek begins–and where we'll meet the horsemen (and horses) who will help carry our Camping gear during the hike.

After a short 1 hour and a 30-minute walk to the Perolniyoc waterfall lookout, you will see an amazing waterfall. If you're feeling up for it and the climate conditions are right, you can even hike down to get a closer look (and maybe snap some pictures).

Continuing with the journey, we come across the Inca site of Perolniyoc. Upon reaching the top of a cliff that offers a scenic view of the valley below, your Tour guide will share stories about this historic place and interesting facts about The Incas.
After hearing all there is to know, roam around freely while taking in everything this ancient civilization had to offer Hundred years ago!

Next Destination Lunch Spot

Afterward, we hike for approximately an hour up to our lunch destination, Rayan. Here, you will get to try the delicious food made by our chef and have some time to REST. This is important so that you can save your energy for the remainder of the afternoon's challenge hike.

Challenge Higest Pass

The afternoon adventure starts with a 3-hour, uphill hike to Kuychiccasa pass (4,450 m/14,599 ft). With every step and turn, you'll see incredible views of the snow-capped peaks of the 'Nevadas', as well as wild llamas and sprawling valleys. If we're lucky enough, we might even catch a glimpse of a condor in flight! These birds are the largest in the Andes with wing spans reaching up to 10 feet wide.

As we reach the top of our journey (perhaps feeling slightly out of breath), we'll take some time to soak in panoramic views of Chancachuco Valley on one side and the Sacred Valley of the Incas.

Easy Downhill

Only 50 minutes of easy downhill hiking separates you from the Chancachuco Valley campsite (4,312 m/14,147 ft) where your guide has already set up camp for the evening. After changing into warmer clothing and lying down to watch an amazing starscape fill the sky ( provided there are no clouds), join your guide and fellow trekkers for dinner.

• Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
• Lowest Elevation: 3,205 m/10,512 ft.
• Highest Elevation: 4,450 m/14,599 ft.
• Distance: 16 km/9.9 miles
• Hiking time: 8 to 10 hours Approx
• Level of Difficulty: Challenging

Enjoy a cup of freshly brewed coffee or tea first thing in the morning, followed by a full breakfast to help you power through the day ahead.

Our journey begins with a peaceful 30-minute hike that rises and falls before we take a 30-minute uphill walk on a narrow trail next to a beautiful stream with Mount Veronica in the distance (5,822 m/ 19,100 ft). We then spend 2.5 hours walking downhill until we reach the small but lovely Ancascocha community nestled in a wooded valley with running water elevation (3,700 m/12,139 ft).

Ancascocha Lake

After a fairly easy hike uphill for about an hour, you'll be treated to amazing views of both the glacier and some ancient Inca ruins. Your journey will end at the gorgeous Ancascocha Lake where we'll enjoy lunch surrounded by its mesmerizing blue waters.

We will be working our way up to the Huayanay Pass (4,650 m/15,255 ft) after lunch. This is a strenuous 2-hour climb that has many switchbacks and will take us to the highest point of our trek. For part of this journey, you'll get to see an original section of the cobblestone-paved Inca Trail.

3 Hours Decent Connet With Inca Trail

After witnessing the stunning views from the top, it will take us 3 hours to hike back down into greener areas. This part of the journey offers a beautiful view of Machu Picchu as well as the communities in Quesqa valley. We will also pass by Incaracay, a small Inca site.

After a long journey, we will finally arrive at our campsite in the Quesqa valley. Here, your chef will serve another outstanding meal as we discuss all of the incredible things that we saw and heard during the day.

Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
Highest Elevation: 3,700 m/12,139 ft.
Campsite elevation: 4,650 m/15,255 ft.
Distance to walk: 18 km/11.1 miles
Walking time: 10-11 hours Appox
Level of Difficulty: Challenging
Area: Dry Open and Panoramic Mountain

On the final day of our hike, we'll descend from Quesqa Valley to Paucarcancha (3,133 m/10,278 ft), an Inca site. Your guide will give you a comprehensive explanation of the site's history once we arrive there.

This section of the Classic Inca Trail is an easy hike downhill for 5 hours until we reach KM 82, which is the official start of the Classic Trail. Llactapata, an Inca site, will be visible along the route. Our lunch will be served at KM 82.

Train To Aguas Calientes

Our local tour guide will pick us up after lunch and take us to Ollantaytambo in their private van. From there, we'll catch the scenic train that will take us through Aguas Calientes. The journey itself is incredibly picturesque, offering endless opportunities for photos as we travel through valleys and green vegetation.

If you're looking for a break after two nights in the mountains, your hotel room will be a welcome sight. The natural hot springs in town are also great places to relax if there is time before dinner. We'll have dinner together at an extensive local restaurant with quality cuisine (drinks not included) before going back to the hotel to prepare for our early start on Machu Picchu.

Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
Lodging: Hotel
Elevation: 2,040 m/6,692 ft.
Lowest Elevation: 3,850 m/12,631 ft
Distance to walk: 15 km/9.3 miles
Walking time: 7 hours Approx
Moderate Hike

We'll take an early morning bus up to Machu Picchu, so we can see the sun rise over this amazing Inca site. Your guide will then give you a 2-hour walking tour of the area, explaining the history and significance of this place that has been named one of the new 7 wonders of the world. The price for this trek includes your entry ticket into Machu Picchu itself.

Upon finishing your guided tour of Machu Picchu, you will have some free time to explore the area. You will then return to Aguas Calientes by bus and board the expedition train to Poroy or Ollantaytambo. A private van will take you from there back to Cusco and drop you off at your hotel. Depending on what time your train ticket is, will determine what time you arrive in Cusco.

Elevation

Meals: Breakfast
Highest Elevation: 2,440 m/8,005 ft
Lowest Elevation: 2,040 m/6,691 ft
Level of Difficulty: Easy/Challenging if Include Huynapicchu Mountain

The hiking tour to Ancascocha includes a permit to climb Huayna Pichu Mountain- an easy 2 -hour roundtrip hike. If you can't get tickets for that (they go quickly!), don't worry, you'll be given permits to Machu Picchu mountain instead.

Although this ascent and descent are much longer 3 hours roundtrip -and more challenging as the steps are narrow and steep but worth it course you will see a 360* view.

How Many Days Do You Need in Order to Hike In Peru

The Classic Inca Trail trek to Machu Picchu is one of the most popular combined routes. Each route varies in length from one to fourteen days, depending on the demand and availability of lodging along the way. All four journeys are one-way trips. You will generally travel back to Cusco using a combination of public and private transportation, depending on which tour company you use to make your trip reservations.

The One-Day Inca Trail Hike (1-day trek)

You can see Machu Picchu in one day if you're short on time (but be prepared to wake up early!). You'll take the train from Cusco to Kilometer 104, which is a location on the trail. Then, you'll hike around 15 kilometers (9 miles) through the Sun Gate until you reach the Machu Picchu sanctuary. This option is great if you want to view Machu Picchu and experience a small section of the Inca Trail trek all at once.

The Lares Trek (3-day trek)

The Lares Trek, also known as the cultural alternative to the Inca Trail, is a three-day journey into the historical weaver communities on the eastern slopes of Machu Picchu. But don't expect it to be a trip to the museum.

To glimpse into time-honored villages, you must earn access by obtaining passes that soar to over 15,000 feet and zigzag across Pumahuanca's peak. On day four of your Lares trek, you may add another stop at Machu Picchu ruins.

Vilcabamba Traverse Route (1 – 2 week trek)

The trek to Machu Picchu is not for the faint of heart. At 65 kilometers long, this is regarded as one of the most difficult ways to see Machu Picchu. The route starts in Cachora and winds a mile-deep canyon to Choquequirao, or "Cradle of Gold." The Vilcabamba Trail follows the same route that Hiram Bingham took when he rediscovered Machu Picchu in 1911, albeit via more isolated towns.

The Salkantay Route (1 – 2 week trek)

The Salkantay Trek is the only Inca Trail option that lets you sleep in a comfy bed and take a hot shower at the end of every day's hike! Though it still requires reasonably fit participants, The Lodge Trek runs along the Salkantay Trail through the Cordillera Vilcabamba mountain range but permits nightly rest at fully serviced lodges placed along the route. Machu Picchu is reached by following the trail to an elevation of 15,000 feet.

The Classic Inca Trail Route (3 – 5 day trek)

The Classic Inca Trail Hike is the most popular trek of the four alternatives described in this piece. It begins at kilometer 82 along the route, at the village of Piscacucho. The first day is a moderate hike through the Andean foothills, crossing the Urubamba River and arriving at your campsite in Huayllabamba. On the second day, you'll ascend what's known as "Dead Woman's Pass," which is the highest point of the Inca Trail Elevation at 4200 meters (13,776 feet). After that, it's all downhill to the Pacaymayo River campsite.