Hike the Inca Trail

Day 1, Friday: Arrive Lima, transfer to your hotel.
Overnight in 3 or 5-star hotel.

Day 2, Saturday: To Cuzco
Transfer to airport, fly to Cuzco. Upon arrival in Cuzco you will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel. Afternoon city tour of Cuzco and nearby ruins of Sacsayhuaman, Kenko, Punca Pucara and Tambomachay. Visiting the ruins in this order, enables us to better understand their interconnectedness.
Overnight  in 3 or 5-star hotel.

Day 3, Sunday: Cuzco/Chillca/ Patallacta
Leaving the city behind, our vehicle heads north over the plateau of Chinchero. We'll view the snowcapped peaks of Pitusiray, Sawasiray and Chicon, descending into the Urumbamba Valley visiting the Inca fortress of Ollantaytambo on the way. We continue for about another hour to the trailhead where our hike begins. We walk along the snowcapped peak of Mt. Veronica (Waka Wilqe) and pass by the ruins of Sallapunku and Torontoy to reach Q'oriwaynachina. From here a small bridge brings us over to Q'ente, where we will camp. There is a chance to visit the surrounding archaeological remains of Q'ente and Machu Q'ente - located amidst Inca terracing. (Time: 4-6 hours, Distance: 11 kilometers)

Day 4, Monday: Patallacta/ Llulluchapampa
Our trail begins at the moderate altitude of about 2,000 meters, and we climb slowly until we reach the Indian village of Huayllabamba. The trail ascends steeply to a large open area below the first pass, where we will camp for the night. We have a breathtaking view of Mt. Hauyanay. (Time: 6 hours. Distance: 9 kilometers)

Day 5, Tuesday: Llulluchapampa/ Phuyupatamarca
After several hours of hiking we will arrive at Warmlwanusca Pass (13,280 feet). The trail starts to descend to the Pacamayo River, climbs slowly past Runkuraqay ruins and over the pass to Sayacmarka until arrival to a dry lake where we will camp for the night. (Time: 8 hours, Distance: 9 kilometers).

Day 6, Wednesday: Phuyupatamarca/Machu Picchu
After continuing along the buttress and passing Phuyupatamarca ruins, the flagstone trail winds sharply down into the cloud forest to the ruins of Winay Wayna. We now arrive at Machu Picchu the way the Incas arrived, watching the magnificent citadel at our feet from Intipunku, the Door of the Sun. Overnight at ruins or continue down for overnight in 3 or 5- star accommodations.

Day 7, Thursday: Machu Picchu/Cuzco
The entire day can be devoted to exploring the Inca ruins or the town of Aguas Calientes. The midafternoon train takes you back to Cuzco. Transfer to a 3 or 5- star hotel.

Day 8, Friday: Cuzco to Lima
Transfer to airport, fly to Lima, Lima city tour with Gold Museum.
Overnight 3 or 5-star hotel.

Day 9: Saturday: Lima/Fly home
Transfer to airport and fly home.