Classic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu

Your expedition begins with a private transfer from your hotel in Cusco to the Sacred Valley, arriving at Km 82, the gateway to the Inca past. Following an exclusive welcome and an introduction to our team of expert Andean hosts, we’ll take our first steps along the winding Urubamba River.
The landscape will treat us to the imposing presence of snow-capped Mount Veronica, whose glacier watches over our path. We will explore Llactapata, an ancient urban gem that once protected access to the Sacred Valleys, where your private guide will reveal the secrets of its architecture. We will conclude the day in Huayllabamba, a serene enclave at 3,000 meters above sea level, where our camp awaits us with a signature dinner under the starlight.

We’ll wake up to the scent of the mountains and a revitalizing breakfast in our expedition lounge. Today’s hike is a rite of passage: we’ll ascend to the legendary Warmiwañusca Pass (El Abra de la Mujer Muerta), the highest point of the route at 4,200 meters above sea level.
To make this ascent more enjoyable, we’ll take a hydration break and a gourmet coffee break at strategic points, allowing you to take in the majesty of the two valleys that converge at your feet. After reaching the summit and celebrating the achievement, we will descend into the Pacaymayo Valley. At sunset, tea service will precede a hearty dinner, designed to restore your energy in the absolute stillness of the mountain range.

This is the most visually rewarding day of the trek. We’ll hike along a perfectly preserved section of the Inca Trail, where the original stone path leads us through a tropical cloud forest. We’ll visit the enigmatic sites of Runkurakay and Sayacmarca, structures that seem to float above the jungle.
After a scenic lunch, we’ll arrive at Phuyupatamarca, the “City Above the Clouds,” a natural viewpoint overlooking the region’s most iconic snow-capped peaks. The final descent will take us to the jewel of the trail: Wiñaywayna, the most spectacular archaeological complex before Machu Picchu, surrounded by orchids and endless terraces. We’ll conclude the expedition with a farewell buffet dinner, celebrating the shared effort with our trail team.

We set out on the final trek before dawn to witness the most anticipated moment. We’ll traverse the high jungle until we reach Intipunku (Gate of the Sun). From here, Machu Picchu reveals itself before your eyes in all its glory—a sight that has captivated explorers for centuries.
After a brief rest to freshen up, we’ll take a private tour of the citadel. For two hours, your expert guide will lead you through the temples, palaces, and astronomical observatories of the lost city of the Incas. In the afternoon, after lunch in the charming town of Aguas Calientes, we’ll board the train bound for the Sacred Valley, where your private transportation awaits for the final return to the city of Cusco.