We will depart from Cusco at 5am in our private transport and head towards KM 82, the starting point of the Inca Trail.

After this trip, your chef will prepare breakfast before you begin your hike. We begin our hike along the left bank of the Urubamba River, following the trail along flat terrain, to the community of Miskay (2800m/9184ft).

The first two hours of the hike are relatively easy as we head to our first Inca site and checkpoint; Patallacta.

From this site our journey to Machu Picchu will begin. After Patallacta, we will head towards the canyon to enjoy lunch and the views of this place.

Afterwards we will continue along the trail at a leisurely pace, while enjoying the scenery and taking advantage of the stories from the guide. We will then continue with a two-hour hike to reach our overnight camp in the village of Hatunchaca (3300 meters).

We wake up early to begin our climb to Dead Woman's Pass. The views of the snow-capped mountains and cloud forest are fantastic.

This first stretch is the most difficult part of the hike. It consists of a steep climb that stretches for nine kilometers, which will take us to the first mountain pass on the Inca Trail; the Abra Warmihuañusca (Dead Woman's Pass).

We will stop in Llulluchapampa to relax and buy any last essential items we need. We may be able to see deer and falcons in this area. We will have the opportunity to see domesticated llamas and alpacas, grazing on ichu (one of the few plants that grow at that altitude).

After the two-hour hike to the pass, we can enjoy the beautiful views and a refreshing cup of coca tea. Upon reaching the pass, the rest of the day is downhill. Finally, after approximately two hours, we will stop for lunch and have the afternoon free in the Pacaymayu Valley.

After breakfast, we will continue our hike along the opposite side of the valley, as we head towards the second pass on the trek. Along the way, we will have fantastic views of waterfalls as well as flora and fauna.

Halfway through the hike, we will stop and visit the Inca site of Runcu Raccay (an Inca watchtower), and we will rest for a moment to catch our breath before continuing our ascent to the Runcu Raccay Pass (4,000 meters).

From the Runcu Raccay Pass, we will again begin our descent into the cloud forest. After about an hour we will reach the ruins of Sayacmarca, one of the most beautiful archaeological centers on the Inca Trail, where we will have a one-hour guided tour.

From Sayacmarca, we will continue to our lunch spot at Chaquicocha (dry lake). Here you will see the fantastic flora and fauna that the Inca Trail has to offer. From Chaquicocha onwards, we will walk along the Inca plain (gradual slopes), as we head towards our final campsite, Phuyupatamarca (3,680 meters).

This area of ​​the Inca Trail has stunning views of the Vilcabamba mountain range, as well as abundant flora and fauna. After another two hours of hiking, we will arrive at our campsite, where we will have our first view of Machu Picchu mountain and the Urubamba River.

We will settle into our campsite and have the opportunity to explore the Inca site and as the sun rises, we can enjoy the beautiful sunset over the snow-capped peaks.

On day 4, we will have the opportunity to enjoy one of the most spectacular sunrises on the Inca Trail, weather permitting. After breakfast, you will have a guided tour through Phuyupatamarca.

We will then begin our way down the long stone steps to Wiñay Wayna, at 2,650 m / 8,692 ft, where we will have lunch. As we approach the foot of the stairs, we will visit the site of Intipata (Terraces of the Sun). This site has beautiful views of the Sacred Valley and was an important agricultural site for Machu Picchu.

After Intipata, we will continue to Wiñay Wayna, the largest archaeological site on the Inca Trail other than Machu Picchu. It consists of an impressive complex made up of an agricultural center, with numerous terraces, a religious sector and an urban sector. At this site we will find spectacular views over the narrow valley of the Urubamba River.

We will then have our last lunch with our porters. Next, this day on the Inca Trail we will do a traditional thanksgiving ceremony for all the hard work the porters and cooks have done. If you wish, you can leave a tip for them at this time.

After saying goodbye to our team, we will continue to the Sun Gate (Inti Punku), where we will get our first views of Machu Picchu. It takes about an hour of hiking along a flat stone path in the high jungle to reach the Sun Gate. From there, it is about another hour to the site itself.

Upon arrival, we will have the opportunity to enjoy the sunset and see the views of Machu Picchu without the crowds, before taking the bus to the hotel in Aguas Calientes.

* Private groups can make arrangements to camp tonight, instead of staying in a hotel

On day 5 we will wake up early and board one of the first buses to Machu Picchu, to enjoy the sunrise at the citadel (weather permitting). These buses are assigned on a first-come, first-serve basis, starting at 5:30 a.m.

You will have a two-hour tour of the Inca citadel and then free time to explore. If you have purchased permits for Huayna Picchu, your guide will show you where this hike begins which will take you 45 minutes to reach the top and another 45 to get back down. This for a price of $75 per person which you will need to book in advance.

After the tour of the citadel, you will take the bus back to Aguas Calientes and meet up for our last lunch in town. But please note that having lunch with your group is optional and not included in the cost of the tour. Next, you will take the afternoon train back to Ollantaytambo, where our private bus will be waiting to take you back to Cusco and drop you off at your hotel.