The Salkantay and Inca Trail tour starts once we pick you up at your hotel (which must be located in Cusco) at 4:30 am. Together with the guide, chef and porters you will be transported for two and a half hours to the beginning of the trail, Marccoccasa (3,300 meters). You will meet your muleteer and the horses, and you will also have time to prepare for the day and enjoy a delicious breakfast.

You will experience views of the Andes, lush green valleys and beautiful waterfalls. The hike will be of moderate difficulty, there will be a gradual uphill climb that will last approximately three and a half hours until lunchtime. Afterwards, the hike will be less steep and more relaxing.

The views along the way change as you advance. The beginning of the trail is all green, valleys of great charm, but in the afternoon, you will be right at the foot of the snow-capped mountain of Humantay. You will also experience a change in temperature from warm to cold. So make sure you have warm clothes and gloves for the cold evening.

After arriving at the Soraypampa camp (3,800 meters), the team will welcome you with a toast of hot drinks and a delicious dinner.

On day 2, we will wake you up with hot drinks and a breakfast. Afterwards you will have to prepare for the day, we will show you the alpine microclimate and the stunning views from the high glacier mountains.

Many Andean people considered them to be the highest mountains around Cusco and the father of the other mountains (Apus means God). Then you will start a two-hour climb to the most beautiful blue lagoon, located at the foot of the Humantay Glacier Mountain. It is believed that the Incas used to hold ceremonies celebrating the God of water and the Apus, who surround this peaceful place.

Then you will start the return to the main road and continue towards the lunch spot at Salkantay Pampa. It will be time to depart from Humantay Mountain and enjoy the views of a higher mountain, Salkantay Mountain (6,215 m). You will arrive there after 1 hour of walking, to enjoy a nice lunch.

After lunch, we will have a steep two-hour climb to reach our second campsite, at Ichupata or Pampa Japonesa (4,200 m). The hike will be colder at this site, so make sure you have a jacket, hat, sunglasses and gloves.

At the camp, the porters will welcome you for hot drinks and dinner. Tonight is the perfect night to see the constellations and views of Salkantay Mountain. This site is the closest campsite to Salkantay, so it is possible to hear some avalanches. However, don't let this scare you, as they won't be close to us.

After a nice tea and breakfast, it will be time to embark on the most challenging and rewarding hike so far on this adventure. Your guide will take you up the Inca Chiriasca Pass (5,000 meters high), at a steady pace to see the wonderful views of the glacier mountains. Once you have reached the top, there will be hot coca tea, views of the valley and lakes, and even wildlife such as condors and falcons.

Next, you will begin to descend, or you can take an optional hike to a glacier, which only takes 30 minutes. Then, we will continue walking to the lunch spot, where porters will be waiting for you with traditional hot tea and a delicious lunch.

For the rest of the day, you will walk downhill, through lush green valleys and winding streams, before reaching the camp, in a small village with 10 families.

On this day of the Salkantay and Inca Trail tour you will see a look at the past as you hike through the mountainsides, used by traditional Peruvian farmers, who live the same way since the time of the Incas.

Then, you will reach the famous Inca ruins, where the tour guide will provide you with information about the Incas. After the ruins, the guide will show you the new vegetation and other things, as you progress into the jungle microclimate.

Finally, you will reach the classic Inca Trail, where the porters will be waiting for you to serve you a succulent lunch. The afternoon hike will be all uphill until you reach our campsite. Make sure you have your camera ready, with fully charged batteries, as you will not want to pass up the opportunity to capture the magnificent mountain views and the enchanting natural waterfalls in the cloud forest.

This day will be the longest day of the tour, but also the most impressive, because you will see the Inca ruins, the cloud forest, among others.

The day will start with a nutritious breakfast, and then begin with a two-hour uphill climb in the rustic area. The Andean Ichu is a dry place with little vegetation, but you can see llamas and alpacas.

When we reach the top of the Paso de las Mujeres Muertas (4,200 meters high), you will have time to rest and enjoy the mountains, glaciers, and spectacular mountains nearby. Afterwards, we will begin to descend the rocky mountain to our lunch spot. On the way, you will be able to observe orchids and other flowers.

Try to walk slowly and be careful with nature. This section is a perfect place to observe hummingbirds. After lunch, we will begin to climb uphill for two hours to reach the second peak.

Halfway through the trip, you will visit the Inca ruins, called Runcu Raccay. It is said that this place works as a watchtower from its oval shape and position overlooking the valley.

After crossing the second peak (4,000 meters high), we will begin to descend for one hour to the lake called Yanaccoha, where the Incas organized ceremonies for the goodness of the water. Then, we will reach the famous cloud forest and also one of the most beautiful Inca ruins called Sayacmarca. Sayacmarca is where you can observe the original Inca houses, water fountains, water channels and the most spectacular views of the valley.

After the ruins, it will take you about 30 more minutes to reach our campsite, called Chaquicocha. Once again, you will have the opportunity to see different types of flora and fauna, as you will be in the high jungle.

Today is the most relaxing day of the Salkantay and Inca Trail tour. In the morning, you will enjoy the views of the Andes Mountains and the peaks of the Pumassillo Mountain glacier. There will only be about five hours of hiking, where you will be able to see the three Inca ruins on the way to our campsite. The first ruins are called Phuyupatamarca (cloud level city) and are two hours away from the campsite. It is impressive to see the beautiful platform and the houses where the Inca nobles studied astronomy. The second set of ruins is on the hillside between terraces. Perhaps it was an Inca agricultural experiment station. You will also have views of the sacred valley and the Urubamba River.

Finally, you will reach the last campsite, called Wiñay Wayna (2,600 meters), where you can store your things and walk for five minutes to reach the most beautiful Inca ruins, along the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. This place is close to a village where you can enjoy the beauty of the water channels, terraces, and temples, and learn about the religious ceremonies that used to happen there.

After lunch, you will have the chance to take a hot shower, and then a free afternoon to explore the most beautiful Inca site, Wiñay Wayna.

Later in the afternoon will be your last happy hour and dinner, with a small presentation by your porters to say goodbye, and then return to Cusco the next day, as you continue your journey to Machu Picchu.

Day 7 is the most important day of the tour, it will be time to get to know Machu Picchu.

You will wake up earlier than usual. After breakfast, you will walk two more hours until you reach Machu Picchu, where you will pass through the Sun Gate and experience spectacular views of the impressive mountains, valleys, rivers and Inca ruins.

Once you arrive, the tour guide will brief you about Machu Picchu for two hours. Afterwards, you will have time to explore on your own.

Make sure to visit all the sacred sites such as the temples, palaces and the famous Inca bridge. When you are ready to return to Aguas Calientes, there will be buses leaving regularly. The bus ride is about 30 minutes.

After spending some time in the town of Aguas Calientes, you will need to be at the train station 30 minutes early to return to Cusco.