You’ll wake up to a beautiful sunrise and breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains. After enjoying a nutritious breakfast to energize for the day, we’ll begin our hike with a 3-hour ascent to the top of the Charcahuallya mountain pass. Once at the summit, we’ll take time to rest, enjoy the view, and capture some incredible photos.

We then descend for about 30 minutes to our lunch spot, where you’ll enjoy a well-deserved meal. After lunch, the journey continues with a 2-hour hike toward Cachiccata, also known as “La Buena Negra.” The final stretch is mostly downhill, making it a relaxing walk as we approach our campsite near the Sun Gate (Inti Punku).

From here, you’ll enjoy stunning views of Mount Veronica (Wakayhuilka), one of the sacred snowcapped peaks of the Sacred Valley.

Tonight’s accommodation: Campsite
Minimum altitude: 3,600 m / 11,585 ft
Maximum altitude: 4,457 m / 14,623 ft
Distance walked today: 14 km / 8.7 mi
Typical weather: Warm with occasional wind
Difficulty level: Moderate (3/5)
Schedule: Start – 6:00 a.m. / End – 6:00 p.m.
Total experience time today: 12 hours
Total hiking time: 9 hours

After a hearty breakfast, we begin a 1-hour descent to the Inca Quarry of Cachiccata (3,634 m / 11,923 ft), where you’ll observe the ancient Inca stone-carving techniques used to build temples and cities. This site offers a fascinating glimpse into the engineering skills of the Inca civilization.

Next, we visit a series of Inca tombs, believed to have belonged to guardians or important figures of this sacred mountain. The trail then continues with a gentle 2-hour descent into the town of Ollantaytambo (2,840 m / 9,139 ft), where we’ll enjoy lunch and prepare for the next stage of our journey.

In the afternoon, we board the train to Aguas Calientes, the gateway to Machu Picchu. Upon arrival, you’ll check in to your hotel and rest in preparation for the big day ahead.

Tonight’s accommodation: Hotel
Minimum altitude: 2,840 m / 9,139 ft
Maximum altitude: 3,634 m / 11,923 ft
Distance walked today: 7 km / 4.35 mi
Typical weather: Warm
Difficulty level: Easy (1/5)

We’ll start the day with an early breakfast at the hotel before boarding the bus to Machu Picchu at 5:30 a.m. to make the most of the morning light and peaceful atmosphere.

Upon entering the citadel, you’ll enjoy a comprehensive 2-hour guided tour through the most important areas of Machu Picchu, including temples, terraces, ceremonial sites, and residential areas. Our expert guide will share the history, legends, and mysteries of this iconic Inca masterpiece.

After the guided portion, you’ll have free time to explore the site at your own pace. If you’ve secured tickets for Huayna Picchu, this is the time to make the climb. For those without an additional ticket, there are still incredible areas to visit—like the Sun Gate (Inti Punku) or the Inca Bridge, both of which offer spectacular views and unique insights into Inca engineering.

Later, we return by bus to Aguas Calientes, where you’ll have time for lunch before boarding the train back to Ollantaytambo. From there, our private transportation will take you to your hotel in Cusco, marking the end of a truly unforgettable journey.