7 Day Inca Trail Trek to Machu Picchu via the Sacred Valley

First, visit Cuzco’s Cathedral, an architectural masterpiece that dominates the Plaza de Armas. Inside, you’ll learn about the unique Cuzco school of art and admire an extensive collection of colonial paintings, religious artifacts, and historical relics.

Next, explore Koricancha, one of the most important Inca temples. Once adorned in gold, this sacred site was dedicated to Inti, the Sun God. Here, you’ll witness the fascinating blend of Incan and colonial architecture, as the Spanish built the Church of Santo Domingo atop the temple’s foundations.

The tour continues with visits to the Four Ruins, a group of significant archaeological sites surrounding Cuzco:

• Sacsayhuaman, an immense Incan complex renowned for its impressive stonework.
• Q’enqo, a mysterious site with carved rock formations and underground chambers.
• Puka Pukara, a small fortress believed to have served as a military checkpoint.
• Tambomachay, known as the “Baths of the Inca,” featuring intricate aqueducts and water channels.

After completing the tour, we will head to the hotel to rest and prepare for the next day’s adventures.

This day offers an incredible introduction to the wonders of Cuzco, setting the stage for the adventures to come.

We leave Cuzco and head to the Chinchero Plateau to visit Chinchero, an important town during the Inca era. Its most impressive remnant is the massive stone wall in the main plaza, featuring ten trapezoidal niches. From here, we will enjoy spectacular views of the Sacred Valley of the Incas, with the majestic Urubamba Mountain Range and the snow-capped Salkantay dominating the western horizon. It is said that Chinchero is the mythical birthplace of the rainbow.

Next, we visit the stunning Maras Salt Mines, a salt production center dating back to pre-Inca times. With over 3,000 salt pools carved into the mountainside, this site offers a unique and unforgettable landscape.

We then continue to Moray, where we will discover its mysterious concentric terraces. According to some scholars, this site was an important agricultural research center used by the Incas to adapt crops to different altitudes and microclimates.

After exploring these fascinating sites, we will enjoy a lunch made with locally grown ingredients, allowing us to savor authentic Andean cuisine.

In the afternoon, we head to the Ollantaytambo archaeological site, an impressive Inca fortress with colossal stone terraces and a rich history.

Finally, we check into our hotel to relax and take in the beauty of this legendary valley.

Meals Included: B, L

Another exciting day awaits us in this beautiful region. The valley follows the course of the legendary Urubamba River, one of the main tributaries of the mighty Amazon River. During our journey through the valley, we will explore some of the most fascinating citadels, fortresses, and temple ruins, including the remarkable site at Ollantaytambo. This ancient village is a captivating blend of Inca and Colonial architecture, offering a unique glimpse into both eras.

If the weather permits and time allows, we can take advantage of the stunning surroundings with some short, scenic walks through the valley. These walks are not only a chance to enjoy the breathtaking landscapes but also a great way to begin preparing for the upcoming trek.

The evening will be dedicated to getting ready for the trek ahead. You’ll have time to relax at our hotel, check your gear, and receive helpful tips and advice from our guide on what to expect in the days to come.

Meals Included: B, L

Start your adventure early with a pick-up from your hotel in the Sacred Valley, followed by a scenic drive to Chilca or Piscacucho, where we will begin our first day of trekking. Upon arrival, you will meet our experienced trekking guide, along with the dedicated team of cooks, porters, and camp staff, who will accompany us on this historic journey along the “Royal Highway of the Incas,” built over 500 years ago.

The trek on Day 1 will involve approximately five to six hours of walking. We begin by following the winding course of the famous Urubamba River, taking in stunning views as we make our way through this lush landscape. We will then stop to explore the fascinating archaeological site of Patallacta (2750m / 9,020ft), an ancient Inca city constructed on a series of terraces below the trail.

Continuing along the narrow valley of the Cusichaca River, we will make our way to one of two peaceful camping sites near the village of Huayllabamba. This allows us to bypass the crowded campsites typically used by most trekkers, offering a more tranquil and immersive experience in the heart of the Andes.

Important: Please be aware that, due to recent regulations by Peruvian authorities regarding the Inca Trail, there may be adjustments to the trek itinerary and campsites.

Meals: B, L, D.

At dawn, we continue our journey, ascending through the narrow valley along the left bank of the river, whose waters originate from one of the towering, glacier-covered peaks: the majestic Salkantay. The day begins with a steep climb towards the first pass, the famous Warmihuañusca (4,200 m / 13,700 ft), known for its spectacular views.

Once we reach the pass, we take a well-deserved break to absorb the breathtaking panoramic views of the snow-capped peaks surrounding us. After this moment of awe, we begin the descent into the Pacaymayo Valley, where we will camp and spend our second night along this incredible journey on the Inca Trail.

Meals: B, L, D.

Today is the longest day of the trek. After breakfast at our campsite in the lush Pacaymayo Valley, we begin our ascent towards the small but impressively located archaeological site at Runkuraqay, and continue on to Cochapata, located just below the second pass at 3,900 m / 12,800 ft.

From here, we walk a short distance to the pass, and then descend past a mysterious small green lake to the large ruins of Sayacmarca, before heading on to the final pass at 3,800 m / 12,450 ft, which is more of a low ridge-line than a true pass. From this point, we are treated to a stunning view of the forested gorge of the Urubamba River, which lies more than 1,700 meters below us.

A short hike from here takes us over the Phuyupatamarca Pass at 3,700 m / 12,140 ft, aptly named the “City in the Clouds.” We then walk along an incredibly well-preserved section of the trail, with striking white granite slab walls and staircases set in the high jungle. We’ll arrive at our final campsite at Wiñay Wayna (2,679 m / 8,790 ft).

Meals: B, L, D.

After an early breakfast, we begin our final stretch, walking the last few kilometers to reach the awe-inspiring Inti Punku (The Gateway of the Sun), which offers a breathtaking view of the ‘lost city’ of Machu Picchu (2,400 m / 7,900 ft). The first glimpse of the ruins is truly awe-striking—it’s a moment that will take your breath away! We’ll begin with a guided tour of this magnificent sanctuary, before giving you time to explore the site at your own pace (accompanied by the guide).

After the exploration, we’ll enjoy a well-deserved lunch at the Sanctuary Lodge, located at the foot of the ruins. Once we’ve recharged, we will take a bus to Aguas Calientes, where we will catch the train back to Ollantaytambo. From there, we’ll transfer to a vehicle for the drive back to Cuzco. Depending on train schedules, our arrival in Cuzco may be quite late in the evening.

Important: To protect the integrity of Machu Picchu amidst its immense popularity, Peruvian authorities have implemented entry restrictions. As of July 1st, 2017, there are two time slots in which visitors are allowed to enter the site, with a maximum duration of four hours, and visitors must follow one of three predefined routes. Moreover, all visitors must be accompanied by a guide at all times. These measures have been put in place to improve the visitor experience and to manage the growing number of tourists. Rest assured, PAD is dedicated to making sure you have an unforgettable experience, even within these guidelines.

Meals: B, L.