Today marks the start of our Machu Picchu trekking adventure! Your guide will pick you up from your Cusco hotel at 4:30 am. We’ll travel in comfortable transport to Mollepata (about 3 hours), where we’ll enjoy a nourishing breakfast. Then, we’ll drive another hour to Challacancha (3,380 meters / 11,090 feet), the starting point of our hike. The trail offers stunning views as it winds through the valley divided into two parts (Mollepata and Challacancha Valleys). After a 3-hour hike, we’ll reach our first campsite in Soraypampa (3,900 meters / 12,800 feet) around 1:00 pm. There, we’ll have time to relax and savor a delicious lunch prepared by our chef.

Later, after lunch, we’ll visit the famous Humantay Lake! After a 1.5-hour hike, we’ll reach the lake (4,220 meters / 13,850 feet) with its incredible blue-green waters and the snowy peak of Humantay Mountain in the background, making it one of the most breathtaking spots in the Andes. We’ll take some time to admire the views before descending back to our campsite in Soraypampa. Arriving around 6:00 pm, we’ll have tea, dinner, and spend the night in our beautiful glass cabins.

We’ll enjoy a nutritious breakfast at 5:00 am before starting our hike from Soraypampa. We’ll ascend for 4 hours to the highest point of Abra Salkantay, where we’ll enjoy breathtaking views of Salkantay, Humantay, Tucarhuay, and Pumasillo mountains (4,650 meters / 15,250 feet). Passing through Salkantaypampa and Soyrococha, we’ll discover a beautiful small lake before descending to Huayracmachay for lunch. After lunch, we’ll continue our descent for 3 more hours to reach our campsite in Collpapampa. We’ll enjoy tea and a delicious dinner prepared by our chef. Tonight, we’ll sleep in our comfortable domes at the campsite.

Today, we’ll witness the sunrise in a verdant landscape adorned with rivers, waterfalls, orchids, and various plantations, including banana, avocado, and coffee. After enjoying a nutritious breakfast, we’ll prepare for the next leg of our trekking journey: hiking along a section of the original Inca Trail! Ascending along the Inca Trail, we’ll relish the stunning vistas of the Santa Teresa Valley. Following a 2.5-hour ascent, we’ll reach the Inca archaeological site of Llactapata, where our local guide will impart knowledge about its history. Additionally, we’ll have our first glimpse of Machu Picchu Mountain and Huayna Picchu Mountain. After lunch, we’ll descend and continue our hike to Hidroeléctrica. You can choose to walk to Aguas Calientes for approximately 3 hours or opt for a train ride for an extra $38. Upon arrival in Aguas Calientes, we’ll savor a delightful dinner at a local restaurant in the village nestled at the base of the magnificent Wonder of the World. Tonight, we’ll spend the night at a hotel.

Today is the long-awaited day, culminating in a visit to one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, the Machu Picchu archaeological site.

We’ll rise early around 4:30 a.m. to grab a packed breakfast before embarking on the hike to Machu Picchu. The hike takes approximately 1.5 hours, followed by a 30-minute walk downhill to the Puente Ruinas checkpoint, where you’ll need to present your original passports, Machu Picchu tickets, and Student ID if applicable. After crossing Puente Ruinas, you’ll ascend the stairs for about an hour to reach Machu Picchu’s main gate by 6:00 a.m.

While at Machu Picchu, your hotel will store your bags, allowing you to carry only your backpack with essentials, as large backpacks are not allowed inside. Alternatively, there is a bus option from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu, which takes approximately 30 minutes and costs $12 USD.

Once at Machu Picchu, your guide will lead you to the best panoramic viewpoint to capture the classic Machu Picchu picture. Then, your local guide will provide a 2.5-hour guided tour of the main sectors of the citadel, during which you’ll learn about its history and culture.

After the guided tour, you’ll have free time to explore Machu Picchu on your own. You may choose to hike either Waynapicchu Mountain, which takes 2 hours, or Machu Picchu Mountain, which takes 3 hours (advance booking required, as it sells out and costs $60 per person). The duration of your stay at Machu Picchu will depend on your chosen mode of transportation back to Cusco (train or car).

• SALKANTAY BY TRAIN: Opting for this choice allows for an extended stay at the Machu Picchu citadel since the train departs around 2:55 p.m. If you intend to ascend the additional Waymapicchu or Machupicchu mountains, we highly recommend this option, as it provides the extra time needed. The return train journey from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo typically lasts about 2 hours. Upon arrival in Ollantaytambo, our KB staff will be awaiting you near the station exit, ready to transport you back to Cusco by car. The car ride to Cusco lasts approximately 2 hours, dropping you off near the main square in Cusco around 7:00 p.m.


• SALKANTAY BY CAR: Opting for this route means having less time to explore the Machu Picchu citadel, especially if you plan to hike Huaynapicchu or Machu Picchu Mountain, as time constraints will be tight. Returning to Cusco by car requires leaving Machu Picchu by 10:30 a.m. at the latest and embarking on a 3-hour walk back to Hidroelectrica along the rail tracks due to the absence of a car road. At Hidroelectrica, you will rendezvous with the car at 2:00 p.m. This car option entails a longer journey, approximately 6 hours, until reaching Cusco city.