Touch down in the high Andes and transfer to your hotel in Cusco, the former heart of the Inca Empire. Keep today gentle to help your body adjust: stroll the cobbled lanes, admire flawless Inca stonework, and pause in sunlit plazas lined with colonial balconies.

Choose easy, low-exertion moments—browse San Pedro Market, sip coca tea near the Plaza de Armas, or visit Qoricancha (Temple of the Sun). Save steeper ruins for later. This is the perfect soft landing before your Inca Trail adventure begins.

Dive into the living history of Cusco, where Inca foundations meet Spanish colonial elegance. Your guided walk begins in the Plaza de Armas—once the Inca Huacaypata (Warriors’ Square)—with stories that set the scene for the city’s extraordinary past.

Step inside the majestic Cusco Cathedral (1560–1664), built with red granite quarried from nearby Sacsayhuamán. Beyond its striking façade lies one of Peru’s most important collections of colonial gold and silver artwork, a glittering window onto Cusco’s opulent era.

Continue to the sun temple Qorikancha (Koricancha), once sheathed in gold to honour Inti, the Sun God, and later overbuilt by the Convent of Santo Domingo. Perfectly cut Inca walls still line the cloisters—stonework so precise it feels alive beneath your fingertips.

Leaving the centre, explore the Inca sites above the city: the cyclopean zigzags of Sacsayhuamán; the carved limestone passages of Q’enqo; the red-hued lookout of Puka Pukara; and the spring-fed niches of Tambomachay, the “Inca Baths”. Each site reveals another layer of empire—ceremony, defence, and ingenious engineering.

Return to Cusco buzzing with stories and newly trained eyes that notice Inca stones everywhere you look.

Day 4: Acclimatisation Trek to Huchuy Qosqo (4,400m) – Return to Cusco

Lace up for your first Andean hike, bound for the hidden Inca site of Huchuy Qosqo—“Little Cusco” in Quechua. Starting high on the puna (≈3,750m), the trail climbs steadily toward a broad mountain pass. Peaks of the Cordillera Urubamba frame the horizon; the air turns crisp; the views grow bigger with every switchback.

This is classic “hike high, sleep low” acclimatisation. Take it slow, breathe deeply, and enjoy the solitude. Over open moorland you’ll pass mirror-bright lakes, small Andean hamlets, and wide grasslands where llamas graze. After 3–4 hours, crest the high point at around 4,400m—a perfect spot for a photo break and a quiet moment above the world.

From the pass, descend on a restored stretch of ancient Inca trail that threads a dramatic canyon. Rustic stone bridges cross lively streams and, tucked into the hillside, the terraces and masonry of Huchuy Qosqo appear—remote, elegant, and accessible only on foot. Rest beneath the shade of Queñua (Andean polylepis) trees and enjoy a packed lunch before continuing down to Lamay (≈2,900m) in the Sacred Valley.

Meet your vehicle for the return to Cusco, legs pleasantly tired and lungs better tuned for the days ahead on the Inca Trail.

Lace up for your first Andean hike, bound for the hidden Inca site of Huchuy Qosqo—“Little Cusco” in Quechua. Starting high on the puna (≈3,750m), the trail climbs steadily toward a broad mountain pass. Peaks of the Cordillera Urubamba frame the horizon; the air turns crisp; the views grow bigger with every switchback.

This is classic “hike high, sleep low” acclimatisation. Take it slow, breathe deeply, and enjoy the solitude. Over open moorland you’ll pass mirror-bright lakes, small Andean hamlets, and wide grasslands where llamas graze. After 3–4 hours, crest the high point at around 4,400m—a perfect spot for a photo break and a quiet moment above the world.

From the pass, descend on a restored stretch of ancient Inca trail that threads a dramatic canyon. Rustic stone bridges cross lively streams and, tucked into the hillside, the terraces and masonry of Huchuy Qosqo appear—remote, elegant, and accessible only on foot. Rest beneath the shade of Queñua (Andean polylepis) trees and enjoy a packed lunch before continuing down to Lamay (≈2,900m) in the Sacred Valley.

Meet your vehicle for the return to Cusco, legs pleasantly tired and lungs better tuned for the days ahead on the Inca Trail.

Rise early for an exciting drive through the Sacred Valley of the Incas, where fertile fields and mountain peaks set the stage for the days ahead. After crossing the bridge at Kilometre 82, step onto the legendary Inca Trail—the true beginning of your pilgrimage to Machu Picchu.

The trail meanders alongside the Urubamba River, past terraced slopes and dramatic landscapes shaped by Inca hands. Your first highlight is the archaeological site of Llaqtapata, where wide terraces climb the valley walls and stone structures speak of a once-busy resting place for travellers on the royal road. Pause to explore and take in the sweeping views before continuing onwards.

The afternoon’s walk climbs gently through farmland and native woodland until reaching Wayllabamba, the final inhabited village along the trail. This serene campsite offers the perfect first night beneath the stars of the Andes.

An alpine start for the most testing—and unforgettable—stage of the Inca Trail. We climb steadily from Wayllabamba through misty cloud forest to the grassy meadows of Llulluchapampa, where llamas graze and the views open wide. Above here, the trail becomes steeper, the ancient Inca stone steps cutting across a high, open slope with cliffs soaring around us.

Topping out on Warmiwañusca (Dead Woman’s Pass, 4,215m) is a true milestone. Take in sweeping panoramas over the snow-dusted Huayanay Range—a moment you’ll carry forever. From the pass, we descend on well-built steps into the Pacaymayo Valley, reaching camp by early afternoon to rest, refuel, and savour the silence of the high Andes.

Today is a journey through time and landscape as the Inca Trail reveals some of its finest treasures. The morning begins with a steep climb on ancient stone stairways to the circular ruins of Runkuracay, perched high above the valley. Not long after, you crest the Runkuracay Pass (3,954m), where sweeping panoramas stretch across jagged peaks and plunging gorges—an ideal place to pause and take it all in.

Descending from the pass, the path leads to the cliff-edge citadel of Sayacmarca, the “Inaccessible Town” (3,597m). Its labyrinth of terraces, plazas, and channels showcases Inca ingenuity at its most dramatic. From here, the atmosphere grows almost otherworldly as you follow a paved Inca highway through misty cloud forest, the trail hugging high ridges and winding past orchids, moss, and ferns.

Climbing again, you cross the third pass of the day—Phuyupatamarca (3,656m), or “Town in the Clouds.” With mists drifting across the ridgeline and mountains fading in and out of view, it’s easy to see how the site earned its name. Finally, descend a dramatic stone staircase to reach your camp at Wiñay Wayna (2,720m), one of the trail’s most enchanting sites. The expansive ruins here are perfect for a reflective wander before dinner and an early night.

Tomorrow, you arrive at Machu Picchu—rest well for the final leg of the journey.

The culmination of the Inca Trail arrives today, beginning long before dawn. At 3:30am, you’ll wake to a quick breakfast before joining the steady line of trekkers on the final approach to Intipunku (the Sun Gate). The path climbs gradually for 2–3 hours, anticipation building with every step.

Reaching the Sun Gate at sunrise is a moment etched into memory—the sight of Machu Picchu bathed in golden light, its terraces and temples unfurling across the ridge below. After savouring the views and capturing photos, descend into the citadel itself for a guided tour. For two hours you’ll wander through plazas, temples, and terraces, marvelling at the ingenuity of the Inca who built this masterpiece high in the Andes without modern tools.

After exploring, descend by bus to Aguas Calientes, then board a scenic train following the Urubamba River back to Ollantaytambo. Arrive at your hotel for a well-earned rest, the day’s images still vivid in your mind. Machu Picchu: check. But expect its magic to linger with you long after.

Ollantaytambo to begin today’s Sacred Valley adventure. Start by exploring the dramatic Ollantaytambo Ruins, a monumental Inca fortress and ceremonial centre where vast terraces rise steeply against the mountainside. Wander the ancient stairways, admire finely cut stone temples, and soak in views across the valley floor. The town itself, with its grid of Inca-planned streets, is a living museum—perfect for browsing artisan workshops and handcraft stalls.

Later, continue along the valley to the bustling Pisac Market, one of the region’s most colourful gatherings. Villagers from surrounding communities arrive in vibrant traditional dress, bringing handwoven textiles, pottery, and silver jewellery. It’s a wonderful opportunity to experience Andean culture firsthand, barter for unique souvenirs, and capture the lively spirit of local life.

By late afternoon, transfer back to Cusco. Settle into your hotel and enjoy a final evening in the former Inca capital, reflecting on your journey before tomorrow’s departure.

Enjoy a final breakfast in Cusco, the heart of the Inca Empire. Depending on your flight time, you may have a few hours free to take a last stroll through the cobbled streets, browse colourful handicraft markets, or enjoy a quiet coffee in the Plaza de Armas as the city comes to life.

At the scheduled time, you’ll be transferred to Cusco Airport for your journey home. As your flight lifts over the Andes, reflect on the unforgettable moments of the Inca Trail—crossing high passes, exploring hidden ruins, and witnessing the sunrise over Machu Picchu. Though the adventure concludes here, the spirit of the Andes and the magic of Peru will stay with you forever.