We begin our expedition with a pickup from your hotel at 04:30 a.m. We travel by private bus for approx. 3 hours to Mollepata, where we will stop for breakfast. We then continue to Challacancha to meet our support team (cook and horsemen) and begin hiking. Our first destination is the campsite at Soraypampa (3,900m). After lunch, we take an acclimatization hike up to the stunning Humantay Lake (4,200m). You will be amazed by the crystal-clear turquoise water sitting directly beneath the glacier. We return to camp for tea time, dinner, and our first night under the stars (or in Sky Domes, depending on availability).

Today is the most challenging and rewarding day! After an early breakfast, we begin the steep ascent to the highest point of the trek: the Salkantay Pass (4,630m / 15,190ft). Here, we stand face-to-face with the Apu Salkantay, the second-highest mountain in Cusco. After celebrating at the summit, we descend into the Huayracmachay valley for lunch. As we continue downwards, the landscape changes dramatically from rocky alpine terrain to the lush vegetation of the high jungle. We end the day at our campsite in Chaullay or Collpapampa, surrounded by rivers and greenery.

We wake up in the tropical climate of the cloud forest. After breakfast, we hike for about 5 hours along the Santa Teresa River, passing waterfalls, wild orchids, and plantations of coffee, banana, and avocado. We arrive at La Playa Sahuayaco for lunch. From here, we take local transport to the town of Santa Teresa. In the afternoon, you have the option to relax your muscles in the famous Cocalmayo Hot Springs (crystalline thermal waters), a perfect treat after two days of intense hiking. We camp nearby and enjoy a festive dinner.

After breakfast, we have the option to do Ziplining (extra activity) or start our hike immediately. We walk to Hidroelectrica, where we will have lunch. The final leg of the trek is a scenic 3-hour walk along the train tracks, following the Urubamba River. This section serves as a historic "back door" entrance to Machu Picchu, surrounded by intense vegetation. We arrive at Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu Pueblo) in the afternoon, where we will check into a comfortable hotel, enjoy a group dinner at a restaurant, and plan for the big day ahead.

The day we have been waiting for! We wake up before dawn to take one of the first buses up to the Machu Picchu Citadel (or hike up if you prefer). You will enter the site as the sun rises over the mountains. Your guide will provide a 2-hour comprehensive tour of the temples, plazas, and terraces. After the tour, you will have free time to explore or climb Huayna Picchu (if booked in advance). In the afternoon, we take the train back to Ollantaytambo, where our private transport will be waiting to take you back to your hotel in Cusco, arriving around 08:30 p.m.