We’re starting the day really early, with a hot drink to get us going and watch the beautiful sunrise over the mountains and glaciers. After that, we’ll pack up our stuff and have a delicious breakfast. This is going to be one of the hardest days of the trek. But don’t worry, the guides and horses are there to help you every step of the way. We’re heading for Huayraqmachay (3,900 m / 12,795 ft), where we’ll have lunch and catch our breath. You’ll be hiking surrounded by the cloud forest and views from way up high, so hopefully, that keeps you motivated. From there, the trek goes downhill to Chaullay (2,900 m / 9,514 ft), which is our last stop for the day. We’ll be camping here, surrounded by mountains and clouds. We’ll be in comfortable cabins again, with hot showers and Wi-Fi. It’s a great way to end a tough day. We’ll hike 23 km today, reaching a highest elevation of 4,620 m. Our campsite is at 3,900 m. The weather can be cold but also gets warm. The trail is rocky, dusty, and slippery, so you really need to have good trekking shoes. And just so you know, all three meals—breakfast, lunch, and dinner—are included.

We’ll start the day with a cup of hot coca tea and a hearty breakfast to energize ourselves. This is a day for some serious hiking! We will walk uphill for about three hours to Llactapata (Elevation 2,900 m.a.s.l. / 9,514 ft).

From there, the views are stunning. You can see Machu Picchu and even the snow-capped Humantay Mountain (Elevation 4,200 m.a.s.l. / 13,780 ft), which is really cool. From Llactapata, we will descend toward the hydroelectric plant (Elevation 1,890 m.a.s.l. / 6,200 ft). This section takes about 2 hours and 30 minutes of hiking.

The best part of this stretch is the incredible views of Machu Picchu. The hydroelectric plant itself features a massive 300-meter-high waterfall that generates power for the entire Cusco region.

Upon arriving at the hydroelectric plant, we will enjoy a delicious buffet lunch and tropical drinks.

If you’re tired, there is an option to take a car from Lucmabamba to the hydroelectric plant (at an additional cost).

Finally, we will walk to the town of Aguas Calientes (Elevation 2,000 m.a.s.l. / 6,561 ft). We will have a delicious dinner at a cozy restaurant.

After dinner, we’ll head to the hotel. A hot shower and Wi-Fi will feel amazing after all that hiking!

• Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.
• Hiking distance: Approximately 22 km.
• Highest elevation: 2,900 m.
• Aguas Calientes elevation: 2,000 m.
• Weather: Warm.
• Trail conditions: Rocky and dusty, so trekking shoes are necessary.

Our last day is so important! We’re going to start really early with a fantastic breakfast. Don’t worry about packing up your stuff, the hotel will take care of that so it’s all ready for when you get back. Then, we’ll grab one of the very first buses heading up to Machu Picchu.

The ride is quick, only about 30 minutes. Once we arrive at the top of Machu Picchu (2,400 m / 7,874 ft), a guide will introduce you to this incredible place. We’ll have a two-and-a-half-hour guided tour of the amazing citadel, learning so much about Inca history and culture. After the tour, you’ll have plenty of time to explore on your own.

Finally, we’ll take the bus back to Aguas Calientes (2,000 m / 6,561 ft). We’ll catch the 4:20 p.m. train back to Ollantaytambo, which takes about two hours. The conditions are rocky, dusty, and slippery, so be sure to have trekking shoes.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner.
• Hiking Distance: By bus.
• Highest Elevation: 2,400 m.
• Machu Picchu Town Elevation: 2,000 m.
• Weather: Warm.
• Conditions: Rocky, dusty, and slippery (trekking shoes required).