Transfer from your hotel in Cuzco or the Sacred Valley to Piscaycucho. The hike begins along a little visited section of the trail. We will stop at Q'oriwayrachina for lunch and then cross the Urubamba River at Q'ente. Here we will have an option to visit Wayna Q'ente and Llaqtapata archaeological sites. Continue to our evening campsite located among Inca terraces. (Time: 5-6 hours, Distance: 6.8 miles).

Continue up the Cusichaca Valley to the Andean community of Huayllabamba. From here the trail ascends steeply to a large Pampa below the first pass, where we will eventually camp. Here we have a breathtaking view of Mt. Huayanay. The trail takes us along a narrow hanging valley to a cloudforest where we will see the rare Queñua tree (polilepis) unique to the Andes. We will camp at Llulluchapampa. (Time: 6 hours. Distance: 5.5 miles).

A steady ascent up the ancient Inca Trail to Warmiwañusqa pass (13,692 ft) affords a magnificent view of our ascent and the trail ahead of us. Descend on a restored Inca Trail down to the Pacaymayo River to the ruins of Runkuraqay, and the second major pass (13,200 ft). From here we walk down to the site at Sayacmarca (12,551 ft) on the original Inca Trail, passing a dry lake. Here we see the first signs of the cloud forest. This is a beautiful location overlooking the Aobamba Valley, and an opportunity for a leisurely walk through its imposing structures. Continue along the ridge through amazing landscapes with views of Mt. Salkantay to the West, and Mt. Pumasillo, to the north on the horizon. Continue along a rolling flag-stone trail to Phuyupatamarca (the village on the edge of the clouds) where we will camp. (Trekking: 7-8 hours, Distance: 8.69 miles).

An early depature today, our route will take us past Phuyupatamarca ruins. The flag-stone trail winds sharply down into the cloud forest to the ruins of Wiñay Wayna with its well-restored Inca ruins. Mid-afternoon we will arrive at Machu Picchu just as the ancient Incas did. From Intipunku, the door of the sun, we have our first view of the magnificent citadel. We will pass through Machu Picchu (our tour will be the next day) to the shuttle bus that will take us to the village of Aguas Calientes to spend the night at our selected hotel.

Return by bus up the switchbacks to Machu Picchu for a guided tour. Your guide will take you on a 3 hour tour through the different sectors of the hill-top citadel. Afternoon return to Aguas Calientes where the train will take you to back to Cuzco or Ollanta. (Note: if you want to go up to Machu Picchu for sunrise, the buses begin running at 5:30 am. You can arrange to meet up with your guide for your official tour. If you wish to do the Huayna Picchu hike at 7:30 am, there will be an additional charge. After the hike, you will meet up with your guide for your tour.)