Sacred Valley + Classic Inca Trail 5-Day Trek to Machu Picchu

The VIP Sacred Valley tour begins between 6:40 and 7:00 a.m. Our first stop will be the town of Chinchero, a very traditional and typical place where you will find Inca walled constructions and a colonial church with a rich history. In addition, you will have the opportunity to visit the Textile Interpretation Center, a place filled with colorful handicrafts and fabrics.

Continuing our journey, we will head to Moray, also known as the Inca Agricultural Laboratory. These terraces, famous for their circular shapes, were used for agricultural experimentation, as each one has a different microclimate. After the visit, we will descend toward Maras and the salt mines, where local families have been extracting salt naturally since Inca times.

At the end of the tour, we will continue our trip to the town of Urubamba, where we will enjoy a buffet lunch featuring exquisite local and Cusqueñan cuisine. After lunch, we will board our transportation to head to Ollantaytambo, a military fortress that protected this part of the valley from possible invasions.

On the way back, and as our last point of visit, we will explore the archaeological center of Pisac, built on top of a strategically located mountain that offers a panoramic view of the entire valley.

When returning to Pisac, you will have the opportunity to visit its picturesque handicraft market, where you can take photos and purchase handmade crafts created by local families. At the end of the tour, we will return to Cusco at approximately 7:30 p.m. and drop you off at your hotel.

Between 5:00 and 5:30 in the morning, we will pick you up from your hotel in our private bus. Then we will head to Piskacuchu (2,700 m.a.s.l.), a community located at kilometer 82 of the Cusco–Machu Picchu railway. From there, we will cross the bridge and walk along the left bank of the Urubamba River, which flows northwest through the Sacred Valley. This point marks the beginning of the classic 4-day Inca Trail, one of the most iconic trekking routes in Peru.

Following the trail over flat terrain, we will reach Miskay (2,800 m.a.s.l.), then ascend and finally observe, from the highest viewpoint, the Inca city of Patallacta (2,750 m.a.s.l.).

We continue the hike through the valley formed by the Kusichaca River, gradually ascending for approximately five hours until reaching our first campsite in the village of Wayllabamba (3,000 m.a.s.l.). Along the way, we will enjoy spectacular views of the Vilcanota mountain range on the opposite side of the Urubamba River, where the imposing peak Veronica rises at 5,832 meters above sea level. We will also observe the diverse wild flora and fauna found throughout the valley.

We wake up around 6:00 a.m., and after breakfast, we depart from Wayllabamba to begin the most challenging part of the trek: a steep and demanding 9 km ascent. During this climb, the landscape gradually changes from Andean highlands to puna, a dry high-altitude zone with minimal vegetation.

On the way to the first mountain pass, Abra Warmihuañusca (Dead Woman’s Pass), we will see domesticated llamas and alpacas grazing on ichu, one of the few plants that grow at this altitude. The changing terrain offers constantly evolving views, making each step both physically demanding and visually captivating.

We then pass through a cloud forest area, a habitat filled with various birds such as hummingbirds and sparrows. With some luck, we may even spot the elusive Andean bear, also known as the spectacled bear (Tremarctus ornatus).

We recommend that on this day especially, you carry candies, chocolates, and coca leaves in your backpack to maintain your sugar levels and help with altitude sickness.

Immediately after crossing the pass, we will descend to the Pacaymayo valley (3,600 m.a.s.l.), where we will camp after approximately 6 hours of hiking.

This day is the longest but also the most impressive and interesting due to the number of archaeological sites we visit and learn about with our guide.

From Pacaymayo, we ascend toward the second pass, Abra de Runkurakay (3,970 m.a.s.l.). Halfway up, we visit the archaeological complex of the same name. This site, located at 3,800 m.a.s.l., consists of a small oval structure believed to have served as a watchtower.

After passing it, we descend toward Yanacocha (Black Lagoon) and enter the cloud forest to finally reach Sayacmarca (3,624 m.a.s.l.). This is a beautiful complex formed by a semicircular construction with rooms distributed on different levels, narrow streets, ceremonial fountains, patios, and irrigation channels. The layout of the site shows a harmonious blend of architecture and nature, offering visitors a unique perspective of the ingenuity of its builders.

Continuing with a gentle ascent, we reach the third pass, Abra de Phuyupatamarca (3,700 m.a.s.l.). Along this stretch, we can appreciate the incredible mastery of the Incas, walking along trails slightly separated from the mountain, while observing carefully arranged stones that fill the ravines in perfect order, adapting flawlessly to the varied Andean geography.

This section of the classic 4-day Inca Trail showcases some of the most impressive engineering works along the route. Along the way, we also pass through an Inca tunnel that leads us directly to the pass. From there, we begin the descent toward the archaeological complex of Phuyupatamarca, where we can explore and enjoy the breathtaking scenery.

This is one of the most complete and best-preserved archaeological complexes on the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, located on top of a mountain. Interestingly, Phuyupatamarca means “town above the clouds.” From the top, you can appreciate a sophisticated sacred complex formed by water fountains with solid foundations, as well as impressive views of the Urubamba River valley and the long stone staircase that descends to Wiñay Wayna (2,700 m.a.s.l.).

At this campsite, we find a hostel with a restaurant-bar and bathrooms with hot showers.

On this fourth and final day, we wake up at 4:00 a.m. to leave Wiñay Wayna an hour later and hike up to Intipunku, or the Sun Gate.

We walk for an hour along a flat stone path on the edge of the cliffs in the high jungle. From this fabulous spot, we will witness the sunrise over the sacred citadel of Machu Picchu.

From Intipunku, we descend to Machu Picchu and, about 40 minutes later, enter the citadel from the highest point through the Guardian’s House.

We then descend to the checkpoint where we register and leave our backpacks. Immediately after, we begin a complete guided tour of the Inca citadel, lasting approximately two hours.

Afterward, you will have free time to walk around, climb Huayna Picchu Mountain—where you will enjoy spectacular views of Machu Picchu, the valleys, and surrounding mountains—or visit the Temple of the Moon and the fabulous Inca Bridge.

In the afternoon, we meet in the town of Aguas Calientes, where you may visit and relax in the hot springs if you wish. From there, we take the train back to the city of Cusco.