This four-day trek is the perfect alternative hike for those who were unable to book the Inca Trail. The fabulous trail traverses a high Andean plateau, crossing passes as high as 4,613mt-15,130ft for an up-close view of the sacred Inca peak, Salkantay (6,280mt-20,598ft). Then we descend into the beautiful lush Aobamba Valley with its tropical climate and vegetation. Along the way there are native Andean villages that time seems to have passed by. After an adventurous trek you will finally arrive in Aguas Calientes to unwind and relax for the night. The following day you will enjoy a professional guided tour of the marvelous Inca architecture hidden under the dense foliage of a highland jungle. Machu Picchu escaped the conquistadors and eluded treasure hunters until Hiram Bingham brought the “Lost City of the Incas» to the world’s attention in 1911. The intricate stonework of these enigmatic ruins is one of the finest examples of Inca masonry. Today, scholars are in disagreement as to its function and why it was eventually abandoned. Be that as it may, it remains the crown jewel of Inca architecture.

We recommend at least 2 days acclimatizing to the high altitude before your trek.

Day 1: Cusco – Mollepata (Cruz Pata) –Sorayapampa
We will pick you up from your hotel early in the morning and drive from Cusco to the village of Mollepata (3,000mt/9,843ft). Then continue driving to Challacancha where our horsemen with horses will meet us to begin our adventure trek. We will walk in the direction of Cruz Pata (3,400mt/ 11,155ft), a place with magnificent scenery of valleys and the most important snow-covered mountains like the Humantay (5,217mt/17,116ft) and Salkantay (6,264mt/ 20,551ft) which were sacred to the Incas. Our campsite will be at the foot of the mountain Tucarhuay also known as Sorayapampa (3,793mt/12,444ft).
Meals: L, D
Trek distance: 6.5 miles/10 km
Hiking: 6-7 hours

Day 2: Sorayapampa – Salkantay pass – Arayanniyoc or Collpapampa
In the morning we will walk the most difficult part of the trek to the highest point, the Salkantay Pass (4,616mt/15,134ft) to catch amazing vistas of the surrounding mountains. From here we will start our descent and have a little time to observe the change of the constant ecological level at Selva Alta «Yunga» to a pleasant climate.
Afterwards, we will arrive at the camp of Arranyaniyuc (3,450m/11,319ft) or to Collpapampa to spend the night.

Meals: B, L, D
Trek distance: 8 miles/12 km.
Hiking: 6-7 hours

Day 3: Colpapampa- Challway – Wiñaypoco – La Playa – Lucmabamba
Today in our way we are going see different plantations of coffee, cacao and fruits and local vegetation as orchids, bromelias and other plants. We are going to pass through small villages as Wiñaypoco (2653m/8694f) and La Playa (2140m/6890f).
After our lunch we are going to hike to Lucmabamba our camp site where we will learn how the local people harvest their crops such as coffee and cacao.
We´ll have the opportunity to be in contact with a local family and learn about their daily life and visit their fields.

Meals: B, L, D
Trek distance: 8 miles/12 km.
Hiking: 6-7 hours

Day 4: 4th Day: Lucmabamba – Llactapata – Aguas Calientes Town
After our breakfast we are going to hike to visit the archaeological complex of Llactapata (2650m/8694f) which is located in the middle of the vegetation. We will have time to wonder around his place and get great and magnificent view of Machu Picchu, thereafter we are going to walk down towards the hydroelectric station (1953m/6398f) to have our lunch, after that we´ll continue to Aguas Calientes village.

Meals B, L
Hostel in Aguas Calientes (upgrade to a hotel at an extra cost).
Trek distance: 8 miles/12 km.
Hiking: 7-8 hours

Day 5: Machu Picchu village – Machu Picchu – Cusco
You will be picked up from your hotel early in the morning to take the first bus for a 25 minute ride up to one of the Seven Wonders of the World, Machu Picchu. Here you will begin a professional historical guided walking tour of the magnificent archeological site. Visit the extraordinary Temple of the Sun with exceptionally carved stones, Temple of the Three Windows features huge trapezoidal windows, Intihuatana the solar clock which translates to the, Hitching Post of the Sun, Funerary Rock Hut believed to be a place where the Inca nobility were mummified, and the many temples, terraces, and corridors. After a glorious, eye and mind opening visit with your guide enjoy some time at leisure to further explore the mystical grounds feeling the positive energy that abounds the area which has withstood time. Optional: (extra cost) Head over to the entrance of Wayna Picchu to climb a narrow path for about 1.5 hours to catch terrific vistas of the Machu Picchu ruins and the valley below. Then return by bus to Aguas Calientes for lunch (on your own) before boarding the train to Ollantaytanbo. You will be met at the train station by our staff and private transfer to your hotel in Cusco.

Meal B