Cusco, the oldest city in South America
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Type
Hike
Duration
10 Days & 9 Nights
Next Departure
2025
Status
To be announced
Price
4.950 EUR
Deluxe Hiking to Machu Picchu
Join a guided hiking tour to Machu Picchu, carefully designed by Exotic Nature Trails for travellers looking for active holidays in Peru. The tour starts in Cusco, a city full of history and culture, known as the oldest continuously inhabited city in the Americas. With the support of our experienced guides, you’ll follow walking routes that lead through cobbled streets and Inca ruins, exploring the heritage and local life along the way.
This walking tour includes a visit to the iconic citadel of Machu Picchu, a key site of the Inca Civilization. More than just a hiking trip, it’s an opportunity to connect with Peru’s culture, from traditional music to regional cuisine.
Highlights
Included
Excluded
- Tour Grade
Included and Optional Services
Itinerary
DAY 1
ARRIVAL TO CUSCO
Welcome to Cusco!
Upon arrival at Cusco airport, our Guest Services Representative will be waiting for you in the arrivals area. After picking up your luggage, you’ll be transferred to your hotel in the city. This first day gives you time to rest and adjust to the altitude. In the afternoon, you’ll meet your guide for a full briefing and preparation for the upcoming hiking tour.
Transfer
00:15 h
Palacio del Inka
Luxury Collection
DAY 2
CUSCO City Tour
City Tour & Nearby Ruins
After breakfast, you’ll be picked up for a walking tour through Cusco’s historic centre. The day begins at Qoricancha, once the most important temple of the Inca Empire, where you’ll see the fine Inca stonework that remains despite Spanish destruction. You’ll then visit Plaza de Armas, the city’s main square, and continue to Sacsayhuaman, a remarkable Inca fortress with massive stones precisely fitted together, an outstanding example of Inca engineering. Along the way, your guide will share insights into the cultural history of this unique Andean city.
Cusco
City Tour
Palacio del Inka
Luxury Collection
DAY 3
CUSCO | CHALLACANCHA – SORAYPAMPA
CUSCO TO SORAYPAMPA
After an early breakfast, your guide and driver will meet you at the hotel for the drive towards the Andean village of Mollepata. Along the way, you’ll stop to explore Quillarumiyoc, an important archaeological site known for its carved lunar symbolism and Inca heritage. Lunch will be served at El Pedregal, a traditional farmhouse where you’ll enjoy a local meal and learn about Andean farming practices. In the afternoon, the journey continues by vehicle along a scenic mountain road to Challacancha, where your hiking adventure begins. From there, you’ll follow the Camino Real, a historic trail offering panoramic views and a gradual ascent toward Salkantay Lodge in Soraypampa. The first day of walking introduces you to the highland landscapes and sets the pace for your active holiday in the Peruvian Andes.
Transfer to
Challacancha
Hike Distance
6 km
Elevation Gain
+ 800 m
Salkantay Lodge
DAY 4
SALKANTAY LODGE – HUMANTAY LAKE
HIKE TO LAKE HUMANTAY
After breakfast, you’ll begin a half-day hike up the slopes behind Salkantay Lodge, following a steady trail towards Humantay Lake. After around 90 minutes of walking, the turquoise lake and the Humantay glacier come into view, offering a rewarding and peaceful setting. At the lake, you’ll have time to rest, enjoy a snack, or take part in a traditional Pachamama ceremony, a local ritual honouring Mother Earth. After the descent back to the lodge, a hot lunch will be waiting for you. The afternoon is free to relax, book a massage, or enjoy the outdoor hot tub with views of Salkantay Peak as the sun sets, the perfect way to end this active and culturally rich day.
Hiking Distance
5 km
Elevation Gain
+ 400 m
Salkantay Lodge
DAY 5
SALKANTAY LODGE – WAYRA LODGE
CROSSING THE SALKANTAY PASS
After an early start, the trek to Salkantay Pass begins. The trail passes close to Humantay Peak and continues across open plateaus scattered with large boulders, remnants of ancient glacial activity in the Rio Blanco Valley. The final section is the steepest, leading to Salkantay Pass, the highest point on the trail at 4,636 metres. From the pass, you’ll begin a long and scenic descent through rocky fields and stone formations, often surrounded by mist. After a short rest with trail snacks, the hiking route continues through quiet hills and marshy landscapes until reaching Wayra Lodge in Wayraccmachay. There, you’ll enjoy a warm lunch and have the rest of the afternoon to relax, either in the outdoor Jacuzzi or simply taking in the views of the surrounding snow-covered peaks. A rewarding end to a full day of hiking.
Hike Distance
12 km
Elevation Gain
+ 800 m
Wayra Lodge
DAY 6
WAYRA LODGE – COLPA LODGE
DESCENDING INTO THE CLOUD FOREST
After a relaxing breakfast at Wayra Lodge, the day begins with a scenic hike along the Salkantay River. The trail leads into the lush cloud forest, where warmer air, tropical birds, butterflies, and native orchids surround you. This stretch offers a rich nature hiking experience, perfect for those seeking both cultural immersion and natural beauty. As you walk, you’ll pass remote Andean communities, spotting traditional homes and glimpses of local life. Around midday, you’ll reach Colpa Lodge, perched on a ridge where three rivers meet. There, a traditional Pachamanca lunch awaits, an authentic Peruvian meal cooked in the earth with hot stones. Spend the afternoon your way: soaking in the hot tub with breathtaking views or simply unwinding under the sun, embraced by the emerald mountains of the cloud forest.
Hike Distance
8 km
Elevation Gain
+ 0 m
Colpa Lodge
DAY 7
COLPA LODGE – LUCMA LODGE
FOLLOWING THE SANTA TERESA RIVER VALLEY
Today’s hike takes you along a scenic section of the Santa Teresa River Valley, following a gently rolling trail surrounded by lush vegetation. You’ll pass fertile orchards and glacier-fed streams, making it the perfect route for those who enjoy nature walks through diverse landscapes. Take a relaxing break by the river to enjoy a light snack before continuing on foot. After about an hour, a short drive with our support vehicle brings you to the base of the Llactapata Inca Trail steps. From here, your hike continues to Lucma Lodge, where a delicious lunch awaits. In the afternoon, visit a nearby organic coffee plantation, a highlight of this region, known for producing some of the world’s finest specialty coffees. The rising humidity and warmer climate hint that you’re approaching the edge of the Amazon Jungle in Lucmabamba, offering a rich sensory experience for active travelers.
Hiking Distance
16 km
Elevation Gain
+ 300 m
Lucma Lodge
DAY 8
LUCMA LODGE – URUBAMBA RIVER
FIRST VIEWS OF MACHU PICCHU
After breakfast, your final full day of the trek begins with a challenging hike up original Inca steps through dense cloud forest. Surrounded by towering trees and the sound of rushing rivers, this section offers a rich hiking experience. After 2 to 3 hours, you’ll reach Llactapata Pass (2,736 m) for your first view of Machu Picchu from a unique southeast angle, a true highlight of any walking tour in the Andes. A picnic lunch follows at a scenic lookout. The descent winds through bamboo groves, coffee farms, and fruit orchards, eventually reaching the Aobamba River. A final short walk takes you to Hidroelectrica station, where you’ll board a train for a scenic one-hour ride along the Urubamba River to Aguas Calientes, the town at the base of Machu Picchu. Ready for tomorrow’s ultimate adventure.
Hiking Distance
10 km
Elevation Gain
+ 700 m
Train
01:00h
Inkaterra Machu Picchu
Pueblo Hotel
DAY 9
MACHU PICCHU – CUSCO
MACHU PICCHU
Today you’ll begin your journey to Machu Picchu, one of the world’s most iconic archaeological sites. After a scenic morning bus ride, you’ll enter the Inca sanctuary and join a two-hour guided walking tour. You’ll explore remarkable sites like the Temple of the Sun, the Watchtower, and the royal residences. For those wanting a more active option, you may choose to hike Huayna Picchu for stunning views over the ruins and the Urubamba River Valley. After your visit, enjoy lunch in Aguas Calientes, followed by a Vistadome train ride to Ollantaytambo. From there, a private vehicle will transfer you back to your hotel in Cusco. This day blends cultural exploration with active adventure, ending your hiking tour on a high note. As you settle back into the comfort of the city, you’ll reflect on the energy and history of the journey that brought you here.
Machu Picchu
Tour
Train
01:30h
Transfer
01:30h
Palacio del Inka
Luxury Collection
DAY 10
DEPARTURE
That’s it! Our splendid program has come to an end.
After days of hiking, discovery, and immersive adventure, the Deluxe Hiking to Machu Picchu tour comes to a close. You’ll enjoy a relaxed morning before your transfer to the airport. Our team will be ready to assist you with every detail. We hope this experience has sparked a lasting connection to nature, history, and the spirit of the Andes. From scenic walking trails to authentic cultural encounters, you’ve taken part in a unique journey crafted for travelers seeking more than just a holiday. Thank you for choosing Exotic Nature Trails. We look forward to guiding you on your next active holiday.
Transfer
00:15h