Day 1: ARRIVAL TO CUSCO

Reception in Cusco airport and Transfer to Marqueses Boutique Hotel where they will welcome you with cups of coca leaf tea a traditional drink to minimize the efects of altitude, Relax,rest and acclimatize.(Oxygen containers available 24/7) We advise you to get an early flight so you can just spend your first 2 hours in Cusco seriously doing nothing but trying to breathe!! If you are feeling fine this afternoon you can go to the Cusco Folk Dances and Music at Cusco Art Center in the main Ave el Sol. which are included on your tourist ticket 6.30pm 10 min slow walk from Hotel Marqueses.

Accommodation: Hotel Marqueses

Day 2: FREE DAY TO EXPLORE THE MAGICAL CUSCO, AFTERNOON CITY TOUR.

Free morning to explore the artist area of San Blas with many workshops of paintings and scultures, (typical from Cusco) visit the Inca Museum just near the main Cathedral on the main Cusco´s plaza, then you can visit the new Machupicchu Museum just 2 blocks near the Plaza and visit the Merced Convent. At 13:30 pm (meet at SAS Travel office) Guided Cusco City tour for 4 Hours to Explore the famous temple of the sun "Koricancha" Cusco´s Cathedral and the 4 Inca temples Saqsawaman, Tambomachay, Qenqo and Pucapucara. 70 Soles Tourist Ticket not included. Night in Hotel Marqueses.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Hotel Marqueses

Day 3: Cusco Sacred Valley Pisac Urubamba Ollantaytambo Cusco

At 8.20am meet at SAS Travel office or transfer from your hotel at earlier time if coordinated. In a tourist bus, we travel from Cusco past Saqsaywaman & Tambomachay, over the mountains toward the Sacred Valley. We descend 1500 feet to the valley floor of the sacred Urubamba river and the village of Pisac where we will visit a traditional market and you can buy some local souveniers. We then drive up to explore the extensive ruins of Pisac with stunning views over the valley. On the guided walk into the Citadel of Pisac you can observe temples, residences, altars, channels, carvings, tunnels/caves and the famous Intihuatana “The hitching post of the Sun",
For those who would prefer to spend more time in the market instead of visiting the ruins, advise your guide so he can organise a time and place to pick you up when returning through the market.
We continue on to Urubamba where we stop for a lunch at Inkalicius. A further 30 mins drive takes us to Ollantaytambo surrounded by the sacred mountains, where we will again discover the magnificence of the Incan constructions, the amazing temple of the Sun, enormous blocks of rock perfectly carved and polished, stone water fountains, stairs, terraces and the beauty of the local people in their traditional dress, all surrounded by the sacred mountains and Valley of Patacancha and Willoq.
On our return, we quickly visit the famous church and archeological site in Chincheros, arriving to Cusco at about 6.30-7:00pm. Hotel Marqueses. Brefing at 7:00 pm for your Inca trail trek at SAS Travel office.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Hotel Marqueses

Day 4: Inca trail Piskacucho Km 82, Patallaqta Cusichaka Canyon, Wayllabamba, Ayapata 3 stones.

Early pick-up from your hotel will begin around 5:30 am to board our private transportation. Make sure you carry your original passport or ISIC card. Our journey from Cusco to Piskacucho takes approximately 3 hours, with many beautiful views of the Sacred Valley, the Urubamba River, Andean towns, and the Inca town of Ollantaytambo. Along the way, we will stop to stretch our legs, use the bathroom, and enjoy breakfast, before continuing on to Piscacucho (2,680 m / 8,790 ft). There we will meet our camp crew and the porters who will carry our belongings during our 35-mile hike. Passports in hand, we clear the official Inca Trail check point, cross a suspension footbridge across the Urubamba River, and begin our trek with a gentle climb. We have three hours on relatively level terrain as we follow the course of the river, rewarded with superb views of Mount Veronica (5,750 m). The easy walk passes through a forest of giant cactus and native bushes. At Miskay we take the trail to the left, ascending gradually to Willkaraccay high above the mouth of the Cusichaca River and across from the Inca town of Llactapata (Terrace Town). Our vantage point is from a flat bluff above the extensive site, which was built as a fort because it commands the entrance to the Cusichaca Valley. The terracing system was used during Inca times for growing maize, a prestige crop that needed irrigation in the dry highlands. After a short rest, we continue another 15 minutes down to our lunch site at Tayaroc. Our path is adorned with native flowers and bromeliads growing in the boulders along the left side, and by majestic views of the mountains in both valleys. Walking times are always approximate, depending on weather conditions, group ability and other factors. After lunch, another 3-4 hours will bring us to the village of Wayllabamba (3,000 m / 9,840 ft), followed by an uphill climb through woods and along a stream to our first camp at Ayapata (3,300 m / 10,824 ft). You will be rewarded with Te Macho and a buffet dinner. Buenas Noches!!!

Meals: Breakfast-Lunch-Dinner

Accommodation: Camping

Maximum Altitude: Maximum Altitude: 3,300 m/10,824 ft

Minimum Altitude: Minimum Altitude: 2,680 m/8,790 ft

Distance Travelled: 12 Km approx.

Approximate Walking Time: Approximate Walking Time: 6-7 hours / Ascent up: 620 m

Day 5: Ayapata 3 stones, Llulluchayoq, Dead woman`s pass, Pacaymayo, Runkuracay, Sayacmarka, Chakico

After breakfast, we depart from the Ayapata camp around 7:00 am. This is our longest day, but one rewarded with spectacular views down several valleys and up to the surrounding snow-covered peaks. We will put in a 5-hour hike to reach our lunch camp in the Pacaymayo Valley, then another 3-4 hours to our night camp at Chakicocha. We begin with a 900-m ascent up to the Warmiwanusca (Dead Woman’s) Pass at 4,200 m/13,776 ft. Along the way, we ascend steeply uphill through the Corralpunku Valley to the Llulluchayoc Zone, where you can see several species of birds. With luck we’ll see hummingbirds, falcons and black-chested buzzard eagles. We’ll soon enter a beautiful cloud forest, or polylepis woodland, and the treeless grasslands of the puna. From this point, you can see the highest pass ahead. The path climbs for two more hours along a large number of steps, some of them newly laid to protect the mountain from erosion. You can walk at your own pace, stopping to catch your breath whenever you like. This last hard climb brings us to Dead Woman’s Pass, the first of two that we will cross today. Once the full group reaches this pass, we take a rest break before beginning a steep descent into the Pacaymayo Valley on the other side. You’ll find that your energy returns as we proceed along this downhill segment toward a generous lunch and rest. In the afternoon we begin a second ascent, this time to the ruins at Runcuracay, located a bit below the Runcuracay Pass (3,950 m / 12,956 ft). From the pass, in clear weather, you can look back to the Dead Woman’s Pass and forward to a breath-taking sweep of snow-capped peaks. These include the 6,000-m Pumasillo (Puma’s Claw) massif. From here, most of the trail is downhill or gently undulating until we reach the impressive ruins at Sayacmarca. After some exploration, another 20 minutes bring us to Chakicocha (3,400 m / 11,000 ft). This will be our coldest night on the trail, at around +3 degrees C in December and -4 C in June. Tea time and Buffet Dinner.

Meals: Breakfast-Lunch-Dinner

Accommodation: Camping

Maximum Altitude: Maximum Altitude: 4,200 m / 13,776 ft

Minimum Altitude: Minimum Altitude: 3,000 m/9,840 ft

Distance Travelled: 10 Km approx.

Approximate Walking Time: Approximate Walking Time: 5-6 hours / Ascent up: 900 m

Day 6: Chakicocha, Aobamba Valley, Phuyupatamarka, Intipata, Winaywayna

At sunrise, you will catch sight of Sayacmarca back along the trail, perched on the side of one of the many mountains that surround our campsite. Today’s hike is exceptionally beautiful because we will pass the ruins of Phuyupatamarca, Winaywayna and Intipata, and enjoy dramatic vistas of the Aobamba Valley. This stretch of the trail is of well-kept paved stone, still in great condition after many centuries. Your lungs will appreciate the fact that today’s hike is much more down than up, and significantly shorter than yesterday’s. In getting to Phuyupatamarca (the Town of the Clouds), we will pass through the first of two short, natural tunnels in the mountains. After visiting this site, we will descend about 2,000 stone steps to Winaywayna. If you have not had any knee problems up to this point, you may after this descent. If you have had prior knee injuries, we recommend the use of trekking poles, and perhaps an extra porter, to relieve some of the stress on your joints. Around mid-day, we will arrive at the site of Winaywayna, which we will explore before completing a short additional hike to our camp site for the night (2,700 m / 8,856 ft). After lunch, we will visit the adjacent site of Intipata with its dramatic terrances. A number of creature comforts will be available at this camp site. There is a bar and a small gift shop, and best of all, hot showers for a small fee. There will also be many more trekkers gathering here, ready for the final hike into Machu Picchu tomorrow. We therefore recommend taking extra care of your personal belongings here. Keep an eye on your daypacks and don’t leave anything outside your tent at night. Tea time and Buffet Dinner.

Meals: Breakfast-Lunch-Dinner

Accommodation: Camping

Maximum Altitude: Maximum Altitude: 3,750 m / 12,300 ft

Minimum Altitude: Minimum Altitude: 2,700 m / 8,856 ft

Distance Travelled: 10 Km approx.

Approximate Walking Time: Approximate Walking Time: 5-6 hours / Descent : 700 m

Day 7: Winaywayna, Intipunku Machu Picchu Aguas Calientes

We will get up very early - around 4:00 am - to get to Inti Punku (the Sun Gate), overlooking Machu Picchu for the first rays of the sunrise. This will be a hike of 1-2 hours, with significant upward stretches in the last half. You will be hiking in darkness, so a headlamp is strongly recommended.
From Inti Punku, a final easy 40-minute hike will bring us to the entrance to Machu Picchu itself. The trail ends at a series of terraces, which present classic views of the overall city. We will continue on to explore the site, with explanations provided by the trek guide(s). The formal tour will end in the late morning, after which there will be a couple of hours for more exploring on your own, or to just collapse under a tree in the central plaza area. If you are exhausted just come day to Aguas Calientes and relax in the hot springs as you have a second opportunity to see all of Machu Picchu well rested tomorrow! In the early afternoon, lunch will be provided at “Los Viajeros” hostel down in the town of Aguas Calientes and this is the accomodation for people doing this tour unless full and then similar accomdation is provided nearby. Machupicchu is officially open from 06:00 am to 17:30 pm
You may like to soak in the hotsprings in the afternoon before dinner provided in Viajeros in the evening.

Meals: Breakfast-Lunch-Dinner

Accommodation: Viajeros Hostal Aguas Calientes or please choose upgrade from recommendations below

Maximum Altitude: 2,700 m / 8,856 ft

Minimum Altitude: 2,400 m / 7,872 ft (Machupicchu) 2000 Aguas Calientes

Distance Travelled: 8 Km approx plus exploration of Machu Picchu

Approximate Walking Time: Approximate Walking Time: 6-7 hours / Descent : 300 m

Day 8: Machu Picchu - Huayna Picchu Cusco

After an early Breakfast you can walk or take the bus back up to explore Machu Picchu more fully and of course for your climb of Huayna Picchu. If you were so tired yesterday then you have plenty of time to really capture Machu Picchu today so start out early! Buses are available from 5.30am. you can buy the ticket and they depart only a block away from Viajeros Hostel. You can store your backpack in Viajeros and make sure you get back down to Aguas Calientes at least an hour before your train departure which is genenerally at 4.43 pm but you should recheck this with your guide on day 4. Grab some snacks and drinks before boarding the train as the journey back to Cusco is about 4 hours!

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Hotel Marqueses

Maximum Altitude: 2,700 m Huayna Picchu and Cusco 3400 m

Minimum Altitude: 2000 m Aguas Calientes

Day 9: Free Day Cusco or Adios Cusco

Last chance for Souvenir Shopping in Cusco; Optional time to visit the Weaving Center Museum in Sol Avenue.
Transfer to the Airport - for your flight to Lima or where ever you are going from here!

Meals: Breakfast