Cusco and Lake Titicaca
11 Days / 10 Nights

Welcome to the Imperial City of Cusco! Our transfer will be waiting for you at the airport in Cusco ready to take you to your hotel.

The rest of the day will be free to be spent at your own leisure. We recommend taking a stroll through the city´s charming cobblestone streets and visiting the local market of San Pedro. Use this day to acclimate to the higher altitude without overexerting yourself!

Your briefing session for the Inca Trail hike will take place at 18:30 hrs at the Alpaca Expeditions headquarters. You will meet your guide and fellow hike members during your briefing session. We will use this time to check in as well.

Your guide will pick you up from your hotel lobby in Cusco, around 8 a.m. You will be taken on a road that winds around the mountains north of Cusco. On the way, we will stop at a famous point known as El Mirador (Lookout Point). From there, we will be able to see the Sacred Valley and gain some insight into Inca history. The Sacred Valley was one of the main areas the Incas settled. There is an unusual abundance of fertile plains in this high area of the Andes. You will also witness vast contour terracing and irrigation channels left behind by the Incas.

Later on, we will drive towards the ruins of Pisac. Here, you will witness and learn about Inca culture. You will see amazing works of stone art and impressive agricultural terraces. After exploring, we will drive back to the lower town of Pisac to stop at a bustling handicraft market. After you spend some time walking around the market bargain hunting, we will meet for lunch at a local Andean restaurant. This meal is not included in the tour, so if you prefer a different restaurant, just let your tour guide know.

After lunch, will drive along the Urubamba River towards the town of Ollantaytambo. Once we reach Ollantaytambo, we will visit the ruins, an important area of Incan construction, built during the Inca’s heydays. This is an extraordinary Inca site because you can find rock formations representing the Inca god, Wiracocha.

We will spend the night at Ollantaytambo to start our Inca Trail early the next day.

We will pick you up from your hotel in Urubamba between 5:30 and 6:00 AM, or between 6:30 and 7:00 AM if you are staying in Ollantaytambo. Exact pick-up times will be confirmed during your briefing, as they may vary depending on your hotel location.

We’ll take you to our Porter House in Ollantaytambo, where you’ll enjoy a delicious breakfast prepared by your trekking chef. Here, your guide will also introduce you to the amazing team of porters who will accompany you throughout the trek.

After breakfast, we’ll continue driving to Km 82, where we’ll pass through the first Inca Trail checkpoint. Please ensure you have your original passport, as it is required for entry.

The first two hours of the hike are relatively gentle as we make our way to our first archaeological site, Patallacta, an ancient Inca checkpoint overlooking stunning terraces.

From Patallacta, we’ll continue for another two hours to reach our lunch spot. After a hearty meal, we will hike for approximately 2.5 more hours to reach our first campsite at Ayapata (3,300 m / 10,827 ft). Along the way, we’ll pass through two small communities where you can buy snacks, drinks, or last-minute essentials like batteries.

We will arrive at camp around 5:00 PM. After settling in, you’ll enjoy a warm drink and snacks prepared by our chef, followed by dinner at 7:30 PM. Afterward, you can rest and recharge for the next day’s adventure.

Your porters will wake you up early with a hot cup of coca tea to get you ready for the day. We will have an early start since it will be our longest day. We’ll hike for roughly 4 hours to the highest pass of the trek, Dead Woman’s Pass (4215 meters/13829 feet). On reaching the pass, we’ll stop for a short break to enjoy the views before setting off again to descend to the next valley (Pacaymayu Valley – Hidden River). It’s another hour and a half down the side of the valley to our lunch spot, where you will have a chance to refill your water bottles. After lunch, we begin ascending again to the second pass of the trek. It’s 2 hours over the pass where we will stop at a small Inca site (Runcu Raccay) and see two huge waterfalls cascading down the opposite side of the valley. After the second pass, it’s another hour downhill hike to reach the magnificent Inca site, Sayacmarca (an otherwise inaccessible village).

We’ll stop here to rest and have a quick tour. Afterward, we will be able to watch the sunset over the Vilcabamba mountain range. It’s then just another 20 minutes until we stop for the night at our second campsite Chaquicocha (Dry Lake, 3600 meters). After dinner, if you’re not too exhausted, we can do some star gazing, and we’ll point out the fascinating Inca constellations. In the magnificent Southern Hemisphere sky, away from all the artificial lighting, this sky is something to behold!

Completing Day 2 and beginning Day 3 certainly deserves a pat on the back! We will start early again, waking up at 6:30 am to begin what is commonly felt to be the most beautiful day of the whole Inca Trail. We hike for 2 hours along what we like to call “Inca flat” (gradual inclines) and begin to enter the jungle, known as the Cloud Forest. As we walk, we will have the opportunity to see Salkantay, the second highest snow-capped mountain in the Sacred Valley, and a fantastic panoramic view of the Vilcabamba mountain range. Towards the end of the Inca flats, we begin to make our way up to the last peak at Phuyupatamarka (3600 meters) from where we’ll have great views overlooking the Urubamba River. Down the valley, we get our first view of Machu Picchu Mountain, but the site itself is still hidden. From Phuyupatamarka it´s a 3-hour walk down a flight of steps to our last campsite, close to Wiñay Wayna (Forever Young). Wiñay Wayna is the most spectacular Inca site on the trail after Machu Picchu and the most popular campsite because of its proximity to Machu Picchu. During the descent, we visit 2 Inca ruins, Phuyupatamarka (Town in the Clouds) and Intipata (Terraces of the Sun). We arrive at our campsite around 1:00 PM to have lunch.

Then we will relax so that you are ready for your final day at Machu Picchu. At around 4:30 PM your guide will give you a short orientation, and you will visit the Inca ruins of Wiñay Wayna for an hour and a half there. Your guide will explain the significance of the site and combine all the information given during the trek. This way you will be fully prepared for your visit to Machu Picchu the following day. We like to spoil our guests as we enjoy our last feast with the porters and chefs. It’s an Inca Trail tradition to organize a ceremony in the evening to introduce the team to the tourists once again. This is to thank them for the great job done (if you wish to provide tips for them then you can do so at this time). It is advisable to go to bed at a reasonable time to get up in the early hours of the morning to arrive to Machu Picchu at the crack of dawn in the hopes that the weather will give us a beautiful sunrise over the ruins at Machu Picchu.

We will wake you up at 3:30 AM, and after an early breakfast at 4:00 AM, we’ll head to the final checkpoint. The gates open at 5:30 AM, and we aim to be among the first groups to begin the last stretch of the trail. Here, you will say goodbye to your amazing team of porters and chefs before continuing toward the Sun Gate (Inti Punku).

The hike to the Sun Gate takes about 1 hour, and reaching it around 6:30 AM offers breathtaking views of Machu Picchu and the surrounding mountains. From here, it’s another hour of downhill hiking as the view of the Lost City becomes more spectacular with every step.

Around 7:40 AM, we will arrive at the final control point and officially enter Machu Picchu for your guided tour.

Important Update – Controlled Visit Times

Due to updated regulations set by the Peruvian Government, all visits inside Machu Picchu now follow strict, limited, and timed circuits. Your entry time and circuit are assigned in advance, and your stay inside the citadel must follow this controlled schedule. Your guide will ensure the visit aligns with the new rules so you can enjoy your experience without any concerns.

Your private guided tour lasts approximately 2.5 hours, following the designated circuit(circuit 3B).

After your tour, you will take the bus down to Aguas Calientes. You will have free time for lunch (optional and not included). If you choose to join your guide, they will accompany you to a local restaurant. During lunch, your guide will also give you your train tickets. If you prefer to explore on your own, please make sure to collect your tickets from your guide before separating.

Unless you have arranged an upgrade, your return will be on the Expedition train, departing Aguas Calientes at 2:55 PM or 3:20 PM. Please be at the train station at least 30 minutes before departure.

The train ride takes about 2 hours to Ollantaytambo, where our Alpaca Expeditions driver will be waiting to transfer you back to Cusco and drop you off at your hotel.

We will pick you up between 4:00 and 4:30 AM from your hotel, Airbnb, or hostel in Cusco. After a 2.5-hour drive, we will arrive at the trailhead, Phulawasipata (4,200 m / 14,300 ft), around 7:00 AM. Here, our chef will prepare a delicious breakfast with hot drinks, eggs, bread, and fresh fruit to fuel you for the hike ahead.

Because both Cusco and the trailhead can be very cold early in the morning, please bring a warm jacket, hat, scarf, and gloves.

The hike to Rainbow Mountain takes about 2 hours uphill at a comfortable pace. Some may take 1.5 hours if well-acclimatized, while others may take up to 2.75 hours with additional breaks. Your guide will make short stops to share information about the region, its geology, and the local wildlife—including llamas and alpacas that often graze in the area.

The trail is wide and not exposed, which is helpful for anyone with vertigo or fear of heights. During the dry season, the trail can be dusty, and during the rainy season, it may be muddy or slippery. Waterproof hiking shoes and trekking poles are highly recommended.

We will reach the top of Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca) around 9:00–10:00 AM, where you’ll have time to take in the incredible panoramic views of surrounding valleys and the towering Ausangate Mountain (6,384 m / 20,944 ft), one of the highest peaks in Peru.

Your guide will explain the geological story behind the vibrant colors that make this mountain so famous and share some cultural insights related to the region. After enjoying approximately 1 hour at the summit, we will begin our descent—but with a special twist. Instead of returning by the same path like most groups, we’ll follow a scenic route toward a lookout for the Red Valley, a stunning landscape many hikers say is even more impressive than Rainbow Mountain.

The descent takes about 2.5 hours, ending near our starting point. Here, your chef will be waiting with a freshly prepared lunch including cold drinks, soup, appetizers, and a main course.

After lunch, we’ll drive 2.5 hours back to Cusco, arriving at your hotel around 5:30–6:00 PM. Your guide will confirm the next day’s plans before leaving you to rest.

After an early breakfast, we will pick you up between 6:00 a.m. to 6:20 a.m. to transfer you to the bus station, where you will take the tourist bus. This is a full-day ride to Puno. You will enjoy stops along the way and visit some Inca and pre-Inca ruins. When you arrive at Puno, our representative will pick you up and transfer you to your hotel.

Once at your hotel you will get a quick briefing session. This can be done in person or through a phone call.

Pick-up will be between 7:30 a.m. to 8 a.m. You will be transferred to the lakes port where you will take a boat to the floating island of Uros, where you will have time to explore around.

Following this, you will take a boat ride to the next island, Amanti Island, where you will stay with a local family. Tonight will be a basic accommodation, but a memorable one, as you will be surrounded by a nice family. This will allow for an opportunity to see how the indigenous people of the lake live. In the afternoon, you will climb the mountain up to the Temple of Pachatata to watch the sunset and party with the locals.

You will have an early breakfast with the family and take a boat to the next island called Taquile. This island is known for its intricate and rich textile and weaving traditions and sustainable tourism practices. You will have the opportunity to walk around the island and enjoy a delicious lunch by the lake.

You will return to Puno around 3:30 p.m. and have a free evening to relax in Puno while waiting for your flight to Lima the next day.

We hate to see you leave but hope you enjoyed your adventure exploring the gems of south Peru!

Our transfer will come to pick you up from your hotel in Puno ready to take you to the airport in Juliaca.

No further services will be arranged for this day.

All fees are based on double room occupancy. Single rooms can be booked for an additional fee.