🏔️ Day 1: Cusco – Mollepata – Soraypampa – Humantay Lake – Soraypampa

🔹 Pick-up time: 4:30 am

🔹 Highest altitude: 4,200 m / 13,779 ft (Humantay Lake)

🔹 Campsite altitude: 3,900 m / 12,795 ft (Soraypampa)

🔹 Difficulty: Moderate

🔹 Total hike distance: ~4.5 km / 2.8 mi (round trip from Soraypampa to Humantay Lake)

📝 Itinerary:

4:30 am – Hotel Pick-up in Cusco

Early pick-up from your hotel in Cusco. We’ll drive through the mountains toward the small town of Mollepata.

7:30 am – Breakfast in Mollepata (2,900 m / 9,514 ft)

Quick stop for breakfast and last-minute purchases.

8:30 am – Continue to Soraypampa by van

From Mollepata, we continue driving to Soraypampa, our starting point for the trek and the first campsite.

10:00 am – Arrival in Soraypampa (3,900 m / 12,795 ft)

You’ll have some time to get ready for your first hike.

10:30 am – Hike to Humantay Lake

Begin a scenic uphill hike toward the stunning turquoise Humantay Lake. The trail is steep and takes about 1.5 to 2 hours to reach the lake.

12:00 pm – Arrive at Humantay Lake (4,200 m / 13,779 ft)

Take your time to enjoy the breathtaking view, rest, and take photos.

1:00 pm – Return to Soraypampa

Begin the descent back to the campsite.

2:30 pm – Lunch at Soraypampa

Arrive back and enjoy a freshly prepared lunch. Afternoon -Free time to rest or explore Relax at your tent or hut with incredible views of the surrounding snow-capped peaks.

6:30 pm – Dinner at the camp

Enjoy a warm and hearty dinner before resting for the night.

Overnight at Soraypampa

🌟 Highlight of the Day: Humantay Lake

Why it’s breathtaking:

• After a challenging uphill hike, you arrive at one of the most stunning alpine lakes in Peru — Humantay Lake, sitting at 4,200 m (13,779 ft).

• Its vivid turquoise waters, framed by towering snow-capped peaks, create a surreal and unforgettable view.

• On a clear day, you can see the reflection of the Humantay glacier in the lake — a perfect postcard moment.

• The peaceful silence at the top, broken only by the wind and distant sounds of nature, adds a spiritual touch to the experience.

• For many travelers, this is one of the most emotional and awe-inspiring moments of the entire trek.

“Standing at the edge of Humantay Lake, with glaciers rising above and the turquoise water shimmering below, is a moment of pure magic.”

🏔️ Day 2: Soraypampa – Salkantay Pass – Huayracmachay – Chaullay

🔹 Starting altitude: 3,900 m / 12,795 ft (Soraypampa)

🔹 Highest point: 4,650 m / 15,255 ft (Salkantay Pass)

🔹 Ending altitude: 2,900 m / 9,514 ft (Chaullay)

🔹 Total distance: ~22 km / 13.7 mi

🔹 Difficulty: Challenging

🔹 Approximate hiking time: 9–10 hours

📝 Itinerary:

04:30 am – Wake up with hot coca tea

Early morning wake-up to begin the most demanding and rewarding day of the trek.

05:00 am – Breakfast at Soraypampa

A hearty breakfast to fuel up before the big climb.

05:30 am – Start hiking toward Salkantay Pass

Begin a slow and steady ascent along the rugged trail, surrounded by majestic views of Apu Salkantay.

09:30 am – Arrive at Salkantay Pass (4,650 m / 15,255 ft)

This is the highest point of the trek. From here, you’ll enjoy stunning views of the snow-capped Salkantay mountain (6,271 m / 20,574 ft), and feel the powerful presence of the Andes.

🌟 Highlight:

Standing at Salkantay Pass, in front of one of the most sacred mountains in the Andes, is a powerful and unforgettable experience.

10:30 am – Begin descent to Huayracmachay

After spending time at the top, descend through dramatic high-mountain landscapes toward the lunch spot.

12:30 pm – Lunch in Huayracmachay (3,850 m / 12,631 ft)

Enjoy a well-deserved lunch with views of the cloud forest beginning to appear.

01:30 pm – Continue descent into the cloud forest

Walk through changing ecosystems, from cold alpine to lush vegetation, orchids, waterfalls, and birdsong.

04:30 pm – Arrive at Chaullay campsite (2,900 m / 9,514 ft)

After a long and scenic day, reach the camp nestled in the edge of the high jungle. Hot shower and hot drinks and snacks will be waiting.

06:30 pm – Dinner and rest

Enjoy a warm dinner, relax with your group, and get ready to sleep surrounded by the sounds of the cloud forest.

Overnight at Chaullay

☕🚍🏞️ Day 3: Chaullay – Coffee Experience – La Playa – Hidroelectrica – Aguas Calientes

🔹 Starting altitude: 2,900 m / 9,514 ft (Chaullay)

🔹 Ending altitude: 2,040 m / 6,693 ft (Aguas Calientes)

🔹 Total distance walked: ~20 km / 12.4 mi (approx.)

🔹 Difficulty: Moderate

🔹 Approximate duration: ~9 hours total (hiking + coffee tour + transport)

📝 Itinerary:

05:30 am – Wake up and breakfast in Chaullay

Begin the day with a good breakfast and prepare for the transition from cloud forest to high jungle.

06:30 am – Hike from Chaullay to Lucmabamba

Trek through tropical valleys, passing fruit and coffee plantations, waterfalls, and local Andean farms.

🚐 Transfer from Granadilla to La Playa

10:30 am – Arrival at a local organic coffee farm

• Learn about traditional coffee cultivation and harvesting.

• Participate in roasting and grinding beans by hand.

• Taste a freshly brewed cup of 100% Peruvian jungle coffee, made right in front of you.

A unique cultural immersion and one of the trek’s favorite moments!

11:00 am – Lunch at La Playa (2,200 m / 7,217 ft)

Rest and refuel before heading toward Hidroelectrica.

🚐 Transfer from La Playa to Hidroelectrica

12:00 pm – Drive from La Playa to Hidroelectrica

Skip the longer descent and take a scenic 1-hour drive along a mountain road to the hydroelectric station.

1:30 pm – Hike from Hidroelectrica to Aguas Calientes

Walk the final ~10 km (~6.2 mi) along the railway tracks through the jungle, at the base of Machu Picchu mountain. Enjoy waterfalls, the Urubamba River, and a peaceful flat trail.

05:30–06:00 pm – Arrive in Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu Town)

Check into your hotel or hostel. Time to relax and shower.

07:00 pm – Dinner and briefing

Meet with your guide and group to prepare for your big visit to Machu Picchu the next morning.

🌟 Highlight of the Day:

From tasting jungle-grown coffee with locals to hiking through the lush edge of the Amazon, this day blends cultural experience, natural beauty, and the anticipation of finally reaching Machu Picchu.

Overnight in Aguas Calientes

🏯 Day 4 : Machu Picchu – Return to Cusco

🔹 Starting altitude: 2,040 m / 6,693 ft (Aguas Calientes)

🔹 Machu Picchu altitude: 2,430 m / 7,972 ft

🔹 Difficulty: Easy to moderate (depending on extra hikes)

🔹 Duration at Machu Picchu: 2–3 hours guided tour

🔹 Return to Cusco via train and bus

📝 Itinerary:

04:30 am – Wake up and early breakfast

Get ready early to be among the first to enter Machu Picchu.

05:30 am – Bus from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu

A 25-minute ride up to the main entrance of the Inca citadel.

06:00 am – Guided tour of Machu Picchu

Explore one of the New 7 Wonders of the World with your guide. Learn about the history, architecture, and mysteries of this sacred Inca site.

Optional hikes (not included, must be booked in advance):

• Huayna Picchu (2,720 m / 8,924 ft) – ~2 hours round-trip

• Machu Picchu Mountain (3,082 m / 10,111 ft) – ~3 hours round-trip

10:00–11:00 am – Exit Machu Picchu

Take the bus back down to Aguas Calientes.

2:30 pm – Return train to Ollantaytambo

Board your Expedition or Voyager train (depending on availability and program).

4:30–5:00 pm – Arrival in Ollantaytambo

A van will be waiting for you at the station.

7:00–7:30 pm – Transfer back to Cusco

You’ll be dropped off at Regocijo square near the plaza de Armas. marking the end of an unforgettable journey.

🌟 Highlight of the Day:

Walking through the sacred stone city of Machu Picchu — after days of trekking through mountains, jungle, and Inca paths — is the ultimate reward. You’ll feel the magic, the mystery, and the energy of the Andes like never before.