Hiking to Machu Picchu

Hiking to Machu Picchu 

It´s 3 Most Famous Alternatives

     

Machu Picchu is the most popular place in South America peaking at 5,000 people traveling to see this amazing site daily. With all those people, it´s hard to make your trip as unique as possible. 

At Valencia Travel Cusco, we offer 6 treks that allow you a unique experience unlike the norm to the magnificent Machu Picchu but let´s talk about the 3 most popular Inca Trail, the Lares Trek and the Salkantay trek. 

Inca Trail Trek

Inca Trail is so famous not only because it leads you to Machu Picchu but

1. There is only a limited of individuals who can participate inside this trek daily. 
2. It is protected so you can see all the natural wildlife, an array of wild orchids in full bloom and many more untouched gems.
3. The Trail leads you directly to the Sun Gate which overlooks Machu Picchu. 

And last you get to see the ruins leading to Machu Picchu that travelers on different routes do not get to experience. The Inca Trail Trek is, by far, one of the best hikes you will ever take.
4 Day Trek
5 Day Trek

Short 2 Day Trek

Lares Trek

Inca Trail is obviously talked about a lot but what deserves more recognition is the beautiful Lares Trek. This trek is not a "runner-up" or in any competition to be the best. This beautiful trek is surrounded
by stunning mountains, lakes, and valleys. And it starts in a small city inside the Sacred Valley.  Just by looking at the picture you can tell this trek is nothing like the Inca Trail and anyone who has experienced this hike loves that it´s not.
This is the trek I would recommend :)

4 Day Lares Trek

Salkantay Trek 

National Geographic Adventure Magazine rated the Salkantay Trek as one of the Best Treks in the World. The most impressive is the snow peak Salkantay.  If you have missed to sign up on time for the Inca Trail, the Salkantay Trek 5 days 4 nights, is your best option to get to Machu Picchu. There are also excellent hot springs at the end of your trek. Note: The Salkantay Trek in private service, is addressed to small groups since there is personalized attention so you can really get an insight into the local Andean communities and way of life.

This trek is perfect for slow, peace seeking individuals that loves mountains.

5 Day Salkantay Trek

As each trek will deliver its different essence of the Inca Culture, whichever trek you choose will deliver it`s amazing once in a lifetime experience. And if we were to recommend something, it would be to take the chance to plan out how you can witness not one but two of these unforgettable journeys.

 

Please tell us your experience below which trek did you choose and what was your favorite part?

13 Day Inca Trail, Machu Picchu and Galapagos Tour

This tour is fit for a king, queen or the pampered adventurer.  The Inca trail to Machu Picchu is one of the most famous and incredible trekking routes in the world. You'll also get to go to Quito,the Antisana Natural Reserve, the Avenue of the Volcanoes, Riobambo, the Devil's Nose railway, Cuenca,Guayaquil and the Galapagos Islands!  

 13 DAY INCA TRAIL, MACHU PICCHU AND GALAPAGOS TOUR LINK

ITINERARY

DAY 1 - ARRIVE TO THE IMPERIAL CITY OF THE INCAS: CUSCO

Upon arrival to Cusco, a Valencia Travel Cusco representative will be waiting to pick you up and transport you to your hotel. You will have the day to relax and enjoy what Cusco has to offer! 

You will have the option of taking a free walking tour. Places visited will be the following:  

• Regocijo Plaza
• Main Square or Plaza De Armas
• Plaza Nazarenas
• San Blas town
• The stone of 12 angles
• San Pedro market

This tour will last about 2 hours. 

Another option is the CUSCO CITY TOUR. Places visited will be the following: 

• The Main Cathedral - Religious art
• Qoricancha -Temple of the Sun
• Sacsayhuaman - Stones that weight up to 120 tons
• Q'enqo - Dedicated to the Earth
• Puca Pucara - Ancient military control center
• Tambomachay -Temple of the Water

This tour will end at about 6 pm. If you would like to pick this option, you must book in advance to secure your spot. 

DAY 2 - OPEN DAY AT LEISURE

Today, you will have an open day to explore Cusco at your leisure. There is also the option to take the full day SACRED VALLEY TOUR. 

Places we will visit are:   

• Pisac - Famous for its indigenous market held every Sunday
• Urubamba - We will have lunch here
• Ollantaytambo - The oldest occupied town in South America
• Chinchero - Also famous for its markets 

Towards the end of our tour, we will return to the Plaza de Armas. The rest of the night is free at your leisure. 

DAY 3 - THE INCA TRAIL TO MACHU PICCHU ADVENTURE BEGINS

We'll start our day  by picking you up and traveling by bus towards Piskacucho, also known as kilometer 82. This is where our adventure will begin. We will make a breakfast stop in Ollantaytambo - this meal is not included. Upon arriving at kilometer 82,we will have some free time. It will be necessary to show your entrance tickets, passports, and student card at the trail's first control point. We cross the Vilcanota River at the start of the trail and follow it to the right. The first day is relatively easy and we'll have views of the Incan fortress Huillca Raccay, the Incan site of Llactapata, also called Patallacta. We will get to see how the Urubamba mountain range divided the jungle, the Andes and the beautiful snow capped peak of W'akay Willca, known in books as Veronica. We will keep going until reaching our first campsite of Ayapata, which is located an hour and a half up the small village of Wayllabamba.  

DAY 4 - THE INCA TRAIL TRIAL, WE GO OVER 2 PASSES

We start our day with a steep ascent towards the highest pass (Abra de Warrmihuañusca or Dead Woman's Pass). On this day, a real sense of achievement if felt upon reaching the top. We will continue on descending towards our lunch stop, which is located at Pacaymayu.  Along the way, we will get to see a variety of birds including hummingbirds. We will also get to admire the variety of native plants and trees including the polylepis or Q'ueuña trees. 

After lunch, begins our second two hour steep climb towards Runkuraqay pass. We will arrive at our campsite by 5 pm.

DAY 5 - BEAUTIFUL SCENERY

We begin our day with a gentle climb towards the archaeological site of Phuyupatamarca (meaning town in the clouds). This is the third highest point along the trail! The view of the mountains, canyons and surrounding areas are spectacular!  We will continue walking through the cloud forest until we reach the Incan site of Intipata. We will arrive at our third campsite of Wiñay Wayna (meaning forever young).  A short distance from our campsite are Incan ruins of the same name.  

DAY 6 - MACHU PICCHU IN ITS GLORY

Today, we will get an early start in order to get to Inti Punku or the Sun Gate before sunrise.  This will be where you will get your first dramatic view of Machu Picchu with the sun above it. We will continue along the trail to a spot where you can take the classic picture postcard shot. Finally, we visit Machu Picchu itself!  Your guide will give you a 2 hour tour of the site and after this, you can explore the citadel by yourselves.  You will meet your guide in Aguas Calientes for lunch and be given your train tickets back to Cusco. The train will take you to Ollantaytambo and from there, you'll take a bus back to Cusco.

DAY 7 - CUSCO TO QUITO, ECUADOR

Today, we'll take you to the airport so you can catch your flight to Quito, Ecuador. Once in Quito, you will be picked up and welcomed. Quito is considered the biggest, best preserved colonial city in South America. It is considered the Cultural capital of South America and the second most important city of the Incan Empire. Depending on your arrival time, you can spend the day exploring Quito and its surrounding areas.   

ECUADOR PURE LIFE can help organize your day with exciting tours:

• Quito city tour including a visit to the equator line
• Mindo cloud forest - Cotopaxi National Park
• Quilotoa Crater Lake - Otavalo Native Market
• Papallacta hot springs and more! 

Towards the evening, a trip leader will organize a welcome meeting to talk about the Galapagos trip.  The night is yours to explore!

DAY 8 - FLIGHT TO GALAPAGOS AND ISABELA EXPLORATION

Today, we explore the most amazing archipelago in the Pacific coast and the place where Charles Darwin based his theory of evolution of species. We start off by boarding a flight from Quito to the Island of Baltra. Once there, we head towards the town of Puerto Ayora, the biggest town in the Galapagos. We will take a fast boat to Isabela, the largest island in the Galapagos and where the most volcanic activity is reported. The island is formed by 6 shield volcanoes: Alcedo, Cerra Azul, Darwin, Ecuador, Sierra Negra, and Wolf. Five of them are still active making this island one of the most volcanically active places on earth.  

DAY 9 - SIERRA NEGRA AND TINTORESTAS

After driving up from Puerto Villamil towards the trail head. We prepare to hike into a young dry forest ecosystem. Our destination is the rim of the Sierra Negra Crater, an active volcano which erupted last in October 2005. Upon arrival, we will explore the circumference of the massive, lava filled crater.  If we can, we will also hike to Vulcan Chico, a secondary crater that has a wild landscape of puffing fumaroles and colorful lava formations. In the afternoon, we will visit the Tintoreras Islet on a shared tour that is located a short distance from Puerto Villamil. This is home to a variety of wildlife including: white tipped reef sharks, Galapagos penguins, sea turtles and sea lions. One of its beaches is home to marine iguanas.

DAY 10 - LAVA TUNNELS AND SNORKELING

Today, we will explore the amazing formations of lava created by previous eruptions. It is a labyrinth of lava arches inside breakers full of sea turtles, eagle rays, sea lions, fish, white tipped reef sharks and more. The turtles navigate their own highway from the mangroves to the open sea through Los Tuneles. We will have the opportunity to snorkel with all these beautiful animals including the Galapagos penguins.

DAY 11 - SANTA CRUZ : CHARLES DARWIN RESEARCH STATION VISIT

In the morning, we embark a fast boat from Isabela to Santa Cruz Islands. While crossing the islands, we will be on the lookout for dolphins and whales (July through October). Once on the island, we will check into our hotel. We will have time to visit the Charles Darwin Research Station to learn about the many endemic species we met during our adventure. We will also learn about the ongoing conservation and management efforts on the Islands.

Afterwards, we will go on a walk through dry forest towards Tortuga Bay (named due to the black turtles that nest there). There is vegetation along the bottom of the transition zone from the dry to coastal zones. Along the sand dunes, grow nolana galapagensis or Nolana, an endemic plant that helps stabilize the sandy area. 

DAY 12 - TRANSFER TO BALTRA AIRPORT AND FLY BACK TO QUITO

Today, will be our last day in the Galapagos. You will be transferred to Baltra's airport to catch your flight back to Quito. 

DAY 13 - QUITO TO USA

Today, you will take your connection flight from Quito to the USA.

About 500 people walk the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu daily

July 15, 2015

Hillary Ojeda

  The requires physical strength, special equipment and lots of extra hands.

The Inca Trail to Machu Picchu.

  

The Inca Trail is the biggest tourist attraction in South America, and its number of visitors continues to rise.

A total of approximately 500 people trek through the Inca Trail on a daily basis toward Machu Picchu, reports Andina news agency.

The National Service of Natural Protected Areas (Sernanp) calculates that about 200 foreign tourists make the trek and the remaining are baggage carriers.

“These people carry food, tents and relief supplies. They do not reach the citadel and therefore tourists have to continue on their own on the last day of the journey,” head of Sernanp, Pedro Gamboa, told Andina.

Gamboa added that there is a surprising range of age groups that decide to take on the arduous trail. It requires physical strength and endurance for 4 days through the Urubamba Valley.

“You have to pass through two defiles (narrow passages between mountains). It seems that the Incas were quite tall because steps are huge,” he pointed out.

To adjust to the rising number of tourists, Sernanp and Cusco’s Decentralized Administration of Culture (DDCC) are in collaboration to potentially open two additional visiting areas said Gamboa.

The entrance fee per person into the Inca Citadel is US$ 50.

Link to article

8 Day Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu

This 8 day trek including airfare takes you through amazing landscapes near the skirts of Mount Salkantay while heading towards Machu Picchu.

 8 DAY SALKANTAY TREK LINK


ITINERARY

DAY 1-  FLY TO CUSCO

Board your overnight flight from Miami to Cusco. After your arrival, you will join your guide for a briefing regarding your trek.You will then go on a city tour of Cusco to enjoy the many sites this city has to offer.You will have the night to relax and explore at your leisure. Meals are not included on this day. 

CUSCO CITY TOUR  goes to the following places: 

• The main cathedral - Religious Art
• Qoricancha - Temple of the Sun
• Sacsayhuaman - Stones that weight up to 120 tons
• Q'enqo - Dedicated to the Earth
• Pucapucara - Used to be a military control center
• Tambomachay - Temple of the Water

The tour ends at around 6 pm and we will drop you off at your hotel. 

DAY 2 -  OPEN DAY

Today, you have an open day to explore the city at your leisure or you can take the optional full day Sacred Valley tour. 

SACRED VALLEY TOUR will go to the following places: 

• Pisac - known for its indigenous markets held every Sunday
• Urubamba - this is where we will have lunch
• Ollantaytambo- the oldest occupied town within the South American continent
• Chinchero - also known for its indigenous markets

Towards the end of the tour, we will return you to the main square in Cusco around 6:30 pm. The night is free to explore at your leisure. 

DAY 3 - THE ADVENTURE BEGINS

In the morning, we will pick you up and travel by bus to Mollepata. We continue with a 3 hour hike to Cruzpata, where we'll have lunch while admiring the beautiful snow capped mountains of Humantay and Salkantay. We keep going until we reach our first campsite of Soraypampa, which is the highest and coldest campsite of our trip. 

DAY 4 - MIGHTY SALKANTAY

After having breakfast, we begin our hike towards the highest pass on our trek, located between the two mountains of Salkantay and Tucarhuay. After resting, we continue walking downhill through the cloud forest towards Huayracpunku, also known as Huayracmachay. We will have lunch here and then continue our trek for 3 more hours until we reach our second campsite called Colcapampa. There is the possibility of reaching other campsites along the way including Challway. 

DAY 5 -  CLOUD FOREST

After having breakfast, we begin our trek through the upper jungle crossing the Lluskamayo River. We will pass through valleys and near amazing waterfalls while seeing a variety of tropical fruits and plants. We will set up our camp at a site called La Playa. After resting, we will take a soak in the soothing waters of the nearby hot springs.

DAY 6 - LLACTAPATA TO AGUAS CALIENTES

  Early in the morning, we will hike for three hours to reach Llactapata, which is an Incan fortress from which we can see Machu Picchu!  After taking photos and resting, we continue for two hours downhill passing many plantations the produce coca and bananas. For lunch, we will stop at the Hydroelectric dam. After lunch, we will walk for a couple of hours until reaching Aguas Calientes, where we will spend the night. There is the option to go to the hot springs.  Entrance is 10 soles. 

DAY 7 - MACHU PICCHU

After having breakfast, we will catch a bus to Machu Picchu in order to view the sun rising over the citadel. Your guide will then give a 2 hour tour of the site, after which, you will be able to explore this ancient citadel by yourselves. There is the option of hiking Wayna Picchu. You have to book this hike in advance. Let your booking agent know. In the afternoon, you will meet your guide in Aguas Calientes to have lunch and receive your return train tickets to Cusco. Please do arrive early in order to catch your train back to Cusco. The train stops in Ollantaytambo, you will have a bus waiting to return you to Cusco. 

DAY 8 - FLY TO LIMA

You will have the morning to enjoy Cusco before being transferred to the airport in the afternoon.  Once in the airport, you'll catch your flight to Lima. 

DAY 9 - DEPART FOR MIAMI

Today, you'll take your connection flight from Lima to Miami

9 Day Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu

This 9 day breathtaking trek includes airfare and takes you from the skirts of Mount Salkantay towards the ancient citadel of Machu Picchu!!  All while exploring the different landscapes the Andes has to offer.  

  9 DAY SALKANTAY TREK LINK

ITINERARY

DAY 1-  FLY TO CUSCO

Board your overnight flight from Miami to Cusco. After your arrival, you will join your guide for a briefing regarding your trek. You will then go on a city tour of Cusco to enjoy the many sites this city has to offer. You will have the night to relax and explore at your leisure. Meals are not included on this day. 

CUSCO CITY TOUR starting at 2 pm goes to the following places: 

• The Main Cathedral - Religious art
• Qoricancha - Temple of the Sun
• Sacsayhuaman - Stones weighting up to 120 tons
• Q'enqo - Dedicated to the Earth
• Pucapucara - Used to be a military control center
• Tambomachay - Temple of the Water

The tour ends at around 6 pm and we will drop you off at your hotel. 

DAY 2 -  OPEN DAY

 Today, you have an open day to explore the city at your leisure or you can take the optional full day Sacred Valley tour. 

SACRED VALLEY TOUR will go to the following places: 

• Pisac -Known for its indigenous markets held every Sunday
• Urubamba -This is where we will have lunch
• Ollantaytambo- The oldest occupied town in South America.
• Chinchero - Also known for its markets

Towards the end of the tour,we will return you to the main square in Cusco around 6:30 pm. The night is free to explore at your leisure. 

DAY 3 - THE ADVENTURE BEGINS

We begin our day by picking you up from your hotel and then traveling by bus to Mollepata.  Afterwards, we will hike for three hours towards Cruzpata, where we will have lunch surrounded by the beautiful mountains of Humantay and Salkantay. We'll continue towards Soraypampa, which is our first campsite. This is considered the highest and coldest campsite of our trek! 

DAY 4 - MIGHTY SALKANTAY

After breakfast, we begin our hike towards the highest pass located between two mountains, Salkantay and Tucarhuay. We will continue our hike downhill through the cloud forest towards Huayracpunku, also known as Huayracmachay. This is where we will have lunch. 
After lunch, we continue hiking for three hours towards the jungle. We will reach our second campsite called Colcapampa. There is the possibility of reaching other campsites along the way such as Challway.

DAY 5 - CLOUD FOREST

In the morning, we will begin our trek through the upper jungle crossing the Lluskamayo river. We will pass through valleys and nearby waterfalls while admiring a variety of tropical fruits and plants. After arriving at our campsite, La Playa, we will go and take a relaxing soak in the nearby hot springs. 

DAY 6 - LLACATAPATA TO AGUAS CALIENTES

Early in the morning, we will hike towards the Incan fortress of Llactapata for about three hours. Once there, we will be able to view Machu Picchu from here. After resting, we will continue for two hours downhill passing plantations that produce coca and bananas. We will have lunch at the Hydroelectric dam. After which, we will keep walking until reaching Aguas Calientes, where we will spend the night. There's the option of going to the hot springs. Cost is 10 soles. 

DAY 7 -  MACHU PICCHU IN ITS GLORY

After breakfast, your guide will pick you up from your hotel. Then, you will take the bus up to Machu Picchu to catch the sunrise. Your guide will give a two hour tour of the site after which,you will be able to explore the citadel by yourselves. You will meet your guide in Aguas Calientes to have lunch and be given your return train tickets to Cusco. Please be early at the train station in order to catch your train back to Cusco. The train will take you to Ollantaytambo and you'll take a bus back to Cusco. 

DAY 8 -  FLY TO LIMA

You will have the morning to enjoy Cusco before being transferred to the airport in the afternoon. Once in the airport, you'll catch your flight to Lima. 

DAY 9 - DEPART FOR MIAMI

Today, you'll take your connection flight from Lima to Miami

5 Day Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu

A great alternative to trekking the Inca Trail route. The Salkantay trek offers travelers the chance to see the Andean landscape from a different perspective all while heading towards Machu Picchu!  *There's the option to take a private or group trek - links below*

5 DAY SALKANTAY TREK LINK
5 DAY SALKANTAY TREK - GROUP LINK

ITINERARY

DAY 1 -  CUSCO TO MOLLEPATA TO SORAYPAMPA

In the morning, we will pick you up and travel by bus to Mollepata. We continue with a 3 hour hike to Cruzpata, where we'll have lunch while admiring the beautiful snow capped mountains of Humantay and Salkantay. We keep going until we reach out first campsite of Soraypampa, which is the highest and coldest campsite of our trip. 

DAY 2 - MIGHTY SALKANTAY

After having breakfast, we begin our hike towards the highest pass on our trek, located between the two mountains of Salkantay and Tucarhuay. After resting, we continue walking downhill through the cloud forest towards Huayracpunku, also known as Huayracmachay.  We will have lunch here and then continue our trek for 3 more hours until we reach our second campsite called Colcapampa. There is the possibility of reaching other campsites along the way including Challway. 

DAY 3 - CLOUD FOREST

After having breakfast, we begin our trek through the upper jungle crossing the Lluskamayo River. We will pass through valleys and near amazing waterfalls while seeing a variety of tropical fruits and plants. We will set up our camp at a site called La Playa. After resting, we will take a soak in the soothing waters of the nearby hot springs.

DAY 4 - LLACTAPATA TO PUENTE RUINAS

  Early in the morning, we will hike for three hours to reach Llactapata, which is an Incan fortress from where we can see Machu Picchu. After taking photos and resting, we continue for two hours downhill passing many plantations that produce coca and bananas. For lunch, we will stop at the Hydroelectric dam. After lunch, we will walk for a couple of hours until reaching Aguas Calientes, where we will spend the night. There is the option to go to the hot springs.  Entrance is 10 soles. 

DAY 5 -  MACHU PICCHU

After having breakfast, we will catch a bus to Machu Picchu in order to view the sun rising over the citadel. Your guide will then give a 2 hour tour of the site after which,you will be able to explore the ancient city by yourselves.There is the option of hiking Wayna Picchu. You have to book this hike in advance.  Let your booking agent know. In the afternoon, you will meet your guide in Aguas Calientes to have lunch and receive your return train tickets to Cusco. Please do early in order to catch your train back to Cusco. You can also request an extra night in Aguas Calientes as this option is popular. It gives travelers the chance to explore the surrounding areas including Machu Picchu! 

8 Day Inca Trail to Machu Picchu Trek

This 8 Day Inca Trail Trek offers everything a traveler could want including airfare. This is our longest Inca Trail trek we offer!   

 8 DAY INCA TRAIL LINK

ITINERARY


DAY 1 -  DEPART FROM MIAMI AND ARRIVE IN LIMA THEN FLY TO CUSCO

Overnight, you will board you flight from Miami to Lima and then taken the connection flight to Cusco. After arriving in Cusco, you will join you guide for a briefing about your trek. Then, you will be able to enjoy the sights of the Imperial city of the Incas. 

There is the option to take the CUSCO CITY TOUR. You can be picked up from your hotel at 2 pm to visit the following places:

• Koricancha - Temple of the Sun
• The main cathedral - Home to religious relics and art
• Sacsayhuaman -  Built with stones weighting up to 120 tons
• Q'enqo - A center dedicated to the Earth.
• Puca pucara- An ancient military center
• Tambomachay- Temple of the Water

This tour is end around 6:30 pm , you will be dropped off at your hotel.

DAY 2 -  OPEN DAY AT LEISURE

You can enjoy Cusco at your leisure today or there is the optional full day SACRED VALLEY TOUR.  It starts after breakfast, by picking you up from your hotel at 8:15 am.  

We will travel towards the Urubamba valley to visit the following places:  

• Pisac- Famous for its indigenous market held every Sunday
• Urubamba - We will have lunch here 
• Ollantaytambo - The oldest town still occupied til this day
• Chinchero - Also famous for its markets

Towards the end of this tour, we will return back to Cusco at 6:30 pm. 

NOTE: Tonight, we will have a briefing with the Inca Trail guide at the hotel at 7 pm.

DAY 3 - THE INCA TRAIL TO MACHU PICCHU ADVENTURE BEGINS

We begin our day by picking you up from your hotel and travel by bus towards Piskacucho, also called kilometer 82, this is where our journey begins.  We will go to Ollantaytambo and have breakfast there, this meal is not included. Upon arrival at kilometer 82, we will have some free time.  It will be necessary to show your entrance tickets, passports and student card at the trail's first point. The start of our journey begins with crossing the Vilcanota River and following its route to the right.  The first day is relatively easy and we'll have views of the Incan sites of Huillca Raccay,and Llactapata, also known as Patallacta. We will get to see how the Urubamba mountain range divides the jungle, the Andes and the beautiful snow capped peak of W'akay Willca, known in books as Veronica. Our first campsite called Ayapata is located an hour and half up the small village of Wayllabamba.

DAY 4 -  THE TRAIL TRIAL, WE GO OVER 2 PASSES

After having breakfast, we will start a steep ascent to wards the highest pass (Abra de Warrmihuañusca or Dead Woman's Pass).  On this day, a real sense of achievement of felt upon reaching the top. After resting, we continue descending towards our lunch stop which is located in Pacaymayu. Along the way, we will get the chance to see a variety of birds including hummingbirds. We will also get to admire the variety of native plants and trees including the polylepis or Q'ueuña trees. After lunch,we start our second two hour steep climb towards Runkuraqay pass. We arrive at our campsite by 5 pm.

DAY 5 -  BEAUTIFUL SCENERY

After having breakfast, we will start our day with a gentle climb heading towards the archaeological site of Phuyupatamarca (meaning town in the clouds). We will also reach the third highest point along the trail and view the spectacular surrounding areas including mountains and canyons. Then, we will continue walking through the cloud forest towards the Incan site of Intipata. We will then arrive to our third campsite called Wiñay Wayna (meaning forever young).  A short distance from our campsite is the Incan site of the same name. 

DAY 6 - MACHU PICCHU IN ITS GLORY

On our final day, we will head towards the Sun gate or Inti Punku to catch the sunrise. This will be the place where you will have your first dramatic view of Machu Picchu with the sun above it. Afterwards, we will keep walking along the trail to a spot where you'll be able to take the classic picture postcard shot.  Finally, we will visit Machu Picchu itself! Your guide will give you a two hour tour of the site, after which, you will be able to explore this ancient citadel by yourselves. You will meet your guide in Aguas Calientes for lunch and be given your return train tickets to Cusco.The train included goes to Ollantaytambo and then you will take a bus back to Cusco. Your train will leave Aguas Calientes in the afternoon so you'll need to be at the station 30 minutes early. Once in Cusco, a Valencia Travel Cusco representative will take you to your hotel for the night.  

DAY 7 -  FLY BACK TO LIMA 

In the morning, you will have a full day at your leisure in Cusco. In the afternoon, you'll be transferred to the airport for your departure flight back to Lima. 

DAY 8 -  DEPART FROM LIMA TO MIAMI

Today, you will take your connection flight from Lima to Miami!