Sacred Steps to Machu Picchu Holiday

We’ll be woken up by an indescribable sunrise as the sun peeks out between the mountains and this beautiful view will accompany us while we tuck into a delicious breakfast. The next part of the trail is one of the most scenic of the entire trek since it’s all framed by the Rainbow Mountain and other, snow-capped peaks. This part leads us up to the next summit at an elevation of 4,925 mt (16,158 ft). Following lunch, we’ll continue trekking downhill through more astounding landscapes on either side, including views of the Humantay Glacier.

The path we’re following belongs to the vast network of Inca paths known as Qhapac Ñan in Quechua, of which the actual Inka Trail is only a small part. It will lead us to the Ancascocha Lagoon (4,354 mt / 14,284 ft), the highland lagoon the trek is named after. Our campsite is located in a truly stunning location in a beautiful valley looking down on Ancascocha Lagoon.

Hiking Time: 7-8 hours.

Hiking Distance: 12 km / 7.46 Mi.

Lowest Altitude: (4,354 mt / 14,284 ft)

Highest Altitude: (4,925 mt / 16,158 ft)

We’ll wake you up with a warm cup of tea or coffee, followed by breakfast with the deep-blue Ancascocha Lagoon as a backdrop. Now it’s time for what is likely the spiritual highlight of the trek: we’ll descend to the lagoon itself to participate in a ceremony with the sacred water from the glacier. After this deep moment of connection to the lagoon, we’ll continue to descend the Ancascocha Valley, probably meeting local inhabitants and their herds of alpacas on the way. The next part of the hike takes us through a spellbinding cloud forest dotted with delicate orchids and other flowers and vegetation until reaching the Ancascocha River, which we’ll cross to reach the village of Camicancha. This is where we’ll have our last lunch in the mountains and say goodbye to the full hiking team. A private van will pick us up to transfer us to the village of Ollantaytambo, a very quaint town in the Sacred Valley where we’ll catch the train to Aguas Calientes.

Upon arrival in Aguas Calientes, we’ll take you to your comfortable room, where you can enjoy a hot shower and relax until dinner. Alternately, and if you still have energy, you can explore the small town or head to the hot springs to relax your red muscles. We’ll meet for dinner in a top-quality restaurant and chat about tomorrow before heading to our rooms early to get some rest. We’ll need to be up bright and early in the morning to explore Machu Picchu.

Hiking Time: 5-6 hours

Hiking Distance: 10 km / 5.46 miles

Lowest Altitude: (2,100 mt / 6889 ft)

Highest Altitude: (4,325 mt / 14,189 ft)

After tucking into an early but hearty breakfast at your hotel, we’ll jump on the bus up to the impressive Inca citadel, a journey that takes about 25 minutes. We should be at the site by 6 am to start our 3-hour guided tour accompanied by the crisp early morning sun, an excellent time to set off because the big crowds will come a few hours later. The guide will take you through and tell you everything there is to know about the different parts of this important Inca citadel, including the housing quarters, the astrological observatory with its renowned sundial, the Temple of the Condors, the cemeteries, and the quarry. If you have reserved the Huayna Picchu Mountain or Machu Picchu Mountain ticket, you can go up there at around 9 am. It’s a fascinating and challenging hike, not for the faint of heart.

After our tour finishes and you’ve given thanks for this amazing place, we’ll take the bus back down to Aguas Calientes to have lunch. In the afternoon, you will get back on the bus and head to Aguas Calientes town. You will then board the train back to Ollantaytambo, where a private van will be waiting for your ride back to Cusco, arriving between 6-8 pm.