Day 1: Cusco - Mollepata - Marcoccasa - Soray Pampa
We will leave the city of Cusco at 5:30 am by private transport to reach Marcoccasa (3400m), through the village of Mollepata (3000m) where we will have breakfast. There, we will join the muleteers, then we will start hiking in a beautiful valley surrounded by impressive snow-capped mountains, like the Nevado Humantay (5217m) and the peak of Salkantay (6264m).
We will cross several valleys, and on the way to our first camp, your guide will tell you everything about the Inca civilization, its history and the customs and anecdotes of local people today.
In Soray Pampa (3900m), the cook will wait for you with hot drinks and aperitifs to wait until dinner. This first night is quite cool being at 3900 m altitude - good bag of beds strongly recommended (commendable to the agency).
Time of transport: 3h30
Time of walking: 6 to 7 hours
Climate: mild during the day and cold during the night
Elevation: Cusco (3400 m) - Mollepata (2800 m) - Marcoccasa (3400 m) - Soray Pampa (3900 m)
On the way to Soray Pampa, we will make a detour to the lake of Humantay to discover the magnificent sight on the lake and the snowy peak of Humantay (ascent from Soraypampa at 3900m to Humantay at 4220m). Hiking time 2 hours.
However, if you are tired, do not hesitate to talk to your guide. The goal is to take full advantage of each step, without being exhausted.
Day 2: Soray Pampa - Inka Chiriaska Pass - Sisay Pampa
After breakfast at dawn, we will climb the highest point of the trek: Inka Chiriaska Pass (5000m) where you can admire majestic glaciers. Once at the top, we will begin the descent to the next camp called Sisay Pampa (3700m).
Time of walking : 8 to 9 hours
Climate : cold during day and night.
Elevation : Soray Pampa (3900 m) - Inka Chiriaska Pass (5000 m) - Sisay Pampa (3700 m)
Difficulty level : difficult, experiences hiker
Day 3: Sisay Pampa – Inca trail - Wayllabamba
Admiring a sunrise at the foot of the mountains is priceless. Many small streams melt into the depths of the Sacred Valley of the Incas that we will take; the Inca Trail is well preserved thanks to the restoration and care given by the authorities to the archaeological remains. Wayllabamba (3000m) will mark the place of our bivouac and also the starting point of the Inca Trail for the next day.
Time of walking : 5 hours.
Climate : relatively hot and cold during the nights
Elevation : Sisay Pampa (3700 m) - Wayllabamba (3000 m)
Day 4: Wayllabamba - Warmiwañusca - Pacaymayu
Our tour will start early this morning. The trek will lead us to the valleys of Yuncachimpa (3300m) and Lulluchapampa (3850m) and finally to Warmiwañusca Pass (4200m), which offers a magnificent view of the Verónica. After a short break on the summit, we continue the descent to the camp site Pacaymayu (3500m).
Time of walking : 7 hours
Climate : cold
Elevation : Wayllabamba (3000 m) - Warmiwañusca (4200 m) - Pacaymayu (3500 m)
Day 5: Pacaymayu - Runkurakay pass - Wiñayhuayna
After a delicious breakfast, we will leave for the most impressive trek of the stay. We will first visit the archaeological site of Runkurakay (3050m). We continue the trek to the pass with an altitude of 3950m, before the descent to the ruins Sayacmarca (3600m), a tangle of ancient streets, remains of houses, terraces, fountains, etc.
We will pass an Inca tunnel, and we will walk through a forest, before reaching the last pass at 3700m. The next stop is the ruins of Phuyupatamarca ("City above the clouds") with its circular walls and its ingenious system of aqueducts. We will enjoy a magnificent view of the peaks and the valley of Urubamba. The ruins of Wiñayhuayna (2700m) appear in the heart of the forest. These remains are separated in two by a grand staircase leading to the place of ceremonies.
We will spend the night there.
Time of walking : 7 hours.
Climate : cold temperate and warm with mosquitoes.
Elevation : Pacaymayu (3500 m) - Col de Runkurakay (3950 m) - Wiñayhuayna (2700 m)
Day 6: Wiñayhuayna - Machu Picchu - Cusco
Start at dawn with the flashlight, to the Gate of the Sun (Inti Punku) located at 2700 meters from where you will have breakfast. From here you will have a panoramic view of Machu Picchu and Wayna Picchu. At 8:00, we will visit the city of Machu Picchu and we will enjoy a guided tour of 2 hours where you will know everything about this mysterious citadel and its civilization. Then you will have free time to explore the site and contemplate the beauty of the landscape.
We will go down to Aguas calientes by tourist shuttle and you will then have a turn to the thermal baths and to restore you.
Time of walking : 2 hours
Climate : hot with mosquitos
Elevation : Wiñayhuayna (2700 m) - Machu Picchu (2400 m) - Cusco (3400 m)