Peruvian Andean Pilgrimage Trail: Trek the Inca Trail and arrive in the clouds Machu Picchu 9-day reference
① Follow the centuries-old Inca Trail (the non-classic “Inca Trail”) hike to Machu Picchu to uncover the hidden history of this lost city.
② Cross various landforms such as river valleys, snow-capped mountains, plateau meadows, etc., challenge the 4,650-meter pass, and enjoy a fresh lunch “from farm to table” in village farmhouses along the way.
③ Participate in the ancient Inca blessing ceremony, and pay tribute and pray to the mother earth “Pachamama”.
④ Visit Machu Picchu under the in-depth explanation of archaeologists, and you can choose to climb to the summit of Huana Picchu to overlook this mountain temple from the perspective of God.
⑤ Stay in 4 mountain characteristic hotels equipped with internet, experience open-air hot bath surrounded by snow-capped mountains, and enjoy the ultimate wild fun and comfort.
⑥ Equipped with a team of professional guides and diligent carriers, we can safely and worry-free solve traffic and luggage problems during hiking, allowing you to Immerse yourself in the magnificent scenery.
Itinerary
Fly to Cusco, the ancient Inca capital at an altitude of 3,500 meters, and pick up by special car. Today, it is mainly adapted to high altitude, supplemented by relaxed exploration of ancient cities. Cusco preserves the ancient architectural texture, and locals dressed in traditional costumes or vendors with alpacas can be seen everywhere. Accompanied by the guide, we will walk into the local food market to taste special snacks, stroll between colonial mansions and churches, and feel the blending of old and new civilizations.
Dining: Please take care of yourself
Accommodation: Select design hotels
Hike to the tranquil mountain village of Molepata, visiting the Quilarumi Inca ruins en route. Enjoy an authentic “farm-to-table” lunch at noon at a mountain village farmhouse. In the afternoon, combine a bus ride with hiking, follow the winding valley trail to Chalakancha, stay at an alpine hotel at an altitude of 3,900 meters, and stay here for two consecutive nights.
◎ Hike duration: about 3 hours | Difficulty: Easy
Dining: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
It takes about 1.5 hours to climb over a mountain pass, enjoy the turquoise glacial lake and the glacier hanging between the mountains at the top of the mountain, and enjoy a picnic here. Then, under the guidance of a guide, participate in an ancient and sacred Inca blessing ceremony, and pray for peace and abundance to Pachamama (Mother Earth). After returning to the hotel for lunch, you can enjoy the open-air hot tub facing the snow-capped mountains and wait for the magnificent sunset of Salkantay Peak.
◎ Hiking duration: approximately 4 hours | Difficulty: low to medium
Dining: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 4 Challenge the limit: cross the highest pass of 4,650 meters
Along the mountain road over Humanti Peak, the landform gradually transforms into an open plateau meadow, and then challenges the highest point of the trip-the pass at an altitude of 4,650 meters. Down the mountain through the canyon and enjoy a picnic on the way. After lunch, continue to hike through ancient villages that have existed since the Inca period to arrive at tonight’s hotel.
◎ Hiking duration: approximately 6 hours | Difficulty: Medium
Dining: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Select mountain hotels (3,900 meters above sea level)
Hiking through the cloud-shrouded forest on both sides of the Salkantay River, butterflies and orchids are accompanied from time to time in the early morning fog. Along the way, you have the opportunity to meet the aborigines in the mountains, passing their stone houses and walls.
At noon, arrive at the mountain hotel at an altitude of 2,870 meters, and taste an authentic lunch made by traditional underground hot stone cooking method. In the afternoon, relax completely in the open-air hot tub surrounded by green hills.
◎ Hiking duration: approximately 6 hours | Difficulty: Medium
Dining: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Select mountain hotels (2,870 meters above sea level)
Take a stroll along the Santa Teresa River Valley Trail and enjoy a picnic by the gurgling stream at noon. After continuing the hike for about 1 hour, transfer to the bus to the hotel at an altitude of 2140 meters. On the way, you will visit an organic coffee bean plantation and learn the story of Peruvian coffee.
◎ Hiking duration: approximately 6 hours | Difficulty: Medium
Dining: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Select mountain hotels (2140 meters above sea level)
Day 7 Final Chapter: Ancient Road, Fortress and Train Arrival in Hot Water Town
Climb along the last Inca Trail for about 3 hours, cross the cloud forest, and reach the Lakatapata Pass at an altitude of 2,800 meters, where you overlook the defensive fortress of the Inca period and enjoy a farewell picnic at the top of the mountain. In the afternoon, follow the zigzag path downhill to the Urubamba River, passing through dense bamboo forests, orchards and coffee gardens. Finally, catch the landscape train to the town of hot water (Aguascalientes) at the foot of Machu Picchu.
◎ Hiking duration: about 5 hours | Difficulty: Medium
Dining: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Inkaterra Pueblo Hotel or equivalent
Day 8 Pilgrimage to the Peak: Machu Picchu Decryption and Warner Picchu Overlook
Accompanied by archaeologists, visit Machu Picchu in depth. The guide will share all kinds of mysteries about this “lost Inca city”: the purpose of construction, the discovery process, how it was built without modern tools, and unanswered historical questions.
Then, you can choose to challenge to the summit of Warner Picchu (additional tickets are required and places are limited). Standing at the ruins of the ancient temple at the top of the mountain, you will get a shocking perspective overlooking the whole picture of Machu Picchu and Urubamba Valley. After lunch at Hot Water Town, drive back to Cusco.
Dining: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Select design hotels
After breakfast, a special bus will be transported to Cusco Airport to end this unforgettable Andean walking pilgrimage. If you have enough time, you can seamlessly connect with other destinations in Peru (such as Lake Titicaca, Amazon Rainforest) or other countries in South America. Please consult separately for details.
Dining: Breakfast
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