Customizable private tour with flexible start date
Overview
Begin your day bright and early at 7:00 a.m. with a private transport waiting to whisk you away from Cusco to the starting point of your trek. As you hike uphill, immerse yourself in the breathtaking mountain scenery, where llamas and alpacas roam freely, and the serene Piuray Lake glistens in the distance. The trek culminates at a stunning mountain pass, soaring to 4,500 meters (14,760 feet).
Prices & Inclusions
All itineraries are subject to change due to seasonal weather conditions (and resultant variations in river and tributary water levels) affecting accessibility to locations. Thus navigation routes, times and excursions may need to be modified at the cruise captain’s or your guide’s discretion.
Costs (per person, based on double occupancy)
- Starting at:
- $850
Add ons and extras:
- Huayna Picchu Mountain: $65 USD.
- Machu Picchu Mountain: $65 USD.
- Vistadome Observatory: $80 USD one way – 150 USD Round Trip.
- Walking Poles: $15 USD per pair.
- Sleeping Bag: $20 USD.
- Vistadome Train: $60 USD. Only return.
- Hotel upgrade to 4* or 5*: Ask for costs at the booking time.
Included:
- Tour Guide: English Spanish and Quechua speaking guide.
- 1 night hotel in Aguas Calientes.
- Machu Picchu ticket with circuit 2.
- Private van from your hotel in Cusco to the trail head.
- Private van from Ollantaytambo to Cusco after the trip.
- Train Tickets: from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo and viceversa. (Expedition Train Service).
- Round trip bus ticket from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu.
- Professional cook- specialized in hiking routes.
- Wake up tea It can be Coca tea, Coffee, chocolate, or any type of tea (only at the campsite).
- Horses to carry all of our trekking gear.
- We carry 7 kilograms of your personal belongings.
- Large duffel bag provided by the company, for your 7 kg personal belongings.
- Clean and safe water, provided every half day, you need your own water for the 1st morning. (Only during the hike)
- Tea hour with pop corn, tea, biscuits and more.
- Snacks every morning.
- Large Dining tent table, stools, all cutlery, and kitchen tent.
- Four-person tents are provided for 2 people to provide you with plenty of space for personal gear.
- Meals: 2 Breakfasts, 2 lunches, and 2 dinners.
- Vegetarian, vegan, pescatarian options available.
- Air Mattress.
- First aid kit.
- Oxygen tank for emergencies.
- Hygiene ProductWe will provide you with a bowl a wáter and hand-towel to clean your hands at every campsite.
Not Included:
- Meals not mentioned on the itinerary.
- Gratuities for Pumadventures team (Guides, Drivers, Cook, porters).
- Souvenirs.
- International or domestic airfare.
- Extra water.
- Original passport (it is compulsory to enter the Inca trail and Machu Picchu)
- Good daypack (the smaller, the better)
- Small backpack for the hike
- Headlamp: essential
- Toilet paper
- Thermal clothing: jackets, pants, hats, and gloves that are waterproof
- Clothes made with materials like linen or cotton which will allow air to circulate better than synthetic fabrics
- Water storage: 2-3L (water bottles must be reusable, not disposable)
- Quickdry towel. We provide small ones, you might prefer something larger (for the Aguas Calientes hot springs – Optional )
- Hiking boots that cover your ankles
- Wide-brimmed hats and long-sleeved shirts for sun protection
- Waterproof jacket or poncho for the rainy season
- A fleece or jacket Warm jacket for the cold nights
- tInsect repellent (15% – 30% deeds)
- Sunscreen
- Snacks like chocolate bars, cereal bars or any dry fruit
- Wool hat if cold season
- Any necessary personal medications
- Cameras, chargers, extra cables, power-bank
- Extra money for souvenirs, drinks & tips
- Swimsuit for the hot springs in Aguas Calientes (optional)
Itinerary
Day 1 : Cusco → Tambomachay → Pumamarca
Towards Huchuy Qosqo
Early morning pick up from hotel at 7.30 am and drive to Tambomachay (3800 m.), an archaeological complex situated in the Sacsayhuaman Archaeological Park. Tambomachay is comprised of a series of ceremonial water fountains, which are thought to have been dedicated to a water cult. The day’s hike will start at this point, and will continue through puna landscapes and over the Sicllaccasa pass at 4020m/13186ft. Down the other side, we hike along a path that leads to the Ccauca ravine, where we encounter archaeological remains and wild crops, such as tarwi, and a large quantity of cacti. We continue on to the Queullococha pass at 4185m/13727ft, where we may enjoy views of the lake with the same name.
Surrounding the area in spectacular views stand the Veronica, Pitusiray, Chicon and San Juan snow peaks. Continuing the path, we walk past the Queullococha Lake, where we may see huallatas, ducks and small fish, to then climb towards the Challu Challu pass at 4220m/13842ft. From this point, we observe the Chinchero plains and the Piuray and Qoricocha lagoons. We then ascend towards the fourth pass at Rumicruz at 4230m/13874ft and enjoy a panoramic view of the Qoricocha and the Vilcanota snowcapped range. Here we rest and eat lunch. We then make our way to the Inca rock quarry at 4220m/13842ft, which was the place from where the rocks were extracted to build Huchuy Qosqo. Finally, we descend towards the Pucamarka community at 4010m/13153ft, where we arrive in the late afternoon. Here we dine and camp through the night.
- Difficulty: Moderate.
- Meals: Lunch and Dinner (snacks and afternoon tea time).
- Overnight: Camping.
Day 2: Huchuy Qosqo → Ollantaytambo → Aguas Calientes.
Enjoying The Hike – Towards Machupicchu
We leave camp at around 8.00 am, and walk downhill towards the Leon Punku ravine, where we find remains of an Inca bridge and trail. This canyon boasts geological formations surrounded by majestic rocks and boulders that direct the river to Huchuy Qosqo at 3600m/11808ft, where we arrive by mid-morning.
Huchuy Qosqo is an Inca archaeological complex with imposing architecture that includes a large open ceremonial center, from which we enjoy a panoramic view of the Sacred Valley, the Vilcanota River, and the snowcapped mountain range of the same name. While in the complex, we receive a guided tour until lunchtime, after which we continue our way to Lamay at 3000m/9840ft. Lamay is a town dedicated to agriculture and cattle raising. In the afternoon we head down in to the Sacred Valley to the village of Lamay where we take a bus to Ollantaytambo and then a train to Aguas Calientes.
- Difficulty: Moderate.
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner (snacks and afternoon tea time).
- Overnight in Aguas Calientes: 3*, 4* or 5* accommodation
Day 3: Aguas Calientes → Machupicchu → Aguas Calientes
Machu Picchu – The Cristal Condor
Waking up early we’ll take the first bus back up to Machu Picchu to enter the site as it opens. We’ll have a 2 hour guided tour of the site during which you’ll learn about the Incas and visit all the most important areas of the citadel. After your tour you’ll have free time to explore the site by yourself and if you have permits to climb either Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain. In the afternoon you will take the train back to Ollantaytambo from where you will carry on by bus back to Cusco.
Important Notes:
- Entrance to Machu Picchu is scheduled for Circuit 2 at 6:00 AM (or the closest available time).
- You can climb Huayna Picchu Mountain at 10:00 AM or 07:00 AM.
- Please check availability of Machu Picchu and Huayna Picchu with us before confirming your booking.
