Day 1: Cusco - Socma - Perolniyoc - Rayan-Niyoc Pass - Campsite
After hotel pickup from Cusco at 6am, you will drive to the town of Rafca (2800m). Then, you'll continue to the village of Socma (3000m), which is the starting point of the trek. Begin a 2-hour trek to reach the Inca site of Perolniyoc where you'll have lunch and visit the beautiful waterfall and the archaeological ruins. Then, hike for 30 more minutes reaching Rayan-Niyoc (3,600m). Continue up the valley making your way to the first pass on the trek, located at 4,400 meters above sea level. This area is still cultivated by the local people despite the high altitudes. After walking for 4 hours, reach the pass and take in the panorama. After a 20-minute descent, you'll reach the first campsite, where you'll sleep.
Day 2: Campsite - 2nd Pass - Inti Punku - Choquetacarpo - Inca quarry of Cachicata - Ollantaytambo - Aguas Calientes
Enjoy a tasty breakfast and start the trek. You will walk for 1.5 hours across the high plateau to reach the second (and highest) pass of the trek, located at 4,500 meters. Take in the wonderful views of the valley below and then hike down for 3 hours to a site the Incas called Inti Punku (meaning Sun Gate). Then, arrive to Choquetacarpo (3600m) and continue the descent to the Inca quarry of Cachicata (3820m). Here, you can see the work of the Incas as this was used by the Incas for the construction of Ollantaytambo. You will see several large buildings, quarried stones left half finished and abandoned throughout the site. After exploring this site, continue your way down the mountain for about 3 hours until reaching the town of Ollantaytambo. From there, you'll take the train to Aguas Calientes and spend the night at a hotel.
Day 3: Aguas Calientes - Machu Picchu - Aguas Calientes - Ollantaytambo - Cusco
Early in the morning, you'll take a bus to Machu Picchu to enter the site as it opens. Enjoy a 2-hour guided tour and learn all about the Incas and the citadel. Then, explore the site on your own as you take pictures and/or do the optional hike up to Huayna Picchu (must be booked at least 2 weeks in advance). In the afternoon, take the bus back to Aguas Calientes where you will board the train to Ollantaytambo. Take a bus transfer back to Cusco where you will be dropped off at Plaza San Francisco.
See the trek map by clicking on 'View Additional Info'.