itinerary
This spectacular journey start on arrival into Cusco airport. Our staff will meet you the airport where you will be transferred to the Sacred Valley of the Inca. The Sacred Valley is at a lower altitude and is the perfect place to start your journey, the valley will make you feel refreshed and ready to start. Settle into your hotel and later meet your group and the guide to brief you on all the exciting activities over the coming days. This evening enjoy a welcome dinner of wonderful Peruvian cuisine, the perfect opportunity to get to know your guide, your fellow travelers and the team from Sacred Journeys.
- Overnight in the Sacred Valley
- Meals: Dinner
Today is an exciting day filled with adventure and beauty. We start with the village of Chinchero located in plains of Sacred Valley, surrounded by the spectacular snowcapped Andes. Chinchero is known for its traditional weavings, here you will find the perfect souvenirs and gifts for the family. Immerse in the local community and meet the elders of Chinchero and local people who love to meet you.
Later we will meet a local family and see how they live the traditional way. Hear stories and see their daily practices. Maybe make a purchase of the handmade items they have on offer.
Participate in a once in a lifetime Despacho Ceremony and make offerings of gratitude, love and show our respect for Pachamama and the Apus.
After we enjoy lunch in Chinchero we travel to the interesting site of Moray. Here you will find large circular terraces used by the Inca as an agricultural experiment. This open greenhouse consists of different tropical microclimates, the perfect place to grown different crops. Moray was considered by the Inca to be the womb of Mother Earth, here you will experience the connection the healing energy of the scared mother the perfect combination for our physical and emotional bodies.
- Overnight in the Sacred Valley
- Meals: Breakfast
Today in the heart of the Sacred Valley we will be transferred to another world, a portal to another world that is said to exist at the site of Naupa Iglesia said to be a sacred place that is thought to be pre Inca. The site is located in Pachar, between the Sacred Valley towns of Urubamba and the living Inca city of Ollantaytambo. Not often visited, it is a truly authentic and magical experience. A true highlight of your time in the Sacred Valley.
After lunch we will take our transport to Ollantaytambo, known as The Sanctuary of the Wind, an ancient observatory and ceremonial center set amongst impressive hillside terraces. Visit the Temple of the Sun and also the Royal Baths and Fountains for a shamanic energy experience where we will connect with the elements of earth, water, air, and fire. We then make our way along the murmuring river to the Temple of the Condor for a few moments of reflection and silent meditation. In the afternoon we return to our hotel and get ready for our Salkantay pilgrimage the next day.
Later after lunch in the Sacred travel to Ollantaytambo, or as it is known the Sanctuary of the Wind, set among the impressive hillside terraces it was used as an observatory and ceremonial center. See the Temple of the Sun, the Royal baths as you experience the shamanic energy and connect with the earth, water, air elements. Walk along the murmuring river to the Temple of the Condor and take a few minutes to silently meditate. Later after you have finished exploring travel to the hotel for a good nights rest before our journey to Salkantay.
- Overnight in the Sacred Valley
- Meals: Breakfast
Today is an early start from your hotel at around 5am. Leaving the valley behind travel 4 hours through Anta and Mollepata for breakfast and a short break before reaching Soraypampa. On the journey pass some of the most important mountains in the Cusco area, Salkantay and Humantay, marvel at their snowcapped beauty and see why the Inca considered them gods. Pass through high peaks and beautiful valleys and you travel towards Soraypampa the start of our trek. Here we will meet our trekking staff who will be ready with all the equipment. At around 10am we will start our trek, a day filled with spectacular scenery.
On the first section of our hike we trek to the beautiful Humantay Lake. The trek is around 5kms and will take around 3 hours. The lake is one of the most spectacular in the Andes and is a wonderful blue green color that reflects off the high glaciers of Apu Humantay. Do some exploring and take many pictures before returning to our base camp at Soraypampa. The campsite is located of breathtaking glacial valleys so the views are breathtaking. At night the under the clear skies appreciate the millions of stars and constellations that illuminate the blackness of the ski. Here under the stary skies, re center your energy and enjoy the profound silence and quiet of Soraypampa.
Enjoy a wonderful dinner specially prepared by our camp chef with your fellow trekkers.
- Accommodation: Tent
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After an early wake up with the first daylight at 05:30 am. And a quick breakfast we soon start hiking up to the highest point of the trail: the Salkantay Pass (4650 MASL – 15,255 ft.). The distance is a 7km (4.34miles) tough ascent in 3 hours, between the rocky valley bottom and the magnificent Salkantay Mountain (6200 MASL– 20,341 ft). After reaching the top of the pass there is a 5km (3.1miles) and 2 hours downhill hike towards the camp for our lunch. The walk downwards is on a serpent shape trail and a rocky gravel path to get to the Huayracmachay lunch spot. In the afternoon we will enter the upper part of the amazon jungle, which is also called “the cloud forest”. This is a 10 km (6.2miles) hike in 3 hours on a wide trail in the thick forests. When finishing this magnificent hike, we finally arrive at Chaullay Village (2900 MASL – 9,514 ft.), our base camp in the jungle.
Another early start this morning where we will wake up at 530am. A quick breakfast to give us energy before we start hiking to the highest point of the hike, the Salkantay Pass. The trek to the first pass is demanding with 3 hours (7 Kms) of tough up hill ascent. Be rewarded with spectacular views and scenery before we trek downhill for 2 hours (5 Kms), the trail is mostly gravel until we reach our lunch spot at Huayracmachay. The afternoon we enter the high Amazon jungle, called the Cloud Forest, this will be a 3 hour (10 kms) hike, this scenic hike will finish at Chaullay Village where we will camp for the night.
- Walking Distance – 22 km / 13.7 miles
- Starting Elevation – 3800 meters / 12467 feet
- Campsite Elevation – 2750 meters / 9022 feet
- Maximum Altitude: 4650 meters / 15255 feet
- Difficulty: Challenging – Moderate.
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Snack and afternoon Tea)
- Accommodation: Camping
This morning we will rise at 6am and have a hearty breakfast. Today will start with a trek to La Playa, a walk through the Santa Teresa valley. This is a hike of approximately 6 hours through the jungle where you will experience a warmer climate. See the wonderful vegetation and experience some spectacular views. After a delicious lunch at La Playa we hike around 1 hour to our next camp site at Lucmabamba. In the afternoon visit a local coffee farm, pick some coffee and have a tasting all while being surrounded by the jungle. Spend the night under the stars hearing stories from your guide about the legends of the Inca and the area.
- Walking Distance – 18km / 11.2 miles
- Starting Elevation – 2750 meters / 9022 feet
- Campsite Elevation – 2400 meters / 7874 feet
- Difficulty: Easy
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation: Camping
Awake to the sounds of the jungle and a hot cup of coca tea. Getting ready for the day ahead eat a wonderful breakfast prepared especially by our chef. Set off on our hike early and today we will trek a small part of the original Inca Trail. After trekking for around 2 hours, with some amazing views of the Santa Teresa valley arrive at the Inca site of Llactapata located in front of Machu Picchu. Enjoy spectacular views of Machu Picchu, rest and take in the site. Continuing on we trek another 2 hours until we arrive at the Intiwatana rock that was used by the Inca as a sundial. Trekking on we reach the train tracks where we will walk for around 3 hours to the town of Aguas Calientes. Here you can explore the town or maybe enjoy the hot springs. Spend the night and prepare for your tour of the Inca Citadel of Machu Picchu.
- Walking Distance – 18 km / 11.2 miles
- Starting Elevation – 2450 meters / 8038 feet
- Campsite Elevation – 2000 meters / 6561 feet (Aguas Calientes hostel)
- Difficulty: Easy
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation: Hostel
After an early breakfast at the hotel we make our way to the bus station. Take the bus through the jungle to the gate at Machu Picchu, enter the site and experience a spiritual awakening. Known as the Cristal Condor the site is inspiring and beautiful. A great legacy of the Inca Culture, the architecture will amaze. Thought to have been used as a astronomical observatory and a place of pilgrimage the citadel see many thousands of visitors each year. The site is a great place to connect with energy and wisdom. Machu Picchu sits in three high peaks of power which in turn create a triangle of energy making Machu Picchu the perfect place to meditate and open your awareness.
With your guide visit and learn about the most important parts of Machu Picchu. Visit the temples, the plazas, the residences and the sacred stones. Experience a ceremony to connect with Pachamama that will be a life changing experience surrounded by the energy of the Andes.
After your Machu Picchu experience travel back down to Aguas Calientes, enjoy a wonderful lunch and have time to explore before boarding the train through the Sacred Valley and along the Urubamba River to the living Inca town of Ollantaytambo. Travel to your hotel where you will spend the night under millions of stars in the Sacred Valley.
Overnight in the Sacred Valley
Meals: Breakfast
After a wonderful breakfast at our hotel, experience the magic of a Ayahuasca ceremony. Release all you inhibitions and concerns. The whole day will be spent with the masters and you will have plenty of time to rest and recover.
Overnight in our family house in Chinchero
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
After breakfast, travel back through the Sacred Valley to Cusco visiting the Sacred sites along the way. Our first stop is the Inca site of Sacsayhuaman, see this marvel of the Inca architects and hear the legends of the battles with the Spanish at this stone complex. You guide will lead you through a rebirth ceremony at the nearby cave of the Cosmic Mother.
Travel further on to the Inca site of Tambo Machay, known to be a resting place in Inca time. The site was also used for ritual bathing and the temple at Tambo Machay was dedicated to the water and to the worship of water. At the Temple of the Condor participate in a Andean ceremony that will connect you to the ancestral lineages. Experience the sacred trilogy, the Puma, Serpent and the Condor with your guide and the legends of the Inca elders about the parallel dimensions.
Travel down to Cusco City to experience the capital of the Inca Empire. Visit the impressive Coricancha, the most special of the Inca, which was dedicated to the Sun God, legend has it that the temple was once covered in sheets of solid gold. The temple was filled with golden statues and gardens all for the worship of the Sun Gods. Hear the stories of the arrival of the Spanish and see the Church of Santo Domingo that was built in the temples foundations.
Tonight we will have a farewell dinner together. This is a great opportunity to enjoy a night with our fellow travelers, reflect on the tour and our sacred journey through the heart of Peru.
Overnight in Cusco
Meals: Breakfast
Saying goodbye to Cusco, we will transfer to you to the airport at the agreed time. Go home feeling energized, with a deep sense of wellbeing. Take with you fond memories and new friendships that will last a lifetime.
Meals: Breakfast
