Step into the Footsteps of the Incas - Walk Ancient Inca Pathways, witness the feast of Corpus Christi, explore Cusco's iconic Inca sites and surroundings, The Sacred Valley of the Incas, Humantay Lake, walk along the Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu with this unique 11-DayWalking Challenge of Cusco & Beyond

Starts & ends in Cusco | Small Group Adventure | No Camping Required

Join us on an unforgettable journey through the heart of the Andes! This fully guided challenge is perfect for those looking to experience Peru's rich culture, breathtaking landscapes, and the wonder of Machu Picchu – without the need to camp.

👥 Group Size: Max 12 people

🚶‍♂️ Pace: Introductory to Moderate | Daily walks 7–13km

🏨 Stay: Comfortable hotels throughout

🔹 Walk along Ancient Inca Pathways and discover one of the world's top 20 trekking destinations

🔹 Hike the iconic Short Inca Trail, arriving at Machu Picchu via the Sun Gate

🔹 Enjoy a two-day visit to Machu Picchu with a guided early morning tour – beat the crowds!

🔹 Witness Corpus Christi, one of Cusco’s most vibrant traditional festivals

🔹 Explore the Sacred Valley of the Incas, including Pisac, Ollantaytambo & Chinchero

🔹 Discover the colourful Rainbow Mountain – a stunning natural wonder

🔹 Visit the unique Maras Salt Mines and Moray agricultural terraces

🔹 Tour the historic capital of the Inca Empire – Cusco

🔹 Experience the scenic train ride from Machu Picchu to Ollantaytambo

🔹 Free time in Cusco for optional tours or to unwind at your own pace

🔹 Perfect for solo travellers – twin share or room match available

🔹 Pre-departure info session provided by our experienced local guide (NSW or Cusco-based)

Welcome to Peru.  Your tour starts in Cusco's International airport. On arrival, one of our representatives will pick you up from the airport. If you arrived at an earlier date, please make your way to our accommodation, and join us. We will first explore our accommodation surroundings and catch the first glimpses of Cusco city centre and its impressive architecture on an easy escorted walking tour. We will find our way around by finding essential services nearby such as money exchange, banks, souvenirs, laundry services and dining options nearby. Tonight, feel free to explore Cusco's city at your own pace or enjoy an unforgettable culinary experience with your group. Cusco at night becomes a vibrant destination filled with music, dancing, and entertainment for everyone.

Elevation: Cusco (3400 mts/11150 ft)

Activity: Transfer to Hotel/Sightseeing 

Explorer Moment: Do not miss the initial welcome meeting held upon arrival. Meet your fellow travellers and get detailed information about the itinerary and upcoming activities

Accommodation:  San Agustin Premium or similar.

Meals: None

Active' acclimatization starts today! After breakfast, we will drive above Cusco City Centre to Tambomachay Inca site (3700mts/12140ft) to start our first acclimatization walk. We will descend 6.3 kms back to our accommodation. Our path will take us through few other Inca ruins and stunning landscapes as we descend to Sacsayhuaman Inca fortress. After exploring its imposing presence and enjoying its surroundings, we will continue our way down to Cusco city along ancient Inca cobblestones and traditional Andean structures. Today's walk is easy-to-follow to facilitate a gradual acclimatization to the altitude.

Elevation: 3700-3400 mts (12140-11150 ft)

Activity: Sightseeing/Trekking (7 kms/6 hrs)

Explorer Moment: Enjoy Cusco's best views from above. Find the best spot and get your camera ready. Be amazed with the imposing greatness of Sacsayhuaman fortress and find out how important the site was for the Incas 

Accommodation:  San Agustin Premium or similar.

Meals: Breakfast/Packed Lunch

Today we will visit the picturesque Sacred Valley of the Incas. A few miles above Cusco city, we will initially stop at the colourful village of Caccaccollo and explore its famous traditional weaving & textile Co-op. Our journey will continue for another 30 minutes to reach Pisac town located along the banks of the Vilcanota river. Pisac is renowned for its traditional market and its hilltop Inca citadel with ancient temples surrounded by extensive agricultural terraces. From the highest area of the Inca citadel, we will walk down through the large agricultural sector and structures of the Inca fortress and citadel. After a guided tour on the spot, we will continue our descend to the town of Pisac where we will wander around the traditional craft market for which Pisac is famed for.

Elevation: 3400/2700/3400 mts (11150,8860,11150 ft)

Activity: Sightseeing/Exploring at your own pace (7 Kms - 7 Hrs)

Explorer Moment: Witness how Pisac town comes alive during market days when people from the surrounding communities come together to sell and buy produce, craft and supplies in the town's central square.

Accommodation:  San Agustin Premium or similar (Cusco)

Meals: Breakfast/Buffet Lunch (Urubamba)

We begin driving to Moray (3500 mts) along a high mountain plateau surrounded by amazing views of snow peaks and glaciers. First, we will explore the circular terraces of Moray, believed to have been an advanced Inca agricultural research centre, and learn how the Incas experimented with many crops at varying altitudes. Then, we drive to the historic salt mines of Maras, a salt-producing centre dating back to pre-Inca times. Admire thousands of salt pools carved into the mountainside from a panoramic viewpoint, as direct access is now restricted to preserve the salt quality. Then, we will start a picturesque downhill walk towards the village of Pichingoto (2800 mts), passing through stunning landscapes of the Sacred Valley. We will briefly explore Pichingoto and gain insight into their traditional way of life

Elevation: 3400/3500/2800 mts (11150/11480/9190 ft)

Activity: Trekking/Sightseeing (12 kms/5 hrs)

Explorer Moment: Visiting Maras and Moray is truly 'Mind-Boggling'. Don't miss the chance to explore the Inca Green House and the stunning Salt Mines that were created by the evaporation of salt water in the sun.

Accommodation:  Sol Ollantay or similar (Ollantaytambo)

Meals: Breakfast/Packed Lunch

We leave Cusco at 5:00 am towards Mollepata town (3 hrs drive/2900 mts) for a chance to get our last-minute supplies before the start of our day hike. After a short drive, we will arrive at the starting point of the hike at Challecancha. After a brief introduction to our support staff, we start our moderate climb to Soraypampa (3hrs/3900 mts) following the remains of a restored Inca channel. From Soraypampa, we will continue our 3 kms steep climb towards Humantay lake (4200 mts), set among pristine glacial landscapes and turquoise waters by the foot of the stunning Humantay peak (5450 mts). After exploring the lake surroundings, we will descend back down to Soraypampa to find our lunch spot in the area (3900 mts), standing in the lower ravines of the imposing Humantay peak. After lunch, we will drive back to Cusco (3 hrs)

Elevation: 3400/3900/4200 mts (11150/12800/13800 ft)

Activity: Trekking (10 kms/4 hrs)

Explorer Moment: A few places in the Andes are as stunning as the turquoise waters glistering against glaciers. Humantay Peak above Humantay lake is one of them!

Accommodation: Camping

Meals: Breakfast/Packed Lunch

We will start exploring Ollantaytambo known as the Last Inca Living City. The traditional part of the village currently preserves stunning cobblestoned streets, adobe structures, trapezoidal doors, running Inca water canals and drainage. We will make our way towards the Urubamba River to find remains of an Inca bridge structure to commence our steady climb along the opposite side of the Valley. Along our 3 hours ascend, we will find remains of Inca buildings and plenty granite blocks that were left abandoned on their way to the main Ollantaytambo Inca site in the opposite side of the Valley! After exploring the stone quarry, we will make our way down to the bottom of the Valley. Back in Ollantaytambo, we will also explore the archaeological remains of the Inca buildings, and its temples strategically built above the village,

Elevation: 2700/3600/2700 mt (9160/11700/9160 ft)

Activity: Trekking (11 Kms/7 hrs)

Explorer Moment: Be amazed by the "last Inca Living City" and its enchanting cobblestones and dwellings. The beauty of the Valley is more than the "picture-perfect" moment, it is breathtaking!!

Accommodation:  Hotel Ollanta or similar.

Meals: Breakfast/Packed Snacks

We will start our day by walking 20 minutes to Ollantaytambo train station. After an unforgettable two-hour train ride to the start of the short Inca Trail at Km.104 by the banks of the Vilcanota river, we will start our steady climb to Winay Wayna Inca remains. After exploring and learning about the importance of this Inca site, our path will join the Classic Inca trail towards Machu Picchu.  After ninety minutes of a gentle hike, we will reach the Sun Gate and capture the first breath taking views of Machu Picchu. From there, we will descend to Machu Picchu in our last 45 minutes stretch of the hike. We will find Machu Picchu's traditional view right at the end of the Inca Trail. We will spend plenty of time witnessing the marvellous Inca architecture from this lookout before making out way down (by bus) to Aguas Calientes where we will find our hotel accommodation for the night.

Elevation:1900/2700/2000 mt (6235/8860/6560 ft)

Activity: Trekking (17 Kms/7 hrs)

Explorer Moment: Reaching Machu Picchu from the Sun gate is truly an amazing experience. As you get closer to the citadel, it becomes easier to understand why it is one of Wonders of the World!!

Accommodation:  Hotel Mapi or similar.

Meals: Breakfast/Packed Snacks

Our visit to Machu Picchu is today. Leaving early (6:00 am), we will catch a bus to take us up the mountain to the Inca citadel (2400 mts). We will enjoy a guided tour (2 hrs) through the most important areas of the monument including temples, royal houses, terraces, and water fountains. Following the new regulations to protect and preserve Machu Picchu, visitors are limited to a predetermined route and time during their visit. Visitors must be always accompanied by a licensed guide during this time. There is an optional service to climb Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain (The availability of tickets for these options is quite limited). After our visit, we will catch our bus down to Aguas Calientes for lunch and our final look around in town before catching a late afternoon train back to Ollantaytambo. From this train station, our private bus will drive us back to our hotel in Cusco (8-9 pm arrival)

Elevation: 2000/2400/3400 mts (6560/8000/11150 ft)

Activity: Sightseeing/Exploring at your own pace

Explorer Moment: Enjoy every moment of your visit to Machu Picchu. It is unique and magical

Accommodation:  San Agustin Premium or similar

Meals: Breakfast

(Departs May 27th ONLY) The Feast of Corpus Christi in Cusco, will be celebrated on Thursday, June 4th, 2026. It's a significant religious and cultural event where processions of saints and virgins from various churches converge in the Plaza de Armas (Main Square). This celebration is a blend of Catholic traditions and ancient Andean customs, with vibrant parades, folkloric dances, and traditional dishes. The feast honours the real presence of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist and is a public display of faith and devotion. Saints and virgins are carried from their respective churches in a grand procession to the Cathedral. Traditional dances and music accompany the processions. In some instances, offerings and rituals are performed in honour of the sun, reflecting the Andean cosmovision. The saints and virgins remain in the Cathedral until the "La Octava," where they are returned to their parishes. 

(Various departures). After breakfast we drive towards The Patacancha Valley, located above Ollantaytambo area along the Sacred Valley, to reach the hamlet of Marcacocha to start our hike. We will initially walk up along the remains of an Inca Trail to reach Pumamarca Inca site. From there, we will start descending along large Inca terraces, still used by the locals, to reach the bottom of the valley and the village of Ollantaytambo.

Elevation: 3400/5050/3400/3800 mts (11150/16560/11150/12470 ft)

Activity: Sightseeing/Religious & Cultural Celebration

Explorer Moment: Being one of the most important religious happenings of the year in Cusco, the Corpus Christi celebration is a colourful and traditional affair with folkloric dance groups and music bands.

Accommodation:  San Agustin Premium or similar

Meals: Breakfast

Our drive to Palcoyo starts about 5 am. We will travel for two hours to reach the village of Checacupe where you will find a very traditional and colourful Andean village with its imposing colonial Church considered as one of the most beautiful churches in Cusco region. Our drive will continue for another 1.5 hours to reach the beginning of our hike in the outskirts of Palcoyo area. We will walk 45 mins - 1 hr to reach Palcoyo viewpoint where the famous Rainbow Mountain viewpoint is found. We will spend plenty of time enjoying the scenery of these incredible mountain formations before making our way down towards the area named the 'Rock Forest' in direction to the start of the hike. Weather permitting, we will find a nice spot in the mountain hillside to share some lunch prior to taking our way back to Cusco city

Elevation: 3400/5050/3400 mts (11150/16560/11150 ft)

Activity: Sightseeing/Hiking/Exploring at your own pace

Explorer Moment: Take a moment to enjoy the natural setting surrounding the Rainbow Mountain. The Red Valley and surroundings are among the most beautiful landscapes in the Andes

Accommodation:  San Agustin Premium or similar

Meals: Breakfast/Lunch

Our service concludes today at check-out time 10:00 am. We will organise a shuttle service to take you back to the airport if needed. Otherwise, feel free to leave at any time.

Elevation: 3400 mts (11150 ft)

Meals: Breakfast.