Your adventure begins at 5:30 am with a private transfer from your hotel in Cusco to the train station in Ollantaytambo. A scenic train ride takes you to Km 104 (2,050 m / 6,726 ft), where we cross the Urubamba River and set foot on the Inca Trail. From here, we climb for about three hours through subtropical cloud forest to Wiñay Wayna (2,650 m / 8,694 ft), where your guide explains the history of these "forever young" terraces and buildings. After a picnic lunch, a one-hour hike brings us to the Sun Gate, Inti Punku (2,720 m / 8,924 ft) – the only point along the trail with a complete panoramic view of Machu Picchu, especially beautiful when the afternoon shadows lengthen over the ruins. After photos at the classic viewpoint, we take the shuttle bus down to Aguas Calientes (2,040 m / 6,693 ft) for a celebratory dinner and an overnight stay at Hotel Pucara. Today you cover 13 km (8.1 mi) in 6–7 hours of hiking and reach a maximum altitude of 2,720 m (8,924 ft).

Rise early to catch the 5:30 am bus up to Machu Picchu and watch the sunrise over the stone walls of the Inca city. With your experienced guide, you explore Machu Picchu on Circuit 3 (in line with current regulations) – an in-depth 2–3 hour tour of the main temples, the Sacred Plaza and the Temple of the Condor. Machu Picchu lies at 2,400 m (7,874 ft). After lunch in Aguas Calientes, you take the afternoon train to Ollantaytambo, where your private driver is waiting to take you back to your hotel in Cusco.