We pick you up from your hotel at 5:30 AM and drive through the Sacred Valley via Chinchero, Urubamba and Ollantaytambo, where we stop for 30 minutes for breakfast and last snacks. After about 2½ hours, we reach Km 82, the starting point of the legendary Inca Trail. Around 9:00 AM, we cross the Urubamba River and follow its left bank for about 1½ hours. The ascent to Wilka Rakay rewards you with views of the Inca site of Patallapta and the Kusichaca Valley, framed by the snow-capped Mount Veronica (Wakay Wilka, 5,750 m / 18,865 ft). Following the Kusichaca Valley, we arrive at our campsite in Wayllabamba (3,100 m / 10,171 ft). Today you cover 12 km (7.5 miles) in 6–7 hours of hiking.

After a hearty breakfast, a 1-hour ascent brings us to Tres Piedras, the Three Stones. We continue through the cloud forest for about 2 hours until we break through the tree line at Llulluchapampa (3,800 m / 12,467 ft), where tea, coffee and sandwiches recharge you for the challenge ahead. A 1½-hour climb over vast grassland leads to the highest point of the trail, Warmihuñusca or Dead Woman's Pass (4,215 m / 13,829 ft). After celebrating this achievement together, we descend for about 2 hours to our campsite in Pacaymayo (3,600 m / 11,811 ft). Today you cover 12 km (7.5 miles) in 6–7 hours of hiking and reach the highest point of the trek.

Following the original paved Inca trail, we hike 40 minutes to Runkurakay, an archaeological site with panoramic views of the Pacaymayo Valley, and another 45 minutes to the second pass, Abra Runkurakay (3,950 m / 12,959 ft). The descent leads through magnificent cloud forest full of orchids, hanging moss and ferns to Sayacmarka (3,500 m / 11,483 ft). Passing the small Inca site of Conchamarka, we reach Chaquicocha (3,550 m / 11,647 ft) for lunch. In the afternoon, a paved stone path and an impressive Inca tunnel carved into the rock lead us to Phuyupatamarka (3,680 m / 12,073 ft), with views of the snow-capped peaks of Salkantay (6,271 m / 20,574 ft) and Machu Picchu Mountain. Tonight's campsite offers spectacular sunset and sunrise views. Today you cover 11 km (6.8 miles) in 6–7 hours of hiking.

We rise early to enjoy breakfast and watch the sunrise from Phuyupatamarka. Then we descend along ancient Inca steps through the cloud forest to Wiñay Wayna (2,650 m / 8,694 ft), where you have time to explore this remarkable Inca site. About 1 hour later, we reach Inti Punku, the Sun Gate (2,720 m / 8,924 ft), and enjoy your first panoramic view of Machu Picchu (2,400 m / 7,874 ft). We descend to the classic viewpoint above the citadel before taking the bus down to Aguas Calientes (2,040 m / 6,693 ft), where you spend the night in a hotel. Today you cover 9 km (5.6 miles) in 6–7 hours of hiking.

After an early breakfast, we take one of the first buses up to Machu Picchu (2,400 m / 7,874 ft) to experience the citadel in the calm of the early morning and photograph the sunrise over the ruins. Your guide then leads you on a comprehensive tour of the most important buildings and temples. Our tour uses the entrance time slot between 6:00 AM and 10:00 AM. Afterwards, you take the bus back down to Aguas Calientes for lunch and then the train to Ollantaytambo, where our private transport brings you back to your hotel in Cusco.