Tonight we have a group briefing and dinner. This is a chance to get to know your guides and fellow guests and an opportunity to address equipment and other questions.

Cusco was “the navel of the world,” the Incas said. We will walk through a variety of urban archaeological sites as well as visit the most important temples and landmarks in and around the city. Today's tour will serve as both historic orientation and an important acclimatization to altitude since Cusco sits at 11,000ft.

This morning we drive up and out of town to the Northwest, before then making a very long descent into the verdant valley outside of Cusco. We continue via vehicle to the bustling town of Limatambo where we stop for a leg stretch and snacks. Driving further up into the moun- tains, we begin climing ever higher up steep ravines of the Choquetera valley. We arrive at the trailhead for a quick pre-hike snack before beginning our trek up the valley, following a road initially and then branching off onto a small footpath after crossing a river. With picturesque views of 17,000 foot Jatunjasa mountain, our path today is a small local one, used only by the families of this area . Rated moderate to challenging, we have our work cut out for us as we ascend quit a lot in a small amount of mileage. We start off strong with this initial ascent into the mighty Andes with a steady steep incline, leveling out in our final approach to camp. You will sleep well tonight, after our first day's vigorous endeavors.

We are up and at it early this morning, as today we have three passes to cross. Diverging from the trail we used yesterday, we hike steadily upward until we come to two vibrant mountain morraines. If we're quiet in the morning hours, this trail is so remote we have a good chance of seeing some wildlife. Deer, foxes and the famous condor often freqent this area. After the lakes we come to our first pass of the day; which, at 16,000ft, is our first massive achievement of the trek. This is where we start to glimpse the western slopes of jagged Huamantay mountain. We continue our descent down, then up again and here is where the mighty Salkantay mountain is revealed to us. Not far beyond is our second pass- Japanese Camp Pass. We cross this pass at approximately 15,800ft and from here we can see our lunch spot at Japanese camp.

Here we can explore two beautiful morraine lakes beneath Salkantay mountain at 15,500ft. After lunch we pick our way up a set of rocky switchbacks to ascend our final pass- Inka Chiriaska (the Frozen Inka) at 16,221ft. Descending sharply we are overwhelmed by the sound of a long winding waterfall cascading from the glacier, flowing around the base of Salkantay mountain. Working our way around the south side of the mountain, we hug the hillsides enountering a well-marked, genuine ancient Incan trail. Finally, returning to 15,500ft we find our campsite, perched at the base with astouunding views of Salkantay.

The adventures continues, we will hit three more high passes today, though today is decidedly more mellow than the previous two days with more total descent than ascent. We begin the day with a gradual ascent up to our 1st pass of the day- Tocto pass. At 15,800ft it boasts the most pictureque view of Salkantay Mountain of the whole trip- so drink it in as it's our last view until camp tonight. While our ascent was gradual- the descent off this pass is somewhat steep until it levels off, hugging a valley wall at about 14,000ft. Then, it's up again to our 2nd pass of the day at 15,200ft and down again to 14,500ft. We continue skirting the head of a valley with some more ups and downs, following the folds of the mountain. Our 3rd and final pass of the day is another 2 miles away and has us back at 15,200ft. After this pass we descend down into a new valley where we once again glimpse massive Salkantay, this time having worked our way around to her eastern flanks, and a whole new view. Tonight we camp in a vast meadow at 14,500ft.

Today we get a chance to regroup after the previous days' endeavors. Ascending out of our camp, we make our way steadily up a rocky incline rising a little under 1,000ft total to our pass at 15,200ft. This is our only pass today in the late morning, after which is mostly descent and a chance to take in the scenery.
From our pass and subsequent descent a whole new mountain range - the Ocobamba- is revealed to us. It's black jagged peaks hover above us as we contine our descent, wrapping our way around the valley and down into camp for the night.

Today is one of our more demanding days. We start and end at similar elevations; however there are mulitple elevation gains and losses in between as we wind our way further east of Salkantay. We start the morning with a an aggressive pass ascent as we climb more than 2,000ft in less than 2 miles to reach Accocasa Pass. From here we have a steady descent down, veering off to the valley at the right; enjoying inescapable views of the massive black jagged peaks of Nevado Huayanay range that dominate at almost 18,000ft. It is now the folds of this range, for the next 2.5 miles, that we follow as we make our way to our next, and final pass- the Huayanay Pass at 15,200ft. The approach to this pass is what gets us: getting from 14,500 on the valley floor back up another 1,000ft is difficult; especially as it's later in the day. Finally, though, we make it to the clearing between two huge mountains. We celebrate having hit our 9th (and final) pass before descending to the sweet shores of gorgeous Ancascocha- Blue Lake. Aptly named, you'll revel in the bright blue waters fed by a remarkable waterfall- the perfect setting to celebrate the rigorous day's accomplishments.

Today we have a long but steady descent out of the valley. Eventually our path takes us riverside and we find ourselves criss-crossing the river over a series of rudimentary wooden bridges. Making our way down and out of this beautiful valley; we notice as Eucalyptus trees start to pepper the landscape and the flora become more lush and verdant. Our constant guide as we continue our descent is the prominent Mt. Veronica- looming almost 20,000ft above the Urubamba valley; and a most dominant portion of the horizon in these parts.

Resurfacing back into civilization; evenutally we meet up with a gravel road and follow it to the remote community of Chillca. Here is where our private transport awaits us to deliver us to Ollantaytambo. We now find ourselves in the Sacred Valley just northeast of Cusco, where we'll seek our first night in a bed after our big trek. Rest up tonight- tomorrow is the final push to Machu Picchu and a big day!

An early train sweeps you along the Urubamba River, dropping us off at Km. 104 deep in the cloud forest. Crossing the roaring Urubamba on a hanging bridge, you climb for 3 strenuous hours to Wiñay Wayna, a miniature Machu Picchu with distinctive waterworks.

Cutting across steep ridge lines, you follow this one-time emperor’s trail through the verdant, lush forest; which in these lower elevations is alive with nature. We wind our way up this steep ravine passing waterfalls and encountering Winya Wayna- a very comprehensive set of terraces flowing down from is believed to be ruins of royal housing. Finally; we are at the base of the famed stone steps that make up the final ascent to the Sun Gate, and the once-in-a-lifetime reveal of the “lost city” laid out below.

Then, it happens: you walk into the life-changing experience of seeing this lost city for the first time. Sit in awe at the expanse of ruins in this mystical, improbable setting. Descend through the site itself to catch a bus down to town. Tonight we eat and sleep in the quaint town of Aguas Calientes, where the only access deep in this valley is via train or on foot.

At dawn, you begin your journey to Machu Picchu with a short and rollicking uphill bus ride. An expert guide walks you through principal sites, placing the whole in context, but there's also time for solo examination, exploration and contemplation.

As you enter the “Sanctuary” (as locals refer to it), the morning sun rises over the iconic Sun Gate and washes the structures and terraces with resplendent light. Prepare to be awed by the imposing and skillful architecture of the Watchtower, the Temple of the Sun, and the royal Inca residences, among many others.

Take a moment to quietly sit and listen to the wind...or to meditate and absorb the mystical energy that envelops you. Your imagination will soar as you contemplate the history of Machu Picchu and its mysterious origins.

Leave for your international flight