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CUSCO

RIDGES

DURATION

DIFFICULTY

7 DAYS

MODERATE

An active tour of the important mountain ranges around the Cusco Region: the Urubamba and Vilcanota. This is the perfect 7-day itinerary for those who enjoy adventure and want to have an authentic Andean experience in the mountains.

DAY 1

On your first day you can explore the City of Cusco and enjoy all it has to offer, like San Pedro market, the Plaza de Armas, San Blas and much more.

Overnight: Cusco City

Itinerary cusco ridges

DETAILED ITINERARY

  • DAY 1 - CUSCO TO HUAYLLABAMBA
    Early in the morning, we take the way leading from Cusco to Km82 (2750 mt/9130 ft), this is our check point at the beginning of the trek. The trail follows the river valley for a while; this is a good training day before the second more challenging day. ​ Along the way we will pass Wilkaracay with its impressive view of Patallacta which are both important Inca remains. It is just the beginning of a holy trail full of sanctuaries. ​ Today, after about 7 hours walking we will reach our first camping place at Huayllabamba (3000 mt/9842ft). On reaching our camp for the evening we will be met by our trek team, the porters who will have already set up camp and our cook who will be preparing our evening meal. Day Distance: 12 km / 7.3 ml Approximate Walking time: 6-7 hrs Meals: L, D + Snacks
  • DAY 2 - HUAYLLABAMBA TO PACAYMAYO
    Ever optimistic, the sun will be shining on our second day as we follow the Inca trail to Warmiwañusta (Dead Woman’s Pass). This is considered to be the most challenging trek day as we cross this highest point of the trail at 4200m (13779ft), prepare for a steep uphill until we summit. The sense of achievement is a reward in itself, then a beautiful stone trail will show us the way as we descend to our tents in the campsite at Pacaymayo (3580 mt/11740 ft). On reaching our camp for the evening we will be met by our trek team who will have already set up camp and our cook who will be preparing our mouthwatering evening meal. ​ Day Distance: 11km / 7 ml Approximate Walking time: 8 to 9 hrs. Meals: B, L, D + Snacks
  • DAY 3 - PACAYMAYO TO PHUYUPATAMARCA
    Waking up just in time to be served a hot drink, our tents pitched within the surroundings of the cloud forest. ​ After a good and healthy breakfast we continue along this ancient trail passing small marshes, continuing over the second mountain pass of the trek. It is the second highest point of the hike (3,900mt/12,950ft). As we descend we will see the flora and fauna become more abundant with hummingbirds accompanying us along our route. ​ We have lunch at Chaquicocha (3500 mt/11,620 ft) a fine place for a break in the middle of the cloud forest. The last two hours of the day, are some of the most memorable and breathtaking views of the Inca Trail. We reach our last campsite when the sun sets at Phuyupatamarca, a befitting name meaning 'town in the clouds'. Day Distance: 12 km / 7.3 ml Approximate Walking time: 8 to 9 hrs Meals: B, L, D + Snacks
  • DAY 4 - PHUYUPATAMARCA TO MACHU PICCHU
    We begin the final leg of our trek to the lost city of Machupicchu. We descend for 3hrs, about 900m below from Phuyupatamarca. ​ On the way down there are a couple of Incan Archaeological sites: Intipata first, and then Wiñaywayna which is just 2 hrs before the Sungate entrance (“Inti Punku”). ​ Having taken time to enjoy the first glimpse of Machu Picchu; we walk down in to the astonishing complex for a full tour to learn from our guide all about this fascinatingly unique Citadel. ​​ Later we take the bus down to be on time for the train back to Ollantaytambo, from here, our private transport will bring us back to Cusco. ​ Day Distance: 7.3 km / 4.5 ml Approximate Walking time: 5 hrs Meals: B, L + Snacks
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NANCY L.

LIMA
EXTENSION

12D / 11N 

This was a bucket list trip for myself and my family and James made sure it delivered. 
James is quick to respond and quick to understand the style of trip you're trying to attain. 
He helped us customize our trip to our exact specifications and delivered on experiences and accommodations that helped us feel like we were having a customized experience rather than a generic one.

The highlights of our trip were the rock climbing in the Sacred Valley and our hike into Macchu Picchu. Our guide Zacarias was incredible - knowledgeable, accommodating and fun, he made sure our kids were constantly engaged while they were learning about this incredible country. Zac quickly became a part of our family.

Extensions Cusco ridges
TAMBOPATA
EXTENSION

3D / 2N 

PUNO
EXTENSION

4D / 4N 

LIMA
EXTENSION

2D / 1N 

FAQS

FAQS Cusc Ridges
  • DAY 1 - CUSCO TO HUAYLLABAMBA
    Early in the morning, we take the way leading from Cusco to Km82 (2750 mt/9130 ft), this is our check point at the beginning of the trek. The trail follows the river valley for a while; this is a good training day before the second more challenging day. ​ Along the way we will pass Wilkaracay with its impressive view of Patallacta which are both important Inca remains. It is just the beginning of a holy trail full of sanctuaries. ​ Today, after about 7 hours walking we will reach our first camping place at Huayllabamba (3000 mt/9842ft). On reaching our camp for the evening we will be met by our trek team, the porters who will have already set up camp and our cook who will be preparing our evening meal. Day Distance: 12 km / 7.3 ml Approximate Walking time: 6-7 hrs Meals: L, D + Snacks
  • DAY 2 - HUAYLLABAMBA TO PACAYMAYO
    Ever optimistic, the sun will be shining on our second day as we follow the Inca trail to Warmiwañusta (Dead Woman’s Pass). This is considered to be the most challenging trek day as we cross this highest point of the trail at 4200m (13779ft), prepare for a steep uphill until we summit. The sense of achievement is a reward in itself, then a beautiful stone trail will show us the way as we descend to our tents in the campsite at Pacaymayo (3580 mt/11740 ft). On reaching our camp for the evening we will be met by our trek team who will have already set up camp and our cook who will be preparing our mouthwatering evening meal. ​ Day Distance: 11km / 7 ml Approximate Walking time: 8 to 9 hrs. Meals: B, L, D + Snacks
  • DAY 3 - PACAYMAYO TO PHUYUPATAMARCA
    Waking up just in time to be served a hot drink, our tents pitched within the surroundings of the cloud forest. ​ After a good and healthy breakfast we continue along this ancient trail passing small marshes, continuing over the second mountain pass of the trek. It is the second highest point of the hike (3,900mt/12,950ft). As we descend we will see the flora and fauna become more abundant with hummingbirds accompanying us along our route. ​ We have lunch at Chaquicocha (3500 mt/11,620 ft) a fine place for a break in the middle of the cloud forest. The last two hours of the day, are some of the most memorable and breathtaking views of the Inca Trail. We reach our last campsite when the sun sets at Phuyupatamarca, a befitting name meaning 'town in the clouds'. Day Distance: 12 km / 7.3 ml Approximate Walking time: 8 to 9 hrs Meals: B, L, D + Snacks
  • DAY 4 - PHUYUPATAMARCA TO MACHU PICCHU
    We begin the final leg of our trek to the lost city of Machupicchu. We descend for 3hrs, about 900m below from Phuyupatamarca. ​ On the way down there are a couple of Incan Archaeological sites: Intipata first, and then Wiñaywayna which is just 2 hrs before the Sungate entrance (“Inti Punku”). ​ Having taken time to enjoy the first glimpse of Machu Picchu; we walk down in to the astonishing complex for a full tour to learn from our guide all about this fascinatingly unique Citadel. ​​ Later we take the bus down to be on time for the train back to Ollantaytambo, from here, our private transport will bring us back to Cusco. ​ Day Distance: 7.3 km / 4.5 ml Approximate Walking time: 5 hrs Meals: B, L + Snacks
Hotel Options Cusco Ridges

LUXURY

HOTELS

CUSCO

SACRED VALLEY

MACHU PICCHU

SACRED VALLEY