This 3-day trek is your ticket to Peru’s hidden gems—think wild mountain views, quiet lakes, and Inca ruins most travelers never see. Walk ancient paths, meet friendly villagers, and cap it all off with the star of the show: Machu Picchu. It’s the perfect mix of adventure, culture, and jaw-dropping scenery, all packed into just three days!
Your day kicks off at 7:00 AM with a hotel pickup in Cusco. A quick 20-minute drive takes you to Tambomachay, where your trek begins. The first stretch is a 4-hour uphill climb to Koricocha Lake (3,700 meters / 12,139 feet). Along the way, you’ll pass shimmering lakes, spot llamas and alpacas, and maybe even see Andean birds swooping overhead. Lunch is served lakeside—fuel up!
After lunch, hike another 3 hours through rolling hills to the tiny Kenko Community (3,800 meters / 12,467 feet). This village is home to just a few families who farm and raise animals. You’ll wash up with hot water, sip on tea, and enjoy a cozy dinner before crashing in your tent under the stars.
• Sleep spot altitude: 3,800 meters / 12,467 feet.
• Distance: 13 km / 8.1 miles.
• Time: 7 hours.
• Food: Breakfast, snacks, lunch, dinner.
• Stay: Camping.
• Challenge: Moderate (that uphill’s no joke!).
Today’s easier! After breakfast, hang out with village kids or peek into local homes. Then, trek 3 hours to Huchuy Qosqo (3,600 meters / 11,811 feet), an Inca site that’ll blow your mind. Imagine stone terraces, temples, and water channels perched above the Sacred Valley—you’ll get epic photos here.
Spend time exploring before hiking downhill for an hour to Lamay. Your chef cooks up a picnic lunch, then a bus takes you to Ollantaytambo. Wander its cobblestone streets and ancient canals, then grab dinner at a local spot. Hop on the 7:00 PM train to Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu’s town) for a hotel night with comfy beds.
• Sleep spot altitude: 2,000 meters / 6,560 feet.
• Distance: 8 km / 5 miles.
• Time: 6 hours (mostly exploring, not hiking!).
• Food: Breakfast, snacks, lunch, dinner.
• Stay: Hotel.
• Challenge: Easy (you’ve earned this chill day).
Rise and shine—it’s Machu Picchu day! After breakfast, take a 30-minute bus ride to the citadel. Your guide leads a 3-4 hour tour, spilling secrets about temples, palaces, and how the Incas built this wonder. Afterward, wander solo or hike Huayna Picchu (book ahead!).
Head back to Aguas Calientes for lunch (your treat), then catch the scenic Vistadome train to Ollantaytambo. A private van zips you back to Cusco, arriving at your hotel by 7:30 PM.
• Tour time: 3-4 hours.
• Food: Breakfast (hotel).
• Challenge: Easy (just soaking in the magic).
Clothes:
• Rain jacket (Andean weather’s unpredictable!).
• Warm layers (sweater, thermal underwear).
• T-shirts + long sleeves.
• Hiking pants.
• Thick socks.
• Sun hat + beanie (for chilly nights).
• Gloves.
Shoes:
• Sturdy hiking boots.
• Sandals (for camp relaxation).
Gear:
• Backpack (35-40 liters).
• Sleeping bag (rated for 0°C/32°F).
• Sleeping pad (for extra comfort).
• Headlamp + batteries (no tripping at night!).
• Trekking poles.
• Water bottle.
• Sunglasses + sunscreen (trust us).
• Bug spray.
• Toothbrush/paste, lip balm.
• Basic meds (painkillers, bandaids).
Extras (if you want):
• Camera.
• Binoculars (for bird nerds).
• Book/journal (for downtime).
• Snacks (trail mix = life).
To qualify for the student discount on Inca Trail Permits, travelers must meet the following requirements:
Student IDs will not be accepted for the discount under the following conditions:
This information is crucial for travelers seeking to benefit from discounted permits for the Inca Trail and Machu Picchu.
“ITAN Adventure” is a 100% Peruvian-owned tour operator based in Cusco, with extensive experience in hiking, adventure tours, and customized travel packages. As a completely local company, we’re dedicated to providing travelers with authentic, high-quality experiences.
Our vision as a local company is to deliver personalized travel and hiking journeys, managed exclusively by experienced local professionals, with a strong focus on HIGH-QUALITY and PERSONALIZED SERVICE.
We are proud of our reputation as a travel agency that upholds RESPONSIBLE and SUSTAINABLE practices benefiting both the environment and local communities.
We treat our team like family and ensure they receive fair wages. We are incredibly proud of each member of our team! Their dedication makes it possible for us to provide the top-notch service that our many travelers appreciate.
At “ITAN Adventure,” we understand that our reputation and the feedback from our travelers are essential for gaining the trust of future adventurers. You can check out honest reviews from our guests on TripAdvisor, Facebook, and Google to see why we’re a reliable choice for creating your Peruvian adventure.
To ensure a more personalized experience at “ITAN Adventure,” we keep our group sizes to a maximum of 8 travelers. This approach allows us to offer a tailored experience, unlike companies that operate with larger groups.
Our guides are our pride. They’re highly knowledgeable and professional, fluent in English, and deeply passionate about Inca culture and history. Each guide is committed to ongoing personal and professional development, allowing them to share accurate insights and fascinating theories about Andean heritage. They are friendly, athletic, and well-educated, with backgrounds in Archaeology, Tourism, Botany, History, or Anthropology.
Hiking with “ITAN Adventure” ensures a fulfilling experience. Our porters are here to make your journey comfortable and memorable. They carry your equipment, prepare meals, set up camps, and attend to your needs so you can relax and enjoy the adventure. Along the way, you’ll connect with local people, explore stunning sites, and discover historic Inca villages.
We provide our porters with essential equipment at no cost: jackets, sun hats, warm hats, shirts, pants, hiking boots, comfortable bags, canteens, back support belts, sleeping bags, mattresses, and travel insurance. Our porters come from remote communities, and by hiring them, we help improve their economic conditions and support their children’s education. We treat our porters like family!
Our team—guides, cooks, porters, muleteers—and our equipment make “ITAN Adventure” stand out from the competition. During our hikes, we provide:
“ITAN Adventure” is committed to giving back to isolated communities. We support social projects and prioritize hiring local staff.
We are proud to support local communities not only by providing employment but also by offering assistance to their families. This holistic approach benefits our employees from the Peruvian Andes and their loved ones, strengthening our connection to the local heritage.
Price is based on room occupancy
To book the Huchuy Qosoq Trek to Machu Picchu, you need to make an initial payment of US$ 200 per person; the remaining balance can be paid online or at our office in Cusco with any card and without booking fees.
All travelers under 17 have a $40 discount. If you are 25 years old or under when traveling, you can get the discount with your Student ID. Please send us an email to receive a code for the discount.
