The Last Path Of The Inkas

The expedition begins at 5:00 am with a transition toward the Sacred Valley. In the community of Soqma, we introduce the logistics team—guides, cooks, and horsemen—who facilitate our movement through this terrain. The initial climb leads to the Perolniyoc waterfall, a massive vertical drop that serves as the gateway to the archaeological site of Raqaypacha. Following a briefing on the stone structures, we continue toward the community of Rayan for a meal prepared with local ingredients.

The afternoon involves a three-hour ascent toward the Kuychiccassa pass. At 4,450m, the landscape shifts; the air cools, and the Nevado Veronica emerges as the dominant guardian of the valley. We descend into the Chancachuco Valley to establish our first temporary camp. The day resolves with hot tea and a meal served as the mountain temperature drops.

Details
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Maximum altitude: 4,450 m / 14,596 ft
• Walking time: 8 hrs
• Walking distance: 11 km / 6.8 miles
• Accommodation: Andean Expedition Camps
• Soqma (Trailhead): 3,205 m / 10,512 ft
• Chancachuco (Campsite): 3,950 m / 12,959 ft
• Kuychicassa Pass: 4,450 m / 14,596 ft
• Arrival at Camp: Approx. 4:30 pm

Morning begins with tea served at the tent, followed by a communal breakfast. Our path leads toward the Intipunku of Ollantaytambo, a ceremonial lithic gateway perfectly aligned with the Wakaywillke (Veronica) peak. From this vantage point, the scale of the Sacred Valley and the town of Ollantaytambo becomes visible.

After a midday meal, the route follows an ancient trade path used by high-altitude herders. We gather wild muña (Andean mint) along the trail for the evening’s infusion. Our camp is located in the small settlement of Anccascocha, home to four families dedicated to the husbandry of llamas and alpacas. We share the evening space with them, observing the Milky Way in a territory free from light pollution.

Details
• Difficulty: Challenging
• Maximum altitude: 3,900 m / 12,795 ft
• Walking time: 8 hrs
• Walking distance: 14 km / 8.7 miles
• Accommodation: Andean Expedition Camps
• Chancachuco (Trailhead): 3,950 m / 12,959 ft
• Anccascocha (Campsite): 3,800 m / 12,467 ft
• Intipunku (Sungate): 3,900 m / 12,795 ft
• Arrival at Camp: Approx. 4:00 pm

We move toward the Huayanay Pass, navigating a terrain populated by herds of alpacas. As we reach the summit, the Anccascocha lagoon reveals itself below. This is a region of absolute silence. Lunch is served as a picnic at Quelwaccocha, where the entire expedition team integrates to share the meal.The afternoon consists of a descent followed by a steady climb to the Queraccasa pass. We traverse the pajonal (highland grasslands) for an hour before arriving at Yawarmaki. This campsite is a natural habitat for Andean deer and large herds of llamas. The environment is raw, cold, and quiet.

Details
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Maximum altitude: 4,640 m / 15,223 ft
• Walking time: 8 hrs
• Walking distance: 15 km / 9.3 miles
• Accommodation: Andean Expedition Camps
• Anccascocha (Trailhead): 3,800 m / 12,467 ft
• Yawarmaki (Campsite): 4,400 m / 14,435 ft
• Accoccasa Pass: 4,640 m / 15,223 ft
• Arrival at Camp: Approx. 6:00 pm

The morning light reveals the granite mass of Apu Salkantay. Breakfast is served facing the glacier. We navigate a series of undulating ridges toward Tocto for lunch. The physical objective of the day is the Inka Chiriaska pass (5,100 m), the highest point of the expedition. From the ridge, the proximity to the Salkantay glacier and its terminal lake is absolute.

We descend into Salkantaypampa to set camp near a local homestead. Sleeping at 4,100 m at the foot of the glacier, the connection to the mountain's thermal and spiritual presence is tangible.

Details
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Maximum altitude: 5,100 m / 16,732 ft
• Walking time: 8 hrs
• Walking distance: 15 km / 9.3 miles
• Accommodation: Andean Expedition Camps
• Yawarmaki (Trailhead): 4,400 m / 14,435 ft
• Salkantaypampa (Campsite): 4,100 m / 13,451 ft
• Inka Chiriaska Pass: 5,100 m / 16,732 ft
• Arrival at Camp: Approx. 4:00 pm

After a high-protein breakfast, we ascend to the Salkantay Pass to cross the mountain range. This transition marks the shift between two worlds. After reaching the pass at 4,650 m, we descend toward Huayracmachay for lunch.

As we continue downward, the ecosystem undergoes a radical transformation. The dry, thin air of the heights is replaced by the warmth and humidity of the high jungle. The day ends in Colpapampa with a shared meal and a rest in a significantly warmer climate.

Details
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Maximum altitude: 4,650 m / 15,255 ft
• Walking time: 8 hrs
• Walking distance: 18 km / 11.2 miles
• Accommodation: Andean Expedition Camps
• Salkantaypampa (Trailhead): 4,100 m / 13,451 ft
• Colpapampa (Campsite): 2,950 m / 9,678 ft
• Salkantay Pass: 4,650 m / 15,255 ft
• Arrival at Camp: Approx. 4:00 pm

The cold of the peaks is left behind. We follow the Salkantay River valley, where the vegetation becomes dense with fruit trees—mango, orange, banana, and granadilla. In the afternoon, we reach Lucmabamba. Here, we participate in a Pachamanca, an ancestral culinary tradition where food is cooked in the earth using heated stones.

We visit a local family for a coffee and cacao tour, processing the beans harvested from the surrounding groves. The night is spent around a bonfire with the support team, marking our final night in the field.

Details
• Difficulty: Easy / Moderate
• Maximum altitude: 2,950 m / 9,678 ft
• Walking time: 5 hrs
• Walking distance: 15 km / 9.3 miles
• Accommodation: Andean Expedition Camps
• Colpapampa (Trailhead): 2,950 m / 9,678 ft
• Playa Sahuayaco: 2,450 m / 8,038 ft
• Lucmabamba (Campsite): 2,000 m / 6,561 ft
• Arrival at Camp: Approx. 1:00 pm

Breakfast utilizes the harvest of the valley: avocado, honey, and local coffee. We bid farewell to our kitchen team as they begin their return to Cusco. We then enter an original segment of the Inka Trail. A three-hour ascent through the cloud forest leads to the ruins of Llactapata.

From this ridge, Machu Picchu is visible across the valley—a rare perspective that few travelers witness. We descend for two hours toward the hydroelectric station for lunch, followed by a final three-hour walk along the tracks to the town of Aguas Calientes.

Details
• Difficulty: Challenging
• Maximum altitude: 2,700 m / 8,858 ft
• Walking time: 9 hrs
• Walking distance: 24 km / 14.9 miles
• Accommodation: Hotel (Aguas Calientes)
• Lucmabamba (Trailhead): 2,000 m / 6,561 ft
• Llactapata: 2,700 m / 8,858 ft
• Aguas Calientes: 2,070 m / 6,791 ft
• Arrival: Approx. 4:30 pm

At 5:00 am, we ascend to the sanctuary of Machu Picchu. Our lead guide facilitates a technical and historical analysis of the site’s most significant sectors. After the guided portion, there is time for individual observation before returning to Aguas Calientes.

We depart by train to Ollantaytambo, where our private transport waits to return us to Cusco. The journey concludes with a drop-off at your hotel, carrying the physical memory of a trek that spanned the full breadth of the Inka geography.

Details
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Maximum altitude: 2,400 m / 7,874 ft
• Walking time: 6 hrs
• Walking distance: 8 km / 4.9 miles
• Aguas Calientes: 2,070 m / 6,791 ft
• Machu Picchu: 2,400 m / 7,874 ft
• Cusco (Final): 3,350 m / 10,990 ft
• Arrival in Cusco: Approx. 6:30 pm
• Total Distance: 120 km / 74.5 miles