Private Moonstone Trek to Machu Picchu - 5 Days

We will begin Day 2 with a cup of coca tea or wonderful local coffee. Then we’ll have a hearty Andean breakfast to build up our energy for the day ahead. Setting off, we’ll first tackle an uphill trek for about 3.5 hours. After that, we’ll stop at a picturesque glade where we’ll have lunch. We are now reaching some serious elevation, at around 4,438 m (14,557 ft). 

After lunch it’s another uphill climb for about an hour, where we’ll reach the highest point on our trek: The Puccacasa pass, at 4,643 m (15,229 ft) above sea level. All your effort getting here will be well rewarded by the incredible views. On one side you’ll see Cusco and Mount Ausangate, which at 6,372 m (20,900 ft) tall is the highest peak in the Urubamba Mountain Range. On the other side, you’ll have a breathtaking view of the nearby, pyramid-shaped Mount Veronica, which sits near the end of the range. Both mountains are considered sacred Apus, or mountain spirits, revered by the Incas and their descendants.

It will be hard to take our eyes off this glorious view, but we have to head on. Thankfully, it’s mostly downhill from here. Our trek downhill to our next campsite will take about 2.5 hours, and we’ll pass by rolling fields filled with llamas, alpacas, and potato farms. We will then arrive at our camp, Chancachuco, which sits at 4,177 m (13,700 ft). Here we will enjoy a well-earned and bountiful dinner, with views of the Huaynay Glaciers as they sparkle in the distance.

Hiking Time: 7-8 hours.
Hiking Distance: 11.5 km / 7 miles.
Lowest Point: 3,750 m / 12,300 ft.
Highest Point: 4,643 m / 15,229 ft.

Our Moonstone Trek on Day 3 takes us through the most beautiful landscapes we’ll see, as we follow a section of an old Inca Trail. We’re also unlikely to see any other people along this route, as it is relatively unknown. 

After breakfast, we begin our trek with a walk through the enchanting Puncuyoc Canyon, where we will be surrounded by lush green vegetation and polylepis trees as we follow a stream that flows through the canyon. This section through the canyon and the Silque Valley is an easy two-hour downhill stretch.

After a while, we’ll come across the Inca Aqueduct, which at 16 km long is the longest Inca aqueduct ever built (as far as we currently know), stretching from Chancachuco to Ollantaytambo. If we’re very lucky, we might even catch sight of one of the most iconic local animals: the Andean spectacled bear. Eventually, we’ll reach an uphill section, which will take us about two hours to complete. Along the way, we will stop at Wayrac Punku, also known as the Gateway to the Andes, from where we’ll have awe-inspiring views of Mount Veronica and parts of the Sacred Valley. 

Next, we’ll explore the nearby Inca Quarry at Cachicata, which offers a fascinating glimpse into Inca history and masonry. This archaeological site is dotted with Inca constructions where the stone masons once lived. You’ll also see where the Incas mined the pink stones used to build Ollantaytambo and stones that were ready to be shipped off but were ultimately left here after the Inca Empire had fallen to the Spanish. The site also features an early Inca wheel design and a rare mummy. 

Once we’ve explored the quarry, we’ll set off on the final 45-minute stretch of the day, walking along a series of gentle ups and downs until we reach our campsite, where we’ll have great views of the Sacred Valley and the city of Ollantaytambo. We’ll have time to relax here, enjoying a big dinner while we watch the sunset over the Sacred Valley.

Hiking Time: 6-7 hours.
Hiking Distance: 10 km. 
Lowest Point: 3,525 m/ 11,564 ft.
Highest Point: 3,940 m/ 12,136 ft.

After another tasty breakfast, we’ll begin a relaxing day of exploration as we trek from the Inca Quarry to Ollantaytambo. This area is rarely visited and we’re unlikely to encounter many other trekkers (if any) as we descend along a wide Inca road, passing through an area of Inca quarries and "chullpas" (old Inca cemeteries), seeing ruins that few others have ever explored. The downhill trek will take about 3.5 hours, after which we’ll reach the town and Inca ruins of Ollantaytambo. 

In Ollantaytambo, we’ll have lunch and visit the town and the extensive Inca archaeological site. Afterwards, we will catch the train to Aguas Calientes, the town that sits below Machu Picchu. When we reach Aguas Calientes, we will accompany you to your hotel. It will still be quite early in the afternoon, so you’ll have plenty of time to explore this colorful town and, if you want, visit the nearby hot springs – a welcome treat after four days of trekking. We’ll also enjoy an excellent meal in one of the best restaurants in Aguas Calientes. You’ll probably want to go to sleep quite early, as we’ll have an early start the next day when we visit our final destination: the magnificent Machu Picchu.
 

Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
Hiking Distance: 7 km / 4.50 miles
Lowest Point: 2,792 m / 9,158 ft
Highest Point: 3,525 m / 11,562 ft

To best appreciate Machu Picchu, we’ll wake up early in the morning so we can get to the citadel in good time. You’ll have time for breakfast first, and then your guide will pick you up from the hotel at around 5:40 a.m. We’ll then walk to the bus departure point for the short but zigzagging ascent up the road to Machu Picchu.
We’ll then pass through the gates to the Machu Picchu archaeological site. Here you’ll begin your guided walking tour with an experienced and highly knowledgeable guide. Our tour of Machu Picchu will last about two hours and will take you to all the most famous and spectacular parts of the extensive archaeological complex. These include the House of the Guardian, the Intihuatana, the Temple of the Sun, the Sacred Plaza, and other key locations. (It will depend on the circuit that the Ministry of Culture determines).

As we walk around, we’ll have spectacular views of the agricultural terraces of Machu Picchu and across to the surrounding mountains and plunging gorges. 

Once we’ve finished our tour of Machu Picchu, we’ll take the bus back down to Aguas Calientes where you can relax and have lunch (not included) before we board the train back to Ollantaytambo/ Poroy. Upon arrival at the station, we’ll be waiting to take you back to your hotel in Cusco, where you’ll end your incredible Moonstone trek to Machu Picchu.