The Andean Explorer Trek 2026 Unique

Enjoying the most important sites in the city of Cusco

Arrive in the historical capital, Cusco. We’ll whisk you off to your hotel for you to freshen up and get settled in before we take you on a half-day city tour.

The Andean Explorer Trek This excursion is very relaxed, and you won’t have to exert yourself too much on the first day. It’s the perfect way to acclimatize to the altitude.

On tour, you’ll visit some of the city’s most important sites and landmarks and learn all about the history.

The Andean Explorer Trek You’ve likely heard that Cusco was home to the Incas, which you’ll hear a lot more about, but there were also many cultures before them since 1,000 BC to be exact.

The attractions you’ll visit on your city tour are:

• The Cusco Cathedral
• Qoricancha Temple and Santo Domingo Convent
• Sacsayhuaman
• Q’enqo
• Puka Pukara
• Tambomachay

Day Facts:

• MINIMUM ELEVATION: 3,390 m / 11,122 ft
• HIGHEST ELEVATION: 3,800 m / 12,467 ft

Tour the Amazing Sacred Valley of the Incas

The Andean Explorer Trek Today, take a day trip out of the city to the Sacred Valley of the Incas. The landscape here is stunning, with rolling hills and a winding river running through the middle. It’s easy to see why the place meant so much to the Incas.

First, at 8:30 am, you’ll head to Pisac, where you’ll visit the colorful market and archaeological site.

From the ruins, you get the most spectacular view of the valley. After, we’ll take you to the town of Urubamba to enjoy a delicious buffet lunch of many Peruvian delicacies.

In the afternoon, your next stop is in Ollantaytambo, which is a very quaint Inca town with wonderfullypreserved structures and layouts.

We’ll take you on a tour of the unique archaeological site that overlooks the main square before heading off to our final stop in Chinchero.

There’s a small archaeological site tovisit and a quaint church here. However, the main attraction is seeing how the local women weave amazing textiles and learning all about how they make natural dyes.

Finally, it’ll be time to head back to Cusco before 7 pm so you can grab some dinner before bed.

Day Facts:

• MEALS: Lunch
• MINIMUM ELEVATION: 2,792 m / 9,160 ft
• HIGHEST ELEVATION: 3,762 m / 12,343 ft

Hike to the Jewel in the Mountains - The Stunning Humantay Lake

We’ll pick you up at 4:00 a.m. for the adventure and provide comfortable transportation with blankets for the 2-hour drive.

We’ll stop at Mollepata for breakfast before starting the 3-hour moderate hike to Soraypampa (3,900 m / 12,795 ft).

Before hitting the trail, there will be a chance to meet the cooks and horsemen and do a final equipment check.

The Andean Explorer Trek The trail starts relatively flat and covers 7 km / 4.35 mi overall, passing through a deep valley of glaciers and following a restored Inca water channel still used by local farmers.

Upon arriving at Soraypampa, settle in at our exclusive Sky Camp for lunch and then hike up to the Humantay Lake (4,200 m / 13,780 ft), which takes about 3 hours round trip and covers 3 km / 1.86 mi.

The Andean Explorer Trek At the lake, the turquoise waters reflecting the Humantay glacier are a sight straight out of a fairy tale.

Return to camp for a delicious dinner and watch the sunset from the Sky Camp igloo. The glass roof provides a perfect view of the stars, constellations,and comets.

The majestic Apu Salkantay will be there to greet you in the morning.

Sky Camp

Soraypampa

Our dazzling SKY CAMP is located in front of the impressive mountains Humantay and Salkantay. This campsite creates the perfect union of sky and earth. It allows you to sleep calmly under a clear sky starred with an exceptional view of the constellations. At the same time, you can enjoy all the comforts of a first-class vacation home.

• 31 Igloos
• 2 people per igloo
• Dining room, kitchen and bathrooms

Defeat the Trek to the Salkantay Pass and Descend Through the Cloud Forest

This is the most difficult day of the entire trek, but you’ll get an amazing reward. This morning, you’ll be hiking up to the Salkantay Pass along the challenging trail.

At the top, you’ll get the most amazing views of the surrounding mountains and have plenty of time to get some excellent photos.

4After, you’ll descend through the fascinating cloud forest and stop on the way down for some lunch before continuing to our campsite in Collpapampa.

Today you’ll notice the drastic change of climate andscenery from the snowy mountain peaks to the edge of the jungle.

The Andean Explorer Trek In Collpapampa, we’ll have another great dinner and then head to sleep in the Mountain Sky View.

Mountain Sky View

Collpapampa

Our campsite Mountain Sky View is a warm mountain accommodation and our
novelty this year, and it’s with great pleasure that we prepared this place for all
those looking for a glamping experience surrounded by nature. Each one of its
individual Andean Sky Huts counts with a private bath besides spectacular tropical mountain views. You’ll find peace under the shining stars listening to the voices of wildlife
and the whispers of the river in the valley.

• 29 Sky Huts
• 2 people per Sky Hut
• Dinning room, kitchen and Bathroom

Jungle Adventure and Coffee Experience

Your adventure continues today by hiking through the jungle of the Santa Teresa Valley, where you’ll observe a lush landscape of rivers, waterfalls, orchids, and many plantations, including bananas, coffee, and avocado.

You’ll get to our Jungle Domes camp at lunchtime for a rest before you get to enjoy a free afternoon to explore your surroundings and visit an organic coffee farm.

The Andean Explorer Trek

You’ll get a good night’s rest this evening, listening to the sounds of nature all around.

Super Junghle Domes

Lucmabamba

From the comfort of our domes, you get to be in intimate contact with the surrounding
nature. As you hear the voices of the wind, rain, and flora and fauna in the area,
immerse yourself in this green environment.

• 20 domes
• 2 people per dome
• Dining room, kitchen and bathrooms

Explore Inca Sites and Catch a Glimpse of Machu Picchu

Rise and shine early to embark on a hike to Llactapata. After approximately 3 hours of walking, explore the intriguing archaeological site with your guide, who will share its history and significance to the Incas.

This is where you’ll first glimpse Machu Picchu citadel, Huayna Picchu, and Machu Picchu Mountains. Descend for an hour and a half to Aobamba, where we’ll stop for lunch.

In the afternoon, we’ll head to Hidroeléctrica train station. You can choose between a train ride (US$ 37 extra) or a 3-hour hike to Aguas Calientes. If you opt for the latter, you’ll visit the significant rock of Intihuatana and learn about its importance.

The Andean Explorer Trek The hike will take you through the warm forest alongside the railroad.

Upon reaching Aguas Calientes, check in to your hotel, explore the town, and have dinner at a local restaurant. Get a good night’s sleep, as you’ll have an early start tomorrow.

Visit the Magical, Mystical Machu Picchu

Wake up early today to ensure you’re one of the first groups to enter Machu Picchu. We’ll board a bus in Aguas Calientes at 6:00 am that takes us up to the entrance.

The incredible citadel will take your breath away as you look out over the stunning fortress. Your guide will take you on a 2-hour tour of all the important sites of the citadel.

If you have pre-booked tickets, you can hike up Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain to get amazing views over Machu Picchu.

Then, we’ll head back down to Aguas Calientes. You’ll have some time to eat lunch at a restaurant of your choice before we board the train to Ollantaytambo.

The Andean Explorer Trek We book tickets between 1:37 pm and 6:20 pm, depending on availability.

Once in Ollantaytambo, our private transportation will pick you up and take you back to your hotel in Cusco at around 8:00 pm. Now, you can rest in your Cusco hotel and reflect on your exciting adventure.

Hike to the Mountain of Seven Colors: Vinicunca

Prepare yourself for another exciting adventure today! Around 4:00 am, we’ll pick you up and drive you to Peru’s Rainbow Mountain, popularly known as Vinicunca.

We’ll stop for a nice breakfast on the way before commencing our ascent to the summit. The breathtaking beauty and unusual flora and animals of the area will astound you as you walk the trail.

When we get to Vinicunca, you’ll have plenty of time to enjoy the stunning scenery and take wonderful images. Your professional guide will also explain how the mountain’s beautiful colors were generated.

Following that, we’ll return to our starting place, where our private transportation will be ready to drive us to a nearby restaurant for lunch. We’ll then return to Cusco, aiming to reach around 5:00 pm.

The Andean Explorer Trek The rest of the evening is yours to relax and enjoy as you, please.
After amazing days of adventure, the time to rest has come.

Say Goodbye to Imperial Cusco

Today, you’ll get up, eat breakfast, and pack your belongings, as it’s time to bid farewell to the imperial city of Cusco for the time being. We’ll arrange a time to pick you up and transport you to the airport or bus station so you can continue your holiday or return home.

This isn’t a permanent goodbye, and we’re sure you’ll want to return to relive all of the great experiences, learn more about the ancient city and cultures, and sample more of the excellent restaurants and their delectable cuisine.

The Andean Explorer Trek So it’s not farewell, but rather see you soon!