The Crew
Your Trek Team
Guides, porters and cooks, all B Corp certified, providing valuable income to the local community. They carry, they cook, they get you to Machu Picchu.
Machu Picchu
A Trek With Stories
You'll Tell Forever
Cusco Region, Peru · 13.1631° S, 72.5450° W
Final release now liveView dates
Trek Overview
Dive into the Andes like the adventurers of old.
Big mountain days, glacier exploration, slipping through the jungle to find the ancient Inca paths. This is Machu Picchu, 81km of history, nature, and a trek even more beautiful than the destination.
- Highest point
- 4,650 mSalkantay Pass
- Duration
- 9 days6 on the trail
- Available from
- £310*Through fundraising
- Extension trip
- +6 daysRainbow Mountain & desert, +£750 · see it
Final release now liveView dates
Itinerary
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You'll touch down in Cusco, the ancient capital of the Inca Empire, where your rep is waiting to greet you. After dropping your bags, we'll head to a group lunch at a brilliant local spot, then straight into a walking tour of the city, led by the same guide who'll take you all the way to Machu Picchu. It's the perfect way to settle in and start acclimatising to the mountain air.
Hardest highlightThe walking tour uncovers Cusco's best local spots, rich with insight into how the Spanish conquest reshaped the city's architecture and way of life.
What's included- Airport transfer
- Guided walking tour
- Meals: Lunch
- Accommodation: Hostel in Central Cusco
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A free day to explore Cusco at your own pace and adjust to the altitude before the Machu Picchu trek begins. Hunt down Inca ruins, wander the colonial old town, barter in the artisan markets, or nurse a coffee on a terrace over the Plaza de Armas. In the afternoon we'll hand out your trek duffel bags and run the final kit checks.
Hardest highlightFeeling brave? Today's the day to try the local delicacies, alpaca and cuy (guinea pig), before an early night ahead of the trail.
What's included- Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
- Accommodation: Hostel in Central Cusco
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The Machu Picchu trek officially starts. After an early drive into the Andes, you'll hit the Salkantay trail for the first time, following ancient aqueducts through breathtaking mountain scenery to your first camp at Soraypampa (3,900m). A hot three-course dinner and a sky full of stars await.
Hardest highlightSoraypampa is one of the best places on Earth to see the Milky Way. Brave the chill and spend the evening stargazing with a mug of coca tea.
What's included- English & Spanish-speaking guides
- Mule support (you carry only a day bag)
- Cooks, waiters & porters
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation: Tents & camping equipment
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An acclimatisation day built around one of the trek's most jaw-dropping sights. You'll climb to the sacred Humantay Lake (4,200m), sitting beneath its glacier, then descend for lunch before a two-hour trek to camp at Salkantaypampa, resting up for the big pass day ahead.
Hardest highlightThe teal water, the glacier, the towering peaks behind it. Humantay Lake is one of the true highlights of the whole trek.
What's included- English & Spanish-speaking guides
- Mule support (you carry only a day bag)
- Cooks, waiters & porters
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation: Tents & camping equipment
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The hardest and most rewarding day. The trail climbs to the Salkantay Mountain Pass (4,650m), the highest point of the trek, beneath the sacred snow-capped giant Nevado Salkantay. After 360-degree views at the top, you'll begin a long descent into greener, warmer terrain and camp at Collpapampa.
Hardest highlightHiking beneath Nevado Salkantay is surreal, and knowing you've just conquered the highest point of the Machu Picchu trek makes it a brilliant day.
What's included- English & Spanish-speaking guides
- Mule support (you carry only a day bag)
- Cooks, waiters & porters
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation: Tents & camping equipment
-
Swap mountain views for a descent into the lush Santa Teresa Valley, where the trail transforms into vibrant cloud forest. You'll reach Lucmabamba camp and meet your host for a hands-on coffee experience, from picking your own beans to roasting, grinding and brewing them.
Hardest highlightTrekking through cloud forest with fresh fruit and wildlife all around you, then drinking a coffee you picked and roasted yourself.
What's included- English & Spanish-speaking guides
- Mule support (you carry only a day bag)
- Included coffee-making experience
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation: Tents & camping equipment
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Your final full day of hiking joins the ancient Inca trail, climbing to Llactapata for a rare view of Machu Picchu from behind the ruins, an angle few tourists ever see. From there you'll descend to Aguas Calientes, the town at the foot of the mountain, for a hot shower and a real bed after five nights camping.
Hardest highlightWalking the same stone paths as the Incas, then catching that first glimpse of Machu Picchu from Llactapata. One of the best views of the trek.
What's included- English & Spanish-speaking guides
- Luggage transport (you carry only a day bag)
- Cooks, waiters & porters
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation: Hostel in Aguas Calientes
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This is it. You'll wake before dawn and climb the final steep ascent to reach Machu Picchu as the sun breaks over the mountains. A fully guided tour unpacks the history, legends and engineering of this Wonder of the World, before you bus down for a celebration lunch and take the train back to Cusco.
Hardest highlightWatching the sun rise over Machu Picchu after six days on the trail. There's no feeling quite like it on Earth.
What's included- English & Spanish-speaking guides
- Machu Picchu entrance & guided tour
- Bus to Aguas Calientes + train to Cusco
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
- Accommodation: Hostel in Cusco
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After an epic week on the trail, today is yours to unwind and reflect. If you're heading home, your airport transfer is included. If you're staying on for the extension, enjoy a free morning in Cusco before the next chapter, Rainbow Mountain, the Maras salt pans and the desert oasis of Huacachina, begins.
Hardest highlightOne last morning in Cusco to soak it all in before the goodbyes, or the start of even more Peruvian adventures.
What's included- Airport transfer
- Meals: Breakfast
- Accommodation: Hostel in Cusco
+ Extension trip6 more days from day 9
The Sights and Sounds of Peru
Rainbow Mountain, the salt pans and the desert. Extension day 1 is day 9 of the trek.
- Ext 1Bean to Bar chocolate workshop & Pisco sour making classCusco
- Ext 2Palccoyo Rainbow MountainPalccoyo
- Ext 3Maras Saltpans & Bus to IcaMaras to Ica
- Ext 4Huacachina - Dune Buggy and ExploreHuacachina
- Ext 5Huacachina - Sand Boarding and ExploreHuacachina
- Ext 6Huacachina Free Day and Bus to LimaHuacachina to Lima
+£750per person · secure your spot from £100
See the extension- The day's altitude
- Acclimatisation day, same bed two nights
Arrival & Cultural Exploration
- Distance
- Transfer
- Time
- –
- Elev gain
- –
- Altitude
- 3,399 m
The 6 keys to altitude:1Climbing high2Sleeping low3Sleeping a lot4Eating plenty5Drinking more water than you think6Always have a laugh or game going on (strengthens the lungs we reckon).
What's Included
The Trail
Camp, Meals & Water
Camping in tents with mule support, cooks, waiters and porters, every meal on the trek and safe drinking water throughout. You trek, we run the camp.
The Hostel
Accommodation
Hostels in the heart of Cusco and in Aguas Calientes, with a real bed and a hot shower waiting after your nights camping on the trail.
The Backup
Never On Your Own
An HA rep is with you from sign-up to Machu Picchu, backed by a 24/7 UK emergency line for the whole challenge.
And all of this
Park permits and all entry fees required to reach Machu Picchu
Many meals off the trek too, as detailed in the itinerary
Airport pickup and drop-off by your HA rep
All in-country transport including trek drop-offs, pick-ups and the train from Aguas Calientes back to Cusco
All camp equipment, tents, cutlery and crockery included
Fundraising support, your HA rep and challenge leaders help you smash your target
You sort four things.We handle the rest.
That's the deal. Everything on the trail is our problem. Before you fly, you've got exactly four jobs:
- 01
Flights
Get yourself to Cusco and back. We'll be waiting at arrivals.
- 02
Travel Insurance
A policy that covers high-altitude trekking up to 5,000m. Non-negotiable.
- 03
Jabs & Visas
Check vaccinations with your GP and sort a visa if you need one.
- 04
Spending Money
For tips for your guides and porters, meals not in the itinerary, and anything you fancy.
Not included in your trip price: flights to and from Cusco, travel insurance, vaccinations, visas (if required), tips for guides and porters, meals not specified in the itinerary, and personal spending.
Choose your payment plan
Pay In Full
Settle the £1,459 in one payment at booking. No further admin, no follow-up emails.
20% Deposit + Monthly Instalments
Secure your place with a 20% deposit of your chosen registration fee (from £50), then pay £50 plus equal monthly instalments until three months before your trip, or clear the remainder by your departure's due date: 9th February 2027 for the June 2027 trip and 8th February 2027 for the 8th August 2027 trip. And we're treating you right, this is valid for both paid and fundraising plans.
Hardest Safety Net - After booking you have a 2-week window to change your mind and receive a full refund, no questions asked.
The Sights and Sounds of Peru
+ Extension trip
You've just climbed Machu Picchu, and now the Peruvian adventure continues. From 5,000m high in the Rainbow Mountains, to sandboarding in the Desert Oasis of Huacachina. This 6 day extension is the perfect way to continue your adventure, and get to know more of Peru.
Extra days+6
Price per person+£750
Secure your spot£100
Ext 1 to 2
Cusco
Palccoyo Rainbow Mountain
Ext 3
Sacred Valley
Maras Saltpans & Bus to Ica
Ext 4 to 6
Huacachina
Huacachina - Dune Buggy and Explore
Stuck on the wall at HQ
Don’t take our word for it
- ★★★★★Mila Jovanova year ago
Went to Machu Picchu with Hardest Adventures and had the journey of a lifetime. Met some incredible people and made amazing memories along the way.
Machu Picchu - ★★★★★Ben Duncana year ago
Just finished Machu Picchu expedition with this lot. Impeccable organisation throughout (compared with other guided tours they were on another level of organisation, fun and enjoyment), Will is a legend and a fantastic rep. Great way of meeting new people and exploring the world whilst contributing to charity!
Machu Picchu - ★★★★★Ewan Meeka year ago
So, with the plan for the Machu Picchu trip it was already going to be amazing, but the way Will the rep ran the whole thing made it not just a nice trip with cool views, but also hilarious, action packed and so well organised that it was easy. Everyone was friends by day 2 or 3. The Machu Picchu guides were perfect for the job as well, friendly, reliable and very knowledgeable.
Machu Picchu - ★★★★★Antonia Heatha year ago
I had a fantastic experience doing Machu Picchu. I met amazing people and the trip was very well organised. I would highly recommend. A brilliant way to travel and conquer challenges
Machu Picchu - ★★★★★Isabella Equihua Mautia year ago
Had an amazing time doing the Machu Picchu Trek - was super well organised from start to finish, great vibes and great support throughout, big thanks to Will.
Machu Picchu - ★★★★★Laura Addisona year ago
Unreal experience in Peru with these guys :) Will made sure there was always high vibes in the group 🙌
Machu Picchu - ★★★★★kirstya year ago
Made the best memories doing the Machu Picchu trek, was well organised and amazing vibes throughout thanks to Will :)
Machu Picchu
