The maximum package: every major Cusco icon plus a real trek to Machu Picchu. Eight days, seven nights, three guides, one Sun Gate sunrise. For travelers who want it all — the city, the valley, the trail, the citadel, the mountains, the lakes — and have the fitness and time to do it.
Most 7-8 day Cusco packages either lean cultural (lots of hotels, no trekking) or lean active (multi-day trek with no city or valley days). The Challenge combines both: cultural days for context and acclimatization, then a 2-day Short Inca Trail with Sun Gate arrival, then the iconic high-altitude day-trips. It's the most complete Cusco-region experience we offer.
Day 1 arrival, Day 2 Cusco city, Day 3 Sacred Valley, Days 4–5 Short Inca Trail with Sun Gate finish, Day 6 Rainbow Mountain, Day 7 Humantay Lake, Day 8 departure. Inca Trail permits required for Days 4–5; this means you must book at minimum 3 months ahead, often 5–6 months in high season.
Difficulty is real. The Short Inca Trail involves a 12 km hiking day; Rainbow Mountain reaches 5,200 m; Humantay sits at 4,200 m. By the end of Day 7 you'll have completed approximately 25 km of trekking and reached altitudes most travelers never see. The reward is the kind of trip you'll talk about for years.
Realistic timings, hand-built around weather, altitude, and the rhythm of actual Cusco operations.
Airport pickup, hotel, afternoon Cusco city tour.
Coricancha, Cathedral, Sacsayhuamán and 3 Inca sites.
Free evening.
Full day Sacred Valley (same as Classic 5D Day 2).
Pisac, Urubamba lunch, Ollantaytambo.
Hotel in Ollantaytambo for proximity to next day's train.
Slow morning. Optional half-day Maras-Moray-Salineras day-tour (+$80/pp) for those wanting active acclimatization at moderate altitude.
Late afternoon: Inca Trail pre-trek briefing with your trekking guide. Gear check, duffel bag distribution, permits explained, weather forecast reviewed.
Early dinner and to bed by 9:00 PM. Day 4 starts at 4:00 AM.
Same as Short Inca Trail Day 1 in our standalone 2-day package.
Train to KM 104, 12 km trek, Wiñay Wayna ruins, Sun Gate sunset arrival.
Bus down to Aguas Calientes, hotel check-in.
Hotel breakfast. Bus up to citadel for early entry.
Guided Circuit 2 tour, free time inside.
Train back to Ollantaytambo afternoon, private transport to Cusco. Arrival by 7:30 PM.
Pre-dawn pickup (4:00 AM).
Drive, breakfast en route, hike to Vinicunca summit (5,200 m).
Return to Cusco by 6:00 PM.
Pre-dawn pickup (4:30 AM).
Drive, breakfast, hike to Humantay Lake (4,200 m).
Return to Cusco by 7:30 PM. Two big altitude days back-to-back — most travelers go straight to bed.
Sleep in. Hotel breakfast at own pace.
Late check-out, free morning.
Airport transfer.
Group rates in USD. No hidden fees. Single supplement available for solo travelers (typically +25%). Quote in your currency available on request.
Prices are valid for 2026 departures. We reconfirm pricing at the point of inquiry based on your exact dates, group size, and any upgrades.
Send us your travel dates and group size. We respond within hours during Cusco business hours, with real availability for your exact dates.