We will pick you up from your hotel at 5:45am and walk to the train station, ready to catch the 6:10am train. We will be on the train for roughly an hour and a half, and be sure to look out the window as the mountains pass you by. We disembark at KM104, the starting point of the Short Inca Trail.

After crossing the Urubamba River on a picturesque foot bridge, we show our passports at the checkpoint, pack our picnic lunch and apply some sun screen and insect repellent before proceeding.

The first stop of the hike is an archeological site just a few steps from the checkpoint, named Chachabamba. We take a moment to explore the site and learn the purpose of it from our guide.

And then, our final day of hard work begins with a 3-hour trek to Wiñay Wayna archaeological site (2,650/8,747ft) (Forever Young in Quechua). The first hour and a half is a gentle hike upward, with plenty of opportunities to snap pictures at one of the many lookout points.

This section of the route passes through several microclimates, including a cloud forest. Be sure to pack a waterproof in preparation!

Before you know it, we will arrive at the a beautiful waterfall, which signals the end of this section of the hike. Take a beat here to enjoy the crystal clear waters and the refreshing splash. When you’re ready, we begin the steep climb to Wiñay Wayna.

Once we arrive to the site, we take our time and explore the incredible site that has remained astonishingly well preserved. In fact, Wiñay Wayna was only discovered in 1940, several decades after Machu Picchu was discovered.

As we climb each section, our guide giving us a quick explanation for the use of each section. Once we reach the top, we arrive at a campsite of the same name. We tuck into our gourmet box lunch with incredible views stretching out for miles in front of us.

After lunch, we continue on a gradual hike towards the Sun Gate (2,730m/9,00ft). You will encounter one final challenge before our first magnificent view of the Citadel- steps that are aptly nicknamed the gringo killer steps or monkey steps.

The best way to take on these stairs is to get on all fours and just get it done, these steep stairs are carved directly into the bedrock of the Trail and are very steep.

However, it is all worth it as once you walk through the Sun gate, Machu Picchu Citadel stands in front. Its sheer size will take your breath away. From here, it is just an hour hike down the flat rock stairs to Machu Picchu. Be sure to have your camera ready to snap all of the incredible views of this final stretch of this iconic hike.

upon arrival to Machu Picchu you will have time to take more photos from the viewing platforms above the site (Guard House), where you can take the famous postcard pictures of Machu Picchu.

You will arrive in the afternoon, just as the archeological area starts to empty of tourists, which gives you the opportunity to take beautiful photos in the afternoon light with fewer people in your shots.

Take your time to enjoy this magical experience (after all, you’ll never get your first glance of Machu Picchu again) before you take the bus down to Aguas Calientes and check into your hotel.

Your will have a delicious dinner, then have time to walk around this picturesque little town, visit the hot springs or just go to your hotel to rest ready for the following day.

• Meals: Breakfast in the Hotel – Picnic Lunch – Dinner
• Accommodation: Wiracocha Inn Hotel or Intipunku Tambo
• Difficulty: Moderate