Reservations for the great year 2024 - 2025 have already started, more than 50000 clients with reservations secured!
Are you thinking about taking a trip to Machu Picchu? What are you waiting for, make your reservation now and secure the best place to see Machu Picchu completely and live an unforgettable experience!.
We recommend booking it at least 2 months in advance as tickets are quite limited.
Very limited spaces See availabilityBook fast and easy on our website and keep track of your reservation with our most advanced booking system, be updated on our discounts every week.
Moonstone Trek 5 Days to Machu Picchu is a new route, which no Agency knows yet, Even this hike is much better than any hike in the Cusco region, with Inca constructions and Inca Trails.Moonstone Trek is a new route that even no one knows in the region of Cusco, Moonstone in the Inca language Quechua means (Quilla rumiyoc), located on top of the Andes mountains with a perfect location where you will have stunning views of everything Valley. Moonstone has a perfect moon-shaped sculpture, which the Incas in the Pachacuteq empire built a road to the Oste and built incredible temples in the mountains.
We start the day with an early pick up from your hotel. We take a 1 hour drive to Quillarumiyoc (the Moon Temple). This is the namesake of the trek. We will have a nourishing, gourmet breakfast at this location.
Following breakfast, we will drive a further 40 minutes to the trailhead, Varpiso (3,257 m / 10, 682 ft). Here we will meet our horses and horsemen. We will pack all the gear on to the horses and start the trek.
We cross a bridge over the Huaracondo River and then are off to this incredible, rarely visited region! This segment is 3 ½ hours uphill. Then we arrive at Huatta (3,924 m / 12, 870 ft), a pre-Inca site. Huatta is a substantial pre-Inca fortress dominating the crest of a ridge. Archeologists currently excavating the site are revealing burial sites and occupation levels from the Formative Period (2,500 years ago), on through the enormous fortifications of the 4th century Regional Development period; a scattering of late-period Inca structures seems like an afterthought on the top of the highest hill. The site is classic: a defensible ridge with dominating three-way views along intersecting valleys. We will have lunch and a tour here.
Following lunch, the remainder of the day´s trek is 3 ½ hours of up and down sections. At that point we will arrive to our camp for the night, the hamlet of Chillipawa (3,750 m / 12,300 ft). As a side note, Chillipawa is the native village of many of our guides. You will experience remarkable Peruvian hospitality in this village.
Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner +snacks
Lowest Elevation: 3,256 m / 10, 682 ft
Highest Elevation: 3,924 m / 12, 870 ft
Distance to walk: 10 km
Approximate walking time: 7 to 8 hours
Level of Difficulty: Moderate
Lodging: Camping at Chillipawa
This morning, you will be woken up with delectable Coca tea or heavenly local coffee. After that and your robust breakfast, the trek for the day will begin.
The beginning of the trek is uphill for 3 ½ hours. We will then stop at a small glade for lunch (4,438 m / 14,557 ft).
Following lunch, we have 1 more hour to go uphill to the high point of the trek, the Puccacasa pass (4,643 m / 15,229 ft). This is a very unique vantage point. On one side, you see Cusco and Mt Ausangate (6.372 m /20,900 ft), which is the tallest peak in the Urubamba Mountain Range. On the other side you have a close up view of Mount Veronica (5,882 ft / 19,096 ft). Mt Veronica represents the end of the Urubamba Mountain range and its pyramidal shape makes it particularly impressive.
After we enjoy this astonishing vista, we start our trek downhill to the camp. During this 2 ½ hour stretch we will see abundant llamas, alpacas and potato farms. We will then arrive at our camp, Chancachuco (4,177 m / 13,700 ft) for the night, where we will enjoy a well earned bountiful dinner. We will have a gorgeous view of the Huaynay Glaciers at the camp.
Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner +snacks
Lowest Elevation: 3,750 m / 12,300 ft
Highest Elevation: 4,643 m / 15,229 ft
Distance to walk: 11 ½ km / 7 miles
Approximate walking time: 7 to 8 hours
Level of Difficulty: Challenging
Lodging: Camping at Chancachuco
Featuring a breath taking canyon, this is the most beautiful section of the trek. Additionally, this portion is part of an original Inca Trail. Since we are the only company that uses this route, we will definitely be alone!
After breakfast, we start our journey through the canyon. We will be surrounded by lush green vegetation and polylepis trees, while following a lovely, flowing stream. The beginning of our journey through the Puncuyoc canyon and the Silque Valley is an easy 2 hour downhill stretch. We will follow the 16 km Inca Canal, the longest Inca Canal constructed. This canal was built from Chancachuco to Ollantaytambo. We will also have the potential to see the native Spectacled Bear.
We will then head back uphill for 2 hours. Along the way we will stop at Inti Punku (the Sun Gate) and tour the Inca Quarry. From here we can see Mount Veronica and parts of the Sacred Valley.
This is a site where history is literally frozen in time. You will see the Inca constructions where the stone masons lived. You will see the “tired stones” that were ready to be skidded down the steep slope to the Vilcanota River below, but abandoned before that was possible. These stones were the pink stones that were used to build Ollantaytambo. You will see an early wheel design. Finally, there is a rare mummy at this site.
The remainder of the day´s hike is 45 minutes of gentle up and down sections, until we reach our camp, the Inca Quarry (3,525 m/ 11,564 ft). We will have lunch at our camp.
We will have the remainder of the day to relax. We will have happy hour, a plentiful dinner and then enjoy the sunset over the Sacred Valley.
Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner +snacks
Lowest Elevation: 3,525 m/ 11,564 ft
Highest Elevation: 3,940 m/ 12,136 ft
Distance to walk: 10 km
Approximate walking time: 6 to 7 hours
Level of Difficulty: Moderate
Lodging: Camping at the Inca Quarry
After another delectable breakfast, we begin a relaxed day where we will have ample opportunity to enjoy the sites between the Inca Quarry and Ollantaytambo. This is a rarely visited region and we will likely not encounter any other trekkers. This is an exceptional opportunity to see sites that others never have the chance to see. The hike is 3 ½ hours downhill until we reach Ollantaytambo (2,792 m / 9,158 ft).
We will have lunch in Ollantaytambo.
After lunch, we will catch the Vistadome Train to Aguas Calientes. Upon arrival to Aguas Calientes, you will check in to your hotel room. Since we will get to Aguas Calientes in the early afternoon, you will have plenty of time to relax, enjoy the town and visit the hot springs. Dinner will be at the finest restaurant.
Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner +snacks
Lowest Elevation: 2,792 m / 9,158 ft
Highest Elevation: 3,525 m / 11,562 ft
Distance to walk: 7 km / 4 ½ miles
Approximate walking time: 3 to 4 hours
Level of Difficulty: Easy
Lodging: Three star Hotel in Aguas Calientes
You will have breakfast at your hotel before we take a very early bus (5:30am) along the winding road to Machu Picchu to see the magnificent sunrise. Once there you will be given a 2 hour walking tour of the site.
If you have elected to climb Huayna Picchu Mountain you will begin the hike at 10 AM. The ticket price for Machu Picchu Mountain is included in the price of your trek. If you are not climbing the mountain you will have free time to explore Machu Picchu before you return to Aguas Calientes by bus.
When you arrive in Aguas Calientes you will board the expedition train to Ollantaytambo. From Ollantaytambo you will travel by private van to Cusco and we will drop you off at your hotel. Arrival time in Cusco depends on the time of your train ticket.
Meals: Breakfast:
Lowest Elevation: 2,040 m/ 6,691 ft
Highest Elevation: 2,440 m/ 8,052 ft
All information meetings are held in your hotel at 6:00 p.m., one night before the tour begins. If you cannot attend, you must coordinate another time at the Peru Hike offices. These meetings last approximately 30 to 45 minutes and there you will be given a small duffel bag, in which you’ll put all the belongings you intend to bring on the trek that won’t be in your day pack.
ou’ll receive a canvas case or duffel bag during your briefing. The porters will take them on the way and will deliver them to you when you get to each camp. They measure 66 cm / 2 ft. Long x 36 cm / 1 ft. Wide.
A maximum of 5 kg is allowed for each duffel bag that includes the weight of your sleeping bag, mat, clothes and other personal items.
The trek has to be paid for in full by at least 7.30 pm two days before departure. For example, if your tour departs on a Wednesday, then you must come to our office before 7.30 pm on Monday.
It would be much appreciated if you pay the trek balance in cash US dollars or local currency. You can withdraw some money from several ATMs along Avenida Sol (either in US dollars or local Peruvian Soles). You can pay by credit card or PAYPAL online, but you will have to pay an 8% service charge, charged by VISA and PAYPAL. We do not accept bank checks or payment of the balance by traveler’s checks.
Of course! During the travel, your main luggage can be stored at our office(you can organize briefing day or by email) or at your hotel, both free of charge.
Any equipment that you are not going to need on the trek can be stored safely in your hotel. Nearly every hotel will provide this service. Don’t leave items of value with your bags, put them in the hotel safe and obtain an itemized receipt (In the unlikely case of theft many insurance companies require that you have a copy of the receipt itemizing all the items). Best put items such as credit cards inside a sealed, signed envelope for extra peace of mind.
Peru Hike can pick you up from your hotel, as long as it’s in the Historic Center of Cusco. The pickup time will be coordinated with your guide in the briefing. The pickup time may vary between 30 and 45 minutes due to traffic. Cusco is a very old city, therefore, it has many narrow cobbled streets. Some hotels and Airbnbs may be located on streets without access to cars or on long, steep slopes, making it difficult to transport luggage. We strongly recommend that you book accommodation with good access.
Returning from Machu Picchu requires quite a bit of logistics, but don’t worry. Everything is included in your tour!
Group tours are made up of different types of people. Physical conditions and ages can vary. By agreeing to be part of a group tour, you also accept that some people may be faster or slower than you. Therefore, each person can go at their own pace on the route. It may be the case that a group wishes to modify the tour; however, it will be the guide who decides, after consulting with all the participants, if said modifications can be made.
Strikes and demonstrations are usually frequent in Peru and this may interrupt some of our tours. Roads can be blocked and train tracks can be taken over. However, we will try to keep your excursion as planned, even if it means leaving the night before the scheduled date. Under these circumstances, tours may also be cancelled. In case of changes or cancellations, all situations will be coordinated with you by our operations department. Your safety is our highest priority and our decisions will be made to protect it.
You’re responsible for your objects during the tour. Please pay attention to where you leave your things and remember to take everything once you leave our trucks, tents, or restaurants.
Here are some other options that will suit your needs
As the Inca trail and the Salkantay trek were closed, this was the third option offered by Peru Hike. At first we were a bit disappointed as we really wanted to do Salkantay, but as soon as we started the trek all disappointment disappeared.
This trek is much less touristy, and brings you through some absolutely beautiful scenery. You visit some interesting inca sites, and even though it was rain season, we were lucky with the weather. It was misty sometimes, but this only added to the mysterious atmosfere of the hike.
And then there is the Peru Hike team. Our guide Elisban told us the history of the Inca’s (vs the Spanish) over a 3 day story full of anticipation and suspense! It was awesome!
The food was awesome, the tents were fine, and we even got a warm water bottle before going to bed. All in all, the service was perfect.
We really enjoyed the hike, and even though we didnt do the ‘traditional’ hikes, we are sure this hike is at least as much fun and beautiful as the others.
Thanks Peru Hike, and specifically thanks Elisban!