We recommend two days predeparture to aclimate. We have the city tour of Cusco Inca arqueological sites. Also the sacred valley of the Incas full day tour
The Inca road system was the most extensive and highly advanced transportation system in pre-Columbian South America. The network was based on two north-south roads, with numerous branches. The best known portion of the road system is the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu.
Main routeS:
The eastern route ran high in the puna and mountain valleys from Quito, Ecuador to Cusco, Peru (The capital of the Inca Empire) to Mendoza, Argentina. The western route followed the coastal plain except in coastal deserts where it hugged the foothills. More than twenty routes ran over the western mountains, while others traversed the eastern cordillera in the mountains and lowlands. Some of these roads reach heights of over 5,000 metres (16,000 ft) above sea level. The trails connected the regions of the Inca empire from the northern provincial capital in Quito, Ecuador past the modern city of Santiago, Chile in the south. The Inca road system linked together about 40,000 kilometres (25,000 mi) of roadway and provided access to over 3,000,000 square kilometres (1,200,000 sq mi) of territory.
Situated between 500 to 800 meters (1,600 to 2,600 ft) above sea level, this monumental road, which could reach 20 metres (66 ft) in width, connected populated areas, administrative centers, agricultural and mining zones as well as ceremonial centers and sacred spaces.
These roads provided easy, reliable and quick routes for the Empire's civilian and military communications, personnel movement, and logistical support. The prime users were imperial soldiers, porters and llama caravans, along with the nobility and individuals on official duty. Permission was required before others could walk along the roads, and tolls were charged at some bridges. Although the Inca roads varied greatly in scale, construction and appearance, for the most part they varied between about 1 to 4 meters (3.3 to 13 ft) in width.
Much of the system was the result of the Incas claiming exclusive right over numerous traditional routes, some of which had been built centuries earlier. Many new sections were built or upgraded substantially: through Chile's Atacama desert, and along the western margin of Lake Titicaca, serve as two examples.
The Qhapaq Ñan (English: Great Inca Road, or Main Andean Road, and meaning "the beautiful road") constituted the principal north-south highway of the Inca Empire traveling 6,000 kilometres (3,700 mi) along the spine of the Andes.
The Qhapaq Ñan unified this immense and heterogeneous empire through a well-organized political system of power. It allowed the Inca to control his Empire and to send troops as needed from the capital, Cusco.
The most important Inca road was the Camino Real, as it is known in Spanish, with a length of 5,200 kilometres (3,200 mi)). It began in Quito, Ecuador, passed through Cusco, and ended in what is now Tucumán, Argentina. The Camino Real traversed the mountain ranges of the Andes, with peak altitudes of more than 5,000 m (16,000 ft). El Camino de la Costa, the coastal trail, with a length of 4,000 kilometres (2,500 mi), ran parallel to the sea and was linked with the Camino Real by many smaller routes.
Itinerary
This an incredible way to see the middle and high Andes, following the ancient Inca trail to Machu Picchu. Experience the Andes and the beautiful landscape surrounded by nature full of ecosystems. Find the ancient path of the Incas; submerge your self in the past of the Inca civilization through the archaeological sites.
Day one: Trekking Challacancha to Salkantay pampa.
Pickup at hotel up Cusco (11,500 ft) the capital of the Inca empire and drive for about an hour and a half heading north east, passing small villages and small valleys to reach the town of Mollepata (alt. 9,000 ft). From Mollepata, another hour and a half of driving to the beginning of the trail in a place called Challacancha (11000fts) to the point where we rendezvous our staff and pack animals (one horse will be available for people in case they want to ride from getting tired or for fun). With all of that taken we begin hiking for about one hour to lunch in a Paramo conditions where we w ill have the beautiful view of the Salcantay snow peak (6271 mts); after a light lunch we take the trail up to Salcantay Pampa (12500 fts) following the grass land ecosystem for about 2 to 3 hours and covering the distance of 6.5 kilometers. Camp near Salkantaypampa near the morane. (B, L, D).
Day two: Salkantaypampa to Canal Inca.
Today we go up in the morning to make the summit of our first pass in about 3 hours, Inca Chiriasca (4880 mts). The sheer proximity of the massive presence of the glacial peak of Salcantay (alt. 6,271 meters) is stunning. There are several tarns and lagoons in the vicinity and views of the Vilcanota and Vilcabamba mountain range. We descend the other side of the pass through the moraine and eventually into grassland area where we take a break and some great photographs of the different glaciers. The descent continues through a succession of different and increasingly warmer interandean valleys for about 4 hours; hiking through different ecosystem like the Andean grassland with the chance to see some bushes called Chillca (bacharis 
peruviana) a nd some grass called Ichu(stipa sp) and the possibility to see the Andean flicker (Colaptes rupicola) and different finches like the Plumbeous sierra finch (Phrygilus unicolor). Later we arrive to the Andean semydryforest or srub bush vegetation filled with several tanning tress (Caesalpinia spinosa) and some LLaullis (Bernadesia horrida) and many air plant or bromelids.Nn the fauna great opportunities to see some humming birds like the Giant humming bird (Patagonia gigas) and probably some Southern yellow Grosbeak(Pheucticus chysogaster) After lunch we hike for one hour to reach our second camp in canal Inca (they built a retaining wall and straight up the river for agriculture purposes. which is a place with few members of the Andean community where they grow different potatoes farms. Great views of the beginning of the elfin woods forest. Today we will hike for approximately 7 hours and cover a distance of 11kilometers (B, L, D).
Day three: Canal Inka to Llulluchapampa.
We begin hiking down following the Pampacahua river with beautiful views un til we reach the valley of Paucarcancha (9500 fts) where we will see one of the Tambos of the Inca times(administrative place in between three valleys. Middle day we arrive to the village of Huallabamba for lunch. Beautiful views of the different ecosystem, time to jump in the river, explore nature and meet our porters from the local Quechuan community, because we enter upon an original Inca Road in the town of Huallabamba (alt. 9,000 ft). After the farewell 
ceremony with the muleteers and staff, we begin ascending to our next camp at Llulluchapampa (alt. 11500 ft) following and incredible variety of ecosystems from the Andean semidry forest or scrub bush vegetation to the Paramo with some species like Chillca(Bacharis peruviana) to some Pepper trees Molle (shinus molle) used by the Incas for 
mummification and several bromeliads and orchest like the Forever young or Wiñay huayna(epidemdrun secundum). As well the great chance to see the Giant humming bird(Patagonia Gigas) and the sparkling violet ear (Colibri coruscans) and different finches. The last section of the hike is important because we find a beautiful stonework trail with beautiful stairs. Also we will walk along the natives forest called the elfind woods with several orchest and bromeliads hanging down from several species of Unca tress (Mycianthes oreophyla) and many ferns and liquens decorating the different Unca tress) Today about 7 hours hiking and we cover 13 kilometers. Our camp will have a beautiful views of the Huayanay mountain 5464mts (B, L, D).
Day four: Llulluchapampa to Phuyupatamarca.
On this day we surmount our second pass of the trek, Warmi Wañusta (alt. 14,200 ft). After lounging around appreciating the view of the mountain range and some archaeological sites we godown to the valley of Pacaymayu (alt. 11,500 ft) where we will see the orchest called Odontoglusum mystacinum and different finches. After we go up again to the third pass known as Runku Rakay (alt.13, 000 ft). After lunch the beautiful scenery and archaeological sites we continue to our camp in 
Phuyupatamarca passin through different arqueological sites like Sayacmarka another religious retreat of the Inca times.In this area. (B,L,D). Our camp in Phuyupatamarca(12500 fts ,a place above the clouds) with the incredible views of the Urubamba mountain range filled with a incredible snow peak like the Wakay Huillca at (5365mts), time for sunset at camp (B, L, D) Today we will hike for about 7 hours and cover a distance of 15 kilometers.
Day five: Phuyupatamarca to Machu Picchu.
Today we hike for about 5 hours and covering about 7 kilometers to Machu Picchu, visiting different archaeological sites and ecosystems like the Wiñay huayna remains and, especially the cloud forest where wew ill find different species of bromeliads and orchest like Bamboo orchest (Sobralia dicotoma) ans some walnut tress, as well some Coral trees and 
several species of wrens special the Incawren (Thryothorus eisenmanni). We go for a light lunch with the view of Machu Picchu (2450 mts) below from the Sun Gate (Intipunku); then have our first encounter with the Sacred Inca City. After pictures and views and an introduction down we go by bus to the town of Aguas Calientes for the hotel, dinner and maybe -if you’d like to- visit the hot springs. Hotel, (B, L,D).
Day six: Machu Picchu.
Up for Sunrise in the Citadel is the climate aloud us. Then we go for a two hour detailed tour and visit of the archaeological site of Machu Picchu, After that we have time to hike to Huayna Picchu (2740 mts) for about 2 hours round trip or the Mountain Machu picchu(3050mts) 2hours and 30 minutes. Also relax in the archaeological site for pictures and views. After late lunch we take the train back to Cusco. (B,L) Hotel Cusco.
Note: This trip takes 6 days I will suggest to add one day tours (like the Sacred Valley, river rafting, City Tour).
Note: We bring couples horses for the first section of the trip to support the expedition and the people.
Note: we can recommend some good hotels.
Note: We run this trip from late March to January.
Included
Sleeping bag.
Tents and mattresses (all seasons).
Meals.
Porters.
Horse handlers.
Lodge.
Hotels.
Equipment and gear.
Transportation.
All equipment.
First aid.
Radio communication.
What to bring
This is a list designed to advise you what equipment is appropriate to bring according to the weather conditions predominating at the time of your trip:
Flashlights (at least one headlamp among them).
Sun Block; Insect Repellent.
Towels (Small; cotton and hygienic).
Rain Gear (Pants and Jacket) though not necessary during the months of July and August.
A couple of pairs of socks, perhaps even an extra pair.
One pair of trousers for the evening plus two more pairs for trail use (zipp-offs).
Sandals for River use (Teva types).
Low ankle height hiking shoes or regular hiking boots (check the season).
Reading material.
Binoculars (always useful regardless of season and activity).
Bathing Suit.
Water Bottle (I liter capacity).
Good Sun glasses, perhaps two sets.
A bandana for neck protection.
A couple of sets of underwear (perhaps an extra pair).
Camera and plenty of film.
Passport (plus a couple of Xerox copies).
At least one short sleeve shirt and one or two long sleeve shirts (dark colors, depending on the place and destiny chosen).
And your regular medium to high altitude outer trekking clothes (Anorak-Wind Breaker, Pile or Down Jacket, Wool Hat, Gloves).
Any questions, consults and information, contact us at:
Mail: info@cuscomachupicchu.com
Phone: (0051 - 84) - 984764938 
