We begin the most challenging day of our trek, winding our way past a gigantic terminal moraine left by a receding glacier as we begin the zig-zag ascent to the mighty pass of Incachiriasca (4900m/16,070ft). Around mid-day we cross the pass, a bare, windswept landscape of rocks and ice, close to cracking glaciers and the ridge spot known to climbers as Japanese camp. From here we descend into the valley of Sisaypampa, catching glimpses of Palcay (5,422m/17,785ft), the “hidden peak” just north of Salcantay. We camp at Sisaypampa.

Day 4: Sisaypampa – Q’ente

Heading gently downvalley we follow a trail below the slopes of Salcantay, along a river channeled into a straight canal by the Incas at Pampacahua. We pass the village of Huayllabamba and continue down the lush Cusichaca valley with the snow peak of Verónica (5,682m/18,636ft) ahead of us, reaching the magnificent Inca terraces and agricultural settlement at Patallacta in the afternoon. We camp at warmer altitudes (2,500m/8,200ft) near the Urubamba river and the Inca terraces of Q’ente.

Day 5: Machu-Picchu and Cusco

We catch the earliest train to Aguas Calientes station, and take a bus to the famous ruins of Machu Picchu at mid-morning, spending most of the day at this bewitching place, with both a guided experience of the highlights and then time to explore the ruins on our own. In the afternoon we complete our journey, traveling by train to Cusco.