Overview
About Brian
Brian is a qualified personal trainer, sports nutritionist and strength and conditioning coach. He is the best selling author of the book The Fitness Mindset and currently travels the world as a professional speaker. He also hosts the #1 podcast The Brian Keane Podcast.
Brian is a former primary school teacher turned fitness entrepreneur. After retiring from the world of professional fitness modelling in 2015, he now competes in ultra-endurance events all around the world. In April 2018, he ran the famous Marathon Des Sables, which consists of six self-sufficient back-to-back marathons through the Sahara Desert in Morocco. In February 2019, he ran 230km through the Arctic Circle in the northernmost tip of Sweden. In 2020, he ran a 100-mile ultra marathon in Nevada USA; and in October of 2024, he brought a group of his online followers to Africa where they all successfully summited Kilimanjaro, the highest free-standing mountain in the world. He documents all his adventures on his social media channels. For more about Brian, visit – www.briankeanefitness.com.
About Machu Picchu
Our 16-day itinerary includes 9 days of trekking through the Peruvian Andes. We want to give you the ultimate Inca experience, trekking to Machu Picchu and taking in its lesser-known sister city Choquequirao.
Our adventure begins with a stunning trek around Cusco. From Cusco we drive deep into the Andes and begin our trek – our first port of call is Choquequirao. Choquequirao is twice the size of Machu Picchu, however because of its remote location it is much less visited than Machu Picchu by trekkers.
From Choquequirao, we trek along a stunning trail for several days to reach Machu Picchu. We trek over two high passes (4,150m & 4,668m) and follow the meandering trails through lush jungle. At several natural viewing points along the trek, we are treated to inspiring views of the snow-capped peaks of Humantay (5,700 m) and Salkantay (6,271 m).
We frequently come across traditional villages, where we get to interact with the wonderful locals. We take time to visit a coffee farm, where we pick coffee cherries and learn about traditional coffee growing traditions. The coffee is roasted over an open fire before we sit back to enjoy the natural hot spring under the stars.
We rise early to get the first bus to Machu Picchu to begin our guided tour of the ancient site. After the two-hour hike around the site we take the steep trail up Machu Picchu Mountain. After this, we trek for a further two hours to reach the summit. The beautiful views makes the added effort more than worthwhile.
About Brian’s Machu Picchu Trek
There are a number of added extras which Brian will be including as a part of his trek. They are all optional, but we would love you to partake in them all!
- Training Day and Weekend: Brian will be hosting two pre-departure training events: one day will take place in Connemara, and there will also be a weekend event in Wicklow. Here you will meet an experienced expedition leader, expedition doctor and your fellow adventurers! On the training weekend the expedition leader will be giving a full expedition brief, leading two training hikes, and offering expert advice on all aspects of the expedition and trip preparation. You will need to register for the events once you have booked your place via the Earth’s Edge booking portal. Training days are included within the price of the trip – food and accommodation required for the training events are not included.
- Machu Picchu Training Program: Four months prior to departure, Brian is going to send everyone his BKF Online Program, which is ideal training for Machu Picchu. The program is designed using all of Brian’s combined endurance and fitness experience.
- Team WhatsApp Group: Brian would like to invite you to join a private group where you can meet each other, share pics and advice, and get excited about this trip of a lifetime!
- Make Fitness Fun: Brian is out to make fitness fun in 2025, so what better way to kick things off by bringing everyone together before the expedition to really get acquainted? He will be organising a super fun event where the community gathers to kickstart their fitness journey. With a focus on fostering connections and joy, there will be something for everyone, marking the beginning of an unforgettable journey towards fitness and well-being and your goal of reaching Machu Picchu!
- Virtual Mindset Session: Before the trip, Brian will offer a Virtual Mindset Session designed to equip the group with the essential tools for success. Drawing from his expertise and insights, Brian will guide you through the foundational principles of mindset, empowering you to harness the power of your thoughts and beliefs to achieve your goals! Participants will engage in interactive discussions, practical exercises, and guided meditations, immersing themselves in a journey of self-discovery and personal growth. This will lay the perfect groundwork for success both on and off the fitness journey and expedition.
- Rewriting Your Story: Each participant will receive a signed copy of Brian’s book Rewriting Your Story: Seven Habits to Help You Reclaim Your Power, Let Go of Fear, and Change the Narratives That Hold You Back.
When signing up for the adventure you agree to share your contact information with both Earth’s Edge and Brian Keane so that you can be sent appropriate information about the trip and be invited to participate in the above activities.
Itinerary
Day 3
Acclimatisation hike in Cusco (3,700m), 5 hrs trekking. Transfer to Wajaqui Ecolodge (3,330m).
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Guided hike around Cusco to take in the sights. Transfer to Wajaqui Ecolodge (3,330m) for a traditional lunch and relax for the afternoon.
Day 4
Wajaqui Ecolodge to Cachora to Playa Rosalina (1,640m), 6 hrs trekking.
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We depart Wajaqui Ecolodge in the early morning and drive to reach our trailhead at Cachora (2850m). We trek to our campsite at Playa Rosalina, sitting on the banks of the roaring Apurimac River.
Day 5
Playa Rosalina to Choquequirao (3,000m), 10 hrs trekking.
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In the morning we have a tough climb from the Apurimac River to reach Marampata, which offers stunning views of Choquequirao. From there we follow an undulating trail cut into the mountain side to reach our campsite below Choquequirao.
Day 6
Choquequirao to Pinchiunuyocc (2,400m), 4 hrs trekking.
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We climb for less than an hour to reach Choquequirao, taking in Hauqaypata (main plaza), Urin (upper square), the priest's house, Ushno (ceremonial platform) and the vast network of irrigation channels. In the afternoon we continue our trek to Pinchiunuyocc.
Day 7
Pinchiunuyocc to Maizal (3,000m), 7 hrs trekking.
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We first descend to the Rio Blanco and then have another tough climb through cloud forest to reach Maizal.
Day 8
Maizal to Yanama (3,850m), 9 hrs trekking.
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Today’s trail takes us over Victoria Pass (4,150m) which offers stunning views of the snow-capped peaks of Humantay (5,700m) and Salkantay (6,271m).
Day 9
Yanama to Totora (3,500m), 10 hrs trekking.
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Another stunning day as we reach the highest point on our journey, the Yanama Pass (4,668m) where we might be lucky enough to spot some condor.
Day 10
Totora to Santa Teresa (1,550m), 7 hrs trekking.
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Today is a special day on our adventure as we visit a coffee farm and bathe in hot springs in the evening!
Day 11
Santa Teresa to Hidroelectrica to Aguas Calientes (2,040m), 4 hrs trekking.
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After driving to Hydroelectric station we enjoy a beautiful walk alongside the train tracks through the thick forest.
Day 12
Machu Picchu Day, 5-7 hrs trekking.
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Visit Machu Picchu very early in the morning and enjoy a guided tour of the ruins followed by a hike up the steep steps of Machu Picchu Mountain. Take some time to explore by yourself before we head back to Aguas Calientes.
Day 13
Aguas Calientes to Cusco.
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Take the train back to Cusco in the morning. Time to do some last minute shopping in the Cusco markets before a celebratory dinner in the evening.
Day 14
Free day in Cusco or Rainbow Mountain day tour.
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Enjoy a free day in Cusco to explore at your leisure or take a day trip to Rainbow Mountain.
Facts
Hailed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site in 1983 and one of the Seven Wonders of the World in 2007, Machu Picchu is truly spectacular. This pre-Colombian city was once inhabited by the Ancient Incas in Peru and is now known as one of the most unique archaeological gems of South America.
Wildlife is thriving within the Machu Picchu estate. However, some species are on the brink of extinction including; The Long-tailed weasel, Pampas cat, Andean Cock-of-the-rock, Peruvian Dwarf Brocket, Neotropical Otter, Spectacled Bear and the Andean Condor.
The first Westerner credited with unveiling Machu Picchu to the outside world was Hiram Bingham, a notable historian of Yale University in 1911.
Unlike Inca cities and fortresses that were located in lower grounds, only the city of Machu Picchu was left uncovered during the Spanish invasion in the 16th century.
At the ruins themselves, there are rules of admittance. One of the lesser-known is that you may not enter dressed in the traditional costume of another country!
Best time to trek Machu Picchu
Despite the high altitude, it doesn't snow in Machu Picchu. It does, however, experience two seasons; dry and rainy! We visit Machu Picchu during the dry season, which is usually between May and October. Our tours generally operate between July and October. It is warmer during the rainy season, but the best chance of seeing the city unobstructed by clouds is during the dry season. Read our blog for more on the best time to visit Machu Picchu.
What you need to trek Machu Picchu
We have an extensive packing list on what you should bring with you when trekking Machu Picchu. You can view this packing list here.
How to prepare for your Machu Picchu trek
We have classified Machu Picchu as a level 5 expedition. For more information about our levels system click here. We expect participants to have a very good level of fitness. The group moves at a comfortable pace and nobody is ever left behind. Nevertheless, it is your responsibility to contact us if you have any concerns regarding your level of fitness, health or ability to complete the trek. We strongly recommend that you read our information pack, which gives you advice on how to prepare for trekking Machu Picchu. You can read this document here.
Certified B-Corp
Earth's Edge is a certified B-Corp. In fact, we are the highest scoring B-Corp in Ireland. We are passionate about sustainable travel, bettering the lives of the people connected with the company and minimising our environmental impact.
Tree Planting
We plant 8 native trees in Nepal for each person that travels with us in partnership with Eden Reforestation Projects. If you would like to plant more, please contact info@earths-edge.com. Each extra tree costs €0.75 cents. Learn more about our tree planting here.
