Tour type: historical, cultural, nature and adventure

Recommended season: April – November.

Difficulty: from easy, moderate to challenging

Highlights: Salt Mine, Pisaq, Ollantaytambo, Moray, Chachabamba, Wiñayhuayana, Sun Gate, Machu Picchu archeological sites and Rainbow Mountain.

ITINERARY

1: SACRED VALLEY OF THE INCAS (PISAC + MORAY + MARAS +

OLLANTAYTAMBO)

We start this beautiful journey at 7:30 am, when your guide will pick you up from your Cusco hotel in our private van. Our route to the Sacred Valley of the Incas leads us towards Pisac.

Our first stop will be at the Mirador of Taray, where we will enjoy an expansive view of the Urubamba valley and its traditional farming villages. You will see how the agriculture in the Sacred Valley has changed little in the past five hundred years. Onwards, we drive to the archeological site of Pisac, where you will see an impressive Inca cemetery with many tombs.

There, we will admire the carefully engineered farming terraces carved into the mountain, and the religious area of this important citadel. Here, we will spend some time exploring the Inca city. Then, we will head down to the colorful market of Pisac. We will spend about 20 minutes here and then drive to Urubamba for lunch.

Our next stop is the fascinating archeological site of Moray, also known as “The Greenhouse of the Incas,” a deep basin of architectural wonder. Levels of terraces are carved into a huge bowl, which was carefully engineered by the Incas. The terraces have varied microclimates depending on how deep into the bowl they are placed. Archeologists believe that they were used by the Incas to discover the optimal growing conditions for their crops and experimentation of adapting them to high elevations.

Continuing on our journey to the colonial town of Maras, we look down onto the pre-Inca salt mines, called salineras in Spanish. Thousands of salt pans have been passed down through countless generations and used for salt extraction since before Inca times. A spring at the top of the valley discharges a small stream of heavily salt laden water, which is diverted into salt pans and evaporated to produce salt. This is one of the few places in the world where you can find naturally pink salt!

Finally, we will drive to Ollantaytambo, taking the time to explore the Inca village that has remained intact since Inca times and the massive Inca Ruins, with a tour provided by our guide.

Visit the massive architecture of the Sun Temple at the top of the formidable terraces and learn about the importance of this Inca place. Here you will spend the night at your hotel in Ollantaytambo, ready to start the Inca Trail the next day.

Hotel included: 3 star accommodation

Included meal:  lunch 

DAY 2: OLLANTAYTAMBO – KM104 – WIÑAY WAYNA – SUN GATE – MACHU PICCHU

You will wake up early for this adventure of a lifetime! Your guide will come to your hotel to pick you up at 5:30am. When you arrive at the train station, your guide will give you your packed lunch to add to your daypack. Your train departs from Ollantaytambo at 6:10 am or 7:45 am and we will have just over an hour travelling on the train, enjoying the cloud forest, river and the mountains.

We will get off the train at the famous Km104, where the hike begins! (2,000 masl /6,560 ft.) After crossing the Urubamba River on a picturesque foot bridge, you will show your passport at the checkpoint and visit your first Inca site nearby. The first hour and a half is a gentle upwards climb, with several shelters along the way to pause for a bit out of the sun, or rain, depending on the season. Along the way, you will stop at several outlooks where you have an expansive view of the Urubamba River. You will also pass through several microclimates, including cloud forest, so be ready for damp or even rain at any season of the year. The next hour and a half are a slightly steeper uphill with a beautiful waterfall as your reward at the end of the hike!

Cross the bridge below the waterfall, take some time for photos and then you will find yourself gazing up at the spectacular Wiñay Wayna! (2,600masl/8,500 feet) These amazing Inca ruins have a fascinating history and some parts are still hidden by the dense jungle. This is close to Machu Picchu, where you will hike through lush sub-tropical jungle. Your guide will tell you all about the ruins, plus the incredible flora and fauna of this microclimate and answer any questions you have before the short 5 minute walk to your lunch spot.

Your lunch spot is a covered shelter at the Wiñay Wayna campground, which is the last campground for those hiking the four day Inca Trail. Nearby are outdoor sinks to wash your hands and also toilets. Take your time enjoying your hearty, gourmet lunch and admiring the tropical flowers around the campground. Be sure to notify us of any food allergies or dietary restrictions when you book!

After lunch, you will have a mostly flat walk to the Sun Gate, from which you have your first view of Machu Picchu! Though the hour-long walk gently rolls up and down, it does end with a set of steep stairs carved directly into the bedrock by the Inca. Once you reach the stairs you will know that you’re almost at the Sun Gate! It is a breathtaking view of Machu Picchu, so take the time to savor the moment to take some photographs. The last 45 minutes down from the Sun Gate provide many opportunities to take more photos of Machu Picchu from this unique vantage point. There are also a couple more important Inca sites between the Sun Gate and Machu Picchu, so make sure to go slowly.

Once you reach Machu Picchu, you will have time to take more photos from the viewing platforms above the site. You will arrive in the afternoon, 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 before you take the bus down to Aguas Calientes to check into your hotel. You will have a delicious dinner, then have time to walk around this picturesque little town and visit the hot springs.

 Meals included: Breakfast at your hotel and packed lunch we provide you

 Distance: 12 km /7.5 miles

 Time: 6 hrs. Approximately

 Hotel included: 3 star accommodation

 Difficulty: moderate

DAY 3: AGUAS CALIENTES – MACHU PICCHU – CUSCO

The day you have been waiting for! After an early breakfast at your hotel, we take one of the first buses up to Machu Picchu so that you can be there to witness the sunrise. It is a truly extraordinary site and not something you’ll want to miss. Your guide will give you the full tour, which takes about two hours. You will see all of the most important parts of Machu Picchu, also learning about how Machu Picchu is divided into three sectors: agricultural, residential and religious.

After your tour, those who have booked in advance for the extra hikes up Huayna Picchu or

Machu Picchu Mountain will have time to enjoy those views on their own. When you have had your fill of the exceptional views of Machu Picchu, you will take the bus back down to Aguas Calientes for lunch (not included). Depending on your train departure time, you may also have time for some shopping, sightseeing or a visit to the museum or hot springs. The expedition train will depart at 14:55 pm. The train will take you back to Ollantaytambo, following the spectacular Urubamba River. Close to Aguas Calientes, the canyon is narrow and the river has many beautiful sections. You can also see Wiñay Wayna from the train, if you look up high on the steep canyon wall! Back at Ollantaytambo, the driver will meet us at the exit from the train station to take us back to your hotel in Cusco in our private vehicle. You can expect to arrive at your hotel by 19h 30.

 Meals included: Breakfast at your hotel

 Difficulty: moderate

 Hotel included: 3 star accommodation

DAY 4: CUSCO – RAINBOW MOUNTAIN – CUSCO

We will pick you up from your hotel at 4:30 am and begin with our amazing Rainbow Mountain Trek Adventure. We set out on our drive for 3 hours through the South Valley; ending up at (4,638 masl / 15,216 feet), on the way we will have our breakfast and lunch after visiting the Rainbow Mountain in the village named Cusipata. Along the way, there are amazing views of traditional villages, valleys and high Andean peaks. Once we reach the trailhead, we will start on our hike following the path. As you start your hike, you will have views of the Ausangate Mountain and glaciers. You can interact with the local people, who are still keeping traditional Quechua culture alive. Learn about their traditional clothes and the significance of the different hats worn by the men. Ask your guide to teach you a few words of Quechua.

After a total hike which takes about 1h 30 minutes, we finally reach our destination: the Rainbow Mountain (5,020m /16,466ft). After admiring the unique beauty, you will have time to explore the area. You can take pictures or just soak up the view. We will spend approximately 30 minutes at the top. Afterwards, there is an optional hike across to the top of the Red Valley. This attraction is considered better than the Rainbow Mountain by many travelers who have been there.

We will then head in the car, to have our delicious lunch, about 1 hour away. Afterwards, we will embark on the 2 hours’ drive back to Cusco and drop you off at your Cusco hotel, at around 5:00 pm.

 Meals included: breakfast & lunch

 Difficulty: challenging

INCLUDED

• Entrance to Rainbow Mountain
• Entrance to the Inca Trail
• Entrance to Machu Picchu Citadel
• English, Spanish and Quechua speaking professional tour guide.
• Private car for sacred valley tour.
• Expedition train from Ollantaytambo to KM 104 and from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo.
• Bus up and down in Machu Picchu.
• Transfer from Ollantaytambo train station to Cusco.
• A private car for rainbow mountain trek.
• 3 nights hotel accommodation with breakfasts included
• Meals indicated on the itinerary; 3 breakfasts and 3 lunches
• Bus tickets in Machu Picchu
• First Aid Kit and Oxygen

NOT INCLUDED

• Huayna Picchu mountain entrance
• Machu Picchu Mountain entrance
• Entrance to salt mine: 20 soles
• Entrance to sacred valley sites: 70 soles
• Walking sticks. 10 dollars
• Horse service on Rainbow Mountain: in case you need, it can be hired at the beginning of the hike
• Gratuities: Tipping is always appreciated and should be based completely on your satisfaction.
• Travel Insurance: This is not required, but always recommended.
• Note: The one day Inca Trail & Rainbow Mountain Trek does not include extra porters. Please try to pack as light as possible which is key to enjoying this amazing trek.

WHAT TO BRING IN YOUR DAYPACK ON THE INCA TRAIL?

• Original Passport (it has to be the same one that you used for booking the tour)
• Daypack
• Reusable water bottles or camelback for the hikes,
• Comfortable hiking boots
• Fleece liner (cold season)
• Toilet paper
• Hand Sanitizer
• your personal medication
• Sun hat
• Sunscreen
• Rain jacket
• Snacks like chocolate bars, cereal bars or dried fruits
• Rain gear ( rain season)
• Extra money for souvenirs, drinks & tips

WHAT TO PUT IN THE DUFFEL BAG THAT WILL BE SENT TO AGUAS CALIENTES?

• Your clothes for 3 days
• Personal toiletries
• Battery chargers
• And others.