Trip Details
Day 1: Welcome to Peru!
Upon arrival, we will welcome you at the airport and then transfer you by private transportation to your hotel. In the afternoon, as an acclimatization activity, you will enjoy an afternoon city tour visiting: Miraflores, Huaca Pucllana, Barranco, the Historic Center, and the Saint Francis Convent.
- 3 Accommodation:* Ferre Hotel Miraflores or similar
- 4 Accommodation:* Casa Andina Premium Miraflores or similar
- Meals: None
Day 2: Enjoy a Full-Day Tour along the Pacific Ocean and Huacachina Oasis
Wake up early for a scenic drive along the coast to Paracas. From the port, take a speedboat tour to the Ballestas Islands, known as the “Poor Man’s Galápagos,” where you can see sea lions and Humboldt penguins. Then continue to Ica and explore the Huacachina Oasis, a stunning lagoon in the middle of the desert surrounded by dunes, perfect for an adrenaline-filled buggy ride and sandboarding experience. End the day in Huacachina, where you will spend the night at a local hotel.
- 3 Accommodation:* DM Mossone or similar
- Meals: None
Day 3: Nazca and Return to Lima
After breakfast, travel to Pisco to visit the Nazca Lines. Board a small aircraft and enjoy a flight over the mysterious Nazca Lines, enormous geoglyphs best appreciated from the air. You will see figures such as the Hummingbird, the Monkey, and the Astronaut. Return to Lima in the afternoon.
- 3 Accommodation:* Ferre Hotel Miraflores or similar
- 4 Accommodation:* Casa Andina Premium Miraflores or similar
- Meals: Breakfast at the hotel and lunch
Day 4: Lima – Flight to Cusco
Today the adventure begins with breakfast at the hotel, and at the scheduled time we will transfer you to the airport. You will board your flight to Cusco (not included).
Upon arrival, you will have the afternoon free to enjoy the city on your own.
- 3 Accommodation:* Maytaq Wasin Hotel or similar
- 4 Accommodation:* Costa del Sol Wyndham or similar
- Meals: Breakfast at the hotel
Day 5: Cusco City Tour – Sacsayhuamán – Nearby Ruins
Upon arrival in Cusco, you will be welcomed by our representative and transferred to your hotel. You will receive a brief orientation and have the rest of the morning free to rest and acclimatize to the altitude.
In the afternoon, at 1:00 p.m., we will pick you up from your hotel to begin the visit to the Imperial City of Cusco, a clear example of the blend of Andean and Spanish cultures. We will then continue to the Convent of Santo Domingo, built over the Koricancha, the ancient Inca palace and main center of worship of the Sun God, Inti. You will have time to enjoy these beautiful sites.
Next, we will visit the archaeological site of Sacsayhuamán, with its impressive Inca military architecture overlooking the city.
Finally, we will head to the archaeological sites of Q’enqo, Puca Pucará, and Tambomachay, located northeast of the city. Return to the hotel in the early evening.
- 3 Accommodation:* Maytaq Wasin or Waman Hotels
- 4 Accommodation:* Costa del Sol Ramada, Casa Andina Private Collection, or Novotel Hotels
- Meals: Breakfast at the hotel
Day 6: Cusco – Pisac – Moray – Salt Mines – Ollantaytambo
We start this beautiful day at 7:30am, when the guide picks you up at your Cusco hotel in our private van. Our route to the Sacred Valley of the Incas leads us to Pisac. We stop first at the Mirador of Taray to 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. Onward, we drive to the archeological site of Pisac, where you can see an impressive Inca cemetery with more than 2,000 tombs. There, we can admire the carefully engineered farming terraces carved into the mountain, explore the Inca tunnel and the religious area of this important site. Here, we will spend about 2 hours, exploring the Inca city, before we head down to the colorful market of Pisac, spend about 20 minutes visiting it and then drive to Urubamba for lunch (Not included).
Our next stop is the 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 experiment in hybridization.
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 hot 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 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 site for the Inca during the beginning of the Spanish conquest. Here you spend the night at your hotel in Ollantaytambo, ready to start the Inca Trail the next day.
- 3* Accommodation: Andenes del Inca Hotel Ollantaytambo
- Meals: Dinner
- Meals: Breakfast at the hotel and dinner
DAY 7: OLLANTAYTAMBO – Km104 – WIÑAY WAYNA – SUN GATE – MACHU PICCHU
We start this exciting day early; your guide will leave the hotel with you at 5:30am. When you arrive at the train station, the guide will give you a lunchox to add to your daypack. The train departs Ollantaytambo at 6:10am and you will have just over an hour on the train to enjoy the scenery before arriving to your trek start point. Your hotel can provide you a box breakfast to take with you or you can pack your own breakfast.
Your guide will get off the train with you at the famous Km104, where the hike begins! (2,000m/6,560 ft. above sea level) After crossing the Urubamba river on a picturesque foot bridge, you will be required to show your passport at the checkpoint and get to visit your first Inca archeological site nearby. The first hour and a half is a gentle trek upward, with several shelters along the way to pause, to get 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 is a slightly steeper uphill trek with a beautiful waterfall as your reward at the end of the trail!
As you walk below the waterfall, be sure to gaze up at the spectacular Wiñay Wayna as you pass! (2,600m/8,500ft above sea level) These amazing Inca ruins have a fascinating history and some parts are still hidden by the dense jungle. This close to Machu Picchu, you are hiking 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.
After lunch, you will have a mostly flat hike to the Sun Gate except for a set of steep stairs just before you arrive to the Sun Gate. As you walk through the Sun Gate and turn the corner, you will experience your first breathtaking view of Machu Picchu Citadel, so take some time to savor the moment and take photos. The last hour 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, enjoy your time walking in the footsteps of the Inca on the Inca Trail and ask your guide questions about these historical places on the last bit of your hike to Machu Picchu.
Once you reach Machu Picchu, you will have time to take more photos from the viewing platforms above the site, the “House of the Guardians” where you can take the famous postcard pictures of Machu Picchu. 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. Have a delicious dinner, then have time to walk around this picturesque little town, visit the hot springs or just go to your hotel to rest after such an exciting day.
- Meals included: Breakfast at your hotel, Lunch and Dinner in Aguas Calientes
- 3* Accommodation: Ferre´ Hotel Machu Picchu
- 4* Accommodation: El Mapi by Inkaterra onr similar
- Difficulty: Moderate.
You will leave an overnight bag at the Ollantaytambo train station to be sent by train directly to Aguas Calientes.
DAY 8: AGUAS CALIENTES – MACHU PICCHU – CUSCO
This is the day you’ve been waiting for! After an early breakfast at your hotel, take one of the first buses up to Machu Picchu to witness the sunrise. It is a truly extraordinary site and not something you’ll want to miss! Your guide will give you a guided tour of Machu Picchu, which takes about two hours. See many of the most important parts of Machu Picchu Citadel.
When you have had your fill of the exceptional views of Machu Picchu, take the bus back down to Aguas Calientes for lunch (not included). Depending on the 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 take you back to Ollantaytambo at 2:55pm or 3:20pm, following the spectacular Urubamba River. Close to Aguas Calientes, the canyon is narrow and the river has many beautiful sections of whitewater. You can also see Wiñay Wayna from the train, if you look up high on the steep canyon wall! Back at Ollantaytambo, your driver will meet you at the exit from the train station to take you back to your hotel in Cusco in our private vehicle. You can expect to arrive at your hotel by 7:00pm.
- Meals included: Breakfast at your hotel
- 3 Accommodation:* Maytaq Wasin or Waman Hotels
- 4 Accommodation:* Costa del Sol Ramada, Casa Andina Private Collection, or Novotel Hotels
Day 9: Cusco – Rainbow Mountain Trek – Cusco
We will pick you up from your hotel at 4:00 a.m. to begin our incredible adventure to Rainbow Mountain. We will travel for approximately 3 hours through the South Valley until reaching the trailhead at Llacto (4,638 m / 15,216 ft). Along the way, you will enjoy incredible views of Inca agricultural terraces, traditional villages, valleys, and Andean peaks.
Herds of alpacas and llamas near the breakfast area will accompany you during the morning. Upon arrival at the starting point, we will begin the hike following a beautiful stream. During the ascent, you will have views of Ausangate Mountain and its glaciers. You will be able to interact with the local population, who still keep traditional Quechua culture alive. You will learn about their traditional clothing and the meaning of the different hats worn by the men. Ask your guide to teach you a few words in Quechua!
After a total hike of 1.5 hours, we will reach our destination: Rainbow Mountain (5,020 m / 16,466 ft). After admiring its unique beauty, you will have time to explore the area, take photos, or simply enjoy the scenery. We will spend approximately 30 minutes at the summit. There is also an optional hike to the Red Valley, which takes about 45 additional minutes.
We will then begin the descent along the same path, with a hike of approximately 1 hour. Afterward, we will enjoy a lunch prepared by our cook.
Finally, we will begin the 3-hour journey back to Cusco, arriving at your hotel around 6:00 p.m.
- Meals included: Hot breakfast and lunch
- Difficulty: Moderate to challenging
- 3 Accommodation:* Maytaq Wasin or Waman Hotels
- 4 Accommodation:* Costa del Sol Ramada, Casa Andina Private Collection, or Novotel Hotels
Day 10: Transfer to the Airport
Our incredible journey ends here. The transfer to the airport is included and can be scheduled at any time.
Meals: Breakfast
