Trip Details
Itinerary
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 – Aguas Calientes
We begin this beautiful day at 7:30 a.m., when your guide picks you up from your hotel in Cusco in our private van. Our route to the Sacred Valley of the Incas takes us to Pisac. First, we stop at the Taray Viewpoint to enjoy a sweeping view of the Urubamba Valley and its traditional farming villages. You will see how agriculture in the Sacred Valley has changed very little over the past five hundred years.
We then head to the archaeological site of Pisac, where you will see an impressive Inca cemetery with more than 2,000 tombs. Here we will admire the carefully constructed agricultural terraces carved into the mountain, explore the Inca tunnel, and visit the religious area of this important citadel. We will spend about 2 hours exploring the Inca city.
Afterward, we will descend to the colorful Pisac market, where we will spend approximately 20 minutes, and then continue to Urubamba for lunch.
Our next stop is the fascinating archaeological site of Moray, also known as the “Inca greenhouse,” a deep depression of great architectural value. Levels of terraces are carved into a massive circular structure, carefully designed by the Incas. The terraces have different microclimates depending on their depth. Archaeologists believe they were used by the Incas to discover optimal growing conditions and experiment with plant hybridization.
Continuing our journey to the colonial town of Maras, we will observe the pre-Inca salt mines. Thousands of salt ponds have been used for countless generations to extract salt since before Inca times. A saltwater spring flows down from the upper part of the valley and is channeled into the ponds, where the water evaporates to produce salt. This is one of the few places in the world where natural pink salt can be found.
Finally, we head to Ollantaytambo, where we will explore the Inca town that has remained intact since Inca times and its impressive ruins, with a guided visit. You will learn about the great architecture of the Temple of the Sun, located at the top of the terraces, and the importance of this site to the Incas during the beginning of the Spanish conquest.
After some time for dinner, you will take the train to Aguas Calientes to spend the night at your hotel. The train departs at 7:04 p.m. and arrives at 8:45 p.m.
- 3 Accommodation:* Ferre Hotel Machu Picchu
- 4 Accommodation:* El Mapi or Tierra Viva (superior room)
- Meals: Breakfast at the hotel and dinner
Day 7: Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu – Cusco
This is the day you have been waiting for! After an early breakfast at the hotel, you will take one of the first buses up to Machu Picchu to witness the sunrise. It is truly an extraordinary place and something you will not want to miss.
Your guide will provide a guided tour of approximately two hours, during which you will visit most of the important areas of the Machu Picchu Citadel. You will also learn how Machu Picchu is divided into three sectors: agricultural, residential, and religious.
After the tour, those who have reserved in advance the additional hike to Huayna Picchu Mountain will have time to enjoy the views on their own. Once you have finished enjoying the incredible 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 shopping, walking around town, or visiting the museum or hot springs.
The Vistadome train will take you back to Ollantaytambo at 4:22 p.m., 4:43 p.m., or 6:20 p.m., following the spectacular Urubamba River. Near Aguas Calientes, the canyon narrows and the river features beautiful sections of rapids. You may also see Wiñay Wayna from the train if you look up at the steep canyon walls.
In Ollantaytambo, your driver will be waiting for you outside the station to transfer you back to your hotel in Cusco by private vehicle. Arrival at the hotel will be between 8:00 p.m. and 10:30 p.m.
Note: During the rainy season, from January to April, the Vistadome train only arrives at Ollantaytambo station. From there, we will transfer you by road to your hotel in Cusco.
- 3 Accommodation:* Maytaq Wasin or Waman Hotels
- 4 Accommodation:* Costa del Sol Ramada, Casa Andina Private Collection, or Novotel Hotels
- Meals: Breakfast
Day 8: 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 9: 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
