Machu Picchu + Rainbow Mountain 6D/5N

Itinerary

Day 1: Cusco city & Local ruins tour

Upon arrival at the Cusco airport, you will be welcomed and transferred to your hotel.  Here you will receive an aromatic coca tea to help you acclimatize to the high altitude. You will have the morning free to rest, and we suggest you eat a light lunch to best acclimate. In the afternoon, we will enjoy touring Cusco including the Plaza de Armas, the Cathedral Basilica, and the Temple of Santo Domingo – Qorikancha.   We continue in private transport to the upper part of the city (3700 masl) to visit the archaeological centers of Sacsayhuamán, Q’enqo, Pukapukara and Tambomachay.  We conclude the day at approximately 6:30pm. leaving you free to enjoy dinner at your leisure.  We recommend dining near the Plaza de Armas to enjoy the beautiful evening views of the city.

(There are no meals included on this day, but we are always happy to offer suggestions).

Day 2: Full day Sacred Valley to Machu Picchu

After a healthy breakfast, we´ll pick you up at your hotel to start our full day tour of the spectacular Sacred Valley of the Incas. As we head out of Cusco, our first stop will be Manos de la Comunidad, a place where we will be able to see all of the varieties of camelids that exist in the Peruvian Andes, such as: the guanaco, alpaca, vicuña and the llama.  Here we will also be able to enjoy a weaving demonstration with rustic and distinctly Andean materials. We continue to the lively artisan town of Pisaq, descending to a height of 2970 masl / 9700 feet.

Pisac is famous for its preservation of the Inca culture within its peasant communities and for the impressive archaeological remains that the Incas left behind. In Pisaq we will visit the artisan market where you can opt to browse or buy unique pieces of handicrafts and handmade fabrics, as well as beautiful silver jewelry with Andean designs and inlays of energy stones and spondyllos brought from Ecuador – the latter highly coveted and valued at the time of the Incas. Next we visit the archaeological center of Pisaq located at a height of 3,400 masl / 11,154 feet – a place divided into neighborhoods showing superior stonework in their sacred places.  Their talent is clearly reflected as you will see how they built every construction in harmony with nature, including their irrigation system which is quite complex and impressive!

After Pisaq we´ll continue west to the city of Urubamba, passing through picturesque towns full of culture and folklore. On the left side we will have the view of the Urubamba, Vilcanota or Wilkamayu river as it was called in Inca times and after about and hour we will enjoy a delicious traditional buffet lunch in one of the best restaurants in the area, where they will offer us a variety of dishes from the Peruvian gastronomy.

Finally, we continue to our last village, Ollantaytambo. Ollantaytambo, or Ollanta as its often referred to, is known as the last living Inca city because the layout and design of the town’s streets still maintain Inca architectural design. Here we will visit the main archaeological site where there is an ostentatious Temple dedicated to the Sun, as well as ceremonial fountains and terraces for agriculture.  At last, we´ll go to the train station where we´ll board the train to Aguas Calientes.   After a long day, here we will spend the night in our comfortable hotel to rest up for tomorrow.

Day 3: Machu Picchu, The empire of the Incas

Today we start very early (time to be confirmed) with breakfast included at the hotel.  We will be picked up for an exciting bus ride zig-zagging up the mountainside for about 25 minutes until we reach the citadel of Machu Picchu, one of the Wonders of the World.

Inside the Citadel of Machupicchu we will enjoy a comprehensive tour of approximately 3 hours, visiting the most important places of this enigmatic and beautiful city. Machu Picchu is located in a transition zone bordering the Andes and the tropical zone of the Cusco Region so you will see exuberant and diverse vegetation.

The Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu is protected by the State, which is in charge of protecting not only the archaeological part, but also the flora and fauna.  As we depart this spectacular site, you will find where you can stamp your passport with the stamp of Machu Picchu.

Once again we board the bus down to Aguas Calientes, where you have some time to explore the town and enjoy lunch in a local restaurant. Finally we go to the train station and board the return train to Cusco.

Day 4: Mountain of the seven colors (Vinicunca)

Today we will leave the hotel very early to head south of Cusco, towards Cusipata district. After a 2-hour trip we arrive at a restaurant where we enjoy breakfast, and then continue east for another hour to the trailhead.  Here, you may rent horses if you wish instead of taking the hike (additional cost).

We hike up to the viewpoint of the mountain of colors in about 1.5 hours. The mountain is 5200 meters above sea level and from the viewpoint we will be able to appreciate the mountains beautiful colors that its so famous for.  Its unique layering of colors is due to the sediment of millions of years.  We will also have the opportunity to see the highest and most sacred mountain in Cusco, Ausangate (6,384 meters above sea level), still considered the protective Apu (mountain spirit) of the city of Cusco. After taking photos and enjoying the landscape, we will descend back down to the trailhead.

We´ll enjoy a delicious lunch and later return to Cusco.

Day 5: Chinchero – Maras – Moray Full day

After breakfast at your hotel, you´ll be picked up and we´ll head northeast towards the town of Chinchero, about 45 minutes from the city. Chinchero is known for its beautiful intricate textiles with fine finishes.  The women of Chinchero preserve ancient techniques for dyeing and spinning wool. Chinchero is also popular for the large areas of potato crops and beautiful sunsets, known as the town of the Rainbow.

We continue to the salt flats of Maras, a place of artisanal exploitation of salt since pre-Inca times. Maras salt can be compared to Himalayan salt for purity, flavor, quality, and minerals. We conclude the day with a stop at Moray, a site that boasts perfect circular terraces.  It is believed that it was used as an agricultural laboratory and seed experimentation as various altitudes.  We conclude the day with some free time to enjoy Cusco.

Day 6: Adios Perú, Until next time

After your final breakfast in Cusco, we will transport you to the airport (we recommend at least 2 hours prior to your departure)

Included

• Round trip train tickets to Machu Picchu
• Round trip bus from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu
• 4 nights’ accommodations at Cusco
• 1 night’ accommodations at Aguas Calientes
• 5 breakfasts at the hotel
• 2 lunch on the Sacred Valley´s Tour and Vinicunca´s tour.
• Tour guided on all the tours
• Entrance fee to Machu Picchu
• City tour of Cusco + entrance fee
• Sacred valley tour + entrance fee
• All transfers in/out to the airport

No Included

• International and local airfares
• Meals where not otherwise stated
• Optional: Climb up the Wayna Picchu Mountain at Machu Picchu
• Gratuity

NOTE:

• Train schedules depend on availability and season and are subject to change.
• We will make adjustments as possible, to coincide with your arrival and departure flights.

What you need to take

• Original passport
• Travel Insurance is essential.
• Walking boots.
• Waterproof jacket/rain poncho (depends on weather conditions).
• Wind breaker (depends on weather conditions).
• Sun hat, sun block, sun glasses.
• Water and snacks.
• Personal medication.
• Camera with extra batteries
• Insect repellent.