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This super customized itinerary of Sacred Valley, 2 day short Inca Trail, and Rainbow Mountain is perfect for those who want both the ancient Inca history and outdoor adventure! Visit the most important places in the Sacred Valley, trek part of the Inca Trail to the famous Machu Picchu, and the spectacular Rainbow Mountain!
You will be accommodated in various hotels with private room, bathroom, and breakfast included. Accommodation options include:
In the Sacred Valley, you visit the extensive archeological area in Pisac, the fascinating sites at Moray and Maras, then Ollantaytambo. You will trek the last day of the Inca Trail, up to the spectacular Wiñay Wayna!
Get up early the next morning to be among the first to see the sunrise over Machu Picchu, then travel back to Cusco that same day. The hike up Rainbow Mountain will be unlike anything you have ever seen and is certainly quite different from the climate of the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu!
Your briefing will take place the night before your trek. It will be held at their office at 6 or 6:30 pm, depending on your confirmation email details. The office is located at Calle Garcilazo.
You start this beautiful day at 7:30 am when your guide picks you up at your Cusco hotel in their private van. The route to the Sacred Valley of the Incas leads you towards Pisac.
You 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, you drive to the archeological site of Pisac, where you can see an impressive Inca cemetery with more than 2,000 tombs. There, you can admire the carefully engineered farming terraces carved into the mountain, explore the Inca tunnel and the religious area of this important citadel.
Here, you will spend about 2 hours, exploring the Inca city. Then, you head down to the colorful market of Pisac, spend about 20 minutes visiting it and then drive to Urubamba for lunch.
Your 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 experiment in hybridization.
Continuing on your journey to the colonial town of Maras, you 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, you 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 their 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.
You start this exciting day early; your guide will leave the hotel with you at 5:30 am. When you arrive at the train station, you will receive your lunch to add to your daypack. Your train departs Ollantaytambo at 6:10 am and you will have just over an hour on the train to enjoy the scenery and have breakfast (not included). Your hotel can provide you a picnic breakfast to take with you or you can pack your own breakfast.
You get off the train at the famous Km 104, where your trek begins! (2,000 meters / 6,560 feet above sea level). 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 are a gentle upward climb. Along the way, you will stop at several outlooks where you have an expansive view of the Urubamba River. You 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!
When you cross the bridge below the waterfall, be sure to take some time for photos and as you do you will find yourself gazing up at the spectacular Wiñay Wayna! (2,600 meters / 8,500 feet 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.
You have lunch at a covered shelter at the Wiñay Wayna campground, which is the last campground for those hiking the Classic Inca Trail. Nearby are outdoor sinks to wash your hands and also restrooms. Take your time enjoying your hearty, gourmet lunch and admiring the tropical flowers around the campground.
After lunch, you have a mostly flat walk to the Sun Gate, from which you have your first view of Machu Picchu! Though the hour-long walk is a gentle rolling 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! As you turn the corner from the Sun Gate, you will enjoy your first breathtaking view of Machu Picchu. So, take some time to savor the moment and take photos. The last 60 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, 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 (Guard House), 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. You will 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.
This is the day you’ve been waiting for! After an early breakfast at your hotel, you’ll 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 a guided tour of Machu Picchu, which takes about two hours. You will see many of the most important parts of Machu Picchu Citadel. After your tour, those who have booked in advance for an extra hike up Huayna Picchu 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 take you back to Ollantaytambo at 2:55 pm or 3:20 pm, 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 their private vehicle. You can expect to arrive at your hotel by 7:00 pm.
They will pick you up from your hotel at 4 am, and begin with your amazing Rainbow Mountain trek adventure. You set out on your drive for 3 hours through the South Valley; ending up at the trailhead at Llacto (4,638 meters / 15,216 feet). Along the way, there are amazing views of farming Inca terraces, traditional villages, valleys, and high Andean peaks.
The herds of alpacas and llamas near your breakfast place will entertain you in the early morning. Once you reach the trailhead, you start on your hike following a lovely stream.
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 of 1.5 hours, you finally reach your destination: the Rainbow Mountain (5,020 meters /16,466 feet). After admiring the unique beauty, you will have time to explore the area. You can take pictures or just soak up the view. You will spend approximately 30 minutes at the top.
Afterwards, there is an optional hike across to the top of the Red Valley. This walk takes about 45 minutes longer to get back to the trailhead. At this point, you hike back down the way you came. The hike takes 1 hour, then you enjoy your lunch which will prepared by their cook.
You will embark on the 3-hour drive back to Cusco and drop you off at your Cusco hotel, arriving around 6:00 pm.
The package includes daily breakfast in the hotel, 2 lunches, and a dinner at a restaurant in Aguas Calientes. 2 hot meals at Rainbow Mountain is included as well. Be sure to notify them of any food allergies or dietary restrictions when you book!
Huayna Picchu Mountain is an optional trek within the Machu Picchu Citadel which do not include a guide. The climb is usually done on your own after your tour of Machu Picchu Citadel. If you would like the extra hike to be guided, please request in advance. There is an extra cost for this extra guided tour.
Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport
46 km
Transfer included
Please arrange your flight to arrive at Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport (CUZ). You will be welcomed at Cusco airport and taken to your hotel. Please ensure that you inform them of your full flight details at least 14 days prior to arrival. Look out for their representative holding an orange board SAM Travel Peru at the exit from the arrival terminal.
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