Cusco, Short Inca Trail, Machu Picchu and Rainbow Mountain 6D/5N

DAY 1 – CUSCO AIRPORT TRANSFER – CUSCO CITY TOUR

According to your flight arrival time, a member of our team will be waiting for you at the airport and will transfer you to your hotel in Cusco. Upon arrival, you will receive a welcome cup of coca tea, which helps relieve symptoms of altitude sickness. You will then have some time to rest and have lunch before starting the tour.

The Cusco City Tour begins at 1:30 p. m. In the historic center, we will visit Qoricancha (Temple of the Sun), the Main Square, the colonial streets, and San Pedro Market. Afterwards, we will visit two important archaeological sites located on the outskirts of the city: Sacsayhuamán and Q’enqo. Return to the hotel is scheduled for approximately 6:00 p. m.

Overnight stay at a hotel in Cusco.

DAY 2 – CUSCO – MIRADOR DE TARAY – PISAQ – OLLANTAYTAMBO

Today we will explore the Sacred Valley of the Incas. The tour begins at 7:30 a. m. with hotel pick-up in Cusco. We will first head to Pisac, where we will visit its famous artisan market and archaeological site, known for its impressive agricultural terraces built along the mountain slopes.

Then, we will continue to the town of Urubamba for a buffet lunch (optional, at an additional cost of USD 20 per person).

After lunch, we will visit the Ollantaytambo Fortress. The archaeological complex rises through agricultural terraces and a long staircase leading to the upper section. The climb is noticeable, and from the top you can enjoy panoramic views of the terraces below and the entire town of Ollantaytambo. The site also includes the Temple of Water, and in the town itself, you can explore the traditional artisan market.

At the end of the tour, we will transfer you to your hotel in Ollantaytambo. The Sacred Valley tour concludes at approximately 4:30 p. m. The rest of the afternoon is free to explore the town at your own pace.

Overnight stay at a hotel in Ollantaytambo.

DAY 3 – OLLANTAYTAMBO – KM 104 – INCA TRAIL – WIÑAY WAYNA – MACHU PICCHU – AGUAS CALIENTES

Early in the morning, we will have breakfast at the hotel. Then, at 7:20 a. m., we will board the train from Ollantaytambo to KM 104, a journey of approximately 1 hour. It is here, at KM 104 (2,200 m / 7,217 ft above sea level), where we will begin the Short Inca Trail. We will cross the bridge over the Urubamba River, also known as Willkamayu in Quechua, meaning “Sacred River,” which held great importance for the Incas.

At the checkpoint, you must present your identification documents (passport, foreign resident card, or national ID). After a 15-minute walk, we will reach the Chachabamba archaeological site, hidden within the subtropical forest. After visiting this site, we will continue ascending along stone steps while enjoying views of the Sacred Valley, waterfalls, and different varieties of orchids.

After approximately 3 hours of hiking, we will arrive at Wiñay Wayna (2,700 m / 8,858 ft above sea level), an excellent example of Inca agricultural practices, featuring numerous terraces where different crops were cultivated.

The name Wiñay Wayna comes from a beautiful orchid that grows abundantly in the area and means “Forever Young.” The site contains more than 20 structures, including the Temple of the Rainbow, also known as the Temple of Fertility. The visit lasts approximately 1 hour. Afterwards, we will enjoy our box lunch to recharge before continuing to the checkpoint beyond Wiñay Wayna.

During the second part of the hike, we will walk for approximately 2 hours along a stone pathway featuring stairs and tambos (resting places) until reaching Inti Punku, which means “Sun Gate” in Quechua (2,720 m / 8,923 ft above sea level). During the Inca period, this served as an entrance control point to the citadel of Machu Picchu.

From here, you will enjoy an impressive panoramic view of Machu Picchu and the surrounding valley. We will then descend for approximately 30 minutes to the Machu Picchu Sanctuary (2,490 m / 8,169 ft above sea level). Finally, we will take the bus to Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu Pueblo (2,160 m / 7,086 ft above sea level), a 25-minute ride, where we will spend the night at a comfortable hotel.

If you are not too tired, you will have the option to visit the hot springs, located about 10 minutes from the town (entrance fee not included). Aguas Calientes also offers a variety of bars and restaurants, as well as an ATM. Tonight, we will enjoy a delicious à la carte dinner at a cozy restaurant in town.

Overnight stay at a hotel in Aguas Calientes.

DAY 4 – AGUAS CALIENTES – MACHU PICCHU TOUR – CUSCO

This day will be filled with unforgettable memories as we visit Machu Picchu with a guided tour. We will begin with breakfast and then board one of the first buses at 5:30 a. m. for an approximately 30-minute ride to reach the Inca citadel around 6:00 a. m. and enjoy it during the early morning hours.

We will take a guided tour of approximately 2 hours through the Panoramic Circuit, the route included with the Inca Trail entrance ticket. During this tour, we will admire the upper terraces, the classic panoramic view of the citadel from the Guardian’s Hut sector, and the overall layout of Machu Picchu, one of the most photographed landscapes in the world. Our guide will share the history and significance of this sacred sanctuary throughout the visit.

After completing the visit, we will descend from Machu Picchu to the town of Aguas Calientes by walking for approximately 1 hour along an original Inca trail, while observing the flora and fauna of the sanctuary.

In the afternoon, at 2:55 p. m., we will board the return train to Ollantaytambo, with a journey of approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes. From there, we will take transportation back to Cusco, arriving at approximately 6:30 p. m., and then transfer you to your respective hotels.

Overnight stay at a hotel in Cusco.

DAY 5 – CUSCO – RAINBOW MOUNTAIN (VINICUNCA) TOUR – CUSCO

Our staff will pick you up from your hotel between 4:30 a. m. and 5:00 a. m. We will board our tourist transportation and head towards the town of Cusipata. During the approximately 2-hour journey, we will pass through rural communities along the route and enjoy the impressive landscapes of the high Andean mountains.

Upon arrival, we will stop to enjoy breakfast, providing the energy needed to begin the tour. Then, we will continue the journey for approximately 40 more minutes, admiring the colorful mountain landscapes along the way.

We will arrive at the starting point, located at 4,600 meters above sea level (15,092 ft). From here, we begin the uphill hike, which takes approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes to reach Rainbow Mountain. Upon reaching the summit at 5,036 meters above sea level (16,522 ft), you will enjoy breathtaking views of the Andes mountain range and the high Andean wildlife.

The surrounding mountains display reddish tones, and from this viewpoint you can appreciate the Red Valley and the mountain’s colorful stripes. We will have time to capture this incredible landscape through photos and videos.

Afterwards, we will begin the approximately 1-hour descent back to the point where our transportation will be waiting to take us for a well-deserved lunch. After lunch, you will have the optional opportunity to visit a local family and learn about their ancestral way of life.

Finally, we will return to Cusco, with an estimated arrival time of approximately 4:00 p. m.

Overnight stay at a hotel in Cusco.

DAY 6 – CUSCO – AIRPORT TRANSFER – RETURN FLIGHT TO LIMA

Breakfast at the hotel. At the scheduled time, you will be picked up from your hotel and transferred to the airport to take your return flight to Lima (airfare not included).

End of services.