Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu & Rainbow Mountain Adventure

ITINERARY

Day 1: Pisac – Moray – Salt Mines – Ollantaytambo – Aguas Calientes

Today we start at 7:30am, when your 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. 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 citadel. Here, spend about 2 hours, exploring the Inca city. Then, we head down to the colorful market of Pisac, then drive to Urubamba for lunch.

Our 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 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. After some time for dinner,  take the train to Aguas Calientes to spend the night in your hotel. The train departs at 19:04 and arrives at 20:45.

• 3* Accommodations: Ferre´ Hotel Machu Picchu
• 4* Accommodation: Tierra Viva (superior room) or El Mapi
• Meals: Breakfast

Day 2: Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu – Cusco

This is the day you’ve been waiting for! After an early breakfast at the 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! The guide will give you a tour, which takes about two hours. See most of the important parts of Machu Picchu.  Learn about how Machu Picchu is divided into three sectors: agricultural, residential and religious.

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 Vistadome train will take you back to Ollantaytambo at 4:22pm or 4:43pm or 6:20pm, 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, the 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 between 8pm and 10:30pm.

Please note: In the rainy season, January through April, the Vistadome Train only runs to the Ollantaytambo station. We will drive you from Ollantaytambo to your hotel in Cusco.

• Meals: Breakfast
• 3* Accommodation: Maytaq Wasin or Waman Qorikancha
• 4* Accommodation: Costa del Sol Ramada, Casa Andina Private Collection or Novotel  Hotels

After your tour, those who have booked in advance for the extra hikes up Huayna Picchu Mountain, this tour will be done without a guide.

DAY 3: CUSCO – RAINBOW MOUNTAIN – CUSCO

We will pick you up from the hotel at 4am to begin with our amazing Rainbow Mountain Trek Adventure.  We set out on our drive for 3 hours through the South Valley; ending up at the trailhead at Llacto (4,638m / 15,216 ft).  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 spot will entertain you in the early morning. Once we reach the trailhead, we start on our hike following a lovely stream. As you start your hike, you will have views of the Ausangate Mountain and glaciers.  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, we finally reach our destination: Rainbow Mountain! (5,020m /16,466ft) After admiring the unique beauty, have time to explore the area. Take pictures or just soak up the view. We 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, we hike back down the way we came. The hike takes 1 hour, then we enjoy our lunch prepared by our chef.

We will embark on the 3-hour drive back to Cusco and drop you off at your Cusco hotel, arriving around 5:00pm.

**** There is an option to rent a horse from local people right at the starting point of the trek!

• Meals: hot breakfast & lunch
• 3* Accommodation: Maytaq Wasin or Waman Qorikancha
• 4* Accommodation: Costa del Sol Ramada, Casa Andina Private Collection or Novotel Hotels

Day 4: DEPARTURE FROM CUSCO

After breakfast at the hotel, enjoy your remaining time in Cusco city then in the afternoon we will drop off at the airport to take your plane back to Lima.

• Meals: Breakfast