Cusco to Machu Picchu and Rainbow Mountain Tour 4 Days

DAY 1: CUSCO CITY TOUR

This afternoon, we will tour the Imperial City of Cusco, a UNESCO World Heritage site and living museum with a mix of Andean and Spanish cultures. The Cusco Cathedral will be the first stop, which was completed in 1560 after nearly 100 years of construction. Next, you will visit Qorikancha, the ancient Inca Palace and main worship center of the Sun God, which was once filled with gold, until looted during the conquest. Our tour continues to the archeological site of Sacsayhuaman. Once a military compound for the Inca, this architectural marvel made from 100-ton boulders, not from the area overlooks the city. Finally, we explore the fascinating archeological sites of Qenqo, Puka Pukara, and Tambomachay before heading back to your hotel in Cusco by the early evening.

• 3* Accommodation: Waman or Maytaq Wasin Hotels
• Meals: Not included

DAY 2: CUSCO – SACRED VALLEY (PISAC – MORAY – SALT MINE – OLLANTAYTAMBO) – AGUAS CALIENTES

We pick you up from your hotel at 7:30 am with our private van and head to the Sacred Valley of the Incas, taking the route to Pisac. Our first stop is the Mirador of Taray to enjoy a beautiful view of the Sacred Valley. Next, we head to the Pisac archaeological site, where you can see the biggest Inca cemetery with more than 2,000 tombs. There we can see the hand-carved farming terraces on the side of the Mountain, explore the Inca tunnel, and the religious site of this famous Inca ruin. Here we will spend approximately 2 hours exploring the Inca city. Then, we visit the colorful Pisac Market, the largest market in the area, see unique handicrafts before driving to Urubamba for lunch. 

After lunch, we visit Moray, which was an experimental farming site built in the form of an amphitheater, in which each level naturally has a different temperature to grow different types of crops. These levels of terraces were carved before the Incas took control of the Sacred Valley and then used by them to research optimal growing conditions for their crops.

We continue our journey to the colonial town of Maras, walking downhill to the pre-Inca salt mines. Over three thousand salt ponds have been used for salt extraction since before Inca times and still supply Peru with over 90% of its salt. A hot spring at the top of the valley runs a stream of salt water into salt ponds to produce an salt. Finally, we drive to Ollantaytambo, to explore this traditional Inca village, and the Inca Ruins with your English-speaking guide.

You will have time to eat dinner in Ollantaytambo or get a take out dinner to eat on the train. At 7pm we will take the train to Aguas Calientes where we spend the night in a hotel.

• Accommodation: Wiracocha Inn Hotel or Intipunku Tambo 2*
• Meal: Breakfast

DAY 3: AGUAS CALIENTES – MACHU PICCHU – CUSCO

After an early breakfast at your hotel, we are ready to get an early bus at 5:30am up to Machu Picchu just in time to witness the sunrise. It is a truly mystical site out of history and not something you’ll want to miss! After enjoying the sunrise your guide will provide a guided tour of Machu Picchu, which takes around two hours. You will see many of the most important parts of Machu Picchu Citadel during your tour. 

After the tour, those people that have booked in advance for the extra hike up Huayna Picchu will have time to hike it on their own. When they have had their fill of the incredible views of Machu Picchu, a bus back down to Aguas Calientes will be waiting. Upon arriving at Aguas Calientes lunch is waiting with numerous restaurants to choose from (lunch not included). Depending on your train departure time, there may be some time for shopping, or sightseeing.

The Expedition train will take you back to Ollantaytambo at 2:55pm or 3:20pm, following the spectacular Urubamba River. Close to Aguas Calientes, the canyon is narrow and the river has many beautiful sections of whitewater. 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 our private van. You can expect to arrive at your hotel about 7:00pm.

• 3* Accommodation: Waman or Maytaq Wasin Hotels
• Meal: Breakfast

***IMPORTANT:

• You can upgrade to the Vistadome Train for the same times, 2:55pm or 3:20pm, 4:22pm, or 4:43pm. The cost is $57 USD.
• Early trains can be organized by requested and it has to be done by booking time.
• The Huayna Picchu Mountain Hike depends on availability and let us know about it at booking time.

DAY 4: CUSCO – RAINBOW MOUNTAIN – CUSCO

We will pick you up from your hotel lobby at 4 am and begin our incredible Rainbow Mountain Trek Adventure! As we set out on our 3-hour scenic drive through the South Valley, you will see views of farming Inca terraces, valleys, and rocky mountains.

Once you reach the trailhead, you will have a hot breakfast before beginning our hike along the river. You will see herds of alpacas and llamas all around you and have views of Ausangate Mountain as we hike through different villages and interact with the indigenous people who still live traditional lifestyles.

We reach our destination – the Rainbow Mountains (5,020m /16,466ft) after a 1.5-hour hike, where you will have time to explore the area. You can take pictures and savor the environment as we spend approximately 30 minutes at the top.

At this point, we hike for another hour back down the way we came. While you have been hiking, your chef has been making your gourmet lunch. Our hot lunch and private van will be waiting for us when we return.

We will begin our scenic 3-hour drive back to Cusco and drop you off at your Cusco hotel, arriving around 5:00 pm – 6:00 pm, depending on how fast you hike and how long you wish to stay at the Rainbow Mountain site.

• Meals: hot breakfast & lunch (cooked at the trailhead)