Sacred Valley + Short Inca Trail + Rainbow Mountain Tour 4 Days

DAY 1: SACRED VALLEY OF THE INCAS (Animal Sanctuary + Pisac + Moray + Maras + Salt mines + Ollantaytambo) 

We pick you up from your hotel at 7:30am 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 overhead view of the Urubamba valley, which accents the surrounding mountain ranges. Next, we head to the archaeological site of Pisac, where you can see the biggest Inca cemetery with more than 2,000 tombs. There, we can admire the hand carved farming terraces built into the side of the Mountain, explore the Inca tunnel and the religious site of this important Inca ruin. After approximately 2 hours, we will visit the colorful Pisac Market which is the largest Market in the area, spend a little time visiting just to see the different handicrafts (you do not need to buy anything) before heading to Urubamba for lunch.

After lunch we visit Moray, which was an experimental farming site built in the form of an ampitheatre with different temperature at each level which grows different types of crops. These levels of terraces were carved before the Incas and then used by the Incas.

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 to extract salt since before Inca times and still supplies Peru with over 90% of its salt. A hot spring at the top of the valley trickles a stream of salty water, which fills the salt ponds and evaporates to produce a salt that is used for our consumption. Finally, we drive to Ollantaytambo to explore this quaint Inca village and the amazing Inca Ruins on the hill top above. Here we spend the night at our hotel in Ollantaytambo so we are ready to catch the early morning Train to the starting point of the Inca Trail.

• Hotel in Ollantaytambo: Tunupa lodge or Iskay Hotel –  depending on availability

DAY 2: OLLANTAYTAMBO – KM104  – WIÑAY HUAYNA – SUN GATE – MACHU PICCHU

Your guide will pick you up from your hotel at 5:30am to escort us to the Ollantaytambo train station, which is very close, to take the 6:10am Expedition train. After an hour and 15-minute train ride, we arrive to kilometer 104 (Inca Trail Starting Point – 2,100m/6,927ft). Afterwards, we begin a moderate climb for three hours to the ancient archaeological site of Wiñayhuana (2,650m/8,747ft) where we will have fabulous views of the Urubamba Valley, Inca sites and the connection with the original 4-day Inca Trail.

After we rest and enjoy this beautiful sight, we continue our trek towards the Sun Gate (2,730mts/9,007ft), where we will have our first view of Machu Picchu from where most of the famous photos of Machu Picchu are taken. It is all downhill from here, we walk downhill for about one hour to Machu Picchu.

We take a 25-minute shuttle bus ride down a zig zagging rode to Aguas Calientes, where we spend the night in our hotel and enjoy a celebratory Dinner.

• Meals: Box Lunch & Dinner
• Accommodation: Wiracocha Inn Hotel or Andean Terra Hotel
• Difficulty: Moderate

DAY 3: AGUAS CALIENTES – MACHU PICCHU – CUSCO

On this very exciting morning, we have all been waiting for, we will take the 5:30am shuttle bus back up the zig zagging hill to catch the sunrise over Machu Picchu. Our guide will give us a 2.5-hour private tour, teaching us the history and little secrets hidden away by the Incas who once resided there. Then, you have plenty of time to explore on your own until 12 noon.

Here are some other activities you can do on your own:

• Climb Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain and enjoy the amazing views of Machu Picchu from above. (Additional fee)
• Walk to the Sun Gate, 2 hours round trip or the Inca Bridge, 1 hour round trip. (No additional fee)
• Other optional activities in Aguas Calientes include a visit to the new local museum or to the hot springs. (Entrance fee to enter)

Around 12 noon, we will depart Machu Picchu and descend again back down the curvy road to Aguas Calientes. You can have a relaxing lunch and explore Aguas Calientes before boarding the Expedition train by 4:22pm, returning to Ollantaytambo Train Station.

Finally, we will drive approximately 90 minutes to our hotel in Cusco, arriving around 9:30pm, to get a good night sleep before beginning our next adventure early in the morning.

• Accommodations: 3* Maytaq Wasin or Waman Hotels 3*
• Meals: breakfast

***There are now 2 sessions to enter Machu Picchu; 6am to 12pm and 12pm to 5:30pm. If you wish to stay after 12pm, you must purchase a second entrance ticket. If you book Huayna Picchu, you have an extra 2 hours and an extra 3 hours if you hike Machu Picchu Mountain.

DAY 4: CUSCO – RAINBOW MOUNTAIN – CUSCO

We will pick you up from your hotel at 4am to begin our incredible Rainbow Mountain Trek. We set out on our 3-hour scenic drive through the South Valley, there are amazing views of farming Inca terraces, Valleys and Rocky mountains.

Once we reach the beginning of the Trail, we will have a hot breakfast before beginning our hike alongside of a rippling stream. You will be impressed by the herds of alpacas and llamas all around us. We will have endless views of the Ausangate Mountain as we hike through different villages and interact with the indigenous people, who are still living as they always have.

We reach our destination – the Rainbow Mountain (5,020m /16,466ft) after a short 1.5 hour hike. We will have time to explore this truly breathtaking and colorful sandstone mountain top. You can take photos and just enjoy this awesome sight. We will spend approximately 30 minutes at the top.

At this point, we hike for another 1.5 hours back down the way we came. Our 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 between 5:00pm – 6:00pm, depending on how fast you hike and how long you wish to stay at the top of Rainbow Mountain.

• Meals: hot breakfast & lunch

WHAT IS INCLUDED

• Sacred Valley Tour
• Short Inca Trail and Rainbow Mountain Treks
• Entrances to the Inca cities and archeological sites
• Professional guide for three days
•  Expedition train from Ollantaytambo to KM 104 and from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo
• Three nights hotel accommodation with private room, bathroom and breakfast included
• Meals as indicated on the itinerary
• Bus tickets from Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu -Aguas Calientes
• Personal assistance

WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED   

• Hotel – optional upgrades
• Huayna Picchu Tickets:$75 USD per person
• Machu Picchu Mountain:$70 USD per person
• Upgrade to Vistadome:$57 USD per person (Return only Aguas Calientes to Poroy at 4:43pm)
• Tips for your guide

ADDED VALUES  FOR FREE:

• Transfer from the airport to hotel: (Cusco only)

***The Sacred Valley, Short Inca Trail + Rainbow Mountain Trek is always available (except February when it is closed for maintenance).

***The fantastic tour with Inca trail included is available on any date as long as there are atleast 2 people.

No. OF PEOPLE	PRICE
2 to 8 people (with 3 nights hotel)	$827 USD per person
2 to 8 people (without hotel)	$717 USD per person

***All entrance fees are included and we operate our tours in small groups averaging 5 persons with a maximum of 8!  

DISCOUNTS

• 18 to 25 years old:$30 USD. Information required on student card: name of university, student name, photo of student, expiration date etc. A copy of the card at booking is required & government approval for discount.
• Under 18 years old:$30 USD. Please send us a copy of your passport at the time of booking.
• Under 11 years old:$40 USD.  Please send us a copy of your passport at the time of booking.

EXTRAS

• Huayna Picchu Mountain:$75 USD per person
• Machu Picchu Mountain:$70 USD per person
• Upgrade Hotel in Aguas Calientes:$45 USD to 3*** (Can upgrade to 4 or 5 star also)
• Upgrade Hotel in Ollantaytambo:$50 USD to 3*** (Can upgrade to 4 or 5 star also)
• Upgrade to Vistadome:$57 USD per person
• Single Supplement –$30 USD 2*and $45 USD 3* for single travelers

Please read the following information carefully,it will help answer all of your questions about our services and tours.

ARRIVAL TO CUSCO

We will collect you from the Cusco airport and take you to your hotel in Cusco, please let us know you flight details at least 14 days prior to arrival. Our representative will be holding an orange sign reading ORANGE Nation outside the arrivals.

THE BRIEFING

The Briefing is the night before you begin the Sacred Valley & 1-Day Inca Trail to Machu Picchu tour at 6pm in our office which is located at Calle Santa Teresa  Nº383; 107 (first floor), we are next to SUBWAY restaurant and across the street from Sunat. The only 3 story building with 2 balconies.

CAN I STORE MY LUGGAGE AT YOUR OFFICE:

ABSOLUTELY! We will keep your main luggage at our office or you can store it at your hotel, both are free.

HOW TO BOOK THE TOUR?

FIRST, to book your Sacred Valley & 1-Day Inca Trail Tour, we need you to fill out our booking form by clicking on BOOK NOW on our homepage or click here – BOOK NOW.

Please have the following information (From Each Person in your group). We cannot purchase entrance tickets to Machu Picchu or the train without the following information:

• Personal information (your full name, exactly as on your passport):
• Gender
• Passport number
• D.OB. (dd / mm / yyyy)
• Nationality

SECOND, we require a deposit of $211.00 USD per person  in order to purchase your entrance to Machu Picchu and train ticket.  You can make you deposit by clicking on the PAYPAL symbols on the top of our home page, or you can click on the PAYPAL symbols on our booking page.

WHAT ABOUT THE BALANCE?

It would be greatly appreciated if you pay in cash at our office (US dollars or Peruvian soles) here in Cusco. We have many ATMs within the historical center to withdraw money.  You can also pay by PAYPAL online but you will have to pay a 5.5% service charge, charged by PAYPAL. To pay your balance through PAYPAL, you need to log into your PAYPAL account using our email address orangenationperu@gmail.com. 

HOW DO I QUALIFY FOR THE STUDENT DISCOUNT?

• According to Peruvian Law, you must be under 18 years of age at the time of your trek, tour, or visit to Machu Picchu (students 18 & above need student cards). For example: if you book a trek at the age of 17 but you turn 18 before you do your trek, you do not qualify for a student discount.
• All students from 11 to 17 years, the discount is $30.
• For children from the age of 2 to 11 the discount is $40.
• Children under the age of 2 are free.
• All students must provide a copy of their passport at the time of their booking to get the student discount.
• Send us a copy at orangenationperu@gmail.com

MAY I CHANGE THE DEPARTURE DATE AFTER THE TICKETS HAVE BEEN BOUGHT?

Unfortunately No. Once the tickets have been bought the government does not allow any changes, so we cannot change any departure dates after the tickets have been purchased. Tickets are also non transferable nor refundable.  If you cancel your Sacred Valley & 1 Day Inca Trail to Machu Picchu the deposit is not refundable at all!

DO I NEED MY ORIGINAL PASSPORT?

DEFINITELY! You MUST bring your original passport with the same passport number you sent to us to book your entrance tickets to Machu Picchu, train, other entrances and reservations. They will check when you enter Machu Picchu and board the train.

If you are renewing your passport or changing your name, please send us a COPY of your old passport to secure your permit, and we can change it when we receive a COPY of your new passport or updated name for a fee of $25 USD per person. We must have a copy of your old and new passport to make the change. Before you change your passport keep a copy of your old one.

If you do not wish to pay this fee, you must bring both passports with you to Peru. You can enter Peru with your new passport but you will need to show both passports, old and new, to enter Machu Picchu or the train. If you do not have both you will not be allowed to enter Machu Picchu or get on the train.

Remember to check your current passport to make sure it doesn’t expire within 6 months of your arrival to Peru!!! The Government of Peru is enforcing the existing law that requires all foreign travelers to have a passport valid for a minimum of six months past the time of entry into Peru. Peruvian authorities will deny entry into Peru for travelers not meeting this requirement.

ARE WE DROPPED OFF AT OUR HOTEL?

OF COURSE! We will drop you off at your hotel when we return from the trek or tour in either Cusco or the Sacred Valley.

TIPPING

If you are happy with the services provided, a tip is appreciated. While it may not be normal to you, it means a lot for the people, and their families, who will take care of you during the tour. It inspires better service and is an impotant facet of the tourism industry. Of course you are free to tip however much you feel is appropriate, based on how happy you are with the service and the length of your tour.

ARE YOU SUSTAINABLE?

We are a local sustainable & responsible tour operator which functions according to the ethical principles of tourism: protect the environment and benefit the indigenous communities respecting their culture and religion. We have trained all of our staff to know, understand and respect the local communities and the people living there.

The Sacred Valley, Short Inca Trail + Rainbow Mountain Trek does not include extra porter so you will need to carry all your own stuff, please try to pack light to enjoy this incredible trek.

WHAT TO BRING 

• Original Passport (it has to be the same you have used for booking your trek)
• Good daypack (the smaller, the better)
• Drinking Water: 2-3L  (Camelbaks are encouraged)
• Comfortable hiking boots
• Toilet Paper
• 2 t-shirts
• 1 hiking pants at least
• Undergarments
• Hiking socks
• Jacket
• Waterproof gloves – rainy season
• Large plastic bags will be provided at the office — Please ask for them
• Face moisturizer
• Hand Sanitizer
• Wet wipes
• Toothbrush and toothpaste
• Personal medications
• Sun Hat
• Sunscreen
• Rain gear  – rainy season
• Snacks like chocolate bars, cereal bars or any dry fruit
• Rain plastic poncho (provided by Orange Nation)
• Camera
• Extra Money for Souvenirs, Drinks & Tips