Cusco – Sacred Valley – Machupicchu – Rainbow Mountain 5days /4nights

ITINERARY

DAY 1: CUSCO – CITY AND SURROUNDINGS

Arrival and pick-up at the airport or bus station to be transferred to your hotel in Cusco. In the afternoon, around 1:00 p.m., we will pick you up at the hotel and start the city tour; you will begin by visiting the Temple of Qorikancha or Temple of the Sun. You will continue your guided tour to the archaeological centers around the city of Cusco, starting with Sacsayhuamán, Qenqo, Puka Pukara, and Tambomachay. The tour ends in the main square of Cusco, around 6:00 p.m. Night at the hotel in Cusco.

DAY 2: SACRED VALLEY OF THE INCAS – AGUAS CALIENTES

Full-day excursion to the Sacred Valley of the Incas starting early at 8:00 a.m. We will pick you up at your hotel. Our vehicle will take you to the town of Pisac, where you will begin our tour by visiting the Pisac Archaeological Center, which is 45 minutes from Cusco. Another good reason to visit Pisac is its craft market, where you will find a variety of clothing made of alpaca and crafts that may interest you. At noon, we will head to the town of Urubamba, where you will enjoy a buffet lunch, a perfect opportunity to try Peruvian cuisine.

In the afternoon, we will visit the Fortress of Ollantaytambo. The afternoon is perfect for taking photos since the light is less intense compared to noon. Ollantaytambo is an archaeological center with a lot of history and legends; we will take a walk with our guide. After visiting and touring these spectacular places, our guide will help you board the train that will take you to the town of Aguas Calientes. Upon arrival, after a journey of approximately 2 hours, our assistant will be waiting for you and will take you to your hotel.

DAY 3: AGUAS CALIENTES – MACHU PICCHU

Very early, you will head to the bus station to go to the Machu Picchu Archaeological Sanctuary by car. The journey takes 25 minutes; finally, you will arrive at the Machu Picchu citadel to appreciate the impressive sunrise and enjoy the amazing view of the Inca citadel. Once in Machu Picchu, our guide will start the guided tour so that you can better understand the history and architecture of Machu Picchu. You will be amazed by the Inca buildings and temples, as well as the natural environment that surrounds them. In the afternoon, you will board the train back to the Ollantaytambo station, where we will pick you up to transfer you to your hotel in Cusco. Night at the hotel in Cusco.

Important: The train schedules are indicative and may vary based on train availability.

DAY 4: MARAS AND MORAY

Our tour of Maras, Moray, and the salt mines begins with pick-up at around 7:30 in the morning, and then we will drive to the archaeological site of Moray. As we drive, you will observe vast fields surrounded by mountains and glaciers.

Upon arriving in Moray (38 km from Cusco), we will have a guided tour where we will learn more about its history and function during the Inca period. Moray has endless theories about its function, but the most accepted one is that it was an agricultural laboratory. Moray has a structure of terraces built in a circular and staggered manner. The deepest circle has a diameter of 80 meters.

Within the terraces, temperature variations range from 0.5 to 1.5 °C per terrace, which can reproduce up to 20 different microclimates. It is said that the purpose of this archaeological center was to plant products that did not grow in this area.

Culminating our visit to Moray, we will continue our journey to the Salt mines of Maras, formed by around 3000 pools that produce between 50 and 80 kilos of salt per season. It is said that in Inca times, they were used to dehydrate their products and thus preserve them for a longer time, avoiding deterioration. These pools are supplied by a spring of water that comes from the depths of a mountain. The water is distributed through channels and moves the salt, which will then be extracted by the locals after the sun evaporates the water in the pools.

Maras salt is currently in high demand because it comes from the mountains and not the sea, in addition to its medicinal properties. We recommend buying some pink salt, as it contains the highest amount of minerals beneficial to health. Upon finishing, we will return to the city of Cusco. On the way back, we will make a stop in Chinchero to visit an alpaca factory where the locals will show you the entire alpaca production process.

NOTE: You can do this same tour by bicycle or ATV for an extra cost, consult with your travel consultant if you would like to make the change and add adventure to your experience.

DAY 5: HIKE TO RAINBOW MOUNTAIN

The tour starts early in the morning. We will pick you up from your hotel in Cusco at 4:30 a.m.  to travel by car for about two hours towards the south, reaching the district of Cusipata – Paucarpata in the Quispicanchi province, where we will have breakfast.

After a short rest, we will continue on a 20-minute journey to the first Base Control of the rural communities of TINTINCO and PAUCARPATA. From this point, we will continue on a 25-minute journey to the second Base Control of the rural community of CHILLIHUANI. Here, we will begin a hike of approximately 1 hour and 40 minutes to the Red Valley mountain range, which provides access to the beautiful Rainbow Mountain, also known as Vinicunca. During the hike, we will observe the typical flora and fauna of the Andes, including llamas and alpacas.

Upon reaching the viewpoint of Vinicunca (5,100 meters above sea level), our guide will provide an engaging explanation about the topography, ecosystem, and the mountain’s colors. The Rainbow Mountain is a natural wonder, formed by the oxides of different minerals that make up these geological formations. The slopes and peaks present colors ranging from red, purple, green, pink, to yellow, creating a fascinating array of colors. We will also see the majestic Ausangate snow-capped mountain, with its impressive view and height of 6,385 meters above sea level. This mountain is the 5th highest in Peru. At the Vinicunca viewpoint, we can capture memorable photos next to the mountain and enjoy the beautiful landscape.

Afterward, we will return along the same trail to the starting point of the hike. Our transportation will be waiting to take us back and enjoy a delicious Andean lunch. After lunch, we will begin the return journey to the city of Cusco, arriving at around 4:00 PM.

HIKING LEVEL

The hiking level to the 7-Color Mountain is categorized from level 1 to 4:

Level 1: Easy on flat terrain, without major difficulty.

Level 2: Mix of flat terrain and slight slopes.

Level 3: Uneven terrain with steeper slopes.

Level 4: Steep and rugged terrain.

INCLUDED

Pre-tour information.
Transfers from Cusco to the starting point of the hike – round trip.
Assistance throughout the journey.
Professional English-Spanish guide.
Tourist transport – equipped with oxygen.
Breakfast.
Lunch.
Transfer from your hotel to the airport in private transportation.

NOT INCLUDED

Other services not mentioned.