TOUR DETAILS
Enjoy the very best of Cusco and its surroundings. Visit beautiful colonial towns, discover the remains of ancient civilizations, and explore some of the most spectacular landscapes on the planet. Meet the descendants of the Incas and discover the native camelids of the Andes. Explore the Sacred Valley and the majestic peaks of the Andes on your journey to the magnificent citadel of Machu Picchu.
ITINERARY
The visit to Vinicunca (Rainbow Mountain) or Humantay Lake can be replaced with a South Valley Full Day Tour or an ATV Tour at no additional cost, only under the shared service option.
DESTINATIONS
BREAKFAST: Days 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6
LUNCH: Days 2, 3, 4, and 5
AVAILABLE AS: Shared or Private Service
HIGHLIGHTS
Vinicunca (Rainbow Mountain): A natural wonder that attracts visitors from all over the world. The accumulation of minerals over hundreds of thousands of years has created its distinctive and magical colors.
Cusco: The former capital of the Inca Empire is a fascinating blend of pre-Columbian ruins and Spanish colonial architecture. Visit the Temple of Qorikancha, the Cathedral, and the nearby archaeological sites of Sacsayhuaman, Qenqo, Puka Pukara, and Tambomachay.
Machu Picchu: The legendary Lost City of the Incas is hidden high in the Andes and offers spectacular views of the surrounding mountains, as well as a fascinating glimpse into the mysterious history of the Inca civilization.
Pisac and Ollantaytambo: Discover the traditional town of Pisac and the impressive Inca fortress of Ollantaytambo, along with other fascinating sites in this historic region along the Urubamba River.
Upon arrival at Cusco International Airport, our staff will be waiting to assist you and transfer you to your hotel. Afterward, you will enjoy a guided tour of this charming city, which served as the capital of the Inca Empire. The tour begins with a visit to the Cathedral, the most imposing monument on the Plaza de Armas. Next, you will visit the Convent of Santo Domingo, built atop the Inca temple of Coricancha—one of the most important sites dedicated to sun worship. Ancient chronicles state that its walls were covered in gold leaf and adorned with golden representations of the natural world. You will then head to the hills overlooking Cusco to visit the fortress of Sacsayhuamán; its massive walls offer a breathtaking panoramic view of the city. The tour continues to Qenqo, a religious archaeological complex where the Incas are believed to have performed agricultural rituals. Your journey concludes at Puca Pucará—meaning “Red Fort” in Quechua—an architectural complex likely used for military purposes, featuring various chambers, plazas, baths, aqueducts, and towers. It is believed to have served as a base for the Inca entourage while their leader rested at nearby Tambomachay. After the visit, you will return to Cusco’s historic center to conclude the day.
After breakfast at the hotel, we will pick you up at the scheduled time. You will begin this great adventure by heading to the Sacred Valley of the Incas; along the way, we will make stops at scenic viewpoints where you can admire the area’s beauty and capture unique, incredible photos. You will then continue to the Inca and colonial site of Pisac. Visit one of the most beautiful Inca archaeological sites in the Sacred Valley, located atop the mountain overlooking the colonial town of Pisac. Take a walking tour of the colonial town and enjoy some shopping time at the artisan market. Afterward, the tour continues to Urubamba for a lunch break—time to recharge! In the afternoon, visit the magnificent archaeological complex of Ollantaytambo, a site of great military, religious, and agricultural importance to the Incas. You will visit the Temple of the Ten Windows, the Ñusta’s Baths, and the Temple of the Sun, among other points of interest. The stunning views from the heights of Ollantaytambo will provide a perfect conclusion to this magical day in the Sacred Valley of the Incas before you are transferred to the Ollantaytambo train station.
• Overnight stay in Aguas Calientes at your selected hotel.
The long-awaited day has arrived. At the scheduled time, you will be taken to the Ollantaytambo train station to depart for a visit to one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. Upon arrival at the Aguas Calientes station, our staff will assist you in boarding the shuttle that winds up the mountain, offering spectacular views of the Urubamba River as it carves out the famous canyon. The “Lost City of the Incas,” Machu Picchu, awaits with its incredible terraces, stairways, ceremonial enclosures, and urban sectors; the entire site radiates a unique energy. After a guided tour, you will enjoy lunch at a local restaurant. At the scheduled time, you will return by train to the Ollantaytambo station, where our transport will be waiting to take you to your hotel.
• Overnight stay in Cusco at your selected hotel.
Vinicunca, or the Rainbow Mountain, is a natural masterpiece situated at 5,035 meters above sea level. Its vibrant hues result from the accumulation of minerals over time, shaped by mountain waters, winds, and humidity. Begin this adventure to Vinicunca by departing Cusco very early in the morning—between 4:00 and 4:30 AM. You will head to Cusipata for breakfast before continuing to the hike’s starting point. There, your guide will provide a briefing before you set off on a trek surrounded by stunning Andean landscapes and watched over by the majestic Mount Ausangate—one of Cusco’s most significant peaks and a site considered sacred since Inca times. Upon reaching the base of the breathtaking Vinicunca Mountain, you will be struck by its grandeur; you will have time at the viewpoint to rest and take spectacular photos. Afterward, you will hike back to Phullawasipata to board the transport to Cusipata for lunch. Following lunch, you will return to your hotel in Cusco.
• Overnight stay in Cusco at the selected hotel.
You will be picked up from your hotel between 4:00 AM and 4:30 AM for a 2.5-hour drive to Mollepata, where you will enjoy a delicious breakfast. Afterward, we will continue our journey to Soraypampa (4,326 masl) to prepare for the hike. The initial ascent takes approximately two hours, offering beautiful views of snow-capped mountains and glimpses of local life as you make your way to the stunning Humantay Lagoon. You will then begin the descent back to Soraypampa—a walk of about two hours—where our transport will be waiting to take you to a hearty lunch. Finally, you will be driven back to Cusco (arriving between 5:00 PM and 5:30 PM), marking the end of this great adventure.
• Overnight stay in Cusco at your selected hotel.
Today, it is time to say goodbye to Cusco. Before heading to the airport, enjoy breakfast at the hotel and complete the check-out process. Our team will then be ready to take you to your flight home. We hope you have spent these days filled with adventure, good times, and new experiences, and that you return home with souvenirs, plenty of photos, and amazing stories to tell and remember from this journey through magical Peru.
