Cusco, Machu Picchu & Rainbow Mountain

1/2

Difficulty:

Average

Length:

6 nights/7 days

Brief description:

The city of Cusco is surrounded by great riches and mysteries. We visit the Sacred Valley of the Incas, The Inca City of Machu Picchu and Rainbow Mountain, which is known as one of the most impressive mountains of Peru and is attracting more and more visitors every year.

Itinerary

Day 1:

Cusco

When you arrive in the City of Cusco our staff will be waiting for you at the airport and take you to your chosen hotel. At the hotel, you will be greeted with the typical coca tea for acclimatization. Our staff will help you check in and give you all the information and recommendations such as: Banks, Restaurants, Exchange Houses and others.

Finally you have a free afternoon to rest and acclimatize.

Optional: Presentation of typical Andean music and dances at the Qosqo Native Art Centre (6:30pm to 8.00pm) The entrance ticket is included in the package.

Accommodations: Economy (Casa Hostel Rojas Inn and others in the same category)
Accommodations: 3* Standard Hotel (Rojas Inn Hotel, Anden Inca, San Francisco Plaza and others in the same category)
Accommodations: 4* Hotel (San Agustin International, Monasterio San Pedro and others in the same category)

Day 2:

City Tour in Cusco

After a free morning we will pick you up from your hotel at 1.30pm and will take a bus to visit of the city of Cusco.

The first stop will be in the main square of Cusco or also known as Plaza de Armas, here we visit the Cathedral which is known as one of the most beautiful and imposing buildings of Peru and Latin America. Continuing with the tour we move to the Temple of Koricancha or Temple of the Sun, here we can appreciate the very fine work that the Incas performed on the stone. Then we take our bus to leave the city of Cusco and visit the archaeological site Sacsayhuaman. Where every year in June, the Sun Festival 'Inti Raymi' is held during the Winter Solstice. It has a strategic location that offers a complete view of Cusco City to visitors. We will also appreciate the Archaeological Centres. of Qenqo, Tambomachay and Pucapucara.

Returning to the City of Cusco approximately at 6.30pm.

Accommodations: Economy (Casa Hostel Rojas Inn and others in the same category)
Accommodations: 3* Standard Hotel (Rojas Inn Hotel, Anden Inca, San Francisco Plaza and others in the same category)
Accommodations: 4* Hotel (San Agustin International and others in the same category)

Meals included: Breakfast

Day 3:

Cusco, Sacred Valley & Machu Picchu

Pick up from your hotel will be at 8am.

We make our first stop at The Andean Animal Refuge where we will find llamas, alpacas, condors, and pumas. Continuing our tour we visit the most important archaeological sites in the Sacred Valley. Here we will have a guided tour exploring the sites for around one hour. This place is best known for having the largest Inca cemetery in the area, and also has religious temples, agricultural terraces, and irrigation systems. Then we go to the colonial town of Pisac where we visit a silverware workshop and learn the process of making silver. Also, we will walk through the traditional markets where you can find a lot of handmade crafts, here we will have time to buy souvenirs.

We then go to the town of Urubamba where we stop at a restaurant to have a buffet lunch.

To complete our day's tour, we visit the Archaeological Centre of Ollantaytambo which is another important site in the Sacred Valley having temples and gardens.

Also, in this place one of the greatest battles of Spaniards with Incas was celebrated.

Finally we go to the train station of Ollantaytambo to take the train to the town of Aguas Calientes, upon our arrival you can expect to stay at a cozy hotel with all the comforts.

Accommodations: Economy (Tayta Hostel and others in the same category)
Accommodations: 3* Standard Hotel (Flower House, Hatun Samay and others in the same category)
Accommodations: 4* Hotel (La Cabaña, Inti Punku and others in the same category)

Meals included: Breakfast and buffet lunch

Day 4:

Machu Picchu – Cusco

We will start the early morning climb after a delicious breakfast. Making the short trip by bus to the Machu Picchu complex, where we visit the incredible architecture and the mysterious temples left by the Incas.

Your professional English-speaking guide will help you understand the sophisticated ideas and technology of this highly advanced culture.

If you still have energy, you can also climb the mountain of Machu Picchu (meaning Old Mountain) at 3000m. It takes around one hour and a half to reach the top ($16.00 USD - optional).

Once the official tour is completed, we will have plenty of time to go to the Inca Bridge or explore the Sanctuary on our own before returning to Cusco by train in the afternoon.

The suggested time to descend from Machu Picchu to the town of Aguas Calientes is 1.00pm. It is recommended to arrive 30 minutes before the departure of the train.

Accommodations: Economy (Casa Hostel Rojas Inn and others in the same category)
Accommodations: 3* Standard Hotel (Rojas Inn Hotel, Anden Inca, San Francisco Plaza and others in the same category)
Accommodations: 4* Hotel (San Agustin International and others in the same category)

Meals included: Breakfast

Optional lunch in Santuary Lodge which is situated close to Machu Picchu - $45 USD or in Aguas Calientes at a local restaurant - $25 USD

Day 5:

Cusco free day

On this day we will take advantage to rest and recharge our energy for our trek on the following day.

In the afternoon you can take some time to shop for souvenirs around the many craft centres and markets. You can also visit the following museums which are included in your tourist ticket: Regional History Museum, Qoricancha Museum, Contemporary Art Museum and Pachacuteq Museum.

Accommodations: Economy (Casa Hostel Rojas Inn and others in the same category)
Accommodations: 3* Standard Hotel (Rojas Inn Hotel, Anden Inca, San Francisco Plaza and others in the same category)
Accommodations: 4* Hotel (San Agustin International and others in the same category)

Meals included: Breakfast

Day 6:

Trekking to Rainbow Mountain

The adventure begins very early at 3.40am, when we will start picking up people from their hotels.

We will then head to the picturesque town of Pitumarca, South of the city of Cusco. Here we will stop to pick up some of the necessary items for our trek, such as water, snacks etc. After this short stop we continue our journey where we observe the multi coloured landscapes and crops that mix between the mysterious and snowy mountains. Seeing Andean animals such as the llama, alpaca, sheep, vicuñas and also the deep valleys.

We arrive at the picturesque town of Chillca which is our starting point of the walk. Here we enjoy a delicious Andean breakfast with the locals.

After breakfast, we start our hike for two and a half hours up the mountain until we reach the town of Machuraccay and then we will ascend to the foothills of the Vinicunca hill.

Continuing the walk we go through a path that little by little will change the landscape between mountains of intense colours and small streams of ice water that feed and give life to this valley. As we walk we observe how the colours of our surroundings will change by the climate, reaching a height of 5200m above sea level.

Once we reach the top we will have enough time to take photos, videos, etc. We will also enjoy some refreshments here and marvel at the magic of the mountains behind their veil of clouds and snow peaks.

We will make our way back to the town of Pitumarca where we stop to have lunch.

After, we return to Cusco at around 8.00pm.

Note: During the ascent we will have a backup horse in case of an emergency. You are able to rent a horse for the way up and down.

Accommodations: Economy (Casa Hostel Rojas Inn and others in the same category)
Accommodations: 3* Standard Hotel (Rojas Inn Hotel, Anden Inca, San Francisco Plaza and others in the same category)
Accommodations: 4* Hotel (San Agustin International and others in the same category)

Meals included: Breakfast and lunch

Day 7:

Cusco

Our company staff will be at the hotel two and a half hours before your flight to take you to the airport.

Included:

City tour in Cusco – (luxury service maximum 16 people per group)
Tour to Sacred Valley of the Incas with Buffet – (luxury service maximum 16 people per group)
Tour in Machu Picchu – Private Tour Guide speaking English/Spanish
Trekking to Rainbow Mountain (luxury service maximum 16 people per group)
Entrance Ticket for all Archaeological complexes
Entrance Ticket to Machu Picchu Citadel
All transport is included according to the itinerary