Inca Trail + Rainbow Mountain 7D/6N

Itinerary

Day 1: Welcome to Cusco – City Tour

Upon arrival in Cusco, our team will greet you at the airport and transfer you to our office and your hotel for check-in. You will be welcomed with a traditional coca tea to help with acclimatization.

The Cusco City Tour is a spectacular journey through the city, where you will experience the magic of the Andean culture. We will visit the Temple of the Sun (Qorikancha) and the most important archaeological sites: Sacsayhuamán, Qenqo, Puca Pucara, and Tambomachay. This is a great way to explore Cusco before visiting Machu Picchu and other attractions!

After the tour, enjoy a welcome lunch. The afternoon is free for you to explore the city on your own or with the assistance of our team.

Tour schedule: We can adapt the start time based on your arrival, with options at 10:00 a.m. or 1:00 p.m.

Day 2: Sacred Valley of the Incas Tour

The VIP Sacred Valley Tour begins with hotel pickup between 6:15 AM and 7:00 AM, depending on your location. We start our journey near the main square before heading north of Cusco for a 45-minute drive to Chinchero (3,762 m.a.s.l / 12,343 ft), the highest point of the tour.

At Chinchero, we visit an archaeological site and witness local artisans creating handwoven textiles using traditional techniques. Next, we explore Moray, an impressive Inca agricultural research center, where circular terraces served as a type of natural greenhouse.

We then continue to the town of Maras, from where we access the Maras Salt Mines. This site features over 3,000 salt ponds, where locals still extract natural salt using ancestral methods at over 3,000 meters above sea level.

Our next stop is Urubamba, where you’ll enjoy a delicious buffet lunch. Then, we head to Ollantaytambo, known as the Living Inca City, where locals maintain ancient customs and traditions.

Finally, we visit Pisac, an impressive Inca city featuring vast agricultural terraces, ceremonial water fountains, and ancient ruins.

After an incredible day exploring the Sacred Valley, we return to Cusco, arriving around 7:00 PM, where we’ll drop you off one block from the Main Square.

Classic Inca Trail 4D/3N

Day 3: Cusco – Piscacucho (km.82) – Patallacta – Huayllabamba

Your long-awaited adventure begins today on the Classic Inca Trail! Your guide will pick you up from your Cusco hotel at 5:30 AM in our private van. From there, we’ll travel to Piskacucho (Km. 82), the official starting point of the trail. Along the way, we’ll stop at Ollantaytambo for breakfast and to stock up on snacks like chocolates or candies to fuel your hike.

Upon arriving at Km. 82 (2,700 m.a.s.l / 8,850 ft), we’ll pass the first checkpoint and begin our trek. After a 2-hour hike, we’ll reach Patallacta (2,750 m.a.s.l / 9,020 ft), an impressive archaeological site where your guide will share fascinating insights into its history.

After exploring Patallacta, we’ll hike another 45 minutes to our lunch spot, where our talented cook will prepare a delicious meal. Once refreshed, we’ll continue hiking for 1.5 hours to our first campsite at Huayllabamba (3,000 m.a.s.l / 9,800 ft). Here, you can relax, enjoy a light snack, and savor a hearty dinner before settling in for the night.

• Meals Included: Lunch, Snacks, Dinner

• Accommodation: Camping facilities

• Difficulty Level: Easy to Moderate

• Approximate Distance: 8 km / 5 miles (~4:30 hours of hiking)

Day 4: Huayllabamba – Warmiwañusca Pass – Pacaymayo

We’ll start the day early with a 5:30 AM breakfast before continuing our hike for 45 minutes to the second checkpoint at Huayllabamba. From here, we’ll begin a gradual ascent, taking approximately 1 hour 30 minutes to reach Llullucha Pampa (3,800 m.a.s.l / 12,460 ft).

Next, we’ll tackle the challenging climb to the Warmiwañusca Pass (4,215 m.a.s.l / 13,800 ft), which takes about 1 hour 45 minutes. At the summit, you’ll have time to rest and soak in the breathtaking views.

We’ll then descend for approximately 2 hours 30 minutes to Pacaymayo Camp (3,600 m.a.s.l / 11,800 ft), where we’ll enjoy lunch, tea, dinner, and spend the night.

• Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Snacks, Dinner

• Accommodation: Camping facilities

• Difficulty Level: Moderate to Challenging

• Approximate Distance: 12 km / 7.5 miles (~8 hours of hiking)

Day 5: Pacaymayo – Runkurakay – Puyupatamarca – Wiñayhuayna

After breakfast, we’ll continue along a trail surrounded by lush vegetation and several fascinating Inca archaeological sites.

Our first stop is Runkurakay (3,750 m.a.s.l / 12,300 ft), located 45 minutes from the campsite. This site, composed of watchtower ruins, served as a strategic surveillance point. We’ll then hike to the Runkurakay Pass (3,900 m.a.s.l / 12,800 ft) for a well-earned break and cultural insights from your guide.

Afterward, we’ll descend for 1 hour 30 minutes to explore Sayacmarca, a stunning site accessible via steep stone steps. Following a brief stop, we’ll continue for 25 minutes to Chaquicocha, where our cook will prepare lunch.

Re-energized, we’ll hike for 2 hours 30 minutes to Puyupatamarca (3,750 m.a.s.l / 12,300 ft) before beginning a 3-hour descent to Wiñayhuayna Camp, our final campsite. This evening includes a farewell dinner with our porters and crew.

• Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Snacks, Dinner

• Accommodation: Camping facilities

• Difficulty Level: Moderate

• Approximate Distance: 16 km / 10 miles (~10 hours of hiking)

Day 6: Wiñayhuayna – Machu Picchu – Cusco

Today is the highlight of your trek! We’ll wake up at 3:30 AM, enjoy a quick breakfast, and hike down to the checkpoint, where we’ll wait until the gates open.

Once cleared, we’ll hike for 1 hour 30 minutes to the iconic Sun Gate (Inti Punku). From here, you’ll catch your first breathtaking views of Machu Picchu, the Lost City of the Incas. After marveling at this sight, we’ll descend for 40 minutes to the citadel.

Your guide will lead a 2-hour tour of Machu Picchu, exploring its most important areas while sharing stories of the Incas. Afterward, you’ll have free time to explore on your own or climb Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain (additional permits required).

In the afternoon, we’ll return to Cusco. Depending on your schedule, you’ll either take the train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo or hike to the hydroelectric station for transport back to the city.

• Meals Included: Breakfast

• Difficulty Level: Moderate

• Approximate Distance: 6 km / 3.7 miles (~3 hours of hiking)

Day 7: Rainbow Mountain – Vinicunca.

• Pick-up between 4:30 a.m. and 5:00 a.m. and 2-hour drive to Cusipata, where we will have breakfast.
• Continue by vehicle for another hour to the hiking start point.
• 50 min hikking to the Vinicunca viewpoint (5,080 m / 16,666 ft).
• Your guide will explain the geology, ecosystem, and colors of the mountain.
• Free time for photos and to admire the incredible landscape.
• Descent to the starting point and return to Cusipata for lunch.
• Arrival in Cusco around 5:00 p.m.