Salkantay Trek + Rainbow Mountain 8 Days

Itinerary:

Day 1: Welcome to Cusco – City Tour

Reception and transfer from the airport to our office and the hotel. Check-in and welcome coca tea.

The Cusco City Tour is a spectacular journey through the city, where you can feel the magic of the Andean culture by visiting the Temple of the Sun, Qorikancha, and the most important archaeological sites: Sacsayhuamán, Qenqo, Puca Pucara, and Tambomachay. It's an excellent option to explore the city before visiting Machu Picchu and other tourist attractions!

After the tour, you will enjoy a welcome lunch. Then, you’ll have the afternoon free to explore the city of Cusco on your own or with our team members. The City Tour schedule can be adjusted based on your arrival time. We can start the tour at 10:00 a.m. or 1:00 p.m.

Included Meals: Breakfast and Lunch
Accommodation: 3-Star Hotel
Total Distance Covered: 2.4 km / 1.5 miles
Tour Duration: 4 hours
Difficulty: Easy

Day 2: Sacred Valley of the Incas Tour

Pick-up from the hotel at approximately 7:30 a.m. to head to the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Along the way, we’ll stop at the Taray viewpoint, a strategic spot to appreciate the panoramic view of the valley and take photos. Then, we’ll continue to the town of Pisac, known for its native artisan market and its significant archaeological complex.

Next, we will head to Urubamba to enjoy a buffet lunch. The tour continues to Ollantaytambo, where we’ll visit its impressive archaeological complex, an imposing Inca fortress with enormous stone terraces built on the mountainside. At the end of the tour, you’ll have free time to explore its cobblestone streets and artisan market. We’ll then head to Chinchero to visit its archaeological site and return to Cusco at approximately 6:00 p.m.

Included Meals: Lunch
Accommodation: 3-Star Hotel
Walking Duration: 10 hours
Difficulty: Moderate

Salkantay Trek – 5 Days and 4 Nights

Day 3: Cusco – Mollepata – Humantay Lagoon – Salkantay Pampa

Our adventure begins with pick-up from your hotel between 4:30 and 5:00 a.m., followed by a transfer to Mollepata (a 2-hour drive) where we’ll have breakfast. From there, we’ll drive for one more hour to Soraypampa, the starting point of our trek.

The 1-hour and 45-minute hike will take us to the stunning Humantay Lagoon. Once there, you’ll have free time to explore, take photos, and enjoy the landscape. We’ll then descend back to Soraypampa and continue to our campsite at Rumi Wasi (Salkantay Pampa), where we’ll enjoy a nutritious lunch. The afternoon is free to rest or explore the surroundings. Before dinner, we’ll share a hot tea, and then spend the night in Andean huts, sheltered by the sacred mountains.

Day Details:

• Meals: Breakfast – Snack – Lunch – Afternoon Tea – Dinner
• Accommodation: Camp facilities (mountain huts)
• Distance: 12 km / 7.4 miles
• Estimated Time: 6 hours
• Difficulty: Moderate

Day 4: Salkantay Pampa – Salkantay Pass – Chawllay

We’ll wake up at 6:00 a.m. with a hot cup of coca tea, followed by breakfast, and start hiking at 7:00 a.m. Along the way, you’ll enjoy views of Salkantay Glacier, glacial streams, Andean flora, and local wildlife such as squirrels, eagles, llamas, and alpacas.

We’ll stop at Huayracmachay for a buffet lunch, then continue through the cloud forest, home to orchids, waterfalls, and rivers. This day offers a privileged view of the majestic Salkantay Glacier. We’ll finish the day in Chawllay, where we’ll enjoy tea time, a buffet dinner, and a campfire with Andean tales. Overnight in Andean huts.

Day Details:

• Meals: Breakfast – Snack – Lunch – Afternoon Tea – Dinner
• Accommodation: Camp facilities (Andean huts)
• Distance: 18 km / 11.1 miles
• Estimated Time: 9 hours
• Difficulty: Challenging

Day 5: Chawllay – La Playa – Cocalmayo – Coca Camp

At 5:30 a.m., our cooks will wake you with coca tea. After breakfast, we’ll begin a 5-hour descent to La Playa, where we’ll participate in a Coffee Tour to learn about its cultivation and production.

Upon arrival at our “Coca Camp,” we’ll enjoy a freshly prepared lunch. In the afternoon, you’ll have the option to visit the thermal baths of Cocalmayo to relax. We’ll end the day with dinner and spend the night in capsule cabins.

Day Details:

• Meals: Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner
• Accommodation: Capsule cabins
• Distance: 14.5 km / 9 miles
• Estimated Time: 4.5 hours
• Difficulty: Moderate

Day 6: Coca Camp – Llactapata – Hydroelectric Station – Aguas Calientes

We’ll wake up at 5:30 a.m. with a hot cup of coffee and breakfast. Afterward, we’ll take transport to Lucmabamba (a 45-minute drive), where we’ll begin a 3-hour hike along an ancient Inca Trail to Llactapata, offering a stunning view of Machu Picchu and the Apu mountains.

We’ll then descend for 2 hours to the Hydroelectric Station for lunch and continue walking for 3 hours to Aguas Calientes, where we’ll stay in a 3-star hotel. Dinner will be at 7:00 p.m. as we prepare for our highly anticipated visit to Machu Picchu.

Day Details:

• Meals: Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner
• Accommodation: 3-Star Hotel
• Distance: 22.5 km / 13.9 miles
• Estimated Time: 7 hours
• Difficulty: Demanding

Day 7: Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu – Cusco

Explore Machu Picchu, the Wonder of the World

Start your day early at 4:00 a.m. with breakfast or a box breakfast before heading to Machu Picchu. You can choose to hike (approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes) or take a bus (25 minutes). Remember to purchase your bus ticket the night before in Aguas Calientes.

The goal is to reach Machu Picchu by 6:00 a.m. to enjoy the unique experience of being among the first to enter the Inca citadel. Participate in a 2-hour guided tour to learn about the history, architecture, and culture of the Incas.

Afterward, you can enhance your visit by climbing Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain, two of the region's most spectacular viewpoints (advance reservation required).

Return to Cusco:

• By Bus: Be at the hydroelectric station by 3:00 p.m. for a 6-hour journey back to Cusco.
• By Train: Arrive at the Aguas Calientes station at least 30 minutes before departure. In Ollantaytambo, our transport will be waiting to take you to Cusco.

Day Details:

• Meals Included: Breakfast
• Accommodation: 3-Star Hotel
• Total Distance Covered: 4 km / 2.4 miles
• Duration: 2 hours
• Difficulty: Easy

Day 8: Rainbow Mountain - Vinicunca

Admire the Natural Beauty of the Rainbow Mountain

Your day begins between 4:15 a.m. and 5:00 a.m., with our transport picking you up from your hotel for the journey to the famous Rainbow Mountain or Vinicunca. After a 2-hour drive to Cusipata - Paucarpata, you’ll enjoy a delicious Andean breakfast.

We’ll then drive for 1 more hour to the control point, where we’ll begin a 1.5-hour hike. Along the way, you’ll admire the local flora, fauna, llamas, alpacas, and breathtaking mountain scenery.

At the Vinicunca viewpoint (5,080 m.a.s.l.), you’ll enjoy a spectacular view of the natural colors of the mountain. Our guide will explain the geological formation, ecosystem, and cultural significance of this destination. Take your time to capture unique photos and savor this unforgettable experience.

Return to Cusco:
After hiking back to the starting point, our transport will take you to Cusipata for a delicious lunch. We’ll then return to Cusco, arriving at approximately 4:30 p.m.

Day Details:

• Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch
• Total Distance Covered: 3.4 km / 2.1 miles
• Hike Duration: 2 hours
• Difficulty: Moderate

Transfer to the Airport at the Scheduled Time