Embark on a five-day odyssey that unveils the extraordinary treasures of the Incas in a way that will leave you spellbound. Your journey begins with the awe-inspiring ancient Incan city of Cusco, a living testament to a glorious past. From there, you’ll wander through the lush green tapestry of the Sacred Valley, where history and nature coalesce in a harmonious dance.
The pinnacle of this adventure is the legendary Machu Picchu, one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Here, you’ll walk in the footsteps of the Inca civilization, delving deep into the heart of its mysteries.
But that’s not all. As your journey nears its end, prepare to be enchanted by Rainbow Mountain, a geological marvel standing tall a few hours west of Cusco. As you ascend this natural wonder, your guide will unveil the mountain’s geological history, adding a layer of understanding to its mesmerizing beauty.
Key Highlights:
This journey promises to be an unforgettable expedition into the heart of Peru’s most iconic and breathtaking landscapes. Join us on the “Machu Picchu Marvels & Rainbow Mountain Expedition” for an adventure that will etch itself into your memory forever.
Welcome! Your adventure begins in the airport of Cusco; you will be transferred and drive one hour by bus into the fertile Sacred Valley of the Incas. Enjoy the rural charm of the scenic agricultural heartland of the Incas with superb vistas of the rugged canyon formed by the Urubamba River.
Later we arrive at the village of Pisac (2,959mt/9,708ft), We stop and explore its traditional artists’ market stalls, and you can place a bid for locally made textiles and ceramics. We continue to our first taste of the Inca’s engineering skills, the Pisac ruins, perched spectacularly on a ridge overlooking the countryside while steep terraces sweep the hillside. In addition, we can appreciate hillside tombs the biggest cemetery in Latin America from Inca time.
After our tour, we will go to a restaurant in the Urubamba Valley for lunch. We then continue down the Sacred Valley to reach the Ollantaytambo ruins for our next tour. This village still is a thriving community, The buildings were created originally by the Incas and many of the original rock houses are standing today. Around the villages, we can visit the old Inca houses perched on a stony ledge overlooking the village.
After our visit, we drive to the train station to take a spectacular train ride (1½ hours) to arrive at Aguas Calientes town and check in to the selected hotel for the night before up to Machu Picchu first thing in the morning.
Early in the morning (approx 06:30 hrs) we board a bus to take us up to the lost city of Machu Picchu (2,430m/7,973ft approx.) – the most marvel of Inca citadels – constructed between two towering peaks. It was rediscovered in 1911 by the American explorer, Hiram Bingham, who believed it to be the “Lost City” of the Incas in Vilcabamba. Machu Picchu was probably one of the agricultural centers that served Cusco in its prime – but intense speculation still goes on as to its origins.
Our explorations of the Lost City of the Incas include all of the sectors of the ruins; the industrial area, the Temple of the Sun, the Royal Tomb, the ceremonial water fountains, baths, and Sacred Plazas.
More than a hundred flights of stone steps connect its palaces, temples, storehouses, and terraces, which command outstanding views over a great bend of the Rio Urubamba far below and the snow-capped peaks around Salkantay (6271m/20,574ft).
There will be the option of climbing Huayna Picchu (“young peak”) from where you have a superb overlook of the ruins. After our spectacular tour, we took the bus back to Aguas Calientes to enjoy lunch. After that, in the afternoon, we walk about 10 minutes to the Aguas Calientes train station, from where a train takes us to Ollantaytambo to stay the night in the hotel in Cusco.
Early in the morning, we will enjoy the City Tour, including a visit to the Cathedral that houses a collection of paintings from the ‘Cusqueñan school’ of religious art that reached popularity in the 17th century.
Continue the tour circuit to Qoricancha, the principal sun temple of the Inca empire whose name means ‘courtyard of gold’. When the Spanish occupied the city, they destroyed the temple and constructed the Dominican ‘Santo Domingo church in its place, although much of the original Inca architecture can still be seen.
Just outside the Cusco city is Sacsayhuaman: an Inca fortress and royal residence that looks down upon the city from its hilltop site. The fortress’s precise zigzags of massive stone remain unmoved by the centuries. This is the center of the ceremonies for the famous “Inti Raymi” festival of the sun.
Continuing away from the city, visit the labyrinthine ruins of Q’enqo, a religious site incorporating a massive Huaca or Inca altar stone. We continue to Puca Pucara (red fort), This ruin was probably a hunting lodge or guard post-in-between Cusco and the Sacred Valley and it looks similar to a small European fort.
Finally, we arrive at Tambomachay where the Incas’ fountains capture the waters containing three terraces from where water cascades down through finely worked channels of a natural spring additionally used as a place for the elite classes to bathe.
Your tour will start with an early morning pick-up from your accommodation in Cusco. It’s usually between 3:00 am to 4:00 am. You’ll embark on a scenic drive of approximately 3 hours from Cusco to the village of Cusipata. Along the way, you’ll pass through beautiful Andean landscapes and small villages, and possibly even see local farmers and their llamas or alpacas.
Upon arrival in Cusipata, you’ll enjoy a delicious breakfast to fuel up the day’s activities. This will typically include traditional Peruvian dishes such as bread, eggs, cheese, hot beverages, and fruit.
After breakfast, you’ll continue your journey to the trailhead of Vinicunca Mountain. The trek itself takes approximately 2 to 3 hours, depending on your fitness level. The trail is challenging and reaches an altitude of about 5,200 meters (17,060 feet), so it’s essential to take it slow and stay hydrated.
Finally, you’ll arrive at the mesmerizing Vinicunca Mountain, famous for its vibrant rainbow-like colors caused by different mineral deposits. Take your time to admire the unique natural beauty, capture photos, and enjoy the breathtaking views of the surrounding Andean peaks and valleys.
After spending adequate time at Rainbow Mountain, you’ll begin your descent back to the trailhead. Depending on the tour, you might have a packed lunch or a meal in a local restaurant before starting your journey back to Cusco.
The return drive to Cusco typically takes around 3 hours. Once you reach Cusco, you’ll be dropped off at your accommodation, marking the end of your full-day tour to Vinicunca Mountain. (chat pt)
We’ll check out two hours before your flight and transfer you by bus to the airport for your flight to Lima, where you can connect to your overnight flight home.
