6-Day Machu Picchu, Huayna Picchu and Rainbow Mountain Tour from Cusco

Travel Itinerary

DAY 1: CUSCO – CITY AND SURROUNDINGS

Upon arrival in Cusco, you will be met at the airport or bus station and transferred to your hotel. In the afternoon, at 1:00 p.m., we will begin a city tour. The first stop will be the Cusco Cathedral, followed by the Qorikancha Temple or Temple of the Sun. Then, we will visit the archaeological sites around the city: Sacsayhuamán, Qenqo, Puka Pukara, and Tambomachay.

The tour will end at the Main Square at approximately 6:00 p.m. Rest of the evening free to rest and acclimatize to the altitude.

DAY 2: SACRED VALLEY OF THE INCAS – AGUAS CALIENTES

At 8:00 a.m., we will begin our excursion to the Sacred Valley of the Incas. The first stop will be in Pisac, where we will visit its archaeological center and the handicraft market, an excellent place to purchase alpaca products and unique souvenirs.

At noon, we will head to Urubamba to enjoy a buffet lunch with a selection of Peruvian cuisine dishes.

In the afternoon, we will visit the Ollantaytambo Fortress, an archaeological site with impressive Inca constructions and fascinating legends. After the tour, we will take the train to Aguas Calientes, where we will spend the night.

DAY 3: MACHU PICCHU + HUAYNA PICCHU EXCURSION

We will start the day very early to make the most of this extraordinary day. First thing in the morning, we will take the bus that will take us through the zigzag road to Machu Picchu, a journey of approximately 25 minutes. Upon arrival, we will immediately head to the Huayna Picchu entrance to begin the ascent in the first available time slot (7:00 am), taking advantage of the morning freshness to conquer this steep mountain that offers the most spectacular views of the archaeological complex and its surroundings.

After completing the challenging but rewarding climb to Huayna Picchu (approximately 45 minutes of ascent), we will enjoy time to contemplate the panoramic views and take photographs from this privileged perspective. Subsequently, we will descend to meet our guide and begin the complete tour of the Machu Picchu citadel. The tour will take us through the main temples, ceremonial plazas, and agricultural terraces, while we learn about the fascinating history, technology, and worldview of the Inca civilization.

At the end of the guided tour, we will have free time to explore the area at our own pace, capture more photographs, or simply contemplate this wonder of the world. In the afternoon, we will board the train back to Ollantaytambo, where transportation will be waiting to take us back to Cusco to rest after a day full of unforgettable experiences in one of the planet's most emblematic destinations.

DAY 4: MARAS AND MORAY

At 7:30 a.m., we will depart for the impressive archaeological sites of Maras and Moray.

Our first stop will be at Moray, an ancient Inca agricultural laboratory with circular terraces that recreated various microclimates for crop experimentation. Then, we will continue to the Maras Salt Mines, a network of more than 3,000 natural salt pools, exploited since Inca times.

On the way back to Cusco, we will visit Chinchero, where we will visit an alpaca factory and learn about traditional textile production.

Note: This tour can also be done by bicycle or ATV for those seeking a more adventurous experience.

DAY 5: RAINBOW MOUNTAIN HIKE

We will start the day early with a car trip to Cusipata, where we will have breakfast before continuing to the starting point of our hike.

The hike to Rainbow Mountain takes approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes, on a trail surrounded by Andean landscapes, snow-capped peaks, and varied wildlife, including llamas and alpacas.

Upon reaching the Vinicunca viewpoint (16,667 ft above sea level), we will enjoy an impressive view of the multicolored mountain. Our guide will provide information about its geology, ecosystem, and the importance of its colors.

Then, we will descend to the starting point to board our transportation back to Cusipata, where we will enjoy lunch before returning to Cusco.

DAY 6: HOTEL - AIRPORT

After breakfast at the hotel, at the scheduled time, we will be transferred to the airport to take our return flight.

What does it include?

Includes:

• Transfers to and from the airport.
• Accommodation in Cusco and Aguas Calientes.
• Entrance tickets to all mentioned tourist sites.
• Transportation in tourist buses and trains.
• Professional bilingual guide (Spanish and English).
• Informative briefing before the tour.
• Lunch in the Sacred Valley and at Rainbow Mountain.

   

Does not include:

• Lunches and dinners not mentioned in the itinerary.
• Tips and personal expenses.
• Services not specified in the program.

We recommend bringing:

• In Pisac, don't forget to try the empanadas and buy unique handicrafts.
• In Urubamba, take advantage of the buffet lunch to taste the giant corn of the Sacred Valley.
• Arrive at least 30 minutes early at the train station to avoid inconveniences.
• Wear comfortable and non-slip footwear to explore Machu Picchu and Rainbow Mountain.
• Carry a small backpack with water, sunscreen, hat, insect repellent and camera.
• On the train you can only carry 15 lbs of luggage, organize your suitcase with essentials.
• Enjoy the hot springs of Aguas Calientes after visiting Machu Picchu.
• Bring a rain poncho for the hike to Rainbow Mountain.
• Stay hydrated and bring light snacks for the journey.