Andean Explorer 9 days with Sacred Valley and Rainbow Mountain

What's Included

Meeting and pickup

Itinerary

Day 1
Cusco Cathedral - Qoricancha - Saqsahuayman - Qenqo - Puka Pukara - Tambomachay
7 stops
1
Cusco Cathedral
We will pick you up at the airport and take you to your hotel so you can rest and acclimatize. In the afternoon, after lunch, we will begin a half-day city tour starting with the Cusco Cathedral, a colonial jewel built on the site of the ancient Inca palace of Wiracocha.
1 hour • Admission ticket included
2
Qorikancha
Then we will visit the Qoricancha and the Convent of Santo Domingo, where you will appreciate the harmonious union between Inca and colonial architecture.
1 hour • Admission ticket included
3
Sacsayhuaman
Afterwards, we will take our transport to Sacsayhuamán, an imposing fortress of enormous perfectly assembled stones.
1 hour • Admission ticket included
4
Q'enqo
We will continue to Qenqo, an Inca ceremonial center associated with worship
1 hour • Admission ticket included
5
Puka Pukara
Then we will visit Puka Pukara, known as “the red fortress,” which served as a lookout point and resting place.
1 hour • Admission ticket included
6
Tambomachay
We will end at Tambomachay, a ceremonial complex dedicated to water, famous for its aqueducts and perfectly crafted fountains.
1 hour • Admission ticket included
7
Cusco
When we finish, we will return to your hotel so you can rest and recharge your energy for the next day.
10 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 2
Cusco - Taray - Pisac - Ollantaytambo - Chinchero - Cusco
7 stops
8
Cusco
We start the day at 8:30 a.m. with a pick-up at your hotel to head to Pisac.
1 hour 30 minutes • Admission ticket free
9
Mirador Taray
On the way, we will make brief stops at the Qorao and Taray viewpoints, from where you can appreciate the beauty of the Sacred Valley.
30 minutes • Admission ticket free
10
Pisac
Upon arrival in Pisac, we will visit its archaeological site and traditional artisan market.
2 hours • Admission ticket free
11
Urubamba
Then we will head to Urubamba to enjoy a buffet lunch featuring typical Peruvian dishes.
1 hour • Admission ticket free
12
Ollantaytambo
In the afternoon, we will continue on to Ollantaytambo to explore its impressive archaeological complex, with ceremonial fountains, terraces, and temples.
1 hour • Admission ticket free
13
Chinchero
We will end the day in Chinchero, where you will learn about Andean textile art in a natural dyeing demonstration and visit its archaeological site and colonial church.
1 hour • Admission ticket free
14
Cusco
Afterwards, we will return to Cusco in our transport and drop you off at your hotel.
10 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 3
Cusco - Mollepata - Challacancha - Soraypampa - Humantay Lake - Sky Camp
6 stops
15
Cusco
Today marks the start of the Salkantay adventure. We will pick you up at your hotel around 4:00 a.m. for a 2 hour and 15 minute drive to Mollepata, where you can use the restrooms and enjoy a light breakfast.
2 hours • Admission ticket free
16
Then we will continue to Challacancha, the starting point of the hike and where you will meet our team.
1 hour • Admission ticket included
17
We will begin the trek to Soraypampa (3,900 m / 12,795 ft), walking 7 km / 4.35 miles along an ancient Inca canal until we reach our Sky Camp.
3 hours • Admission ticket included
18
There you will enjoy lunch and a short rest.
1 hour • Admission ticket included
19
Humantay Lake
In the afternoon, we will hike to the impressive Humantay Lake (4,200 m / 13,780 ft). The round trip takes about 2.5 hours and covers 3 km / 1.86 miles. You will have free time to enjoy the scenery and take pictures.
3 hours • Admission ticket included
20
Upon returning to camp, tea time and a delicious dinner will await you, accompanied by a beautiful sunset. Finally, you will rest under a starry sky in your igloo.
10 hours • Admission ticket included
Day 4
Soraypampa - Abra Salkantay - Huayracmachay - Collpapampa - Mountain Sky View
4 stops
21
We start the day early with an energy-packed breakfast and a cup of coca tea before beginning the ascent to Abra Salkantay (4,630 m / 12,190 ft), the highest point of the trek.
1 hour • Admission ticket included
22
The challenge consists of covering 7 km / 4.34 miles in about 4 hours. At the top, you will enjoy spectacular views of the valleys and the snow-capped mountains of Salkantay, Humantay, Tucarhuay, and Pumasillo, considered apus or sacred mountains.
4 hours • Admission ticket included
23
Then we will begin the descent along a winding 7 km / 4.35 mile trail to Huarayramachay, where we will have a well-deserved lunch. After a rest, we will continue into the cloud forest, walking 9.5 km / 5.9 miles for approximately 3.5 hours until we reach Collpapampa (2,950 m / 9,678 ft), where our exclusive Mountain Sky View Camp is located.
5 hours • Admission ticket free
24
Upon arrival, you will enjoy a delicious dinner and a well-deserved rest surrounded by lush vegetation after a challenging and memorable day.
10 hours • Admission ticket included
Day 5
Collpapampa - La Playa - Lucmabamba - Super Jungle Domes
4 stops
25
We start the day at 6:00 a.m. to begin the hike to the village of La Playa, crossing the Santa Teresa Valley for about 5 hours. Along the way, you will see rivers, wild orchids, waterfalls, fruit trees, and coffee, banana, and avocado plantations.
5 hours • Admission ticket free
26
Upon arrival in La Playa, you will have a short break before continuing for another 30 minutes to Lucmabamba (2,000 m / 6,562 ft), where lunch will be waiting for you at our camp.
2 hours • Admission ticket included
27
In the afternoon, we will visit an organic coffee farm, where you will learn about the entire process: from harvesting to exporting. We will also explore local orange and avocado plantations.
2 hours • Admission ticket included
28
At the end of the day, you will enjoy dinner and a restful night accompanied by the sounds of nature.
10 hours • Admission ticket included
Day 6
Lucmabamba - Llactapata - Ahobamba - Hidroelectrica - Aguas Calientes
5 stops
29
You will wake up early with a hot cup of coca tea in your Jungle Dome and enjoy the last breakfast prepared by our chef.
1 hour • Admission ticket included
30
Then we will begin a three-hour ascent to enter an original section of the Inca Trail, which will take us to the archaeological site of Llactapata (2,700 m / 8,858 ft). Here you will receive an explanation from the guide and you will be able to admire your first panoramic views of Machu Picchu and Huayna Picchu.
4 hours • Admission ticket included
31
We will then descend to Aobamba, where we will enjoy lunch before continuing on to Hidroelectrica (1,800 m / 5,906 ft).
2 hours • Admission ticket included
32
From this point, we will continue walking for about three more hours along the train tracks through the tropical vegetation.
3 hours • Admission ticket free
33
Aguas Calientes
Upon arrival in Aguas Calientes, you will check into your hotel and have the afternoon free to rest or explore the town. In the evening, we will meet at 7:00 p.m. for dinner at a local restaurant before resting up for the long-awaited visit to Machu Picchu the next day.
10 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 7
Aguas Calientes - Machu Picchu - Ollantaytambo - Cusco
4 stops
34
Aguas Calientes
Today we start the day very early, at 6:00 a.m., with a light breakfast before boarding one of the first buses to Machu Picchu.
1 hour • Admission ticket free
35
Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu
This will allow us to arrive before the crowds. Upon entering, you will enjoy a guided tour of approximately two hours through the temples, terraces, palaces, and ceremonial enclosures, with free time for photographs. Then, if you wish, you can climb Huayna Picchu Mountain (2,720 m / 8,924 ft) or Machu Picchu Mountain (3,000 m / 9,843 ft). This activity is optional, requires an additional ticket, and takes between two and three hours round trip.
2 hours • Admission ticket included
36
Aguas Calientes
After the visit, we will return to the town of Aguas Calientes to enjoy lunch.
1 hour • Admission ticket free
37
Cusco
Finally, you will board the train to Ollantaytambo, where our private transportation will be waiting to take you back to your hotel in Cusco.
12 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 8
Cusco - Quiquijana - Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca) - Cusco
5 stops
38
Cusco
We start the day very early, picking you up at your hotel around 4:00 a.m. and heading to the South Valley of Cusco.
2 hours • Admission ticket free
39
After a three-hour drive, we will stop for a continental breakfast before continuing to the starting point of the hike, located at 4,630 m / 15,190 ft.
1 hour • Admission ticket free
40
Rainbow Mountain Peru
During the ascent, you will enjoy spectacular views of the imposing snow-capped Ausangate mountain and observe Andean communities going about their daily lives, surrounded by llamas and wearing colorful traditional clothing. After a hike of approximately 1.5 hours, we will arrive at Rainbow Mountain (5,100 m / 16,732 ft). After a brief explanation from the guide, you will have between 30 and 60 minutes to explore the site and take photographs.
2 hours • Admission ticket included
41
Cusipata
We will then begin the 45-minute descent to the starting point and board the transport to Cusipata for lunch.
45 minutes • Admission ticket free
42
Cusco
Finally, we will return to Cusco and drop you off at your hotel.
10 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 9
Cusco - Cusco Airport (or Bus Station)
1 stop
43
Cusco
Today you will have a more relaxed morning. After breakfast, you will pack your belongings and, if you wish, you can buy some last-minute souvenirs. Later, we will coordinate with you the exact pick-up time to transfer you to the airport or bus station, from where you will continue your vacation or begin your return home.
5 hours • Admission ticket free

Additional info

• Service animals allowed
• Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
• Not recommended for pregnant travelers
• Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
• Travelers should have a high level of physical fitness
• It's recommended to arrive in Cusco at least 2 days before the trek to adjust to the altitude.

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