The Magic of Cusco

On this first day of the tour, our staff will pick you up from the Cusco airport and transfer you to the hotel. In the afternoon you can rest due Cusco is located at 3,390 meters (11,122 feet). If you are already used to the altitude you can opt for doing the city tour of Cusco, on this tour, you will explore Cusco city, including the Plaza de Armas, Catedral, Sacsayhuaman, Quenqo, Puka Pukara, and Tambomachay. The tour ends in the center of Cusco.

Our Sacred Valley tour will begin when we pick you up from your hotel. We will drive about an hour towards Chinchero town. This drive is a beautiful ride through the mountains that provides you with the most spectacular views. When we arrive, you will be treated to a demonstration of handmade textiles by local women.

These women are experts in art and tradition of creating textiles using all-natural dyes, which has been around for hundreds of years. After exploring Chinchero and its archaeological Inca site, we will keep driving to the Moray Inca complex. Moray is the site of the unique circular Inca terraces. Your guide will explain the site’s history, and you will have plenty of time to explore this wonderful place.

The next stop is the town of Maras. Here you will visit the Salt Mines, whose origin dates to the early Horizon period. These mine have been reused during all pre-Hispanic times and with more intensity in the Inca, Colonial, Republican, and Contemporary periods. Finally, we drive towards Ollantaytambo, which is listed as a living culture, and a living Inca site since its inhabitants live according to customs inherited from their ancestors. Their houses are built on Inca bases.

You will be amazed to see narrow streets of stone that have the original and functional water channels from the Inca era. Your guide will show you the amazing Inca complex. Here, you will have free time to explore the town, and in the evening, you will board the train to Aguas Calientes (the town of Machu Picchu), where you will spend the night at the hotel.

We’ll wake up very early this day and board one of the first buses that leaves for Machu Picchu (2430 m/7972 ft). We will arrive before the crowds to enjoy the incredible Machu Picchu in peace while the sun comes up and casts a stunning orange glow over the huge stones.

Your guide will take you to the site so that you can feel the powerful energy of this fantastic archaeological site as you start exploring Machu Picchu. Our guide will show you the most important areas here, and then you’ll have some free time to explore Machu Picchu on your own.

If booked in advance, you can climb Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain. Your guide will show up, accompany you, and provide you with the necessary information to get to the summit. You will return to Aguas Calientes by bus around midday.

In Aguas Calientes, you will find a variety of restaurants to have lunch at. After lunch, you will board the train heading to Ollantaytambo, followed by a bus drive to Cusco. We will drop you off at the door of your hotel.

This day will begin with a pickup from your hotel in Cusco. We will head to Mollepata, a two-hour drive from Cusco. Here we will stop to enjoy a delicious breakfast and buy some snacks and water for the hike. After breakfast, we will continue driving for about an hour to Soraypampa, which is at 3900m (12795 ft) altitude.

We start our hike to Humantay Lake at the trailhead, which begins with a gentle ascent that takes about 2 hours. While you are hiking, you will feel the energy of the mountains and enjoy the incredible landscapes the Andes have to offer. Since the terrain is very stony, walking sticks or hiking poles are recommended. Take your time to enjoy the snow-capped mountains of Humantay and Soray. On your hike, the Humantay Lake will appear in your view.

Once you finally arrive at Humantay Lake, the incredible turquoise lake at 4200 m (13780ft), this lake originates from the snow that covers the mountain, which melts and runs down to this hidden lake between the mountains. Walk around and explore the surrounding rocky slopes to enjoy more views of the area. After exploring the turquoise lake, your guide will perform a simple ritual to thank nature by using coca leaves. It’ll be about a half-hour hike to get back to Soraypampa, where our bus will be waiting for us.

We board the bus towards Mollepata town to enjoy our lunch. After a break, we take the bus to return to Cusco city; the bus will drop you off at the hotel where we pick you up. Note: To enjoy this day trip properly, you need to be well acclimated to the altitude.

Today you will have an easy day to rest. Your guide will pick you up in the afternoon from your hotel and take you to explore the Inca Museum and some local markets. During this walking tour, you will learn a bit more about Peruvian culture and traditions. Our first stop will be at the traditional San Pedro market.

You will then walk along Cusco streets, while learning about the history and culture. You will arrive at the Inca Museum to learn more about the incredible history of this city and its traditions. Then you will visit the Choco Museum, where you will learn bit more about the whole process from the harvest to the chocolate production and transformation.

Day 4 entails an epic adventure to the Peruvian Andes. The day will have a super early start—we will pick you up from your hotel and drive to Cusipata. In this picturesque village, where you will enjoy a delicious continental breakfast. Then we will continue our journey to the trailhead at 4630m (15190 ft).

Here we will start hiking along the meandering trail, surrounded by incredible views in the middle of the Andes. As you are ascending, you’ll be rewarded with an impressive view of the Apu Ausangate mountain, at 6385m (20948  ft). After hiking for about two hours, we will reach the summit of Rainbow Mountain (5100m; 16732 ft). Here you will take your time to admire the incredible Peruvian Andes, where nature creates the best landscape for your eyes.

While you are enjoying the views, your guide will explain the natural formations of the colors. You can take your time to explore the area and take incredible photos before the crowds arrive. It’ll take us an hour to descend the same way back down to the bus station. We will board our transport to the restaurant in Cusipata, where you will enjoy a well-deserved delicious buffet lunch. We will board our transport to return to Cusco, and the day will end at the door of your accommodation.

Depending of your departure, our staff will pick you up from your hotel and transfer you to the airport or bus station.