Overview

This itinerary covers the best of the best, all the best ancient sites and the natural beauty of the Cusco region. Start off in the breathtaking Sacred Valley, complete with high Andean peaks and Inca ruins. Hike the short Inca Trail, seeing some spectacular Inca sites along the way. End the tour with a day at Rainbow Mountain, this site is nothing like anything that you have ever seen before. Plenty of photo of opportunities, you will take with you many memories of your time in Peru.

Highlights

• Explore ancient Inca Inca Ruins
• Hike Beautiful Andean Mountains
• Small Group Tours with a maximum of 8 people
• Travel with the Most Experienced Tour Company
• Experienced Peruvian Knowledgeable Guides
• Sample the world-famous Peruvian Cuisine

Itinerary

Day 1. Sacred Valley of the Incas (Pisac + Moray + Maras + Ollantaytambo)

Starting early the guide will pick you up from your hotel around 7.30am from your hotel lobby. Travel to the Sacred Valley to the first Valley town of Pisac, stopping along the way at a Mirador, for the best views of the valley, which will be laid out before you below. Travel to the Pisac archeological site. Explore the site with your guide, discover the thousands of tombs where many remains were found. Hear the history of the Pisac and enjoy the views.

Later travel down to local market, this is the perfect place to buy all your Peruvian souvenirs. Continue on further into the Valley where we stop at Urubamba for a delicious lunch (not included).

After lunch visit the interesting archeological site of Moray, the Greenhouse of the Incas, this mysterious site was said to have been used by the Inca to experiment in crop growth. The site features large terraces carved into a bowl, not built by the Inca but used by them to experiment in hybridization and each level a different microclimate depending on the terrace.

Our journey will take us to the colonial town of Maras, then onto the Pre Inca salt mines at Maras. See thousands of salt pans, these pans have been passed down through the generations of families and have been used for salt extraction since before Inca times. Here is one of the only places in the world where you can find the fine naturally pink salt.

Last stop on the tour is the Inca town of Ollantaytambo, here was fought the last battle between the Spanish and the Inca. Ollantaytambo is a impressive pretty village with cobblestone streets and fabulos Inca ruin which havent change since Inca Times. Tour the grand ruin and see the Sun Temple at the top. Your guide will give you all the history of the last battle held at the site during the Spanish conquest. Tonigt sleep in Ollantaytambo before starting the Inca Trail the next day.

• 2* Accommodation: Veronica View Hotel or Tunupa Lodge
• 3* Accommodation: Pakaritampu Hotel or El Alberge
• Meals: Dinner

Day 2, Ollantaytambo, KM104, Winay Wayna, Sun Gate, Machu Picchu

Today will start early with a pick up at 5.30am. On arrival at the train station, receive a lunchbox which you will add to your backpack. Your train will depart Ollantaytambo at 610am, it is a great idea to bring breakfast from your hotel to have on the train while enjoying the scenery.

At Km104 get off the train for the beginning of the trek. After crossing the Urubamba River you will need to show your passport at the checkpoint after which you will visit a nearby Inca site. The first hour is a gentle hike upward, stopping along the way to enjoy the views of the Urubamba River. Pass through several micro climates including a cloud forest where you may get wet, so be prepared.

Get ready as the next hour and a half are steeper. Arrive at a beautiful waterfall at the last part of the hike. Cross the bridge at the waterfall and see the Winay Wayna ruin spread out in front of you. You may have time to take a quick dip in the pool below the waterfall. Walk to the ruins of Winay Wayna where your guide will give you a tour with an explanation of the incredible flora and fauna of the surrounding areas. Have lunch at Winay Wayna campsite.

After you are well rested walk the mostly flat path to the Sun Gate. You will know that you are almost at the end of the trail you will come across a set of stairs, very steep and challenging. After arrive at the Sun Gate you will get your first views of Machu Picchu. Stay awhile and enjoy the views, take many photos from the gate above Machu Picchu. Later walk down to Machu Picchu with your guide while he explains the important sites along the way.

On reaching Machu Picchu, take more photos from the viewing platforms, also known as the Guard House. Arrive in the afternoon when there are less tourist and Machu Picchu looks wonderful in the afternoon light. From here take the bus down to Agues Calientes and check into your hotel. Have a delicious dinner before exploring the town and hot springs or just retiring to your hotel to rest for the evening after a big day.

Reach the guardhouse above Machu Picchu, you will want to take more photos from the platforms. Arrive in the afternoon when Machu Picchu has less tourist and with the colors of the afternoon light. Later take the bus down to Aguas Calientes and check into your hotel. After a short rest have dinner and explore the town, visit the hot springs or just have an early night.

• Meals included: Breakfast at your hotel, box lunch, dinner at a restaurant in Aguas Calientes
• Distance: 12 kms/7.5 miles
• Time: 6hrs approximately
• 3* Accommodations: Ferre´ Hotel Machu Picchu
• 4* Accommodation: El Mapi or Tierra Viva Machu Picchu (superior room)
• Difficulty: moderate

You will leave an overnight bag at the Ollantaytambo train station to be sent by train directly to Aguas Calientes.

Day 3. Aguas Calientes, Machu Picchu, Cusco

Today you will visit the magnificent Machu Picchu. Be sure to have an early breakfast at your hotel to see Machu Picchu at Sunrise. You will not want to miss this, a memory that will last you for a lifetime. After the sunrise have a guided tour of Machu Picchu with your guide for around 2 hours.

When you have had your fill of the exceptional views of Machu Picchu, you will take the bus back down to Aguas Calientes for lunch (not included). Depending on your train departure time, you may also have time for some shopping, sightseeing or a visit to the museum or hot springs.

The Expedition train will take you back to Ollantaytambo at 2:55pm or 3:20pm, following the spectacular Urubamba River. Close to Aguas Calientes, the canyon is narrow and the river has many beautiful sections of whitewater. You can also see Wiñay Wayna from the train, if you look up high on the steep canyon wall! Back at Ollantaytambo, your driver will meet you at the exit from the train station to take you back to your hotel in Cusco in our private vehicle. You can expect to arrive at your hotel by 7:00pm.

• Meals included: Breakfast at your hotel
• Difficulty: Easy
• 3* Accommodation: Waman Qorikancha or Maytaq Wasin
• 4* Accommodation: Costa del Sol Ramada or Casa Andina Private Collection

After your tour, those who have booked in advance for an extra hike up to Huayna Picchu Mountain, this tour will be without a guide.

IMPORTANT:

• You can upgrade to the Vistadome Train for the same times, 2:55pm or 3:20pm, 4:22pm, or 4:43pm. The cost is $67 USD.
• Early trains can be organized by requested and it has to be done at booking time.
• On the 2 day Inca Trail, we will be doing the circuit #3 and there is now way to do another circuit unless you buy an additional entrance to Machu Picchu for US$55 (Circuit #2)
• The Huayna Picchu Mountain Hike depends on availability and let us know about it at booking time.

Day 4. Cusco, Rainbow Mountain, Cusco

Early start at your hotel at 4am, travel for 3 hours through the South Valley to the trail head of the Rainbow Mountain adventure. Along the way see amazing views of Inca Farming terraces, traditional villages, valleys and beautiful Andean peaks, before arriving at the Trailhead is a at Llacto.

Eat breakfast surrounded by alpacas and llamas before starting the hike. Follow a lovely stream, enjoying views of Ausangate Mountain and glaciers. From your guide learn about the traditional clothes and hats worn by the locals. Your guide will teach you a few words in Quechua the local language.

The hike to Rainbow Mountain will take around 1.5hours. Admire the beauty and have some spare time to explore. Take in the view and take photos. Spend around 30 minutes at the top after which you can hike to the Red Valley for an additional hike, this will take an extra 45 minutes to get back to the trailhead.

Arrive back at the trailhead where you will enjoy a wonderful lunch prepared by our cook. Embark on the 3 hour drive back to Cusco where you will be dropped back at your hotel.

• Meals included: hot breakfast & lunch
• Difficulty: moderate to challenging

Whats Included for the Best Tour Package to Machu Picchu?

• Sacred Valley Tour
• 2 Day Inca Trail
• Rainbow Hike 1 day
• Entrances to the Inca cities and archeological sites
• Professional guide fluent in English
• Expedition train from Ollantaytambo to KM 104 and from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo
• Three nights hotel accommodation with private room, bathroom and breakfast included if option with hotel chosen (This applies ONLY if you are choosen the price which includes hotels)
• Meals a indicated on the itinerary
• hot meals at Rainbow Mountain
• Bus tickets from Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu -Aguas Calientes.
• Personal assistance

Whats NOT Included for the Best Tour Package to Machu Picchu?

• Hotel – optional upgrades
•  Tickets: $75 USD per person
• Upgrade to Vista Dome: $67 USD per person   (Only return Aguas Calientes to Poroy at 4:43pm)
• Tips for your guide
• Meals as listed on our programe

**Huayna Picchu Mountain is optional trek within Machu Picchu Citadel which do not include a guide. The climb is usually done on your own after your tour of Machu Picchu Citadel. If you would like the extra hike to be guided, please request in advance. There is an extra cost for this extra guided tour.

Added Values for Free

• Transfer from the airport to hotel: (Cusco only)
• Small Groups: up to 8 hikers
• Early Train: for the return to Cusco from Aguas Caliente