Sacred Valley, Short Inca Trail and Rainbow Mountain 4 Day Tour Package

Full Itinerary for the Best Machu Picchu Tour Package

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

Starting early, your guide will pick you up from your hotel lobby around 7:30am. Travel to the Sacred Valley to the first town of Pisac, stopping along the way at the Taray viewpoint for the best views of the valley laid out below. Visit the Pisac archaeological site. Explore the site with your guide and discover thousands of tombs where many remains were found. Hear the history of Pisac and enjoy the views.

Later travel down to the local market. This is the perfect place to buy all your Peruvian souvenirs. Continue further into the valley where we stop at Urubamba for lunch, not included.

After lunch visit the interesting archaeological 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. Each level has 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 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 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 an impressive pretty village with cobblestone streets and a fabulous Inca ruin which has not changed 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. Tonight, sleep in Ollantaytambo before starting the Inca Trail the next day.

• 3-star Hotel Accommodation: Andenes Del Inka
• Meals: Dinner included if hotel option chosen

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

Today will start early with a pickup at 5:30am. On arrival at the train station, receive a box lunch which you will add to your backpack. Your train will depart Ollantaytambo at 6:10am. 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 turns steeper. Arrive at a beautiful waterfall at the last part of the hike. Cross the bridge at the waterfall and see the Wiñay 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 Wiñay 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 Wiñay Wayna campsite.

After you are well rested, you will walk the mostly flat path to the Sun Gate. You will know that you are almost at the end of the trail when you will come across a set of stairs, very steep and challenging. After arriving 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 fewer tourists and Machu Picchu looks wonderful in the afternoon light. From here take the bus down to Aguas 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.

• 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 star Accommodations: Ferre Hotel Machu Picchu
  • 4 star Accommodation: El Mapi or Tierra Viva Machu Picchu superior room
• Difficulty: Moderate

You can 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. Make 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: Moderate
• 3 star Accommodation: Waman Qorikancha or Maytaq Wasin
• 4 star Accommodation: Costa del Sol Ramada or Casa Andina Private Collection

Important Information

• 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 per person.
• Early trains can be organized by request and it has to be done at booking time.
• On the 2 day Inca Trail, we will be doing circuit 3 and there is no way to do another circuit unless you buy an additional entrance to Machu Picchu for 75 USD per person (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 trailhead 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 at Llacta.

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 1.5 hours. Admire the beauty and have some spare time to explore. Take in the view and snap some photos. We will 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 and Lunch
• Difficulty: Moderate to Challenging

Schedule

All timings below are approximate and shown as an example only. Actual times vary depending on walking pace, photo stops, traffic and train schedules. We stay flexible throughout and adapt the day to suit you.

Day 1 Sacred Valley 7:30am to 6:00pm Easy

• 7:30am Pickup from hotel in Cusco, private van to Sacred Valley
• 8:30am Taray Viewpoint classic valley photos
• 9:00am Pisac Ruins terraces and tombs
• 10:30am Pisac Market souvenirs and crafts
• 2:00pm Moray circular Inca laboratory
• 3:00pm Maras Salt Mines pink salt pans
• 4:30pm Ollantaytambo Fortress Sun Temple, overnight hotel plus dinner

Day 2 Short Inca Trail KM104 to Machu Picchu 12km

• 5:30am Pickup plus Ollantaytambo station box lunch
• 6:10am Expedition Train to KM104 Urubamba River
• 7:15am Checkpoint passport control Chachabamba site
• 9:30am Winay Wayna waterfall and terraced ruins guided tour
• 1:30pm Sun Gate first view of Machu Picchu photo time
• 4:30pm Aguas Calientes hotel dinner

Day 3 Machu Picchu Tour plus Return to Cusco

• 6:30am Private 2 hour guided tour Circuit 3 temples and plazas
• 11:30am Bus to Aguas Calientes shopping and museum
• 2:55pm Expedition Train to Ollantaytambo canyon views
• 7:00pm Private van to Cusco hotel drop

Day 4 Rainbow Mountain plus Red Valley 5,020m

• 4:00am Pickup South Valley drive 3 hours to trailhead
• 9:15am Rainbow Mountain summit 30 mins photos, Red Valley optional
• 12:00pm Hot lunch at trailhead
• 3:00pm Drive back to Cusco hotel drop end of tour