SACRED VALLEY & SHORT INCA TRAIL TO MACHU PICCHU & RAINBOW MOUNTAIN
Day 1: Extended Sacred Valley Tour
At 07:00 am, we will pick you up from your hotel in Cusco in our private van to start your Tour to Sacred Valley of the Incas, after 35 minutes journey our first stop will be at the Mirador of Taray to enjoy an expansive view of the Urubamba Valley and its traditional farming villages, where you can also appreciate the Vilcanota River snaking in the middle. Then we will embark on our van towards the archaeological site of Pisac, where you can see the carefully engineered farming terraces carved into the mountain and an impressive Inca cemetery with more than 2,000 tombs, etc.
After exploring the Inca ruins of Pisac, we head down to the colorful market of Pisac, where we will spend about 20 minutes visiting it and then continue driving along the Urubamba Valley onto the pre-Inca salt “mines,” called salineras in Spanish. Where we will appreciate thousands of salt pans that were used for salt extraction since before Inca times. This is one of the few places in the world where you can find naturally pink salt. Onward, we drive to Maras town for the lunch.
Following lunch, our next stop is the fascinating archeological site of Moray also known as “The Greenhouse of the Incas” a deep basin of architectural wonder. The terraces of Moray have varied microclimates depending on how deep into the bowl they are placed (Archeologists believe that they were used by the Incas to discover the optimal growing conditions for their crops and experiment in hybridization.)
Continuing on our journey, we drive to Ollantaytambo, where we will explore the Inca ruins of Ollantaytambo and learn about the importance of this site, as well, we visit the massive architecture of the Sun Temple at the top of the formidable terraces, where you are rewarded by sweeping views overlooking the Ollantaytambo town and Sacred Valley. After visiting Ollantaytambo fortress, we will drop you of at your hotel located in Ollantaytambo, where you will overnight, and get ready to start the Inca Trail the next day.
Day 2: Ollantaytambo – Km 104 – Wiñay Huayna – Sun Gate – Machu Picchu
To start the beautiful Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, your tour guide will pick you up from your hotel at 5:30 am to take you to the Ollantaytambo train station for the 6:10 am Expedition train. After an hour and 20 minutes of train ride, your guide will get off the train with you at the famous Km104, where your walk begins! (2,000m/6,560ft above sea level) After crossing the Urubamba River on a picturesque foot bridge, you will show your passport at the checkpoint. Once you pass the checkpoint, your guide will provide your picnic lunch, which you carry in your daypack, and then visit your first nearby Inca site called Chachabamba.
The first hour and a half are a gentle climb, with several shelters along the way to stop a little in the sun or rain, depending on the season. Along the way, you will stop at several viewpoints where you will have a wide view of the Urubamba River. You will also pass through several microclimates, including the cloud forest, so be prepared for humidity or even rain at any time of the year. The next hour and a half are a slightly steeper climb, with a beautiful waterfall as a reward at the end of the hike.
Cross the bridge below the waterfall, take some time for photos and then you will find yourself gazing up at the spectacular Wiñay Wayna! (2,600m/8,500ft above sea level) These amazing Inca ruins have a fascinating history and some parts are still hidden by the dense jungle. This close to Machu Picchu, you are hiking through lush sub-tropical jungle. Your guide will tell you all about the ruins, plus the incredible flora and fauna of this microclimate and answer any questions you have before the short 5 minute walk to your lunch spot.
You will enjoy your lunch at a covered shelter at the Wiñay Wayna campground, which is the last campground for those hiking the 4-day Inca Trail. Nearby are outdoor sinks to wash your hands and also restrooms. Take your time enjoying your hearty, gourmet lunch and admiring the tropical flowers around the campground. Be sure to notify us of any food allergies or dietary restrictions when you book!
After lunch, you will have a mostly flat walk to the Sun Gate, from which you have your first view of Machu Picchu! Though the hour long walk is a gentle rolling up and down, it does end with a set of steep stairs carved directly into the bedrock by the Inca. Once you reach the stairs you will know that you’re almost at the Sun Gate! It is a breathtaking view of Machu Picchu, so take some time to savor the moment and take photos. The last 45 minutes down from the Sun Gate provide many opportunities to take more photos of Machu Picchu from this unique vantage point. There are also a couple more important Inca sites between the Sun Gate and Machu Picchu, so make sure to go slowly, enjoy your time walking in the footsteps of the Inca on the Inca Trail and ask your guide questions about these historical places on the last bit of your hike to Machu Picchu.
Once you reach Machu Picchu, you will have time to take more photos from the viewing platforms above the site. You will arrive in the afternoon, as the archeological area starts to empty of tourists, which gives you the opportunity to take beautiful photos in the afternoon light with fewer people in your shots. Take your time enjoying this magical experience before you take the bus down to Aguas Calientes to check into your hotel. Your will have a delicious dinner, then have time to walk around this picturesque little town, visit the hot springs or just go to your hotel to rest after such an exciting day.
Day 3: Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu – Cusco
This is the day you’ve been waiting for! After an early breakfast at your hotel in Machu Picchu Pueblo (Aguas Calientes), you’ll take one of the first busses up to Machu Picchu so that you can be there to witness the sunrise. It is a truly extraordinary site and not something you’ll want to miss! Your guide will give you the full tour, which takes about two hours. You will see all of the most important parts of Machu Picchu, including the Temple of the Sun, Temple of the Condor, Temple of Three Windows, Sun Dial, Quarry and the House of the Inca. You will also learn about how Machu Picchu is divided into three sectors: agricultural, residential and religious.
After your tour, those who have booked in advance for the extra hikes up Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain will have time to enjoy those views on their own. 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. Your train will depart at 14:55 or 15:20.
The train will take you back to Ollantaytambo, 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 19:00.
Day 4: Cusco – Rainbow Mountain of Vinicunca – Cusco
Peru Spirit Adventure team will pick you up from your hotel in Cusco at 4 am, and begin with our amazing Rainbow Mountain Tour. We set out on our drive for 3 hours through the South Valley of Cusco, ending up at the trailhead at Llacto (4,638m / 15,216 ft). During the trip to Rainbow Mountain, there are amazing views of farming Inca terraces, traditional villages, valleys and high Andean peaks.
The herds of alpacas and llamas near your breakfast place will entertain you in the early morning. Once we reach the trailhead, we start on our hike following a lovely stream. As you start your hike, you will have views of the Ausangate Mountain and glaciers. You can interact with the local people, who are still keeping traditional Quechua culture alive. Learn about their traditional clothes and the significance of the different hats worn by the men. Ask your guide to teach you a few words of Quechua.
After a total hike of 1.5 hours, we finally reach our destination the Rainbow Mountains. After admiring the unique beauty, you will have time to explore the area. You can take pictures or just soak up the view. We will spend approximately 30 minutes at the top. Afterwards, there is an optional hike across to the top of the Red Valley.
This walk takes about 45 minutes longer to get back to the trailhead. At this point, we hike back down the way we came. The hike takes 1 hour, then we enjoy our lunch which will prepare by our cook. We will then embark on the 3-hour drive back to Cusco and drop you off at your Cusco hotel, arriving around 6:30 pm.
