Dive into the wonders of Peru! From the Sacred Valley’s cultural treasures to the legendary Inca Trail, Machu Picchu’s mysteries, thrilling river adventures, and the surreal beauty of Rainbow Mountain, every moment promises awe and excitement in the heart of the Andes.
Season: All year
Explore the Sacred Valley, a place filled with lively markets, ancient ruins, and stunning landscapes that showcase the rich culture of the Inca civilization. As you wander through this area, you will experience awe and wonder at every turn.
Join the famous Inca Trail for an incredible four-day journey through the breathtaking Andean mountains. Along the trail, you will come across ancient ruins and lush landscapes, ultimately reaching the magnificent Machu Picchu—a sight that will profoundly impact you.
Experience the beauty of Machu Picchu with a guided tour. Your guide will share insights and stories about this ancient citadel while you take in its stunning views. Each step will help you appreciate its rich history and beauty, leaving you in awe.
Experience the excitement of river rafting on the Urubamba River, navigating thrilling rapids. Surrounded by beautiful Andean scenery, every twist and turn will excite you and leave you wanting more of this high-energy adventure.
Embark on a hike to Rainbow Mountain, where vibrant, multi-colored landscapes will mesmerize you. As you climb, the breathtaking beauty of this natural wonder will leave you awestruck and appreciative of nature’s artistry.
Get ready for an exhilarating adventure through the wonders of Peru! Our itinerary is packed with unforgettable experiences. Hike the legendary Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, immerse yourself in the Sacred Valley, and raft the rushing waters. Marvel at the stunning Rainbow Mountain. This epic Peruvian adventure will create lasting memories.
Your adventure starts today. We’ll pick you up at your hotel in Lima and take you to the airport for your quick, one-hour flight to Cusco. We’ll make sure you’re seated on the left side of the plane so you can enjoy the best views of the Andes as you fly in.
When you arrive, your guide and private driver will be waiting to welcome you. Instead of staying in Cusco right away, you’ll head straight to the Sacred Valley, the ideal place to ease into the altitude while already enjoying your first experiences in the Andes.
Along the way, you’ll visit Moray, the impressive circular terraces once used by the Incas for agricultural experiments. Then you’ll continue to the Salineras salt mines, where hundreds of white pools tumble down the hillside and are still harvested by local families today.
Afterward, you’ll settle into your hotel in the Sacred Valley for a relaxing evening before the adventures ahead.
Today it’s a small training session to get acclimatized for what is coming ahead. Upon arrival in Ollantaytambo you will immediately notice the massive terraces, giant steps, waterworks, storehouses, and a beautiful temple. Ollantaytambo was an important city for the Incas, and still to this day you can find many ancient remains such as the irrigation canals, and cobbled streets which date back to the 13th century.
After climbing many stone steps (known as Inca elevator), you will be rewarded with superb views of the Urubamba Valley and the town below.
We continue along the Urubamba River that runs through the Sacred Valley, heading towards Pisaq, where we will see another fascinating Inca ruins complex.
It will take 2-3 hours to hike between and up and down the small hills in the Urubamba Valley. Throughout the hike we will see amazing views of the valley and close-up details of the terraces and ancient footpaths and tunnels. We scheduled the hike for this specific date because the entire site will be available exclusively for our group.
We will visit the Pisac town market where locals sell beautiful textiles, jewelry, and handcrafted goods. At the end of the day, we will arrive in Ollantaytambo where you will spend the night.
The day begins with an early train ride from Ollantaytambo to the trail at kilometer maker 104. Be prepared for a rigorous 12.5-kilometer hiking venture from 8am to 4pm. Approximately two-thirds of the way into the hike you will arrive at Wiñay Wayna, one of the most iconic ruin sites in the rainforest mountains. The stair-filled trail is made from rocks and crosses over different Inca ruins. You will have outstanding views of the Urubamba River and the Sun Gate, where you will catch your first glimpse of Machu Picchu. My ancestors, the Incas, are known for their love of stairs.
Read more about the Short Inca Trail
* A perk of the 2 day/1 night hike is that you do not need to stay in a tent like the 4-day hike.
After the hike we will take a bus shuttle to Aguas Calientes for the night.
We will start the day with an early bus shuttle to Machu Picchu, a site recognized as one of the seven wonders of the world and a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Perched high in the Andes, it offers breathtaking views surrounded by towering peaks, lush rainforests, and the winding Urubamba River.
You will experience a special guided tour that showcases the magnificent views of the citadel, insights into the daily life of the Incas, and information about important structures like the temples and the residences of the Incan king and priests.
After the tour, you can hike either Huayna Picchu, which is behind Machu Picchu, or Machu Picchu Montaña. Both hikes offer spectacular views and take approximately two hours to complete. Please keep in mind that tickets for these hikes must be purchased in advance, as access is limited to 400 people per day.
After our visit to Machu Picchu, we’ll take a bus to Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu City) to relax and have a meal. Then, we’ll board the train back through the Sacred Valley to Ollantaytambo and take a bus to Cusco.
We will pick you up from your hotel and driver towards the beginning of the rafting. After all the safety instructions you will jump into action.
The whitewater rafting section of the Upper Urubamba is a Class III+ section with rapids coming one after another combining this thrilling adventure with incredible views of the surroundings. After the rafting you will have a nice lunch at the end of the river. Thereafter we will head towards the beginning of our trek. We will hike for about 1 hour until the Ausangate National Park to camp in a comfortable tent with a wonderful view of the Mountain scenery.
Your day starts in the mountain with a nice breakfast.
The hike to the Rainbow Mountain will take around 2 hours. The astonishing mountain scenery and the snow-capped peak of Ausangate towering in the distance will be your faithful companion. As you get closer to the Rainbow Mountain, you will begin to see the first signs of the colored minerals that formed the painted hills. Finally, with one last push, you will hike up to a vantage point that gives you a 360-degree view of the beautiful landscape that makes up the sacred land.
Thereafter, we will continue on to the red valley, another awe-inspiring area not to be missed. From here, we continue our hike back to our van and then stop shortly for lunch prepared by our chef in a traditional mud-house. Afterward, we depart back to Cusco, arriving around 4 pm. If you’re looking for more adventure, consider exploring the many other captivating Cusco tours that showcase the rich culture and stunning scenery of this incredible region. We will then take you to the airport to catch a flight to Lima and then home.
Accommodations: All hotels mentioned in the tour schedule.
Transportation: Includes all travel post your arrival in Peru, such as the train to and from Machu Picchu, bus to and from Machu Picchu, and private vehicles for tour-related activities.
Meals: All meals specified in the itinerary.
Guides: Proficient English-speaking guides with a University degree in tourism and certifications in rescue and advanced first aid will accompany you throughout the entire itinerary.
Activities: Activities include hiking at 4600 meters above sea level and paddling in the Urubamba River.
Flight Tickets: Internal flight tickets for the Lima-Cusco-Lima route are provided.
Entrance Fees: All entrance fees to visit various attractions during your vacation are covered.
Travel Insurance: Secure travel insurance before making payments to protect against unforeseen trip issues, ensuring peace of mind and financial security.
Hotels: Additional hotel expenses incurred due to non-participation in scheduled activities or personal reasons will be your responsibility.
Transportation: Transportation is covered as specified in the itinerary. Any additional transportation needs, such as personal excursions or transfers, will be at your own expense.
Gratuities: Recomended a 10% tip of the total package price per person for your guides.
