Inca Empire with Express Inka Trail and Rainbow Mountain

Upon arrival to Cusco, you are met for a private transfer and tour in the Sacred Valley of the Incas, you will be astounded by the beauty of the Andean landscapes along the way. Visit Awanakancha, a small complex to admire Andean camelids such as alpacas and llamas, and learn from local inhabitants about traditional dyeing and knitting techniques. Later explore the Pisac Market with enough free time to purchase handcrafts and if you feel like tasting something traditional, stop by the wood ovens for a delicious empanada or a piece of bread.  Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant.

Visit the most outstanding sites of the Sacred Valley of the Incas. You will start your day visiting the Inca terraces of Moray, with an impressive view of the colossal terraces, which were used to recreate 20 different types of microclimates, ensuring the empire’s agricultural production. You will continue to Maras, the famous and ancient salt mines of the colonial era. The contrast of its white wells with the green valley is imposing and unmissable for a spectacular postcard of the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Lunch at a local restaurant. Finally, you will visit Ollantaytambo, a picturesque town continuously inhabited since Inca times, where you will visit the temple of the same name, used as a fortress during the Inca resistance, and from where you will obtain collection images.

Important: This evening you will need to pack a small bag for your train journey to Machu Picchu. For all train journeys, each passenger is allowed a carry-on bag (one bag or backpack) with a weight not to exceed 5kg/11 lbs. and maximum measurements of 62 linear in/ 157 linear cm (height + length + width). Baggage that exceeds these measurements will not be allowed. We ask you to pack the necessary for one overnight. Your extra luggage will be stored at the hotel in Cusco (you can get it back upon your arrival).

Early this morning, pick up from hotel to go to Km. 104 of the railroad onboard the Vistadome train, where the so-called Express Inca Trail starts, a trek to explore the beautiful Wiñaywayna complex. After a box lunch, continue to Machu Picchu, entering through the Intipunku or the Sun Gate. Spend the night in your hotel in Aguas Calientes.

Difficulty: Moderate to high

Hiking distance: 11 km

Walking time: 8-10 hours approx.

Max Elevation: 2700 mts / 8860 feet

Around noon, the local guide will meet you boarding the bus to go up the winding road to Machu Picchu, amid a spectacular view of the Urubamba River and its canyon. Before the tour, you will have a delicious lunch at the Tinkuy restaurant of Belmond Sanctuary Lodge Hotel. Then proceed to visit the Lost City of the Incas, Machu Picchu, which will astonish us with its terraces, ceremonial shrines, steps, and urban areas. Energy is all around us. After the guided visit, back to the town.

Important: The guided tour to Machu Picchu lasts 2 ½ hours, and the maximum time allowed within Machu Picchu is 4 hours.

In the morning, you will go up to the Archeological Park of Sacsayhuaman. Your excursion starts with visiting the magnificent fortress, a beautiful place that radiates peace and quiet. You will be able to admire the rocks measuring up to 4 meters high that were used in its construction. Then, you will continue to “Q’enqo”, and ancient temple of the cougar, which has an altar for sacrifices in the inner part of the rock; and “Tambomachay”, the sacred fountains of life and health. On the way, you will have a panoramic view from Puca Pucara, a watch tower that controls the entrance to the city.  After that, you will visit the Temple of the Sun “Korikancha”, on top of which the Santo Domingo Convent was built. A legend tells that his temple was entirely lined with gold sheets that marveled the Conquistadors upon their arrival. Finally, you will end your tour by visiting the Cathedral, located in front of the main square, which keeps colonial invaluable paintings and other works of religious art such as the Cross that arrived with the first conquerors.

Very early in the morning, you will start your trip to the Community of Palccoyo located southeast of Cusco. On the way, you will have the possibility of seeing the evolution of the road system through three bridges: the Inca (XV Century); the Colonial (Centuries of the XVII to XVIII), and the Modern one that dates from the year 1895 and is made of railway lines. After passing the access control booth and a short stop for breakfast, you will arrive at Huallatakunka where you will begin your walk to get to know this new attraction. Just a few meters from the start, you can see the first mountain of a vast mountain range with colors similar to the rainbow, which gives a cheerful and at the same time mystical. This natural beauty is the sister of the famous Vinicunca but closer and with better accessibility. You will enjoy spectacular views through three viewpoints that you will find during your walk, in one of them you can see up to 3 mountains of colors at the same time, and in another, you will have an impressive view of the Ausangate mountain on one side and the other side you will have the Cordillera de Vilcanota in front of you. At the end of the hike, you will return to mobility to go to the district of Quehue, province of Canas on the Apurimac River. You will visit Q’eswachaka, the last Inca bridge, a fascinating experience. This suspension bridge which lies on the Apurimac River, is unique, handmade, and renewed year after year through a four-day ritual executed by the local communities. You will have the opportunity to cross this impressive Inca construction of 28 meters long, leaving the adrenaline to the maximum.

Tour duration: 12 hours.

Trekking time: 30 minutes.

Max altitude: 4600 meters.