The 3-day tour encompassing the Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, and Rainbow Mountain is ideal for those who crave a blend of ancient Inca heritage and thrilling outdoor experiences. In the Sacred Valley, you’ll explore the extensive ruins at Pisac, the intriguing sites at Moray and Maras, and then head to Ollantaytambo en route to Machu Picchu. Rise early to witness the sunrise over Machu Picchu and take part in an enlightening guided tour. The ascent to Rainbow Mountain will offer a striking contrast to the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu’s climates. The tour concludes in Cusco.
Our journey begins at 7:30 am when your guide collects you from your Cusco hotel in a private van. We head to the Sacred Valley, starting with Pisac. Our first stop is the Mirador of Taray, which offers sweeping views of the Urubamba Valley and its traditional farming communities. Observe how agriculture in the Sacred Valley has remained relatively unchanged over the past five centuries. Next, we visit the archaeological site of Pisac, known for its impressive Inca cemetery with over 2,000 tombs. Here, we can marvel at the meticulously crafted farming terraces carved into the mountainside, explore the Inca tunnel, and the religious precinct of this significant citadel. We will spend approximately 2 hours exploring the Inca city before proceeding to the vibrant Pisac market for a brief 20-minute visit. Then, we drive to Urubamba for lunch (not included).
Our next destination is the archaeological site of Moray, famously known as “The Greenhouse of the Incas.” This deep, bowl-shaped structure features multiple levels of terraces, ingeniously designed by the Incas. Each terrace exhibits distinct microclimates based on its depth within the bowl, believed to have been used for testing optimal crop conditions and hybridization experiments.
Continuing to the colonial town of Maras, we will view the pre-Inca salt “mines,” known as salineras. These salt pans, inherited through generations, have been utilized for salt extraction since before Inca times. A hot spring at the valley’s summit provides a heavily saline stream, which is channeled into the salt pans to evaporate and yield salt. This location is one of the rare places globally where naturally pink salt is found!
Lastly, we travel to Ollantaytambo, where we explore the ancient Inca village and its extensive ruins with our guide. We will visit the grand architecture of the Sun Temple atop the impressive terraces and learn about its significance during the early Spanish conquest. After dinner, you will board a train to Aguas Calientes, arriving at 8:45 pm. The train departs at 7:04 pm.
3 Accommodations:* Hotel Ferre´ Machu Picchu
4 Accommodations:* El Mapi or Tierra Viva Superior
Meals: Dinner
This is the highlight of your trip! After an early breakfast at your hotel, take one of the first buses to Machu Picchu to witness the sunrise. This extraordinary sight is not to be missed! Your guide will lead a tour lasting about two hours, covering the essential parts of the Machu Picchu Citadel. You will also learn about the division of Machu Picchu into three sectors: agricultural, residential, and religious.
Post-tour, those who booked extra hikes up Huayna Picchu Mountain in advance can enjoy these views independently. Once you’ve absorbed the stunning vistas of Machu Picchu, you will return by bus to Aguas Calientes for lunch (not included). Depending on your train departure time, you may have time for shopping, sightseeing, or a visit to the museum or hot springs.
The Expedition train will return you to Ollantaytambo at 2:55 pm or 3:20 pm, following the scenic Urubamba River. The canyon near Aguas Calientes is narrow, with the river showcasing beautiful sections of whitewater. From the train, you can also catch glimpses of Wiñay Wayna on the steep canyon wall! At Ollantaytambo, your driver will meet you at the train station exit and transport you back to your Cusco hotel in our private vehicle, with an expected arrival time of 7:00 pm.
3 Accommodation:* Qoricancha Waman or Mataq Wasin Hotel
4 Accommodation:* Costa del Sol Ramada, and Casa Andina
Meal included: Breakfast
For those who booked extra hikes up Huayna Picchu Mountain in advance, please note this tour does not include a guide. The hike is typically done independently after the Machu Picchu Citadel tour. If you wish for a guided hike, please request in advance for an additional cost.
IMPORTANT:
We will pick you up from your hotel at 4:00 am to start our spectacular Rainbow Mountain Trek Adventure. After a 3-hour drive through the South Valley, we will arrive at the trailhead at Llacto (4,638m / 15,216 ft). Along the way, enjoy breathtaking views of Inca farming terraces, traditional villages, valleys, and high Andean peaks.
In the early morning, herds of alpacas and llamas near your breakfast spot will add to the charm. Upon reaching the trailhead, we begin our hike along a picturesque stream. As you ascend, you’ll see the majestic Ausangate Mountain and its glaciers. Engage with local people who uphold traditional Quechua culture, learn about their traditional attire, and the significance of the various hats worn by men. Ask your guide to teach you some Quechua phrases!
After a 1.5-hour hike, we reach Rainbow Mountain. Here, you’ll have time to admire its unique beauty, take photos, or simply enjoy the view. We will spend around 30 minutes at the summit. An optional hike to the top of the Red Valley adds about 45 minutes to your return journey.
Following this, we trek back to the trailhead, which takes about 1 hour. We will then enjoy lunch prepared by our cook.
We will drive back to Cusco for a 3-hour journey, dropping you off at your Cusco hotel around 6:30 pm.
Meals included: Breakfast & Lunch
Note: The hike to Huayna Picchu Mountain within the Machu Picchu Citadel is optional and typically done without a guide. If a guided hike is preferred, please request in advance, and an additional fee will apply.
WHAT TO BRING FOR THE MACHU PICCHU & RAINBOW MOUNTAIN TOUR
“INCAS EXPEDITIONS” is a 100% Peruvian local company and tour operator in Cusco, with many years of experience in hikes, adventure tours, and travel packages. We are a 100% local company.
Our dream as a local company is to offer personalized travel and hiking experiences, operated solely by local professional staff, focusing on a PERSONALIZED and HIGH-QUALITY SERVICE.
We are proud of our reputation as a travel operating agency, in addition to practicing RESPONSIBLE and SUSTAINABLE actions with the environment and local people.
We consider our staff as family and guarantee them a fair salary. We are very proud of our team! Without their support, we could not offer the quality of service that hundreds of our travelers have enjoyed.
At “INCAS EXPEDITIONS,” we are aware that our reputation and what our passengers say are crucial for our travelers to trust their next vacations; you can check the reviews our travelers leave on TripAdvisor, Facebook, and Google; in an honest and reliable operator to create your adventure in Peru.
To offer a more personalized service at “INCAS EXPEDITIONS,” we maintain a limit of 8 people for each of our groups. This distinguishes us from other companies that operate with larger groups.
We are very proud of our guides. They are experts and professionals, fluent in English. They are experts and knowledgeable about the routes, and they are passionate about Inca heritage and history. Our guides are dedicated to their continuous personal and professional development, researching to offer you accurate and recognized theories about Inca and Andean culture. They are friendly, athletic, and well-educated, with degrees in Archaeology, Tourism, Botany, History, or Anthropology.
Hiking with “INCAS EXPEDITIONS” is an uplifting experience, we prioritize your comfort and enjoyment throughout the hike, and you will have the assistance of our porters. You will interact with local people, explore incredible sites, and rediscover ancient Inca ancestral towns. Our porters carry your gear, prepare your meals, set up our camp tents, and take care of you while you relax.
We provide our porters for free with: jackets, sun hats, warm hats, shirts, pants, hiking boots, comfortable travel bags, canteens, back support belts, sleeping bags, mattresses, and travel insurance. All are hired from isolated communities, improving their economic circumstances and supporting the education of their children. We treat all our porters like family!
Our team (guides, cooks, porters, muleteers) and our equipment make “INCAS EXPEDITIONS” stand out among our competitors. On our adventure hikes, we include:
At “INCAS EXPEDITIONS,” we have always believed in giving back to isolated local communities. As part of our commitment to responsible tourism, we carry out various social projects and always hire local people.
We are very proud to support our local people. We not only employ them but also support their families, contributing to a holistic approach with our employees from the Peruvian Andes and their loved ones.
PRICES
The Machu Picchu & Rainbow Mountain Tour Package is available on any date that suits you, provided we have at least 2 participants.
***Private service is available for an additional $100 USD per person.
***All entrance fees are included, and we operate our tours in small groups, typically averaging 5 participants with a maximum of 8.
DISCOUNTS
EXTRAS
Huayna Picchu Mountain is an optional trek within the Machu Picchu Citadel and does not include a guide. This climb is usually done independently after your tour of Machu Picchu. If you wish to have a guided hike, please request it in advance. An additional fee applies for this guided tour.