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9 Days 8 Nights
Daily Tour
18 people
English, Espanol
Early in the morning, our guide will pick you up from your hotel in Cusco and escort you by bus to Chilca, marking the start of your trek to Machu Picchu. After about three hours of walking, you'll pause for a well-deserved lunch. Post-lunch, your journey continues toward Wayllabamba, enriched by a guided exploration of the Llactapata archaeological site. The day concludes with dinner and an overnight stay in tents at the Wayllabamba campsite.
After breakfast, brace yourself for the most challenging part of the trail as you ascend towards Warmiwañusca, also known as Dead Woman’s Pass, perched at approximately 4,200 meters above sea level. The three-hour trek to this highest point of the Inca Trail rewards you with a breathtaking panoramic view and a sense of triumph. Post the descent, lunch awaits, followed by a trek down to your next campsite at Pacaymayo, where you will dine and rest for the night.
Start your day descending towards the Runkurakay pass at 3,850 meters, where you'll tour the archaeological complexes of Runkurakay and Sayacmarca. Continue trekking to Puya Patamarka, another significant archaeological site, where lunch will be served. The day’s trek concludes with an arrival at Wiñay Huayna, featuring a guided tour of its impressive archaeological complex set against a stunning backdrop. Dinner and overnight stay at the Wiñay Huayna campsite.
Rise early and start your day with a trek through the forest to Inti Punku, the Gate of the Sun, arriving just in time for a spectacular sunrise over Machu Picchu. Following the sunrise, enjoy a comprehensive three-hour guided tour of Machu Picchu, exploring its main sites and monuments. After the tour, enjoy some free time to explore on your own before descending by bus to Aguas Calientes for an overnight stay.
Begin your day with a convenient pick-up from your hotel in Aguas Calientes, followed by a short bus ride to the iconic Machu Picchu. From there, gear up for an exhilarating hike up Huayna Picchu, the famous peak that towers over the citadel. Known as "Young Peak," this mountain is featured in the backdrop of the classic Machu Picchu photographs and rises 360 meters above the citadel.
Huayna Picchu is a popular hike that offers breathtaking views from its summit, attracting adventurers with 400 daily permits split into two batches: one at 7 AM and another at 10 AM. The ascent typically takes about 45 minutes for those in good physical condition. This challenging trek includes steep steps equipped with cables and railings for safety, and at one point, a narrow tunnel that visitors must squeeze through, depending on their size.
At the summit, not only will you be rewarded with fantastic panoramic views, but you'll also find ancient Inca temples and agricultural terraces. For those interested in exploring further, there is an alternative descent route leading to additional ruins, including the Temple of the Moon. This intriguing site, built inside a cave, is believed to have served as a residence for high priests and chosen women.
The summit area can become crowded and, given its precipitous drops, it's important to move carefully. The standard route back down requires about two hours, but if you opt for the alternative path via the Temple of the Moon, prepare for a more challenging descent. This route involves additional steep steps, ladders, and a few more climbs, totaling about three hours to complete the full round trip.
After our hike, return to Aguas Calientes for your train back to Cusco.
Arrival in Cusco and transfer to your selected hotel.
4:00am. Embark on our full day Rainbow Mountain day trip from Cusco. We will travel by tourist bus around two hours to the south until arriving to the village of Cusipata, where we’ll enjoy a delicious breakfast.
After the breakfast we will travel by car 1 hour to the trailhead, known as Phulawasipata, where we will start the trek. The trek will last approximately 1.5 hours to 2 hours to Vinicunca Pass, the classic viewpoint for Rainbow Mountain. Along the way, we will appreciate the typical landscape and flora and fauna of the Andes, among which Llamas and Alpacas stand out.
Then we will return by the same route to the point where we started the trek (Phulawasipata), where our transport will be waiting to take us back to Cusipata; here we will enjoy the buffet lunch. After lunch we will start heading to back to Cusco for overnight.
Embark on a breathtaking day trip to Humantay Lake from Cusco, a gem of vibrant turquoise waters set against dramatic Andean peaks. Start your adventure early with a hotel pickup around 4:00 AM, followed by a scenic drive through the stunning Salkantay route to Mollepata, where you’ll enjoy a hearty breakfast. From Soraypampa, begin your 1.5 to 2-hour uphill trek, soaking in the incredible mountain scenery along the way. Upon reaching the mesmerizing Humantay Lake, spend time exploring and relaxing by the serene, colorful waters, perfect for photography and reflection. After descending back to Soraypampa, you’ll return to Mollepata for a well-deserved lunch. The day concludes with a scenic drive back to Cusco, arriving by late afternoon for a drop-off at your hotel. This compact itinerary packs a full day of natural beauty, challenging hikes, and unforgettable landscapes, ideal for those eager to explore the Andean wilderness in a single day.
Early in the morning, transfer assistance on your departure. This marks the conclusion of our travel services, wrapping up an unforgettable journey through the majestic splendors of Machu Picchu.
This program requires a good level of physical fitness, as it includes multiple physically demanding activities such as long-distance hiking on the Inca Trail and climbing Huayna Picchu. Participants should be in good health, able to handle high altitudes, and comfortable with several hours of active movement each day.
Yes, you should bring hiking boots with good ankle support, a comfortable backpack, moisture-wicking clothing, a warm jacket for cool temperatures, a waterproof jacket, and other hiking essentials like a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen. A sleeping bag is also necessary for the Inca Trail, along with walking poles which are optional but recommended.
Spend a few days in Cusco or another high-altitude area to acclimatize before starting the trek. Stay hydrated, avoid alcohol before and during the high-altitude days, and consider medication or natural remedies to alleviate symptoms. Consult with a healthcare provider before using altitude sickness medication.
The best time to undertake this tour is during the dry season from May to October, which offers the most stable and dry weather conditions ideal for hiking and outdoor activities.