ITINERARY
Day 1: Arrival in Lima
Arrive in Lima and settle into the Wyndham Costa del Sol Inn, just across from the airport. Rest and recharge for the adventure ahead.
Day 2: Cusco Arrival & Evening City Tour
Fly to Cusco and meet your driver at the airport. After dropping your bags at the hotel, explore Cusco’s markets and streets in the early evening:
- San Pedro Market & Witches’ Market – experience vibrant local culture
- Koricancha Temple – the main Inca sanctuary in Cusco
- Plaza de Armas & Basilica – colonial architecture built atop Inca foundations
- Center for Traditional Textiles (or Chinchero if Sunday) – see weaving traditions and learn about local crafts
Day 3: Sacred Valley
Venture into the Sacred Valley, once the heart of the Inca Empire. Highlights include:
- Pisac Ruins – terraced hillsides and ancient ceremonial sites
- Pisac Market – local crafts and souvenirs
- Moray – Inca agricultural experiments
- Maras Salt Mines – still-working pre-Columbian salt ponds
End the day in Ollantaytambo, a living Inca town with massive ruins.
Day 4: Ollantaytambo & Machu Picchu
Visit the Ollantaytambo ruins early to avoid crowds:
- Explore terraces, monumental stonework, and Inca town layout
Board the train to Aguas Calientes, following the Urubamba River toward Machu Picchu.
After settling into your hotel, explore Machu Picchu ruins with a guide: - Walk along ancient water channels, plazas, and ceremonial areas
Evening free to enjoy Aguas Calientes’ restaurants or hot springs
Day 5: Machu Picchu Exploration & Return to Cusco
Return to Machu Picchu for additional exploration or optional hikes:
- Huayna Picchu – panoramic views
- Machu Picchu Mountain – sweeping vistas of the site
- Sun Gate or Moon Temple – gentle walks around the citadel
After your visit, take the train back to Cusco for an evening of relaxation or local dining.
Day 6: Rainbow Mountain Trek
Early 5:00 am pick-up for the Rainbow Mountain Adventure:
- 3-hour drive through the South Valley to Llacto trailhead (4,638 m / 15,216 ft)
- Hike 1.5 hours along streams with views of Ausangate Mountain and glaciers
- Interact with local Quechua communities, learn about traditional clothing and culture
- Summit Rainbow Mountain (5,020 m / 16,466 ft) – 30 minutes to explore and take photos
Optional 45-minute Red Valley hike for more views - 1-hour descent back to trailhead
Enjoy a lunch prepared by your cook, then 3-hour drive back to Cusco, arriving around 6:00 pm
Day 7: Fly to Lima / Departure
Fly back to Lima for your return flight home, or extend your adventure with trips to the Amazon or Lake Titicaca.
