Itinerary for our Machu Picchu package

Day 1: Sacred Valley (Pisac, Moray, Maras & Ollantaytambo)

Your day begins at 7:30 AM with a private pickup from your Cusco hotel. We drive into the Sacred Valley of the Incas, stopping first at the Mirador of Taray for sweeping views of the Urubamba Valley and traditional farming villages that have preserved their agricultural heritage for centuries.

Pisac Archaeological Site & Artisan Market

Next, we explore the Pisac archaeological site, featuring a massive Inca cemetery with over 2,000 tombs, steep terraced mountainsides, a ceremonial tunnel, and sacred temples. After roughly two hours exploring the ruins, we descend to the vibrant Pisac Market for a brief visit before continuing to Urubamba for a traditional local lunch.

Moray Terraces & Maras Salt Mines

Our journey continues to Moray, a fascinating Inca agricultural laboratory featuring concentric circular terraces designed to test crop yields across distinct microclimates. From Moray, we drive to the pre-Inca Maras Salt Mines, a hillside network of over 3,000 evaporation pools fed by natural saline subterranean springs.

Ollantaytambo Inca Fortress

Finally, we arrive in Ollantaytambo, one of the last remaining living Inca towns. Explore the preserved stone streets and the monumental Sun Temple fortress before checking into your hotel for a restful evening prior to your Inca Trail trek.

Day 1 Snapshot

• Highest Altitude: 3,400 m / 11,152 ft (Cusco)
• Lowest Altitude: 2,792 m / 9,160 ft (Ollantaytambo)
• Meals Included: Breakfast (at hotel), Lunch
• Accommodation: 2-Star (Veronica View / Tunupa Lodge) or 3-Star (Pakaritampu / El Albergue), Maras salt mines, Ollantaytambo town & Sun Temple
• Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 2: Short Inca Trail – Wiñay Wayna – Sun Gate – Machu Picchu

Your day starts with a 5:30 AM pickup from your hotel in Ollantaytambo. Your guide will provide a box breakfast and lunch for your trek. Board the 6:10 AM train to Km 104, enjoying a scenic 1-hour rail journey along the Urubamba River to the official trek checkpoint.

Inca Trail Trekking to Wiñay Wayna

Cross the Urubamba River footbridge, pass the park entrance control, and begin hiking. The first 1.5 hours consist of a gentle climb through sub-tropical cloud forests with scenic valley views, followed by a steeper 1.5-hour ascent reaching a waterfall. Arrive at Wiñay Wayna (2,600 m / 8,500 ft), a beautiful cliffside Inca archaeological site. After a guided tour of the complex, enjoy your packed lunch at the nearby campsite.

Hiking to the Sun Gate (Inti Punku) & First View of Machu Picchu

Following lunch, hike along a relatively flat trail toward the Sun Gate (Inti Punku). A final set of stone steps opens up to your first full panoramic vista of Machu Picchu. Enjoy time taking photos as you descend toward the main citadel during late afternoon when visitor crowds have cleared.

Transfer to Aguas Calientes

After photographing the citadel from the upper terraces, take the shuttle bus down to Aguas Calientes, check into your hotel, and enjoy dinner in town.

Day 2 Snapshot

• Highest Altitude: 2,720 m / 8,923 ft (Sun Gate)
• Lowest Altitude: 2,040 m / 6,692 ft (Aguas Calientes)
• Distance: ~12 km / 7.5 miles
• Difficulty: Moderate (~6 hours hiking)
• Meals Included: Box Breakfast, Box Lunch, Dinner (in Aguas Calientes)
• Accommodation: 3-Star (Ferre Hotel) or 4-Star (El Mapi / Tierra Viva)

Day 3: Machu Picchu Citadel – Scenic Train – Cusco

Morning Citadel Tour

Start your day with an early breakfast at your hotel before boarding one of the first shuttle buses up to Machu Picchu Citadel. Arriving early gives you the chance to witness the morning light breaking over the iconic stone ruins before the peak daytime crowds arrive. Here, you will meet your university-licensed guide for an immersive 2-hour historical tour covering the sanctuary’s main sectors, intricate stone temples, ceremonial plazas, and sprawling agricultural terraces.

Key Sites You Will See:

• Temple of the Sun: Marvel at the intricate, semi-circular precision stonework of this sacred altar, designed for solar observations and Inca winter solstice rituals.
• Intihuatana Stone: Observe the famous “hitching post of the sun,” a carved granite clock used by Inca astronomers to track seasonal shifts.
• Sacred Plaza & Main Temple: Walk through the ceremonial heart of the citadel, featuring massive, finely fitted dry-stone walls.
• Temple of the Three Windows: View the three trapezoidal windows framing panoramic vistas of the surrounding cloud forest peaks.
• Agricultural Terraces & Guardhouse: Capture classic postcard views of Machu Picchu from the upper terraces while learning about Inca soil engineering.

Optional Mountain Hikes & Aguas Calientes Lunch

If pre-booked, hike Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain for stunning elevated views over the citadel (subject to availability upon booking). Afterward, take the shuttle bus back to Aguas Calientes to enjoy lunch independently, shop at the local artisan market, or relax in the hot springs.

Return Scenic Train & Private Transfer to Cusco

Board your return train to Ollantaytambo. Standard Expedition trains depart at 2:55 PM or 3:20 PM. You can upgrade to the Vistadome Train ($67 USD) for those times, choose 4:22 PM or 4:43 PM departures, or request an earlier departure when booking. Your private driver will meet you in Ollantaytambo for the transfer back to your Cusco hotel, arriving around 7:00 PM.

Day 3 Snapshot

• Highest Altitude: 3,400 m / 11,152 ft (Cusco)
• Lowest Altitude: 2,040 m / 6,692 ft (Aguas Calientes)
• Difficulty: Easy (Citadel tour)
• Meals Included: Breakfast (at hotel)
• Accommodation: 3-Star (Waman Qorikancha) or 4-Star (Costa del Sol Ramada)

Day 4: Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca) – Red Valley – Cusco

Your excursion begins with a 4:00 AM hotel pickup in Cusco. Enjoy a 3-hour scenic drive through the South Valley to the trailhead at Llacto (4,638 m), taking in views of Andean farming communities, snow-capped peaks, and high mountain pastures.

Ascent past Alpacas to Vinicunca Summit

Begin your 1.5-hour hike along a mountain stream flanked by herds of alpacas and llamas. Your guide will share insights on indigenous Quechua culture, local textiles, and high-altitude living. Reach the summit ridge of Rainbow Mountain (5,020 m / 16,466 ft) to photograph its vibrant turquoise, magenta, and gold mineral strata.

Optional Red Valley Loop & Return Transfer

Spend roughly 30 minutes at the summit, or take an optional 45-minute trek through the neighboring Red Valley landscape. Hike back down to the trailhead for a freshly prepared hot lunch cooked by our mountain chef, followed by a 3-hour private return drive to Cusco, arriving around 6:00 PM.

Day 4 Snapshot

• Highest Altitude: 5,020 m / 16,466 ft (Rainbow Mountain Summit)
• Lowest Altitude: 3,400 m / 11,152 ft (Cusco)
• Distance: ~7 km / 4.3 miles
• Difficulty: Moderate to Challenging (~4 hours hiking)
• Meals Included: Hot Breakfast, Hot Chef-Prepared Lunch
• Accommodation: None (Tour concludes upon arrival in Cusco)