Peru

Inca Trail and Rainbow Mountain

duration: 8 days

difficulty: Strenuous

group size: 12

experience: Beginner

Overview

Embark on the renowned Inca Trail trek to Machu Picchu, a captivating 8-day adventure combining history, wildlife, and awe-inspiring scenery. This iconic trek spans approximately 26 miles (42 km), showcasing diverse Andean environments such as cloud forests and alpine tundra. Along the trail, you'll encounter remarkable biodiversity, with chances to spot orchids, foxes, Peru's national bird, the cock-of-the-rock, spectacled bears, deer, and a plethora of flora and fauna. En route to Machu Picchu, you'll also encounter impressive Inca ruins like Wiñay Wayña and Phuyupatamarca. For an additional off-the-beaten-path experience, delve into the Ausangate trek, leading to the breathtaking "Rainbow Mountain."

Highlights:

- Explore the world-famous Inca Trail, an archaeological wonder.

- Immerse yourself in captivating landscapes of cloud forests and alpine tundra.

- Encounter diverse wildlife and plant species along the trail.

- Discover impressive Inca ruins, including Wiñay Wayña and Phuyupatamarca.

- Experience the mesmerizing Rainbow Mountain.

- Prior acclimatization with two days in Cusco.

Please note:

- We need minimum 5 people to run this trip at this price. For smaller groups, there will be a small upcharge.

- The cancellation policy for this particular trip differs from our standard policy. Please refer to the Cancellation policy.

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Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive at Cusco and explore the city

Arrive in Cusco and transfer to your hotel with private transportation. A welcome meeting will be organized by your guide for a quick briefing of the tour.

Your Cusco city tour begins in the afternoon (01:00pm), when you’ll first head to the wonderful Koricancha, next door to Santo Domingo Church and then to Cusco Cathedral, located on the Plaza de Armas. Built between 1560 and 1654 on top of the foundations of an existing Inca temple, this spectacular cathedral houses many works of art by the Cusco School of painters, and its main altar and pulpit are covered in gold and silver relief work.

Your next stop will be the imposing Inca fortress of Sacsayhuaman, which sits on a hill above Cusco. Here you will see some of the finest examples of Inca stonework and construction, including massive rocks that were carefully cut and perfectly fitted together to form the walls. From here you’ll also have beautiful panoramic views of Cusco.

After exploring Sacsayhuaman you’ll head up the hill to the Tambomachay Archeological Complex. The exact purpose of this site is unknown, but it may have functioned, at least in part, as an Inca spa. Inca hydro-engineering is apparent here, with a series of aqueducts, canals and waterfalls running through the terraced rocks.

Tambomachay is the last attraction on our city tour, after which you’ll head back down into Cusco and drop you off at your hotel.

Meals: None

Day 2: Full day acclimatizing and Sacred Valley Tour

Day 3: Cusco - KM 82 - Ayapata Camp

Day 4: Ayapata - Chaquicocha

Day 5: Chaquicocha - Wiñawayna

Day 6: The end of the Inca Trail and arrival at Machu Picchu

Day 7: Rainbow Mountain

Day 8: Departure day

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Accommodations

On day 1, for 2 days

You will be staying in a standard room in a 3 star hotel in Cusco, on double occupancy basis.

On day 3, for 1 day

On day 4, for 1 day

On day 5, for 1 day

On day 6, for 2 days

Pricing

Included:

Transfers

Accommodation

Admission fees

Guide fees

Luggage transfers

Airport transfer

Local guide

Some meals

Excluded:

Alcoholic beverages

Gratuities

Flights

Porter

Visas

Travel insurance

Personal gear

Do not forget to arrange for the requisite passport, visa and travel insurance, if you are booking an international trip.

We try our best to ensure accurate and up-to-date guide information, but in some cases this may change due to emergencies or other unforeseen guide scheduling challenges. In any case, another highly-rated, certified guide with similar experience would lead your trip and you will be kept informed of any such case.