Best Machu Picchu & Rainbow Mountain Trek Package

OVERVIEW

The Best Machu Picchu & Rainbow Mountain Trek Package itinerary is perfect for those who want both the ancient Inca history and outdoor adventure! Visit the most important places in the Sacred Valley, the famous Machu Picchu and the spectacular Rainbow Mountain!

In the Sacred Valley you visit the extensive archeological area in Pisac, the fascinating sites at Moray and Maras, then Ollantaytambo, on your way to Machu Picchu. Get up early to be among the first to see the sunrise over Machu Picchu, then travel back to Cusco that same day. The hike up Rainbow Mountain will be unlike anything you have ever seen and is certainly quite different from the climate of the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu!

Sacred Valley to Machu Picchu + Rainbow Mountain Trek Package 3 days

Service Basic

Feel at home on our budget-friendly hike. It's going to be a blast for you! Group size is 12 people. Operated by: Orange Nation Peru

From $599 USD

Service Comfort

Our all-inclusive walks and tours offer high-quality, personalized services with small groups of up to 8 people maximum. Operated by: SAM Travel Peru

From $687 USD

Places to Visit: Cusco,Ollantaytambo, Sal mines, Moray, Pisac, Machu Picchu, Rainbow Mountain

Physical Level: Moderate

We start this beautiful day at 7:30am, when your guide picks you up at your Cusco hotel in our private van. Our route to the Sacred Valley of the Incas leads us towards Pisac. We stop first at the Mirador of Taray to enjoy an expansive view of the Urubamba valley and its traditional farming villages. You will see how the agriculture in the Sacred Valley has changed little in the past five hundred years. Onward, we drive to the archeological site of Pisac, where you can see an impressive Inca cemetery with more than 2,000 tombs. There, we can admire the carefully engineered farming terraces carved into the mountain, explore the Inca tunnel and the religious area of this important citadel. Here, we will spend about 2 hours, exploring the Inca city. Then, we head down to the colorful market of Pisac, spend about 20 minutes visiting it and then drive to Urubamba for lunch.

Our next stop is the archeological site of Moray also known as “The Greenhouse of the Incas” a deep basin of architectural wonder. Levels of terraces are carved into a huge bowl, which was carefully engineered by the Incas. The terraces have varied microclimates depending on how deep into the bowl they are placed. Archeologists believe that they were used by the Incas to discover the optimal growing conditions for their crops and experiment in hybridization.

Continuing on our journey to the colonial town of Maras, we look down onto the pre-Inca salt “mines,” called salineras in Spanish. Thousands of salt pans have been passed down through countless generations and used for salt extraction since before Inca times. A hot spring at the top of the valley discharges a small stream of heavily salt laden water, which is diverted into salt pans and evaporated to produce salt. This is one of the few places in the world where you can find naturally pink salt!

Finally, we drive to Ollantaytambo, taking the time to explore the Inca village that has remained intact since Inca times and the massive Inca Ruins, with a tour provided by our guide. Visit the massive architecture of the Sun Temple at the top of the formidable terraces and learn about the importance of this site for the Inca during the beginning of the Spanish conquest. After some time for dinner, you will take your train to Aguas Calientes to spend the night in your hotel. The train departs at 7:04pm and arrives at 8:45pm.

3* Accommodations: Hotel Ferre´ Machu Picchu
4* Accommodations: El Mapi or Tierra Viva Superior

This is the day you’ve been waiting for! After an early breakfast at your hotel, you’ll take one of the first busses up to Machu Picchu, so that you can be there to witness the sunrise. It is a truly extraordinary site and not something you’ll want to miss! Your guide will give you a tour, which takes about two hours. You will see most of the important parts of Machu Picchu Citadel. You will also learn about how Machu Picchu is divided into three sectors: agricultural, residential and religious.

After your tour, those who have booked in advance for the extra hikes up Huayna Picchu Mountain will have time to enjoy those views on their own. When you have had your fill of the exceptional views of Machu Picchu, you will take the bus back down to Aguas Calientes for lunch (not included). Depending on your train departure time, you may also have time for some shopping, sightseeing or a visit to the museum or hot springs.

The Expedition train will take you back to Ollantaytambo at 2:55pm or 3:20pm, following the spectacular Urubamba River. Close to Aguas Calientes, the canyon is narrow and the river has many beautiful sections of whitewater. You can also see Wiñay Wayna from the train, if you look up high on the steep canyon wall! Back at Ollantaytambo, your driver will meet you at the exit from the train station to take you back to your hotel in Cusco in our private vehicle. You can expect to arrive at your hotel by 7:00pm.

3* Accommodation: Qoricancha Waman or Mataq Wasin Hotel
4* Accommodation: Costa del Sol Ramada, and Casa Andina
Meal included: Breakfast

***IMPORTANT:

Hiking up to the Sun Gate and Inca Bridge is not possible anymore due to new regulations.
Return Expedition Train time depends on availability and how much in advance you have booked.
You can upgrade to the Vistadome Train for the same times, 2:55pm or 3:20pm, 4:22pm, or 4:43pm. The cost is $67 USD.
Early trains can be organized by request and it has to be done by booking time.

We will pick you up from your hotel at 4am, and begin with our amazing Rainbow Mountain Trek Adventure. We set out on our drive for 3 hours through the South Valley, ending up at the trailhead at Llacto (4,638m / 15,216 ft). Along the way, there are amazing views of farming Inca terraces, traditional villages, valleys and high Andean peaks.

The herds of alpacas and llamas near your breakfast place will entertain you in the early morning. Once we reach the trailhead, we start on our hike following a lovely stream. As you start your hike, you will have views of the Ausangate Mountain and glaciers. You can interact with the local people, who are still keeping traditional Quechua culture alive.Learn about their traditional clothes and the significance of the different hats worn by the men. Ask your guide to teach you a few words of Quechua!

After a total hike of 1.5 hours, we finally reach our destination the Rainbow Mountain. After admiring the unique beauty, you will have time to explore the area. You can take pictures or just soak up the view. We will spend approximately 30 minutes at the top. Afterwards, there is an optional hike across to the top of the Red Valley. This walk takes about 45 minutes longer to get back to the trailhead.

At this point, we hike back down the way we came. The hike takes 1 hour, then we enjoy our lunch which will prepare by our cook.

We will embark on the 3-hour drive back to Cusco and drop you off at your Cusco hotel, arriving around 6:30pm.

Meals included: hot breakfast & lunch

The Best Machu Picchu & Rainbow Mountain Trek Package can be done on any date that is best for you as long as we have a minimum of 2 people!

PRICES:

$567 USD per person without hotel
$687 USD per person with 2 nights 3* hotels
$857 USD per person with 2 nights 4* hotels

***Private service is available for $100 USD more per person.

***All entrance fees are included and we operate our tours in small groups averaging 5 people with a maximum of 8!

DISCOUNTS

18 to 25 years old: $30 USD. Information required on student card: name of university, student name, photo of student, expiration date etc. A copy of the card is required for booking & government approval for discount.
Under 18 years old: $30 USD. Please send us a copy of your passport at the time of booking.
Under 11 years old: $40 USD. Please send us a copy of your passport at the time of booking.

EXTRAS

Huayna Picchu Climb: $75 USD. This will need to be booked in advance, let us know about it at the time of booking. the time of booking.
Upgrade to Vista Dome Train: $67 USD
Upgrade Hotel – 4* or 5* hotel
Hotel single supplement: $40 USD 3*

**Huayna Picchu Mountain is optional trek within Machu Picchu Citadel which do not include a guide. The climb is usually done on your own after your tour of Machu Picchu Citadel. If you would like the extra hike to be guided, please request in advance. There is an extra cost for this extra guided tour.

WHAT IS INCLUDED

Pick up at your hotel
Tours of Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu
Rainbow Mountain trek
Entrances to the Inca Cities and all Archeological Sites
Private transportation for all tours
Round Trip Expedition Train Ollantaytambo – Aguas Calientes
Hotel accommodation with breakfast in Ollantaytambo, Aguas Calientes, Cusco (This applies ONLY if you are choosen the price which includes hotels)
Meals as indicated on itinerary
Roundtrip bus ticket Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu
Entrance fees to Machu Picchu
Professional English & Spanish speaking guide
2 hot meals at Rainbow Mountain – breakfast and lunch

WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED

Meals not indicated on the itinerary
Entrance fee to the hot springs of Aguas Calientes (optional)
Entrance of Wayna Picchu –$75 USD
Upgrades train/hotel – For Vistadome train add $67 USD per person
Tips for your guide

WHAT YOU SHOULD BRING FOR THE MACHU PICCHU & RAINBOW MOUNTAIN TOUR

A small backpack or carry bag (larger not allowed on the train or in Machu Picchu)
A change of clothing for the second day
Comfortable walking shoes or runners
Camera
Water to drink
Rain jacket or poncho
A fleece or insulated jacket
Basic toiletries
Sunscreen
Insect repellent
Hat for the sun
Extra money for lunch, snacks and souvenirs
Original passport (cannot enter Machu Picchu without it)