Machu Picchu and Rainbow Mountain Tour - 5 Days

Upon your arrival at Cusco Airport, our team will wait for you at the airport to pick you up and transfer you to your hotel for check-in, and time to rest. Later, we will begin the city tour of Cusco and its nearby Inca archaeological sites. Pick-up from your hotel is scheduled shortly before 1:00 p.m.

Our first stop will be Cusco Cathedral, renowned for its beautifully carved wooden details, ornate altars, and remarkable paintings created by artists of the Cuscquenian School of art, an art period in which indigenous people were taught the European techniques of painting and sculpting.

Then, we will walk through the streets of Cusco’s Historic Center to reach Qoricancha, also known as the Temple of the Sun. This important religious site was dedicated to the deities of the Sun, Moon, Stars, Rainbow, Thunder, and Lightning. Here, you will admire the extraordinary precision of Inca stonework, with stones so perfectly cut and fitted that not even a sheet of paper can pass between them. Despite the earthquakes, these walls have remained remarkably solid and well preserved.

Next, we will visit Sacsayhuamán, located approximately 3 km from Cusco. From its esplanade, you will enjoy panoramic views of the city. This impressive archaeological complex was constructed with massive limestone blocks weighing between 25 and 130 tons arranged in three overlapping zigzag terraces. Sacsayhuamán was the setting for important ceremonies such as Warachikuy and Inti Raymi (The Honoring Celebration of the Sun).

We will continue to Qenqo, meaning “labyrinth” in Quechua. Situated about one kilometer from Sacsayhuamán, this limestone site features carved rock formations and underground passages believed to have been used for astronomical observation, religious ceremonies, and mummification rituals. Our next stop is Pukapukara, which means “Red Fortress” in our native indigenous language: Quechua. This site functioned as a strategic military outpost, controlling and monitoring access to the imperial city of Cusco and serving as a territorial checkpoint.

Finally, we will visit Tambomachay, an Inca temple dedicated to water, located approximately 9 km from Cusco. It is distinguished by its finely engineered water channels and continuously beautiful flowing fountains. After this we will conclude this day’s tour with our transfer back to Cusco’s Plaza de Armas.

Pick-up from your hotel is scheduled at approximately 7:00 a.m. We will begin a one-hour drive to Pisac.

Upon arrival, we will visit the Pisac Archaeological Center, located on the upper part of the town. Here, you will observe how local farmers continue to apply Inca agricultural techniques, cultivating crops on mountain terraces that have been there for centuries.

Afterward, we will visit the Pisac artisan market. At midday, we will enjoy a buffet lunch featuring local cuisine and ingredients at a restaurant located in the Urubamba Valley. We will then continue to Ollantaytambo, situated 76 km from the city of Cusco. At this impressive archaeological site, you will see massive carved stone blocks, some weighing over 100 tons. These stones were transported up the mountain and are believed to have been used for astronomical purposes.

Ollantaytambo is located at the convergence of three valleys, marking the transition toward the high jungle region. The town of Ollantaytambo has been recognized as one of the “Best Tourism Villages” in the world. It is often described as a town suspended in time, due to its well-preserved Inca-colonial architecture and its remarkable hydraulic engineering system, which channels water through stone canals running along its streets.

From Ollantaytambo, we will transfer to the train station to board the train to Aguas Calientes, a journey of approximately 1 hour and 50 minutes. Along the way, you will enjoy views of lush vegetation and the Vilcanota River. Upon arrival, you will be escorted to your hotel. The remainder of the afternoon will be at leisure to explore the town, stroll through its streets, shop for handicrafts, or dine at one of the local restaurants.

Overnight stay at a hotel in Aguas Calientes.

On this day, we will visit Machu Picchu. The day begins early, with a bus ride of approximately 25 minutes to reach the Inca citadel.

Upon arrival at Machu Picchu, we will follow Circuit 2 (subject to availability), which includes the opportunity to take the classic panoramic photograph of the citadel. We will explore both the agricultural and urban sectors, composed of temples, terraces, stairways, pathways, aqueducts, and other significant structures.

You will also admire the surrounding lush green mountains and the Urubamba River as it flows toward the high jungle. The guided tour of Machu Picchu lasts approximately two and a half hours, during which our guide will provide detailed information and answer all your questions.

After the visit, we will return to the town of Aguas Calientes to board the train back to Ollantaytambo. Upon arrival, our transportation service will transfer you to your hotel in Cusco.

On this day we will visit one of Cusco’s most spectacular natural attractions, Rainbow Mountain, also known as VINIKUNKA (“Necklace of Stones”), declared a Unique Natural Treasure of the World. It is located at an altitude of 5,100 meters above sea level (16,732 ft), comparable to the elevation of the Everest Base Camp! The mountain lies approximately 100 km southeast of Cusco. If you are looking for information about the Rainbow Mountain tour price, below you will find a detailed description of what our experience includes:

This tour begins very early in the morning with pick-up from your hotel in Cusco at approximately 4:00 a.m. We will then travel by vehicle for about two hours southbound to the district of Cusipata – Paucarpata, in the province of Quispicanchi, where we will enjoy breakfast.

After a short break, we will continue with a 20-minute drive to the first checkpoint managed by the local communities of TINTINICO and PAUCARPATA. From there, we will travel another 25 minutes to reach the second checkpoint of the CHILLIHUANI community. At this point, we will begin a hike of approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes toward the mountain ranges of the Red Valley, the gateway to the spectacular Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca). Along the hike, you will have the opportunity to admire the distinctive flora and fauna of the Andes, with the possibility of seeing packs of llamas and alpacas in their natural habitat.

Upon reaching the Vinicunca viewpoint (5,100 m.a.s.l.), our guide will provide an engaging explanation about the mountain’s topography, ecosystem, and unique coloration. Rainbow Mountain is a natural wonder formed by the oxidation of various minerals that compose its geological formations. Its slopes and peaks display stunning shades of red, purple, green, pink, and yellow, creating a breathtaking spectrum of colors. We will also enjoy views of the majestic Ausangate snow-capped mountain range, which rises up to 6,385 meters above sea level and is the fifth highest mountain in Peru. From this viewpoint, you will have time to take memorable photographs and admire the extraordinary landscape.

Afterward, we will return along the same trail to the starting point, where our transportation will be waiting to take us to enjoy a delicious Andean lunch. Following lunch, we will begin our return journey back to the city of Cusco, arriving at approximately 6:00 p.m.

HIKING LEVEL

The difficulty level of the Rainbow Mountain hike is classified from Level 1 to Level 4:

• Level 1: Easy, mostly flat terrain with minimal difficulty.
• Level 2: Combination of flat terrain and gentle slopes.
• Level 3: Less flat terrain with steeper inclines.
• Level 4: Steep and rugged terrain.

OPTIONAL: On this day, the itinerary can be changed to the Maras Salt Mines and Moray Archaeological Center tour.

On the final day of the tour, you will enjoy breakfast at the hotel. At the appropriate time, we will transfer you to the airport for your departure flight, concluding your 5-day, 4-night journey through Cusco, the Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, and the breathtaking Rainbow Mountain.