Itinerary
- Day 1
Lima
You'll arrive in Lima and get transferred to your hotel. This afternoon, head over to the Magic Water Circuit, which is a modern fountain system with quite the reputation. After checking that out, you'll head back to your hotel to settle in for the evening.
Included Activities
- Visit Magic Water Circuit (modern fountain system)
Landmarks/POIs Magic Water Circuit - Day 2
Cusco
Flying from Lima to Cusco this morning, then transferring to your hotel. You'll take a city tour that covers the Main Square, Qorikancha (Temple of the Sun), Convent of Santo Domingo, Sacsaywaman, Qenqo, Pukapukara, and Tambomachay before ending back at the main square. The rest of your day is free to wander around the city.
Included Activities
- City tour of Cusco including Main Square
- Visit Qorikancha (Temple of the Sun)
- Visit Convent of Santo Domingo
- Visit Sacsaywaman
- Visit Qenqo
- Visit Pukapukara
- Visit Tambomachay
Landmarks/POIs Plaza de Armas (Main Square) Qorikancha (Temple of the Sun) Convent of Santo Domingo Sacsaywaman Qenqo Pukapukara Tambomachay - Day 3
Sacred Valley
After breakfast, you're heading into the Sacred Valley. First stop is a traditional weaving workshop in Chinchero, then on to Moray's terraced circuit. Later you'll pass through the Spanish village of Maras and see the Salineras salt ponds. Lunch happens in Urubamba, and from there you'll continue to Ollantaytambo and the traditional village of Pisac before driving back to Cusco.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast in your hotel), Lunch (Lunch in Urubamba)
Included Activities
- Breakfast at hotel
- Traditional weaving workshop in Chinchero
- Guided tour to Moray
- Visit Maras village
- Visit Salineras salt ponds
- Lunch in Urubamba
- Visit Ollantaytambo
- Visit traditional village of Pisac
Landmarks/POIs Chinchero Moray Maras Salineras Ollantaytambo Pisac - Day 4
Salkantay Trek to Salkantaypampa
You'll get picked up early and have breakfast in Mollepata. Then the hike starts to Soraypampa (3900 m/12,800 ft), where muleteers and horses take your camping gear. You'll hike to Humantay Lagoon (4200 m/13,780 ft) and head back for lunch at Soraypampa. This evening you'll reach base camp at Salkantaypampa with views of Salkantay peak.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast in Mollepata), Lunch (Lunch at Soraypampa after visiting Humantay Lagoon), Dinner (Dinner at base camp with views of Salkantay peak)
Included Activities
- Breakfast in Mollepata
- Hike to Soraypampa (3900 m)
- Hike to Humantay Lagoon (4200 m)
- Afternoon tea at base camp
- Dinner at base camp
Landmarks/POIs Humantay Lagoon Salkantay Peak - Day 5
Salkantay Pass to High Jungle
Wake up to coca tea and breakfast with mountain views. The day's main event is reaching Salkantay Pass (4600 m/15,090 ft), taking about 3 hours. You'll stop for lunch at Wayrac Machaq, then walk downhill through cloud forest with big trees, bromeliads, and orchids until hitting the second campsite.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast with fantastic views of the mountains), Lunch (Lunch at Wayrac Machaq)
Included Activities
- Coca tea upon waking
- Breakfast with mountain views
- Hike to Salkantay Pass (4600 m)
- Lunch at Wayrac Machaq
- Downhill hike through cloud forest
Landmarks/POIs Salkantay Pass - Day 6
Cloud Forest to Aguas Calientes
Early breakfast before heading downhill through cloud forest for roughly 3 hours to Hidroeléctrica for lunch. After that, it's another 3 hours of walking to Aguas Calientes. On the way you'll stop by the Mandor Botanical Garden. Tonight you'll stay in a nicer hotel than the camping setup.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast at camp), Lunch (Lunch at Hidroeléctrica)
Included Activities
- Breakfast at camp
- Walk through cloud forest (approximately 3 hours)
- Lunch at Hidroeléctrica
- Visit Mandor Botanical Garden
- Walk to Aguas Calientes (approximately 3 hours)
Landmarks/POIs Mandor Botanical Garden - Day 7
Machu Picchu Approach
You'll start hiking around 6:00 am and walk for about 2 hours to reach kilometer 104. From there, you'll check out Chachabamba and Winay Wayna, then continue hiking to Inti Punku (Sun Gate) for your first look at Machu Picchu. Later, take the bus down to Aguas Calientes, have dinner, and get ready for exploring Machu Picchu tomorrow.
- Meals
- Dinner (Dinner in Aguas Calientes)
Included Activities
- Hike to kilometer 104 (approximately 2 hours)
- Visit Chachabamba
- Visit Winay Wayna
- Hike to Inti Punku (Sun Gate)
- First view of Machu Picchu panorama
Landmarks/POIs Inti Punku (Sun Gate) Machu Picchu Winay Wayna - Day 8
Machu Picchu
After breakfast, catch early buses up to Machu Picchu to watch sunrise. You'll explore the site with a private tour guide, and once you're done, take the train and bus back to Cusco.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast at hotel)
Included Activities
- Breakfast
- Early bus to Machu Picchu
- Sunrise at Machu Picchu
- Guided exploration of Machu Picchu
Optional Activities
- Huayna Picchu Mountain - additional cost $70 per person (book in advance, minimum 3 months before tour starts, climbing takes 2 hours round trip)
- Machu Picchu Montaña - additional cost $70 per person (book in advance, minimum 3 months before tour starts, climbing takes 3 hours round trip)
Landmarks/POIs Machu Picchu - Day 9
Rainbow Mountain
You'll get picked up between 4:30 am and 5:30 am to head south to Checacupe (about 2 hours by bus). Stop in Pitumarca for breakfast, then continue through hamlets to Hanchipata-Quesiuno community (roughly 1 hour 20 minutes). The hike to Vinicunca (Rainbow Mountain) takes about 2 hours. After soaking in the views, head back to Cusco.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast in Pitumarca)
Included Activities
- Breakfast in Pitumarca
- Hike to Vinicunca (Rainbow Mountain, approximately 2 hours)
Landmarks/POIs Vinicunca (Rainbow Mountain) - Day 10
Cusco to Lima
Have breakfast, then transfer from your hotel to Cusco airport to fly back to Lima and then home.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast at hotel)
Included Activities
- Breakfast at hotel
- Transfer to airport
