Machu Picchu + Rainbow Mountain + Titicaca Lake 07 days

When you arrive at the Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport in Cusco, a member of our team will be waiting for you with a sign displaying your name. They will escort you to the car that will take you to the hotel of your choice, so you can rest after your journey.

This first day is crucial because Cusco is over 3,000 meters above sea level, and your body needs time to adjust to the altitude. Therefore, you’ll have the afternoon free to relax, explore the city, or try some of the delicious local dishes.

For those who want to start discovering Cusco we recommend taking a few simple walks through the emblematic places of the historical center of the city, this on your own, visiting the Plaza de Armas and San Pedro market.

After a delicious breakfast at the hotel, we’ll begin our incredible tour of the Sacred Valley of the Incas, one of the most important and fascinating regions of the ancient Inca Empire.

Chinchero: Textile Art and Andean Culture

Our first stop will be in Chinchero, an Andean village famous for its textile tradition. Here, we will visit a craft workshop where a group of local women will give us a live demonstration of how they work with sheep and alpaca wool. They will explain the spinning process, natural dyeing with herbs and plant extracts, and the weaving of beautiful textiles using ancestral techniques. Additionally, we will have the opportunity to explore the craft market, where handmade garments are sold, perfect as souvenirs from this trip.

Moray: Inca Agricultural Laboratory

We’ll continue towards Moray, an impressive Inca archaeological site known as the great agricultural laboratory. Here, we’ll see its enormous circular terraces, which the Incas used to experiment with crops in different microclimates. We will learn how this advanced technique allowed them to improve their harvests and adapt them to different altitudes.

Salineras de Maras: Salt Ponds

Our next stop will be at the Salineras de Maras, a magical place where we will find over 3,000 salt ponds built into the mountains. This salt extraction system has been in use since pre-Inca times and is still operational today. Here, we will learn about the collection process, and if you’d like, you can purchase pure Maras salt, known for its mineral properties.

At midday, we will take a break in Urubamba to enjoy a buffet lunch with a wide variety of typical regional dishes.

Ollantaytambo: Inca Fortress and City

In the afternoon, we will visit Ollantaytambo, an ancient Inca town that still preserves its original structure. We will explore its impressive fortress, which served as a military and religious center during Inca times. Its enormous stone terraces and sacred temples will give us insight into the architecture and defensive strategies of the Inca Empire.

Train to Aguas Calientes

At the end of the day, we will head to the train station in Ollantaytambo, where we will board the train to Aguas Calientes, the town closest to Machu Picchu. This train ride will be an unforgettable experience as we pass through spectacular landscapes of mountains and jungle, preparing for the great adventure that awaits us the following day.

Our day begins early with a delicious breakfast at the hotel, as we have one of the most exciting experiences of the trip ahead. Then, we will head to the bus station in Aguas Calientes, where we will board the transport that will take us on a journey of approximately 30 minutes to the entrance of the impressive archaeological site of Machu Picchu.

Upon arrival, we will pass through the entrance control along with our guide. It is very important to present the original passport, as it is a mandatory requirement to validate entry to both Machu Picchu and Huayna Picchu mountain (access with an additional cost of $65 USD per person; it is recommended to book at least 6 months in advance due to high demand).

The entry time and assigned circuit will depend on the date of the reservation. The earlier the reservation is confirmed, the better the available times will be, and the more flexibility there will be to choose between different circuits. To learn more details about the schedules and circuits of Machu Picchu, you can click on the following link: (Schedules and circuits of Machu Picchu).

Once inside the archaeological site, we will begin a guided tour of approximately 2 hours, during which we will explore this wonder of the world and learn about its importance in Inca culture. Our guide will take us through the most iconic sectors, explaining how this sacred city continues to amaze tourists and experts in architecture and engineering with the perfection of its structures and its stunning location in the middle of the Peruvian Andes.

Free Time and Return to Cusco

After the guided tour, you will have free time to take photos, explore the site at your own pace, or simply sit and contemplate the majesty of Machu Picchu.

Then, we will take the bus back to Aguas Calientes and, later, board the train back to the city of Cusco, thus ending this unforgettable day.

After enjoying an early breakfast at the hotel, we will board our private transport heading to the starting point of the hike, a journey that will take approximately 2 hours by vehicle.

Once at the starting point, we will begin the hike toward the viewpoint of the Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca). The ascent may take around 2 hours, although the time may vary depending on each person’s physical condition and acclimatization process. Due to the altitude and the challenging nature of the path, we will proceed at a moderate and safe pace, ensuring that everyone enjoys the spectacular Andean landscape along the way.

Upon reaching the summit, located at 5,200 meters above sea level, we will have about 30 minutes to take photos, admire the panoramic view, and receive explanations from the guide about the geology, history, and culture of this remarkable place.

Then, for the safety of the group, we will begin the descent back to the starting point, where our transport will be waiting. On the return journey, we will make a stop at a local restaurant to enjoy a traditional lunch and replenish our energy before returning to the city of Cusco.

VERY IMPORTANT:

For this hike, our guides will carry a supplementary oxygen tank due to the extreme altitude of Rainbow Mountain (5,200 m.s.n.m.). Although, after visiting the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu, the body should be more acclimatized to the altitude, it is

After enjoying an early breakfast at the hotel in Cusco, we will head to the tourist bus station to begin our journey to the city of Puno. The bus departs promptly at 7:00 a.m., and the trip will take approximately 10 hours, as we will make several strategic stops at points of interest along the route.

Places We Will Visit on the Route of the Sun

During the trip, we will visit the following iconic places:

• Andahuaylillas Temple: Known as the “Sistine Chapel of South America”, this colonial church is famous for its stunning frescoes and exquisite interior decoration.
• Wiracocha Palace in Raqchi: An important Inca archaeological site that houses the temple of the god Wiracocha, considered one of the largest constructions of the Inca Empire.
• Lunch in Sicuani: We will enjoy a buffet at a local restaurant, where we can taste a variety of typical regional dishes.
• La Raya (4,335 m.a.s.l.): This is the highest point of the journey, an impressive mountain pass where we can stop to admire the snow-capped Andean landscapes and capture spectacular photos.
• Pucará and its Lithic Museum: Our last stop will be in Pucará, a town famous for its pre-Inca ceramics. Here, we will visit the lithic museum, where we will learn about the ancient cultures that inhabited this area before the Inca arrival.

Throughout the journey, we will have a bilingual guide (Spanish-English), who will provide us with detailed information about each site visited. Additionally, the bus is equipped with unlimited hot drinks, which will help with the acclimatization process since Puno is at a higher altitude than Cusco.

Upon arriving in the city of Puno, a representative from our company will be waiting to take us to the dock of Lago Titicaca. From there, in a short 20-minute boat ride, we will reach our lodge, located in the middle of the famous Uros Floating Islands.

After enjoying a breakfast at our lodge, we will begin our excursion on Lago Titicaca, visiting two of its most representative islands: Uros and Taquile.

Uros Floating Islands

Our first stop will be at these impressive artificial islands built with totora, an aquatic plant that grows in the lake. Here, we will learn about the lifestyle of the local communities, gaining insight into their economy, organization, and ancient customs, many of which predate even the Inca period.

Taquile Island

Next, we will continue our boat ride to Taquile, an island famous for its textile culture, recognized as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO. Here, we will have the chance to explore the island, enjoy a traditional lunch prepared by the local people, and admire the unique landscapes with panoramic views of the lake.

In the afternoon, we will return by boat to the city of Puno, where we will stay at our hotel.

After enjoying a buffet breakfast, we will prepare for the transfer to the Inca Manco Cápac International Airport in Juliaca, a journey that will take approximately 1 hour. There is also the option to transfer to the bus terminal in the city of Puno, depending on your travel itinerary.

IMPORTANT:

This itinerary is flexible and can be adjusted to your preferences and time availability. Although you will have spent several days at high altitude, it is advisable to continue taking precautions for your physical well-being, especially in destinations like Cusco and Puno.