The best part of the day: Go up the mountains and delight in the colors of Mother Earth.
Today, one of the most colorful hikes in Cusco awaits us. We’ll leave at 4:00 AM with the characteristic cold of the region, so we recommend you are wrapped up well. We’ll arrive at the community of Quesiuno (4,376 m / 14,357 f) to have a delicious breakfast. In this three-hour trip full of impressive views and accompanied by herds of llamas and alpacas, we’ll understand that the mountains of the Andes originate on the border between the regions of Cusco and Puno.
Continuing on, a short uphill hike awaits us on a gradually ascending trail leading to the Puca Pass (4,870 m / 15,977 f). At this point, we’ll enjoy a traditional glacier scene and turquoise lagoons known as Pucacochas (red lagoons) and the majestic Ausangate which shares with us its radiant energy. After considering this wonder of nature, we’ll go down an hour and a half to have lunch in Anantapata (4,750 m / 11,614 f).
After a well-earned rest, we’ll continue ascending two hours to the Warmisaya Pass (4,985 m / 16,355 f) where we can grab our first glances at the mountain range of Vinicunca, which houses the treasure of the Rainbow Mountain. We will then take a steep downhill trail for 45 minutes to our campsite in Surinecocha (4,800m /15,748 f).
We will leave Cusco at 4:00 AM toward the small community of Quesiuno where we’ll have a good breakfast. We’ll start our adventure slowly, going uphill for three hours to the Puca Pass where you can enjoy the scenic wonder offered by the surroundings lagoons of Pucacocha and the majestic Ausangate. We’ll have time to rest and recuperate our strength here and to take amazing pictures. We’ll start our first descent toward Anantapata for lunch.
After filling up, we’ll continue to the highest point on the trail, the Warmisaya Pass (4,985 m / 16,355 f) and gaze upon the grand mountain range of Vinicunca which houses the treasure of the Rainbow Mountain. After that, we’ll walk downhill 45 minutes to our campsite in Surinecocha.
-
Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Meals
-
Moderate
Level of difficulty
-
Campsite
Lodging
-
11 km / 6,8 miles
Hiking distance
-
7 hours
Hiking time
-
4,376 m / 14,357 ft
Starting altitude
-
4,376 m / 14,357 ft
Minimum altitude
-
4,985 m / 16,355 ft
Maximum altitude
The best part of the day: Feel the incredible coexistence between man and nature.
Today, we’ll set foot on Rainbow Mountain, so we’ll have to wake up very early to enjoy our breakfast. We’ll start gradually uphill on a picturesque trail, a multicolored scene of pure energy. Once we’re there, we’ll receive the charming view that the sunrise over the Rainbow Mountain (5,100 m / 16,732 f) offers us at the highest point on our trek. We’ll look out over this natural wonder without the crowds since we’ll be the first to arrive. We’ll learn so many things, thanks to our guide who'll explain everything about the ancestors of the local people and the relationship between humans and the mountains. Its beauty is the result of a unique combination of geological formations that, over time and with the retreat of the glaciers, revealed all their splendor.
Afterwards, we will start downhill for an hour and a half to Llacto (4,630 m / 15,190 f). From here, we’ll board our transportation that will take us two hours away to have lunch at the Taray Viewpoint (3,150 m / 10,334 f), located at the head of the Sacred Valley of the Incas. This incredible place will give you a great opportunity to see gorgeous landscapes in the Peruvian Andes.
Continuing our journey through the Sacred Valley of the Incas, we’ll go along the right side of the Wilcamayu River (sacred river) until we get to Ollantaytambo (2,792 m / 9,160 f). Our private transportation will take us to Urco (2,900 m / 9,514 f), an archeological complex dedicated to water worship. We’ll explore the town, enjoying our last hike to the Inca granaries, called Qolqas (2,950 m / 9,678 pies), located in the mountain of Pinkylluna. There, you’ll have an impressive view of the archeological complex of Ollantaytambo. Finally, we’ll prepare for a repairing night of rest after a delicious dinner.
This morning, a gradual, two-hour ascent is awaiting us to arrive at the Rainbow Mountain. After enjoying this magical place, we’ll go down an hour and a half to Llacto where our private transportation will be waiting to take us on to our next adventure.
After a two-hour drive, we’ll be in the Sacred Valley of the Incas to have lunch and then visit a sacred place called Urco, an archeological complex dedicated to water worship. After an hour and a half, we’ll get to Ollantaytambo, see the town and hike up to the Inca Qolqas to enjoy a better view of the archeological complex. In the evening, we’ll rest in a comfortable hotel after enjoying our last dinner.
-
Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Meals
-
Moderate
Level of difficulty
-
Hotel
Lodging
-
7.5 km / 4.66 miles
Hiking distance
-
4 hours
Hiking time
-
4,800 m / 15,748 ft
Starting altitude
-
2,792 m / 9,160 ft
Minimum altitude
-
5,100 m / 16,732 ft
Maximum altitude
The best part of the day: Enjoy a Wonder of the Modern World and its rich culture.
We’ll leave early from the train station in Ollantaytambo and travel for an hour and a half. The train will take us past the Urubamba valley and, on the way, we’ll enjoy scenic landscapes. We’ll get to the town of Machu Picchu, known as Aguas Calientes, where we’ll enjoy our breakfast.
From here, we’ll take a bus up to the entrance of the citadel of Machu Picchu. When we get there, we’ll have time to use the bathrooms before going in. Inside the complex, you’ll be stunned by the immense beauty and mysticism of this setting, in which seems like time hasn’t really passed; it’s as if life itself stood still in these magical mountains.
The tour of the citadel will be personalized. Guided by an expert, you’ll visit the most iconic sites and feel as if you were walking alongside the Incas themselves. Machu Picchu is vast, so the guided tour will last approximately two to three hours—just the right amount of time to explore its most important and sacred corners. After fulfilling the dream of visiting this wonder of the world, we’ll take the bus back down to the town of Aguas Calientes, just as we did on the way up.
You’ll have lunch and a couple free hours in the town before boarding the return train to Ollantaytambo where private transportation will be waiting to take you back to Cusco.
Today you’ll visit a Wonder of the Modern World, Machu Picchu. So, we’ll go to the train station in Ollantaytambo to travel to Aguas Calientes. From there, we’ll go by bus up to the entrance of the sanctuary. You’ll visit the complex with our professional guide who’ll take you around the ancient streets and grounds of this Inca citadel.
After that, we’ll return, by bus, to Aguas Calientes, have lunch and rest for a couple hours. In the afternoon, we’ll board the train to return to Ollantaytambo and then go in private transportation back to Cusco.
-
Breakfast and lunch
Meals
-
Moderate
Level of difficulty
-
1.5 km / 0.93 miles
Hiking distance
-
2 hours
Hiking time
-
2,792 m / 9,160 ft
Minimum altitude
-
3,400 m / 11,154 ft
Maximum altitude
ES
WhatsApp
