Discover Cusco, the Sacred Valley, the 4-Day Classic Inca Trail, and Rainbow Mountain on an immersive 7-day high-altitude journey.
This comprehensive itinerary combines essential acclimatization with Peru’s most iconic trekking and cultural sites. You start in Cusco and the Sacred Valley exploring Pisac, Maras, Moray, and Ollantaytambo before embarking on the classic 4-day Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. The expedition concludes with a day trip to the vivid mineral slopes of Rainbow Mountain before your return home.
Combining high-altitude acclimatization, world-famous trek routes, and authentic cultural encounters, this 7-day complete itinerary connects every major highlight in the Cusco region without rushed travel days.
Upon arrival at Alejandro Velasco Astete Airport (CUZ) in Cusco, our Apple Travel Peru representative will greet you and transfer you to your hotel. Receive a brief orientation before spending the morning resting to adapt to the high elevation (3,400 m / 11,150 ft). In the afternoon, take a gentle walk through Cusco’s historic stone streets to absorb the vibrant mountain culture, explore local landmarks, or pick up any last-minute trekking supplies at your own relaxed pace.
Depart Cusco at 7:30 AM by private transport, descending into the fertile Urubamba Valley with a brief photo stop at the Taray Viewpoint for panoramic vistas of the Andean landscape.
Perched high on a ridge above the valley floor, Pisac features vast agricultural terraces clinging to steep mountain slopes, ceremonial temples, ancient storehouses, and ceremonial Incan burial sites. After exploring the upper ruins, head down to Pisac town to wander its colorful artisan market, packed with handwoven textiles, silver jewelry, and traditional Andean pottery.
Drive to Moray to admire an extraordinary feat of ancient engineering consisting of massive, concentric circular stone terraces that sink deep into the earth like a natural amphitheater. The Incas used this complex as an agricultural research station; the varied terrace depths and orientation to the sun create distinct microclimates, with temperatures differing by up to 15°C (27°F) between the top and bottom levels to hybridize crops.
Visit the breathtaking salt pans of Maras, where over 3,000 terraced, shallow pools cascade down a canyon hillside. Fed by a subterranean hyper-saline hot spring, water flows into the pans and slowly evaporates under the Andean sun, leaving behind mineral-rich pink salt. Local Quechua families have continuously harvested salt here using traditional hand-evaporation techniques since pre-Inca times.
Conclude your tour in Ollantaytambo, a massive stone fortress and ceremonial center built into steep mountain terraces where the Incas famously repelled Spanish forces. Walk through the ancient stone stairways, Sun Temple, and water channels. The adjacent village is known as the last “living Incan town,” as its stone buildings and narrow cobblestone alleys retain their original Incan urban planning. Spend the night here at lower elevation to optimize your trail acclimatization.
At 6:00 AM, transfer from your hotel to Piskacucho (Kilometer 82), the official starting checkpoint of the Inca Trail. Present your original passport to park rangers and begin your 12 km hike along the Vilcanota River. Pass the archaeological sites of Huillca Raccay and Patallacta while taking in views of snow-capped Veronica Mountain (5,860 m). Ascend gradually through the Wayllabamba Valley to your first campsite at Ayapata.
Wake early for the most challenging day of the trek. Begin a steady ascent through native Polylepis forests to Abra de Warmiwañusca (Dead Woman’s Pass), the highest point of the trail at 4,215 m (13,829 ft). After celebrating at the summit, descend to the Paqaymayu Valley for lunch. In the afternoon, climb over the second pass at Runkuraqay (3,950 m), visiting the circular Runkuraqay ruins before descending to your campsite at Chaquicocha.
Hike through lush cloud forest along stone Inca staircases and tunnels. Visit Phuyupatamarca (“Town in the Clouds”) at 3,680 m for breathtaking views of the Urubamba mountain range. Descend approximately 3,000 stone steps to the agricultural terraces of Intipata, reaching your final campsite at Wiñay Wayna (2,680 m) by lunchtime. Spend the afternoon exploring the extraordinary Wiñay Wayna archaeological site located just minutes from camp.
Wake at 3:30 AM to clear the final trail checkpoint when gates open at 5:30 AM. Hike approximately 1 hour along a gently ascending cloud forest path to Inti Punku (The Sun Gate) for your first breathtaking panoramic view of the Machu Picchu citadel bathed in morning light.
Descend to the citadel to enter your official guided tour (Circuits 1 or 3), where your expert guide will explain the history, astronomical significance, and architecture of this World Heritage Site. Key landmarks you will visit and photograph include:
After your guided tour, take the shuttle bus down to Aguas Calientes for lunch at your leisure. In the afternoon, board the Expedition train back to Ollantaytambo, followed by private vehicle transfer back to your hotel in Cusco.
Depart Cusco at 4:00 AM by private transport through Peru’s South Valley, winding past rural Quechua communities to the trailhead at Llacto (4,638 m). Enjoy a warm breakfast outdoors before embarking on a gentle 1.5-hour hike alongside alpine glacial streams and herds of grazing llamas and alpacas.
Reaching the ridge summit at 5,020 meters (16,466 ft), you will stand face-to-face with Vinicunca, one of Peru’s most spectacular natural wonders. Hidden beneath thick ice and snow for centuries, recent glacial melting revealed vivid, horizontal mineral strata that look like a natural painting across the mountain ridge:
From the viewpoint, take in sweeping 360-degree views of the Vilcanota Mountain Range and the towering, sacred Ausangate Glacier (6,384 m), revered in Andean cosmology as the guardian spirit (Apu) of Southern Peru. Option to extend your walk into the dramatic, deep-crimson landscapes of the adjacent Red Valley.
After soaking in the summit views, descend to the trailhead for a hearty hot buffet lunch before returning to Cusco by 5:00 PM for your hotel drop-off or evening airport transfer.
| Package Tier | Price per Person (USD) | Details & Inclusions |
| Trek Only (No Hotels in Cusco) | $877 USD | Includes full 4-Day Inca Trail, Sacred Valley, Rainbow Mountain & transfers |
| Standard 3-Star Hotel Package | $999 USD | Includes 3 nights in 3-Star Boutique Hotels + full 7-day tour services |
| Upgraded 4-Star Hotel Package | $1,277 USD | Includes 3 nights in 4-Star Hotels (e.g., Costa del Sol / Novotel) + full services |
The Huayna Picchu hike is an optional, self-guided climb within the Machu Picchu Citadel, typically done after your main guided citadel tour. If you prefer to have a guide accompany you on the Huayna Picchu trail, please request this in advance (an additional guide fee applies).
As a direct local tour operator, Apple Travel Peru provides each trekker with a duffel bag and includes personal porter weight allowance of up to 7 kg / 15 lbs.
Important Weight Note: Peruvian law strictly enforces a 7 kg (15 lbs) weight limit per duffel bag to protect porter health. All duffels are weighed at the trail start. We recommend allocating 2 kg for your sleeping bag and 1 kg for your sleeping pad, leaving approximately 4 kg for your personal clothing and gear. Large plastic liners are provided at our office to keep your duffel items completely dry.
Your daypack (30L–40L) stays with you during the day while your main duffel bag travels ahead to camp with the porters.
The pre-trek briefing takes place at 6:00 PM the night before your tour at our Cusco office, located at Calle Garcilaso 201, Office 201 (in Cusco’s historic center). During this meeting, you will meet your lead guide, receive your 7 kg porter duffel bag, and review final details for your trek.
Yes, you can store your main travel luggage free of charge at our Cusco office or directly at your hotel during the 4-day Inca Trail. You will only carry your daily essentials in a small daypack while our porters transport your remaining gear in your provided duffel bag.
Yes, you must carry your physical, original passport throughout the entire trip. Park rangers strictly inspect passports at the Kilometer 82 Inca Trail checkpoint, the entrance to Machu Picchu, and train boarding stations. The passport number must match the document used when booking your permit. If you renew your passport before traveling, notify us immediately to update your official permit details.
We recommend booking 4 to 7 months in advance. The Peruvian government strictly limits Classic Inca Trail permits to 500 per day (including trekkers, guides, and porters), and permits sell out quickly worldwide.
Apple Travel Peru guarantees ultra-small groups capped at a maximum of 8 participants (typically averaging 2 to 6 trekkers per group). This ensures personalized guide attention, trail safety, and an intimate experience.
Each group travels with 1 professional expedition chef and a dedicated porter team scaled to group size:
By Peruvian law, each trekker’s porter duffel bag is strictly limited to 7 kg (15 lbs) to protect porter health. Duffels are weighed at the starting checkpoint. Out of your 7 kg allowance:
Any weight exceeding 7 kg must be carried in your personal daypack.
Bring a 30L to 40L daypack. Oversized backpacks are strictly prohibited inside the Machu Picchu citadel. Your daypack stays with you during the day and should contain your water, rain gear, sun protection, camera, headlamp, and warm layers.
The Classic Inca Trail is considered moderately challenging to strenuous. It covers 42 km (26 miles) over steep stone steps and reaches a maximum elevation of 4,215 meters (13,829 feet) at Dead Woman’s Pass. We recommend 2–3 months of regular cardiovascular exercise beforehand and spending at least 2–3 full days in Cusco (3,400 m) prior to the trek for proper acclimatization.
Our expert guides are certified in Wilderness First Response (WFR) and carry medical-grade emergency oxygen tanks and pulse oximeters on every hike. To minimize altitude sickness (soroche), we build two full acclimatization days into the itinerary (Cusco and the lower-elevation Sacred Valley) before you start hiking. We also recommend staying hydrated, drinking coca tea, and consulting your doctor regarding preventative medication like Acetazolamide (Diamox).
If you cannot complete the trek, our team will safely escort you to the nearest road access point (typically returning to Ollantaytambo). Once recovered, you can travel by train to Aguas Calientes at your own expense to rejoin your group for the Machu Picchu tour on Day 6. Refunds are not provided for unused trek portions, and travel insurance covering high-altitude trekking is mandatory.
While public government restrooms along the trail are basic, Apple Travel Peru sets up private, sanitary chemical toilet tents equipped with seats at every campsite exclusively for our group’s use. Warm washing water is also provided at camp every morning and evening.
A non-refundable deposit of $316 USD per person is required at booking to secure your official, non-transferable government Inca Trail trekking permits and Machu Picchu entry tickets.
No. Under Peruvian Ministry of Culture regulations, Inca Trail permits are strictly non-changeable, non-transferable, and non-refundable. Once a permit is issued under your name and passport number, the date cannot be modified.
Your remaining balance can be paid upon arrival in Cusco at our main office in cash (USD or Peruvian Soles) without extra fees. If you prefer to pay online via Visa or PayPal prior to arrival, a 5.5% merchant transaction fee applies.
Yes! Round-trip hotel transfers are fully included. Whether your hotel is located in Cusco’s historic center or in the Sacred Valley (Ollantaytambo or Urubamba), our private driver will drop you off directly at your hotel door at the conclusion of the tour.
You can upgrade your return train segment from Aguas Calientes to the Vistadome Panoramic Train for $67 USD per person. The Vistadome features floor-to-ceiling panoramic windows, leather seats, complimentary snacks, and an onboard Andean cultural dance show.
Tipping is entirely voluntary but deeply appreciated in Peruvian mountain tourism. If you are satisfied with the service provided by your field crew, guidelines for group tipping will be explained during your pre-trek briefing.
Yes. Apple Travel Peru is a 100% Cusqueñian, family-owned local operator. We stri
YOUR ADVENTURE. OUR EXPERTISE.
Guest Reviews
Real experiences from travelers who slept under the Andean sky
I never thought I could sleep in a luxury bed while staring at the Milky Way through a transparent dome. The Salkantay glacier right in front of you at sunrise — absolutely unreal. Worth every penny.
SkyDomeCamps - Sky DomeWe did the full Salkantay Trek and stayed at the dome on night two. After a hard day of hiking, coming back to a real bed, hot shower and that view of the mountain? Nothing compares to that.
SkyDomeCamps - Salkantay TrekI have camped across Patagonia and Nepal but nothing matched this. The dome is warm, beautifully designed and the silence at 4,600m is something else entirely. I woke up at 3am just to stare at the stars.
SkyDomeCamps - Sky Dome
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