Cusco, Sacred Valley, Salkantay Trek, Rainbow Mt & Lake Titicaca

DAY 1: CUSCO CITY TOUR

Upon your arrival in Cusco, you will be welcomed by our representative at the airport and transferred to your hotel. There, receive a short briefing with the rest of the morning being at your leisure to rest and acclimatize. We will pick you up from your hotel in the afternoon and start your visit of the Imperial Cusco City, a living example of the mix of Andean and Spanish cultures. Continuing our journey we visit the Santo Domingo Convent built over the Koricancha, as well as the ancient Inca Palace and the main worship center of the Sun God.  Have time to enjoy these beautiful sights, then will next visit the archaeological site of Sacsayhuaman with its military Inca architecture, which dominates the city.

Finally, we go to the north east of the city to the archaeological sites of Q’enqo, Puca Pucará and Tambomachay. Afterwards, we take you back to your hotel in early evening to rest and then you can enjoy Cusco by night in one of the many terrific restaurants surrounding the Main Square of the Plaza de Armas.

• 3* Accommodations: Maytaq Wasin or Waman Hotels
• 4* Accommodations: Costa del Sol Ramada, Casa Andina Private  Collection or Novotel  Hotels

DAY 2: CUSCO- PISAC – MORAY- SALT MINES- OLLANTAYTAMBO

Today we start at 7:30am, when the guide picks you up at your Cusco hotel in our private van. Our route to the Sacred Valley of the Incas leads us to Pisac. We stop first at the Mirador of Taray to enjoy an expansive view of the Urubamba valley and its traditional farming villages. See how the agriculture in the Sacred Valley has changed little in the past five hundred years. Onward, we drive to the archeological site of Pisac, where you can see an impressive Inca cemetery with more than 2,000 tombs. There, we can admire the carefully engineered farming terraces carved into the mountain, explore the Inca tunnel and the religious area of this important citadel.   Head down to the colorful market of Pisac, then drive to Urubamba for lunch.

Our next stop is the fascinating archeological site of Moray also known as “The Greenhouse of the Incas” a deep basin of architectural wonder. Levels of terraces are carved into a huge bowl, which was carefully engineered by the Incas. The terraces have varied microclimates depending on how deep into the bowl they are placed.  Archeologists believe that they were used by the Incas to discover the optimal growing conditions for their crops and experiment in hybridization.

Continuing on our journey to the colonial town of Maras, we look down onto the pre-Inca salt “mines,” called salineras in Spanish. Thousands of salt pans have been passed down through countless generations and used for salt extraction since before Inca times. A hot spring at the top of the valley discharges a small stream of heavily salt laden water, which is diverted into salt pans and evaporated to produce salt. This is one of the few places in the world where you can find naturally pink salt!

Finally, we drive to Ollantaytambo, taking the time to explore the Inca village that has remained intact since Inca times and the massive Inca Ruins, with a tour provided by our guide. Visit the massive architecture of the Sun Temple at the top of the formidable terraces and learn about the importance of this site for the Inca during the beginning of the Spanish conquest. Here you spend the night at your hotel in Ollantaytambo, ready to start the Inca Trail the next day.

• 3* Accommodation: Andenes del Inca Hotel Ollantaytambo
• There are no 4* hotels in Ollantaytambo
• Meals included:  Breakfast at your hotel

Day 3: The Glacier: Cusco to Humantay Lake to Soraypampa Sky Domes

Turquoise water under glaciers and your first night in a glass dome.

Private Transfer to Challacancha and Walk to Soraypampa
We pick you up at 4:30 am from your hotel in Cusco. Drive 3.5 hours through Limatambo Valley to Mollepata village for breakfast with valley views. Continue to Challacancha trailhead at 3650m. Trek 3 hours on a flat Inca water channel to Soraypampa base camp at 3900m. Easy, open, perfect to find your rhythm at altitude with first views of Salkantay and Humantay glaciers.

Hike to Humantay Lake at 4200m
Hot lunch at base camp prepared by your trek chef. Afternoon climb one hour steep to Humantay Lake at 4200m. Turquoise water sits directly under Humantay Glacier with ice chunks floating on top. One hour for photos, to sit with the mountain and to acclimatize. Your guide explains Apus, the sacred mountains of the Andes.

First Night in Soraypampa Sky Domes
Duffel already waiting in your dome. Chef led dinner in our dining dome with glass walls facing the mountains. Sleep under the Milky Way in a queen size bed with electric blanket and private toilet inside.

Day 1 Stats: Trekking 10 km | Time 6 hours | Max altitude 4200m at Humantay Lake | Overnight Sky Domes at 3900m

Day 4: The Pass: Soraypampa to Salkantay Pass to Colpapampa Sky Domes

The hardest and most beautiful day.

Sunrise Ascent to Salkantay Pass at 4650m
Early wake with hot coca tea served to your dome. Breakfast in the dining dome. Climb to Salkantay Pass at 4650m standing between sacred Apus. Small Apacheta ceremony at the top to thank the mountains. You see both sides at once, glaciers behind you and green valley ahead.

Descent Into Cloud Forest to Colpapampa
Long descent 15 km into Ceja de Selva, the eyebrow of the jungle. Rock and ice become grass, then cloud forest with orchids, bromeliads and waterfalls. Trail becomes soft. Horses carry your duffel up to 7kg, you carry daypack only. Guide sets slow steady pace down the valley.

Sauna and Jacuzzi Night at Colpapampa
Arrive at our Colpapampa Sky Domes at 2850m, much warmer and greener. Rejuvenate in private sauna and jacuzzi before social dinner by the fireplace. Private toilet and hot shower in dome, your best sleep of the trek.

Day 2 Stats: Trekking 23.5 km | Time 9 to 10 hours | Max altitude 4650m at Salkantay Pass | Overnight Sky Domes at 2850m with sauna and jacuzzi

Day 5: The Lost City: Lucmabamba to Llactapata Ruins to Aguas Calientes

Coffee, Incas and your first view of Machu Picchu.

Coffee Plantations in Santa Teresa Valley
Wake up in warm forest with coffee and tropical birds. Walk through coffee and fruit plantations. Local families show you how coffee grows at 2000m and you taste fresh beans.

Original Inca Trail to Llactapata Ruins at 2800m
Short drive to Lucmabamba trailhead at 2100m. Hike original Inca trail 3 hours up through cloud forest to Llactapata ruins at 2800m. First distant view of Machu Picchu across the canyon. This is the best viewpoint on any Salkantay trek and most 4 day tours skip it. Your guide explains the connection between Llactapata and Machu Picchu.

Down to Aguas Calientes
Scenic descent 2 hours to Hidroelectrica. Walk 3 hours flat along the river to Aguas Calientes through jungle following train tracks, or optional train 35 USD if you prefer not to walk. Check into 3 star hotel and dinner on your own in town.

Day 3 Stats: Trekking 15 km | Time 6 to 7 hours | Max altitude 2800m at Llactapata | Overnight Hotel in Aguas Calientes

Day 6: The Icon: Machu Picchu to Cusco

The grand finale everyone waits for.

Early Bus and Private Guided Tour Circuit 2 Classic Photo
Early wake and 30 minute bus up to Machu Picchu for entry with Circuit 2. This gives you the classic postcard photo from Guardian House. The circuit everyone wants.

What You Will See on Circuit 2

• Guardian House Viewpoint: Iconic postcard shot of Machu Picchu with Huayna Picchu behind
• Temple of the Sun: Curved masterpiece built over a natural cave
• Main Temple and Sacred Plaza: Perfect stonework that survived 500 years of earthquakes
• Temple of the Three Windows: Aligned with the sun
• Agricultural Terraces: Endless terraces that made life possible at 2430m

Expedition Train Return to Cusco
Free time for photos. Optional Huayna Picchu 60 USD or Machu Picchu Mountain 60 USD if pre booked. Bus down to Aguas Calientes for lunch on your own. Scenic Expedition or Voyager train to Ollantaytambo and private transport to your hotel in Cusco. Arrival around 800 pm with duffel and memories.

Day 4 Stats: Guided tour 2.5 hours Circuit 2 | Max altitude 2430m | Return to Cusco evening

• 3* Accommodation: Maytaq Wasin or Waman Hotels
• 4* Accommodation: Costa del Sol Ramada, Casa Andina Private Collection or Novotel  Hotels
• Meals included: Breakfast
• Distance: 6km/3.7mi
• Difficulty: Easy

After the tour, those who have booked in advance for the extra hikes up Huayna Picchu Mountain, this tour is without a guide.

DAY 7: CUSCO – RAINBOW MOUNTAIN – PUNO

We will pick you up from your hotel at 4am and begin with our amazing Rainbow Mountain Trek Adventure.  We set out on our drive for 3 hours through the South Valley; ending up at the trailhead at Llacto (4,638m / 15,216 ft).  Along the way, there are amazing views of farming Inca terraces, traditional villages, valleys and high Andean peaks.

The herds of alpacas and llamas near your breakfast spot will entertain you in the early morning. Once we reach the trailhead, we start on our hike following a lovely stream. As you start your hike, you will have views of the Ausangate Mountain and glaciers. You can interact with the local people, who are still keeping traditional Quechua culture alive. Learn about their traditional clothes and the significance of the different hats worn by the men. Ask your guide to teach you a few words of Quechua!

After a total hike of 1.5 hours, we finally reach our destination: the Rainbow Mountain (5,020m /16,466ft). After admiring the unique beauty, you will have time to explore the area. You can take pictures or just soak up the view. We will spend approximately 30 minutes at the top. Afterwards, there is an optional hike across to the top of the Red Valley.  This walk takes about 45 minutes longer to get back to the trailhead.

At this point, we hike back down the way we came. The hike takes 1 hour, then we enjoy our lunch.

We will embark on the 2-hour drive on the way to Raqchi, lets explore this unique aamazing Inca city. Fanally we drive to Puno for 3 hours, arriving to our hotel by 6pm

• Meals included: Lunch
• Difficulty: Moderate to Challenging

DAY 8:  PUNO – UROS ISLANDS – AMANTANI ISLAND

After having breakfast in your hotel, the tour leader will pick you up to take you to the port of Puno. There, you will embark on a 30-minute boat ride until arriving at the floating islands. The locals will welcome you and show you the island and the products they weave. Then, we will have a 3-hour boat ride to get to the Amantani Island. At 2:30pm we arrive at our destination where our guide will introduce us to the local families who are going to share their homes with us. After lunch, we will hike for one hour up to the mountain called Pachataita (Mother Father). There, you will enjoy an amazing view of the sunset over the lake and a chance to relax and enjoy the fresh air. Afterwards, we will come back to your local home for dinner and then you will have the opportunity to dress in traditional clothes provided by the locals and go to the local school, where a party with them will take place.

• Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
• Accommodation: Basic Homestay

DAY 9:  AMANTANI ISLAND – TAQUILE ISLAND – PUNO

You will have an early breakfast with your local family and then take a two-hour boat ride to arrive at Taquile Island. The inhabitants still live according to their ancestral traditions and dress with gorgeous colored traditional ropes. They are also famous for the magnificent weavings that are traditionally done by the men, not the women. You will have some time to learn about ancestral farming techniques and try to use a few Inca tools. We will have lunch in a traditional restaurant and take the boat back to Puno and your hotel for the end of the tour.

• Meals included: Breakfast & Lunch
• 3* Accommodations: Casa Andina Classic Puno
• 4* Accommodations: Casa Andina Private Collection

Day 10: DEPARTURE FROM PUNO

After having breakfast at the hotel, enjoy your remaining time in Puno, then in the late morning or afternoon we will drop off at the airport in Juliaca to take your plane back to Lima or bus station in Puno. Please let us know at time of booking if you require transfer out to Juliaca.

• Meal included: Breakfast at your hotel