Cusco Millenary 8 days: Tour Machu Picchu, Rainbow Mountain and Vinicunca

Reception at the Cusco airport to transfer you to your hotel where you can acclimatize before starting our 8-day Cusco tour.
At 1:30 pm we will begin our tour from the main square of Cusco to visit:
QORICANCHA TEMPLE , built on the base of the Inca foundation where the “sun” god was worshipped, where the Inca walls are still preserved.

Then the  SACSAYHUAMAN Fortress , a place of offering to the Sun God, famous for its enormous polished and molded stones, some of which are 9m high and weigh 350 tons.  Next is the Qenqo Temple : the mystical temple of the Qenqo Incas where religious sacrifices were made,

and finally the  PUCA PUCARA Military Center ; known as the inn of the Inca soldiers; and the  TAMBOMACHAY Temple . This monument is known as “The Bath of the Ñusta” due to the existence of two aqueducts that carry crystal clear water all year round. At the end Return and free night.

At 8:30 am we will pick you up from your hotel and begin our adventure towards Chinchero. In Chinchero at 3780 meters above sea level we will visit its traditional market and be part of its culture and crafts. We will continue towards the circular platforms of Maras Moray and take a colorful tour, passing through very typical towns and beautiful landscapes that we will be able to enjoy.

Finally, we will visit the Salineras, located northwest of the town of Maras. They consist of about 2,000 small wells with an average area of ​​about 5 m², exploited since the Inca era, the Colonial era and still being exploited by the locals.
After our visit, we will return to the city of Cusco.

Between 4:00 am and 4:30 am, we will pick you up from your hotel to embark on an exciting journey south of Cusco.

We will travel approximately 2 hours by road to reach Cusipata, where you can start your day with a delicious breakfast that will prepare you for the adventure ahead.

Following breakfast, we will continue our journey for another hour and a half until we arrive at Vinicunca, famously known as Rainbow Mountain. Here, we will begin our invigorating hike.

The trek to Rainbow Mountain will take approximately 1.5 hours, leading us to the highest point at 5,000 meters (16,400 feet) above sea level. At this altitude, you will be rewarded with breathtaking views of the “Mountain of Seven Colors,” renowned for its stunningly vibrant and diverse hues.

After exploring this incredible natural wonder, we will head back to Cusipata where a comforting and satisfying lunch will await us, offering a perfect end to our adventure in the Vinicunca mountain range.

We will then make our way back to Cusco, where we expect to arrive around 5:00 pm. You will have the evening free to relax and enjoy the city at your own pace.

At 8:30 am, our transfer will pick you up from your hotel to start our exciting adventure exploring the south of Cusco.

Our first stop will be the impressive archaeological site of Tipón. This site features an extensive network of 12 meticulously crafted cultivation terraces, built with finely carved stones. The highlight of Tipón is its sophisticated irrigation system, which has been in use since ancient times and continues to support agriculture today, especially during the spring season when water flow is at its peak.

Next, we will travel to Pikillaqta, an extensive pre-Inca urban center from the Wari Empire. This site boasts over a thousand structures, including courtyards, houses, temples, and long, narrow streets lined with buildings that once rose up to four stories high. Pikillaqta offers a fascinating glimpse into the complexity and scale of Wari urban planning and architecture.

Our final visit will be to Andahuaylillas, a charming Andean village with a rich colonial heritage. The highlight here is the Andahuaylillas Temple, often referred to as the “Sistine Chapel of America” due to its stunning colonial-era decoration and mural paintings from the 17th and 18th centuries. The temple’s intricate artwork and historical significance make it a must-see.

We will return to Cusco around 3:30 pm, allowing you the evening to relax and enjoy the city at your leisure.

Between 4:00 am and 4:30 am, our transfer will pick you up from your hotel to start our journey toward the stunning landscapes south of Cusco.

At 4:00 am, we will begin our adventure with our guide, traveling along the scenic route to Abancay. After approximately an hour and a half, we will arrive at Limatambo, where we will take a scenic detour to Mollepata. In Mollepata, we will enjoy a delicious breakfast, providing us with the energy needed for the exciting day ahead.

Following breakfast, we will continue our journey by bus for another hour until we reach Soraypampa. Here, we will prepare for our hike to the picturesque Humantay Lagoon. The hike to the lagoon will take about an hour, ascending through breathtaking scenery until we reach the lagoon situated at a high altitude. Once there, we will take some time to explore the area, marveling at the stunning views of Humantay Mountain and the surrounding Vilcabamba mountain range, while our guide provides insights into the area’s natural beauty and cultural significance.

After our exploration of Humantay Lagoon, we will return to Soraypampa, where a delicious lunch will await us, offering a perfect way to refresh and rejuvenate after our hike.

We will then make our way back to Cusco, with an expected arrival time between 6:00 pm and 7:00 pm. This will allow you the evening to relax and enjoy the city at your own pace.

At 7:20 am, our transfer will pick you up from your hotel to start our exciting journey.

By 8:00 am, we will set off towards the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Our first stop will be the Corao craft center, where you’ll have approximately 10 minutes to explore and appreciate local textiles and traditional crafts.

We will then continue through the town of Pisaq to the Pisaq Archaeological Park. This site features Inca terraces sculpted into the hillside, creating a striking shape reminiscent of a partridge. After exploring the park, we will return to the town of Pisaq for a brief 10-minute visit to a local silver workshop, where you can observe the craftsmanship of traditional silver jewelry.

Next, we will follow the scenic route along the Vilcanota River to Urubamba, where a delicious buffet lunch prepared with local ingredients awaits us. We will have 40 minutes to relax and enjoy the meal.

Our adventure continues as we head to the town of Ollantaytambo. Here, we will visit the Ollantaytambo Fortress, a historic site built to defend this part of the valley and safeguard it from potential invasions by jungle inhabitants.

Train Ride to Machu Picchu

At 4:00 pm, after our visit to Ollantaytambo, we will proceed to the train station for our scenic journey to Machu Picchu. During the train ride, enjoy the breathtaking landscapes of the Vilcanota Valley and view archaeological remains that hint at the grandeur of Machu Picchu.

Upon arrival at Machu Picchu station, a transfer will be ready to take you to your hotel in Machu Picchu Town. Once settled in, our guide will meet you at the hotel to provide instructions and information about your upcoming visit to the Machu Picchu citadel.

Enjoy a free evening to explore and relax in the charming Machu Picchu Town at your own pace.

At the time indicated by our guide, we will head to the Consettur bus station to board our transportation and start the much-anticipated journey to Machu Picchu.

Upon reaching the entrance gate of the citadel, we will present our tickets and enter the site with our expert tour guide.

Our guided tour of Machu Picchu will last approximately 2.5 hours. We will explore key highlights, starting with the Guardian’s House, which provides a stunning panoramic view of Machu Picchu with Huayna Picchu in the backdrop. We will then visit the Stone Quarry, where the massive stones used for constructing the citadel were extracted. Next, we will see the Temple of the Sun, a sacred site dedicated to the Inca sun god, and the Temple of the Three Windows, known for its unique trapezoidal windows and impressive views. We will also explore the Agricultural Area, which features the terraced fields that demonstrate the advanced farming techniques of the Incas, and the Urban Area, which includes the residential and ceremonial parts of the citadel.

After our guided exploration, you will have about an hour to rest and wander around the historic sanctuary at your leisure.

We will then take the bus back to the town of Machu Picchu. Depending on the departure time of our train, we will ensure to be at the train station 30 minutes before departure. We will board the train and return to Ollantaytambo.

Upon arrival in Ollantaytambo, our transfer will be waiting to take you back to Cusco. We will conclude our tour at Plaza San Francisco in Cusco, marking the end of our adventure.

Breakfast at the hotel. If your departure time from Cusco is at night, we can schedule a service at an additional cost or take the day off to tour the imperial city and visit the Traditional Market of San Pedro where you can find local produce.

After having enjoyed all our services, this day will be our farewell at the airport in the city of Cusco or the bus terminal.