Sacred Inca Treasures Holiday

Difficulty

Moderate

Comfort

Upscale

This itinerary is incredibly thrilling, beginning in the Sacred Valley where you'll explore the vast archaeological site in Pisac, the intriguing locations at Moray and Maras, and then Ollantaytambo. On the final day, you'll trek the last segment of the Inca Trail to the breathtaking Wiñay Wayna! Rise early the following morning to catch the sunrise over Machu Picchu before returning to Cusco later that day. The hike to Rainbow Mountain will be an experience like no other, offering a stark contrast to the landscapes of the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu!

Private Service is available for $250 USD more per person.

Hiking and Trekking

Saul M. is the provider of this trip

The provider speaks: English, Spanish

Before I became the owner and founder of our travel company, I spent a couple of years working as a porter. Then, over the next four years, I transitioned into being a guide. I've had the privilege of conducting more than 200 Inca Trail treks and exploring other alternative routes throughout the Andes. I've also traveled with groups all over Peru. My passion for the Andes mountains, Incan culture, and my knowledge of local plants has always resonated with tourists, and their appreciation fuels my enthusiasm. Realizing my childhood dream of owning a tour and trekking agency has been incredibly fulfilling. I’m committed to giving back to the communities that surround me, aiming to improve their lives and living conditions by employing locals and supporting various service projects. My experiences as a porter and guide have taught me a lot about what works—and what doesn’t—in tourism and on treks.

Tour highlights

Explore the Sacred Valley

Begin your adventure in the Sacred Valley, where you’ll visit Pisac, the circular terraces of Moray and the salt mines of Maras

Hike to Rainbow Mountain

Conclude your journey with a hike to Rainbow Mountain, renowned for its vibrant, multicolored slopes

Sunrise at Machu Picchu

Enjoy an early morning ascent to Machu Picchu to witness the awe-inspiring sunrise over this iconic site

Route details

We start this day 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 towards Pisac. We stop first at the Mirador of Taray to enjoy an expansive view of the Urubamba valley and its traditional farming villages. You will 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. Admire the carefully engineered farming terraces carved into the mountain, explore the Inca tunnel and the religious area of this important citadel. Here, we will spend about 2 hours, exploring the Inca city. Then, we head down to the colorful market of Pisac, spend about 20 minutes visiting and then drive to Urubamba for lunch (Not included).

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
Meals: Dinner

We start this exciting day early; your guide will pick you up from your hotel at 5:30am. When you arrive at the train station, you will receive a lunchbox to add to your daypack. The train departs Ollantaytambo at 6:10am and you will have just over an hour on the train to enjoy the scenery and have breakfast (not included). The hotel can provide you a picnic breakfast to take with you or you can pack your own breakfast.

You get off the train at the famous Km104, where your trek begins! (2,000m/6,560 ft. above sea level). After crossing the Urubamba River on a picturesque foot bridge, you will show your passport at the checkpoint and visit your first Inca site nearby. The first hour and a half are a gentle upward climb. Along the way, you will stop at several outlooks where you have an expansive view of the Urubamba River. You also pass through several microclimates, including cloud forest, so be ready for damp or even rain at any season of the year. The next hour and a half are a slightly steeper uphill with a beautiful waterfall as your reward at the end of the hike!

When you cross the bridge below the waterfall, be sure to take some time for photos and as you do you will find yourself gazing up at the spectacular Wiñay Wayna! (2,600m/8,500ft above sea level) These amazing Inca ruins have a fascinating history and some parts are still hidden by the dense jungle. This close to Machu Picchu, you are hiking through lush sub-tropical jungle. Your guide will tell you all about the ruins, plus the incredible flora and fauna of this microclimate and answer any questions you have before the short 5-minute walk to your lunch spot.

After lunch, you have a mostly flat walk to the Sun Gate, from which you have your first view of Machu Picchu! Though the hour-long walk is a gentle rolling up and down, it does end with a set of steep stairs carved directly into the bedrock by the Inca. Once you reach the stairs you will know that you’re almost at the Sun Gate! As you turn the corner from the Sun Gate, you will enjoy your first breathtaking view of Machu Picchu. So, take some time to savor the moment and take photos. The last 60 minutes down from the Sun Gate provide many opportunities to take more photos of Machu Picchu from this unique vantage point. There are also a couple more important Inca sites between the Sun Gate and Machu Picchu, so make sure to go slowly, enjoy your time walking in the footsteps of the Inca on the Inca Trail and ask your guide questions about these historical places on your hike to Machu Picchu.

Once you reach Machu Picchu, you will have time to take more photos from the viewing platforms above the site (Guard House), where you can take the famous postcard pictures of Machu Picchu. You will arrive in the afternoon, as the archeological area starts to empty of tourists, which gives you the opportunity to take beautiful photos in the afternoon light with fewer people in your shots. Take your time to enjoy this magical experience before you take the bus down to Aguas Calientes to check into your hotel. You will have a delicious dinner, then have time to walk around this picturesque little town, visit the hot springs or just go to your hotel to rest after such an exciting day.

Meals included: Breakfast at your hotel, Box Lunch, Dinner at a restaurant in Aguas Calientes
Distance: 12 kms/7.5 miles
Time: 6hrs approximately
3* Accommodations: Ferre´ Hotel Machu Picchu
4* Accommodation: El Mapi or Tierra Viva Machu Picchu (superior room)
Difficulty: Moderate
You will leave an overnight bag at the Ollantaytambo train station to be sent by train directly to Aguas Calientes.

This is the day you’ve been waiting for! After an early breakfast at your hotel, you’ll take one of the first buses up to Machu Picchu to witness the sunrise. It is a truly extraordinary site and not something you’ll want to miss! The guide will give you a guided tour of Machu Picchu, which takes about two hours. You will see many of the most important parts of Machu Picchu Citadel.

When you have had your fill of the exceptional views of Machu Picchu, you will take the bus back down to Aguas Calientes for lunch (not included). Depending on your train departure time, you may also have time for some shopping, sightseeing or a visit to the museum or hot springs.

The Expedition train will take you back to Ollantaytambo at 2:55pm or 3:20pm, following the spectacular Urubamba River. Close to Aguas Calientes, the canyon is narrow and the river has many beautiful sections of whitewater. You can also see Wiñay Wayna from the train, if you look up high on the steep canyon wall! Back at Ollantaytambo, your driver will meet you at the exit from the train station to take you back to your hotel in Cusco in our private vehicle. You can expect to arrive at your hotel by 7:00pm.

Meals included: Breakfast at your hotel
Difficulty: Easy
3* Accommodation: Waman Qorikancha or Maytaq Wasin
4* Accommodation: Costa del Sol Ramada or Casa Andina Private Collection
After your tour, those who have booked in advance for an extra hike up to Huayna Picchu Mountain, this tour will be without a guide.

IMPORTANT:

You can upgrade to the Vistadome Train for the same times, 2:55pm or 3:20pm, 4:22pm, or 4:43pm. The cost is $67 USD per person.
Early trains can be organized by requested and it has to be done by booking time.
On the 2 day Inca Trail, we will be doing the circuit #3 and there is now way to do another circuit unless you buy an additional entrance to Machu Picchu for $55 USD per person (Circuit #2)
The Huayna Picchu Mountain Hike depends on availability and let us know about it at booking time.

Difficulty

Moderate

Does not require physical training but involves moderate physical activity

Tour provider's comments

Max Altitude: 5020 m.s.n.m.

Accommodation

Comfort

Upscale

Hotel

3 nights

$727 USD per person without hotels (All Hotels has to be booked by yourself)
$837 USD per person with 3 nights 3* hotels (2 night of 3* and 1 night of 2*)
$1022 USD per person with 3 nights 4* hotels (2 nights of 4* and 1 night of 3*)

Upgrade Hotel in Ollantaytambo: $55 USD per person to 3* (4* not available in Ollantaytambo)

Hotel single supplement: $40 USD 3* & $60 USD 3* (depends on hotel selection)

Another option

Weather during the tour

Weather conditions along the route

You will get a weather forecast for this tour’s route based on

the forecasts for this season
the statistics from previous years’ trips

Tour conditions

Included

Sacred Valley Tour;
2 Day Inca Trail;
Rainbow Hike 1 day;
entrances to the Inca cities and archeological sites;
professional guide fluent in English;
Expedition train from Ollantaytambo to KM 104 and from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo;
3 nights hotel accommodation with private room, bathroom and breakfast included if option with hotel chosen (This applies ONLY if you are choosen the price which includes hotels);
meals a indicated on the itinerary;
2 hot meals at Rainbow Mountain;
3 bus tickets from Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu -Aguas Calientes;
personal assistance.

Extras

flights;
hotel – optional upgrades;
Huayna Picchu Tickets: $75 USD per person;
upgrade to Vista Dome: $67 USD per person (Only return Aguas Calientes to Poroy at 4:43pm);
tips for your guide.

**Huayna Picchu Mountain is optional trek within Machu Picchu Citadel which do not include a guide. The climb is usually done on your own after your tour of Machu Picchu Citadel. If you would like the extra hike to be guided, please request in advance. There is an extra cost for this extra guided tour.

Group size

From 2 to 8 tourists

Duration

4 days

3 nights

It's important to know

The Trek does not include an extra porter. Please try to pack as light as possible, as it is key to enjoying this amazing trek.

WHAT TO BRING IN YOUR DAYPACK ON THE TRAIL

Original Passport (it has to be the same you have used for booking your trek)
Good daypack (the smaller, the better)
Water storage: 2-3 litre reusable bottles (please do not bring disposable bottles)
Comfortable hiking boots with ankle support
Fleece liner if cold season
Gloves
Toilet paper
Hand Sanitizer
Personal medications
First aid kit: band aids, moleskin, etc.
Sun hat
Sunscreen
Wool hat in the cold season
Rain jacket
Snacks like chocolate bars, cereal bars or dried fruit
Rain plastic poncho
Camera
Extra money for souvenirs, drinks & tips
Valuables

WHAT TO PUT IN THE DUFFEL THAT WILL BE SENT TO AGUAS CALIENTES

Change of clothes for visiting Machu Picchu the next morning
Personal toiletries
Personal medications
Battery chargers

THE BRIEFING
Your briefing will take place the night before your trek. It will be held at our office at 6 or 6:30pm, depending on your confirmation email details.

CAN I STORE MY LUGGAGE AT YOUR OFFICE?
Of course! During the Trek your main luggage can be store at our office or at your hotel, whichever is more convenient for you.

WHAT ABOUT THE BALANCE?
If you would like to avoid the high credit card fees in Peru, you may pay in cash at our office (US dollars or Peruvian soles) here in Cusco.

MAY I CHANGE THE DEPARTURE DATE AFTER THE TICKETS HAVE BEEN BOUGHT?
Unfortunately the answer is no. Once the Inca Trail Permits have been bought, the government does not allow any changes, so we can’t change any departure date after the tickets has been bought. Tickets are also not transferable nor refundable.
If you cancel your Trek, the deposit is not refundable at all!

DO I NEED MY ORIGINAL PASSPORT?
Yes for sure! You have to bring your original passport and it is very important that it is the same passport number you sent to us to book your entrance to Machu Picchu, train ticket, other entrances and reservations. The rangers will check when you enter Machu Picchu. The train company will also check your passport before allowing you to board the train.

In case you are renewing your passport or changing your name, go ahead and send us your old passport information to secure your permit, and we can change it when you get your new passport number or updated your name for a fee of $25 USD per person. We must have a copy of your old and new passport to make the change. Before you change your passport keep a copy of your old one.

If you do not wish to pay this fee you will need to bring both passports to Peru with you. You can enter Peru with your new passport but you will need to show both passports, old and new to be to enter into Machu Picchu or the train. If you do not have both you will not be allowed to enter into Machu Picchu or get on the train. They are very strict about this here!!

TIPPING
If you’re happy with the services provided, a tip – though not compulsory – is appreciated. While it may not be customary in your country, it’s of great significance for the people who will take care of you during the tour. It inspires excellent service and is an entrenched feature of the tourism industry across many our destinations. Of course you are free to tip as much as you feel appropriate, depending on your perception of the quality and the length of your tour. Remember, a tip is not compulsory and should only be given when you receive excellent service.

ARE YOU SUSTAINABLE?
Yes, we are a local sustainable & responsible tourism operator for that we incorporate the universal principles of tourism: protect the environment and benefit the local communities respecting their culture and religion. With this in mind, we have trained all our staff to know, understand and respect the local places and it´s people.