Inca Trail and Rainbow Mountain tour 3 days

Our adventure begins early with a 5:30 am pickup from your hotel. At the train station, you’ll receive a lunchbox to add to your daypack. The train departs from Ollantaytambo at 6:10 am, offering over an hour of scenic views and breakfast (not included). You can arrange a picnic breakfast with your hotel or bring your own.

Disembark at Km104, where your trek starts at 2,000 meters (6,560 feet) above sea level. After crossing a picturesque footbridge over the Urubamba River, you’ll show your passport at the checkpoint and visit the first nearby Inca site. The initial climb is gentle, with several viewpoints overlooking the Urubamba River. You’ll pass through various microclimates, including cloud forest, so be prepared for damp conditions or rain at any time of the year. The next part of the trek is a slightly steeper climb, culminating in a beautiful waterfall!

At the base of the waterfall, take time for photos and admire the spectacular Wiñay Wayna, located at 2,600 meters (8,500 feet) above sea level. These impressive Inca ruins are partially concealed by dense jungle. Your guide will provide insights into the ruins and the unique flora and fauna of this microclimate before a short 5-minute walk to your lunch spot.

Following lunch, you’ll enjoy a mostly flat walk to the Sun Gate, where your first view of Machu Picchu awaits! The hour-long walk includes gentle inclines and declines, ending with a steep set of stairs carved into bedrock by the Inca. Reaching the Sun Gate offers a breathtaking view of Machu Picchu. Spend time savoring the moment and taking photos before descending the last 60 minutes to Machu Picchu. Along the way, you’ll pass a few more significant Inca sites, so take your time to enjoy and learn about these historical places from your guide.

Upon reaching Machu Picchu, you’ll have time for more photos from the viewing platforms above the site (Guard House), capturing iconic images of Machu Picchu. Arriving in the afternoon, as the site begins to clear of tourists, allows for beautiful photos in the softer light. Afterward, take the bus to Aguas Calientes, check into your hotel, enjoy a delicious dinner, and explore the charming town, visit the hot springs, or relax at your hotel after a thrilling day.

Meals Included: Box lunch and dinner in Aguas Calientes
Accommodation: 3* Ferre Hotel Machu Picchu
Difficulty: Moderate.
Note: An overnight bag will be left at the Ollantaytambo train station to be sent directly to Aguas Calientes.

This is the much-anticipated day! After an early breakfast at your hotel, take one of the first buses to Machu Picchu to witness the sunrise—a truly extraordinary experience. A guide will lead you on a two-hour tour of Machu Picchu, showcasing many of the citadel’s most important features.

Once you’ve soaked in the remarkable views, return to Aguas Calientes for lunch (not included). Depending on your train departure time, you might have time for shopping, sightseeing, or visiting the museum or hot springs.

The Expedition train will depart for Ollantaytambo at 2:55 pm or 3:20 pm, traveling alongside the stunning Urubamba River. As you approach Aguas Calientes, the canyon narrows, and the river reveals beautiful whitewater sections. Look up to see Wiñay Wayna high on the steep canyon wall! At Ollantaytambo, a driver will meet you at the train station to transport you back to your hotel in Cusco, with an expected arrival time of 7:00 pm.

Meals Included: Breakfast at your hotel
Accommodation: 3* Maytaq Wasin or Waman Hotel

Important:

• If you’ve booked an extra hike up Huayna Picchu, this tour does not include a guide for that portion.
• On the 2-day Inca Trail, you will be doing Circuit #3, and additional circuits require a separate Machu Picchu entrance fee.
• You may upgrade to the Vistadome Train for the same departure times (2:55 pm or 3:20 pm) for an additional $67 USD.
• Early train arrangements can be made upon request at the time of booking.
• Huayna Picchu Mountain Hike availability depends on booking time.

The day begins in the stillness of the early morning, as we collect you from your hotel in Cusco between 3:30 and 4:00 AM. Wrapped in the quiet darkness, you’ll settle into a comfortable tourist vehicle and head south through the valley, watching the first hints of dawn paint the Andes.

By 6:30 AM, we reach the charming town of Cusipata, where a hearty buffet breakfast awaits. Warm coffee, fresh bread, and traditional dishes will fuel you for the adventure ahead.

After breakfast, we continue our journey to the trailhead at Llaqto (4,600 m / 15,091 ft). Here, your expert guide will share a short briefing on the route, the altitude, and the magic of the mountain you’re about to see.

The trek begins around 7:45 AM, winding through sweeping Andean landscapes where herds of alpacas graze beneath snow-capped peaks. Small traditional villages appear in the distance, and each step brings new views of the rugged, untouched beauty of the highlands. The final stretch is steep and challenging, but the reward is unforgettable.

By 10:00 AM, you stand at the viewpoint of Vinicunca, the Rainbow Mountain. Layers of vibrant mineral colors streak across the slope, a geological masterpiece carved over millennia. Your guide will reveal the stories, legends, and cultural significance of this sacred site. With the mighty Ausangate glacier towering in the background, you’ll have time to take photos and simply absorb the breathtaking panorama.

Around 10:30 AM, we begin our descent, retracing our steps to Llaqto and seeing the landscape in a fresh light. By midday, we’re back in Cusipata, where a delicious buffet lunch of traditional Peruvian dishes is served—well-earned after your high-altitude hike.

The return drive to Cusco begins around 1:30 PM, offering a chance to rest, reflect, and enjoy the mountain views one last time. By late afternoon (4:00 PM), you’re back at your hotel, carrying the vivid colors of Vinicunca in your memory.