Enjoy another slow and easy day in Cusco to help your body continue to acclimate.  After breakfast at the hotel, we will set out on a walking tour of Cusco.

Cusco was the capital of the Inca Empire until the Spanish conquest in the 16th century. The blend of these two cultures is ever-present throughout the entire city.  Because of the city’s antiquity and importance, Cusco was declared World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1983.  We'll spend time together walking around this beautiful city, taking in the history and the culture.  We'll walk through the Plaza de Armas, visit the San Pedro Market, get a glimpse of the 12 Angled Stone, and several other historic sites.  Overnight in Cusco

Meals: BLD

Today, we will pack breakfast as we depart at 4 am for a 3.5-4 hour drive one way to the Palcoyo Rainbow Mountain. It’s a long day of driving, but totally worth it.   This will be your first experience going through local Peruvian villages, seeing herds of alpacas and llamas and their tenders in traditional clothes. A drive up a windy dirt road brings us to this lesser-known, and less crowded, Rainbow Mountain. 

The altitude will take your breath away, but so will the views. You will be surrounded by 360 degrees of kaleidoscope geology. Everywhere you look, there are striated rainbow mountains with bands of red, yellow, orange, brown, and deep purple. A wide red valley makes this location a spectacular place with unobstructed views of wilderness. The hike is only 3 miles roundtrip and starts at 14,000 ft with a gradual climb to 16,000 ft. is accessible by most fitness levels. It is only a 45-minute walk to the summit. For those that are feeling strong, a climb to 17,000 ft will get you to the Rock Forest on a nearby ridge.

On our way back to Cusco in the afternoon, we stop for a chef-prepared hot lunch.

As we return to Cusco, you will have time to rest, socialize and have dinner on your own.  Overnight in Cusco.

Meals: BL

After breakfast at the hotel, we will depart Cusco and head toward the town of Maras. At Maras you will see the colonial architecture with beautiful stonework and sculpture and learn about traditional textile techniques. You’ll have the opportunity to purchase some textiles here if you wish.

We then drive to Moray where you can explore the incredible and still mysterious circular agricultural terraces that are surrounded by stunning mountain scenery.

Finally, we will visit the salt mines (Salineras) where you can view the 3000 salt pools and watch the salt miners harvesting the salt of the Incas! These salt mines are said to pre-date the Incan Empire! This area is believed to have been an agricultural laboratory where priests would test soils and different types of crops.  Salineras has a cute little shop where you can buy some hand mined Andean salt to take home with you if you wish.

Later, we’ll enjoy a meal of local specialties, prepared in a pachamanca, or underground stone oven.

Overnight in Ollantayambo.

Meals: B, Very Large Lunch

After breakfast at the hotel, the adventure begins with a ride on the Machu Picchu Railroad! From the Ollantaytambo Train Station, we take the train for about 1 hour 45 minutes to the beginning of this Inca Trail Trek, at Km 104 or Chachabamba. The scenery is green and lush, now we are in tropical rainforest!

At kilometer 104 we step off the train and begin the trek on the Inca Trail. Our guide walks us over a hanging bridge that crosses over the Urubamba river to the Control Checkpoint. Here we will show our permits, tickets, and original passports. Once the tickets are stamped, we will stop to use the bathrooms, get our backpacks sorted and begin 8-mile, 7-8 hour hike on the short Inca Trail. The first part of the journey is a 4-hour (2,000 ft ascent) with many stairs to the Wiñaywayna (forever young) archaeological site ( located at 8858 ft) where we will have a box lunch.

After lunch we continue for 1-1/2 hours on mostly flat terrain, with a final scramble up the “monkey steps” to reach the Sun Gate, the entrance to Machu Picchu from the Inca Trail, and then another 1/2 hour to reach the southern agricultural zone of Machu Picchu city (where the most famous photos of the site are taken). After our arrival in Machu Picchu city, we leave the park and take the 25-minute bus ride down to Aguas Calientes Town (6,692 ft).

Evening in town, celebratory dinner.  Overnight in Aquas Calientes.
Meals: BLD

Don't be misled by the name—the Short Inca Trail is a challenging hike. The high elevation, long hours on your feet carrying a backpack, and numerous stone steps make it demanding. If you have any concerns, please contact us to discuss alternatives. There are other ways to experience Machu Picchu without the hike. The sooner we know your needs, the more options we have to work with.

After breakfast at the hotel, we will take one of the first buses directly to Machu Picchu (7,875 ft). After the short 25-minute drive, you will enjoy a fascinating tour of Machu Picchu with your guide who will unfold the mysteries of this magical site, explaining the history and flora/fauna. Your guide will spend about 2 hours relating interesting and amazing stories, explaining temples and special sectors.

Lunch in Aguas Calientes & shopping. Transfer and overnight in Ollantaytambo.

Meals: BLD

After breakfast at the hotel, we will transfer to Inca ruins just outside the city to get away from the urban life and closer to Pachamama, Mother Earth. This morning you will participate in one of the most sacred and ancient rituals of the indigenous Peruvian people. A Shaman will guide us through a ceremony to help us give thanks to Pachamama, and with it a chance to share with her your dreams and aspirations. You will learn about coca leaves and the spiritual role it plays in rituals.  

Mid-afternoon, we'll return to our hotel for your final opportunity to shop, relax, rest and pack for the journey home.  Enjoy an easy, celebratory dinner together.  Overnight in Cusco.
Meals: BLD

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel.

Schedule your flight to depart whenever is most convenient and economical for you. Participants will arrange a taxi from the hotel to the airport with the hotel front desk. This is not included and is approximate $25 per car.

If you have late flights, you can store your luggage at the hotel and explore until it is time to leave.

Meals: B