Between 06:30 and 06:50 a.m your transfer or guide will pick you up from your hotel to start the tourist transport to the Sacred Valley of the Incas. After approximately a 40-minute drive you will arrive at the archaeological center of Chinchero a town that preserves original Inca culture where local artisans display fabrics made with ancient techniques. The journey continues to Moray where you will see terraces with microclimates used for experimental cultivation acclimatization and plant hybridization. Later you will visit the Salineras de Maras which have been in use since pre-Inca times; more than 3000 natural salt ponds exist here with saline water filtered from the hill known as Qoripukiu (Source of Gold). The route then leads to Urubamba for a delicious buffet lunch. After lunch you will visit the archaeological center of Ollantaytambo a strategic military religious and agricultural center that still impresses with its stone terraces and towering constructions over four meters high. This site is believed to have served as a refuge for Inca royalty and nobility and is a place where mystery meets practicality in a heartbeat. Following this historical exploration you will proceed to the train station to board the train to the town of Aguas Calientes (6,700 ft 2040 m). Upon arrival a hotel representative will welcome you and assist with check-in while your guide provides details and preparations for the exciting Machu Picchu excursion scheduled for the following day.

After breakfast at the hotel in Aguas Calientes (6,700 ft 2040 m) a staff member will meet you at the main square to escort you to the bus boarding point that will take you to the entrance of the majestic Machu Picchu citadel. The bus ride offers another chance to appreciate the natural surroundings of this remarkable site. At Machu Picchu you will have about 2 hours to explore with a knowledgeable guide who will explain the significance and engineering prowess of the ancient constructions. The Inca civilization built a city that combined security sustainability and meticulous planning high in the mountains in a manner that is a stone’s throw away from modern marvels. After a rewarding visit you will return by bus to the town where a hearty local restaurant awaits for lunch. You will also have time to stroll around the town for shopping and later pick up your luggage from the hotel. At the designated time you must be at the train station in Aguas Calientes 30 minutes prior to departure. The train ride lasting approximately 2 hours will bring you back to Ollantaytambo where you will transfer by road back to Cusco.

You will need to wake up early between 04:30 and 05:00 a.m to fully appreciate this natural marvel. You will be picked up from your hotel and transported south of Cusco. The first leg of the journey takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes until the first stop near the district of Cusipata (10,860 ft 3310 m) where you will have an appetizing breakfast at a local restaurant. The journey continues for another hour to Fulawasipata (15,292 ft 4660 m) where details of the route are provided. At the foothills of the sacred Ausangate mountain your walk begins. During an ascent of around 2 hours you will reach the Mountain of 7 Colors or Vinicunca (17,060 ft 5200 m) where you will encounter various South American camelids like llamas alpacas and vicuñas. In the area known as the “red hill” you will have time to rest admire the astonishing landscape and capture the vivid colors of red pink turquoise and yellow while travelers often remark “off the beaten track” when they see such unique sights. At the scheduled time you will return to Fulawasipata where a vehicle awaits to drive you to a restaurant for a revitalizing lunch. You will then head back to Cusco arriving at around 16:30; many find it hard to believe how fast time passes when you are out exploring.

After breakfast at the hotel and based on your flight schedule you will be transferred to the airport 3 hours in advance for your departure flight back to Lima. Some travelers like to say “at the drop of a hat” when they are ready for the next adventure and this transfer ensures you get to the airport without stress.