What an exciting and full day awaits you on the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu! Here is the detailed itinerary:

1. **Pick-up and Train Ride**: Your day starts early with pick-up at your hotel at 5:30 am. You will be taken to the train station, where you will receive your packed lunch. The train leaves Ollantaytambo at 6:10 am, giving you time to enjoy the scenery and have breakfast along the way.

2. **Start of the Trek**: You will get off the train at the famous Km104, where your hike will begin at an altitude of 2000 m above sea level. You will cross the Urubamba River over a footbridge and visit your first nearby Inca site. The first part of the hike is a gentle ascent for about an hour and a half, with panoramic views of the Urubamba River.

3. **Exploration and Lunch at Wiñay Wayna**: After crossing the bridge under a beautiful waterfall, you will arrive at Wiñay Wayna (2600 m above sea level), an impressive Inca ruins. Here you will enjoy a hearty gourmet lunch in a covered shelter. After lunch, you will continue to the Sun Gate, where you will have your first view of Machu Picchu.

4. **Hike to Machu Picchu**: The final hike to Machu Picchu is about an hour, with some steep stairs carved by the Incas. Upon arrival, you will have time to take pictures from several observation points before taking the bus to Aguas Calientes.

5. **Aguas Calientes**: Once in Aguas Calientes, you will check into your hotel and enjoy a delicious dinner at a local restaurant. You will have free time to explore the town, visit the hot springs or simply relax at your hotel.

6. **Meals Included and Lodging**: Breakfast at the hotel, a picnic lunch during the trek and dinner in Aguas Calientes are included. Accommodation varies according to the selected option: Ferré Hotel Machu Picchu or El Mapi / Tierra Viva Machu Picchu (superior room).

7. **Logistics**: A travel bag will be arranged to be sent from Ollantaytambo train station directly to Aguas Calientes for your convenience.

Get ready for an unforgettable experience on the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu!

Today marks the highly anticipated moment you’ve been waiting for! Following an early morning meal at your lodging, you’ll board one of the initial buses bound for Machu Picchu, ensuring you’re there to witness the breathtaking sunrise—an experience of immense significance. A professional guide will lead you on a comprehensive tour of Machu Picchu, lasting approximately two hours, during which you’ll explore numerous key features of the citadel.

Post-tour, those who have prearranged an additional hike up Huayna Picchu will have the opportunity to relish the panoramic vistas at their leisure. Once you’ve absorbed your fill of Machu Picchu’s remarkable scenery, you’ll descend by bus to Aguas Calientes for lunch (not included). Depending on your train departure schedule, there may be time for shopping, sightseeing, or a visit to the museum or hot springs.

Departure on the Expedition train back to Ollantaytambo is scheduled for either 2:55pm or 3:20pm, tracing the stunning path along the Urubamba River. En route, the canyon narrows, revealing the river’s captivating rapids. Keep an eye out for Wiñay Wayna perched high on the canyon wall as the train approaches Aguas Calientes! Upon arrival at Ollantaytambo, your designated driver will be waiting at the train station’s exit to transport you back to your Cusco hotel in our private vehicle. Anticipate reaching your accommodation 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

***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.
• 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 or 4 and there is now way to do another circuit unless you buy an additional entrance to Machu Picchu.
• The Huayna Picchu Mountain Hike depends on availability and let us know about it at booking time.

We will pick up participants from their hotels at 4:00 a.m. to begin our exciting adventure of the Rainbow Mountain Trek. Our three-hour journey will take us through the South Valley, culminating at the trailhead at Llacto (4,638 m / 15,216 ft). Along the way, we will witness breathtaking views of Inca agricultural terraces, picturesque traditional villages, valleys and majestic Andean peaks.

Herds of alpacas and llamas near our breakfast spot will provide entertainment in the early morning hours. Upon reaching the trailhead, we will set out on our hike following a charming stream. From the start, we will be greeted by breathtaking views of Ausangate Mountain and its glaciers. We will have the opportunity to interact with the local community, who keep alive the rich traditional Quechua culture. We will learn about their traditional dress and the meaning of the various hats worn by the men, and don’t hesitate to ask your guide to teach you some Quechua phrases!

After about an hour and a half of hiking, we will reach our destination: the impressive Rainbow Mountain (5,020 m / 16,466 ft). After admiring its unique beauty, we will have time to explore the area, either taking pictures or simply enjoying the panoramic views. We will spend approximately 30 minutes at the summit, then have the option of an additional hike to the top of Red Valley, which takes about 45 minutes more before returning to the trailhead.

After this experience, we will return along the same trail we came from. The return hike will take about an hour, after which we will enjoy a lunch prepared by our expert cook.

Afterwards, we will embark on a three-hour return trip to Cusco and will drop participants off at their respective hotels around 6:00 p.m.

• Meals included: hot breakfast & lunch
• Difficulty: moderate to challenging