Combining the Andes and the Amazon is possible thanks to this itinerary. Along this journey you will be able to discover the magnificent Sacred Valley. Walk along the Inca Trail of the Incas on your way to Machu Picchu and also to conquer the Rainbow Mountain. To then relaxing on your Amazon tour. Surrounded by nature and deep contact with the local wildlife.
First day in Cusco. Our transfer will pick you up from the airport with our private transportation to be taken to your hotel.
You will have the rest of the day free to explore the city.
Your briefing session for the Inca Trail will take place at 6 pm at our Headquarters and will be provided by your guide. We can use this time to do your check-in as well.
The Machu Picchu Sacred Valley of the Incas Tour begins at 8 a.m. sharp. You will be picked up at the hotel lobby by your guide Machu Picchu Sacred Valley awaits you. You will be taken on a road that winds around the mountains north of Cusco. On the way, we will stop at a famous point known as El Mirador (Lookout Point). From there, we will be able to see the Sacred Valley and gain some insight into Inca history. The Machu Picchu Sacred Valley was one of the main areas the Incas settled. There is an unusual abundance of fertile plains in this high area of the Andes. You will also witness vast contour terracing and irrigation channels left behind by the Incas.
Later on, we will drive towards the ruins of Pisac. Here, you will witness and learn about the Inca culture. You will see amazing works of stone art and impressive agricultural terraces. After exploring, we will drive back to the lower town of Pisac to stop at a bustling handicraft market. After you spend some time walking around the market bargain hunting, we will meet for lunch at a local Andean restaurant.
After lunch, we will drive along the Urubamba River towards the town of Ollantaytambo. Once we reach Ollantaytambo, we will visit the ruins, an important area of Incan construction, built during the Inca’s heydays. This is an extraordinary Inca site because you can find rock formations representing the Inca god, Wiracocha. On Completion of your Machu Picchu sacred valley of the Incas tour, we will return to Cusco and drop you off at your hotel.
Your short Alpaca Expeditions Inca Trail tour to Machu Picchu starts with you being picked up from your hotel to go the train station and leave on the 6:10 a.m. train from Ollantaytambo. The trail follows the Urubamba River until we reach Km 104, where we’ll begin our trek. Along the way you’ll see spectacular views of farmland, snow-capped mountains and the mighty Urubamba River. The Urubamba River is one of the sources of the massive Amazon River so it’s very impressive to see. At 104 km (2,000 m), we’ll begin our breathtaking trek. Once you’re off the train and ready to go, we’ll provide you with snacks and take a group photo. Then we’ll set off to visit our first Inca site. We’ll give you a short orientation about this historical Inca site as well as a walking tour. Then we’ll begin hiking as we head for the Classic Inca Trail. We’ll have tremendous views of Machu Picchu, the Urubamba River and other surrounding Inca Sites.
After hiking for three hours we’ll reach the most beautiful Incan site on the Inca Trail Wiñay Wayna (Forever Young) at 2,600 m/8,500 ft. Few people get the opportunity to see these elaborate water fountains, temples and agricultural terraces. These provide a perfect opportunity to learn about the history of the Incas. The backdrop of this site is a dramatic cliff drop with beautiful mountains surrounding the area.
A few minutes of walking from there and you’ll arrive at the Alpaca Expeditions campsite used by hikers who have chosen to do the Classic Inca Trail. Here you’ll be able to enjoy the hot homemade lunch that’s been freshly cooked by Alpaca Expeditions’ chefs. You’ll also get a chance to refill your water and get a little rest after you’ve eaten.
From Wiñay Wayna, we’ll walk to the Sun Gate. This is where we’ll see the picturesque landcape of the famous Machu Picchu. After taking in the once-in-a-lifetime views, we’ll begin our descent to Machu Picchu.
One of the many advantages of this trek is that by the time you reach Machu Picchu the day travelers will have left. This leaves you the whole area to explore with no interruptions. After taking photos and exploring the area, we’ll take the bus down to Aguas Calientes and head to your hotel. After that we’ll head to Indio Feliz for dinner (included). This restaurant is considered to have the best food in Aguas Calientes. After dinner we recommend going to bed early to make the most of the next day.
* This hiking route is identical to the 2 Day Inca Trail with Camping.
We’ll wake up early so that we can catch one of the first busses so that we can catch the striking sunrise at Machu Picchu. You’ll have a two hour guided walking tour by your private English speaking Alpaca Expeditions guide. After that you’ll have time to explore Machu Picchu by yourself. Those who have tickets to Huayna Picchu will have time to climb the mountain, which takes approximately an hour and a half round-trip. After exploring you can either take a bus or walk down to Aguas Calientes for a free afternoon. You’ll need to remember to catch your train, which will depart that afternoon to Ollantaytambo. Once you arrive at the station in Ollantaytambo we will be there to meet you and drive you back to Cusco.
Your guide will double check with you about the next day’s activities.
We will pick you up for the Rainbow Mountain hike at 4:00 – 4:30 am from any hotel, Airbnb, or hostel in Cusco. It will be a 2½ hour drive to the trailhead – we will arrive at around 7 am. Here at the trailhead, our chef will make a delicious breakfast, including coffee, hot chocolate, teas, bread, fruit salad, eggs, and hot drinks. Cusco’s elevation is 3300m / 11,300ft, and the trailhead called Phulawasipata is at 4200m/ 14,300ft.
Cusco’s weather is usually quite cold, and the trailhead is even colder, so early in the morning. Be sure to bring a warm jacket, scarf, hat, and gloves.
After breakfast, we’ll hike about 2 hours uphill to the Rainbow Mountain range. At a slower pace, it could be 2¾ hours, or if you are really fit quick and acclimatized well, some people can do in 1½ hours. The hike up includes some short breaks where the guide will explain some important information about the mountains and the geography of the area. Perhaps you’ll have a chance to catch sight of some of the locals, including llamas and alpacas that frequent this area.
Upon your arrival at the top of Rainbow Mountain, around 9-10:00 am, you will have about 1 hour to explore the spectacular views of the surrounding areas – valleys, mountains and to view the highest glacial mountain in Cusco – Ausangate, whose summit is at an elevation of 6,384m / 20,944ft, making it one of the tallest mountains in Peru.
After giving you a bit of time to take some treasured photos, your guide will tell you some intriguing facts about this fascinating place – like why the colors?! – and he will also share some detail about the Inkan history. A few last photos of this spectacular mountain and we will begin our descent. We do this a little differently than other groups. Instead of hiking the same route as they do, we hike to a lookout point to see the Red Valley and continue with our hike.
This valley is the icing on the cake, and many of our hikers say that it is even nicer than Rainbow Mountain! It is about 2½ hours mostly downhill from Rainbow Mountain, to the end of the trail, which is near where we started the hike. Here you will enjoy a fresh meal prepared by your chef, which includes cold drinks, appetizers, soup, and the main course.
After lunch, it will be another 2½ hour drive to Cusco, where we will drop you off at your hotel at around 5:30 – 6:00 pm.
Your guide will double check with you about the next day’s activities.
We will transfer you back to the airport for your morning flight to Puerto Maldonado. Please send us your flight information. This is not included.
Upon arrival, you will be met at the airport by your naturalist guide and transferred to a dugout canoe for the trip up the Tambopata River to the lodge. On the journey, the vegetation changes from colonized deforested areas to virgin rain forest. A box lunch is provided on board. Once you arrive, you’ll be offered a welcome drink and meet the rest of the staff. In the late afternoon, you set off for an introductory walk into the “terra firme” forest behind the lodge (trail two), dominated by giant Brazil-nut and Dipteryx trees. Frequently seen mammals on this trail are Saddle-back Tamarins, Brown Capuchins, Agoutis, Pacas, Blue-Morpho butterflies, Trogons, Toucans and many other species of birds. After dinner, there will be a night walk to find nocturnal animals or insects by the eye-shine, a specialization for increasing the light and to see better. About 50 percent of the animals in the rain forest are nocturnal.
After an early breakfast, you and your nature guide will board the motorized canoe, once again. You will partake in a short journey to the trail head to begin a morning’s exploration by foot and paddle canoe of the lake system of Condenado, which is rich in bird and aquatic life. A family of Giant Otters lives in the vicinity of the lake and is often observed. Birds to look forward to are: Rufescent Tiger-herons, Great Egrets, Wattled Jacanas, Hoatzin, and the noisy Donacobius, among many others. Remember to bring your hat and sunscreen, for there is no shade out on the water. You will return to the lodge in time for lunch. The afternoon is for exploring the forest close to the lodge (with or without your guide) or relaxing and bathing in the Gallucunca (a cool clear stream beside the lodge). After dark, you will go searching for caiman (alligators) and other nocturnal animals by motorized canoe along the Tambopata River.
After an early breakfast, you will take a short boat ride down river to the trail head. Here, you will embark on a longer trail which leads to a spectacular hidden lake, requiring the crossing of streams and swampy ground, past the giant Lupuna trees (Kings of the Jungle), which abound in this part of the forest. On the walk you are introduced to more aspects of the forest and its animals. At the lake itself, it is possible to spot the elusive Black Caiman and Giant Otters. We will return for lunch. The afternoon is free for relaxation and bathing.
Your morning activities will be based on when your flight is leaving Puerto Maldonado. Try to schedule your flight departing around noon. If time allows, you will enjoy the morning watching the wildlife that is particularly active at this time, often the sounds of howler monkeys surround you. When you are ready, you will make your way back to the airport for your next adventure.
Please send us your flight arrangements (arrange around lunchtime).
Once you arrive to Cusco, we will welcome you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel. The rest of the day will be free to explore Cusco.
End of our service.
You can arrange a pick-up to your hotel to the airport and our representative will be more than happy to do it as a final good-bye.
This option is not included
