Cusco and Inca Trail To Machu Picchu 6 Days

The appeal of the SHORT INCA TRAIL MACHU PICCHU is the stunning cultural show of Inca ruins, Exotic Inca Side by side mountains, primitive lush vegetation and extraordinary ecological varieties. The trail goes through the National Park and enters through the Sun Gate with unforgettable views of Machu Picchu, through cloud pitted forest and finally into subtropical vegetation. Ending at the magnificent wonder of the world: Machu Picchu.

Day 1 Flight to Cusco and City Tour through the capital of the Incas

We will pick  you up at the airport of Cusco City  and take you to your hotel, you will have some free  time to have a first look around Cusco: visit the charming quarter San Blas, famous for its crafts and arts stores and gallerys, the historical center with its ancient Inca stone walls, narrow streets and colonial buildings, churches and museums.

In San Blas and the center you find a variety of local restaurants to enjoy a typical Peruvian lunch and lots of nice small cafes. At around 1:00pm we will pick you up at your hotel you will start your guided tour through Cusco, the capital of the Incas, with a local tour guide. You will first visit the impressive cathedral on the main square “Plaza de Armas” and then walk through some of Cusco’s oldest Inca streets to the “Qoricancha” temple, also called the temple of the sun. This extraordinary building is one of the most important examples for the clash between Inca and Colonial culture, as the Spanish built their Catholic monastery upon the remains of the ancient Inca temple. After visiting the temple, you will hop on a small bus that will take you the archaeological zone in the upper part of Cusco.

Here, you can find one of the most important Inca ruins of Peru: Sacsayhuaman, an extended archaeological complex with huge stone walls and a lot of mysteries. You also visit the ceremonial center of Qenqo, the small ruins of Puka Pukara and the water temple Tambomachay. You’ll return to the city center in the late afternoon / early evening.

Day 2 Visit the Sacred Valley of the Incas (B,L)

The Sacred Valley is a beautiful valley with picturesque landscapes and small charming villages located between Cusco and Machu Picchu. We will pick you up at around 8:00am in the morning and travel to the valley, our first stop being the village of Chinchero. Here, we will visit one of the most extended archaeological complex of Peru located on the top of the hill. Then we’ll stop in the city center for a visit of the colorful market where people from the valley sell their handmade textiles, pottery, paintings, jewelry and food. After a little shopping tour we continue our journey through the sacred valley  for visit moray a agricultural laboratory then the huge salt manes of maras then we continúe  to the town Urubamba where a delicious lunch buffet is waiting for you. On a full stomach we continue approx. 1 hour to Ollantaytambo, a beautiful traditional village that hosts other Inca ruins worth visiting. We will continue to Urubamba, town where we will have free time for lunch, then the trip will be to Ollantaytambo, the largest Inca site in this area, this is known as a living Inca city, as the twin was built on the remains of the Inca, it is also very easy to find local people wearing typical clothing that makes their daily lives. Then we will go to the last place Pisaq, this is another great Inca city where you will find huge agricultural terraces and buildings used for ceremonial purposes.

On the way back to Cusco (19:00 approx.), we will leave you one block from the main square because at this moment we have a lot of traffic to take you back to your hotel.

Day 3 Cusco – 104 Kms  – Wiñayhuayna – Sun Gate To Machu Picchu  (B,L)

The best way to get to Machu Picchu is the Short Inca trail, because, on the one hand, the ancient road is a beautiful way to get to the Sun Gate and Machu Picchu. On the other hand, people hiking the short Inca Trail will be able to visit Machu Picchu twice. One at the end of the day of their hike, and when they return to Machu Picchu the following day”

we will pick you up from your hotel at 4:00am and drive you to the train station.  A two hour scenic train ride to 104 kms point (elevation 2,100m/6,927ft) will take us to the place where we begin our trek. At this point we begin a moderate climb for three hours to the chiseled remnants and remote archaeological site of Wiñayhuana, (2,650m/8747 ft).

Enjoy the spectacular plunging views of the Urubamba Canyon, and the ethnic wonders of the ancient Inca sites, as you embrace them with an open mind and heart your connection with the ancient Inca Trail will begin.  After your being at one with this beautiful sight, we will continue onward towards the Sun Gate. (2,730mts/9,007ft) Following the ancient remote footpath we get our first spectacular view of Machu Picchu in all its brilliance and majesty. As we move closer to the citadel of Machu Picchu you will feel her mystical presence.  Then we will take our bus to Aguas Calientes, where we will spend the night in our hotel.

Day 4 VISIT TO MACHU PICCHU –OLLANTAYTAMBO – CUSCO (B)

Today you will get to enjoy exploring Machu Picchu and experience her magical presence by taking the first bus at 5:30AM to the Machu Picchu archeological site.  If you hurry you will get to see the sunrise over Machu Picchu. Take your time, making sure you tour every nook and cranny of this New 7 Wonder of the World and UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site. It is an unforgettable experience.

Your guide will expertly direct you through the energetic ruins and its diverse main streets. Then on your own, wander around the town squares of the world’s spiritual center of esoteric wisdom as well as climb the intricately carved stairways made of stone. Or stay still and drink in the pure majesty of her presence, and enjoy the pure delight of the moment.

You will descend to Aguas Calientes when you are ready to eat lunch and later on board the Expedition train at 4:30pm for the return trip to Cusco. stopping at the Ollantaytambo Train Station and you will be driven back to your hotel in Cusco from Ollantaytambo in our private van arriving at around 8pm.

Day 5 RAINBOW MONTAIN TREK and RED VALLEY- FULL DAY (B,L)

Rainbow Mountain Trek You will need to wake up early to enjoy this natural marvel at its best. Between 3:30am and 4am we will collect you directly from your hotel to start our ride to Qollasuyu, located to the south of Cusco city. First we will drive for around 1 and a half hours where we will then stop for 20 in the district of Cusipata (3310m.a.s.l.) There we will find a restaurant named Tonceca where we get to enjoy an appetizing breakfast. After this, we will continue our journey for another hour to Fulawasipata (4660m.a.s.l.), where we will speak about the details of our route. From there, at the foot of the sacred mountain Ausangate, we will begin our hike. We start with an approximately 2 hour ascent with our destination being Rainbow Mountain, orVinicunca (5200m.a.s.l.). Along the way we get the opportunity to observe diverse South American camelid species like alpacas, llamas and vicunas. When we reach the red hill or colina roja you will have some time to rest, enjoy the impressive landscape and and take photos of Vinicunca mountain that shows us all it’s imposing colors: red, pink, turquoise and yellow. At this point it will be time to start the descent back along our return route. We descend for an hour towards level ground and then upwards again to where we started the days hike in Fulawasipata. There our transport will be waiting to take us to restaurant Tonceca where we enjoy an energizing lunch. Finally we return back to Cusco city arriving at approximately 4:30pm to 5pm.

Day 6 FREE- Transfer Out-, (B)

Enjoy your last day in Cusco, today we will transfer you to the airport, hour to confirm with your travel advisor.