Machu Picchu Extreme Challenge 8 days

Today you will discover the incredible Sacred Valley of the Inca, also called the Vilcanota Valley after the river that flows through it. After breakfast, we will first head to the artisan centre of Awanacancha, where we can see up close the famous llamas. You will also have the opportunity to chat with the local craftsmen and learn about the techniques and appreciate the intricacy of their Peruvian textiles and artwork. This is the perfect place to buy souvenirs for your loved ones back home and contribute to local craftspeople and artisans of The Andes, as well as purchase an intricate and authentic piece of fine textile, with an original beauty that can only be found in this region. We will then head to the archaeological site of Pisaq, situated on the mountain top. This magnificent site is composed of many sections of terraces and archaeological structures, built on the hillside of the high mountain. The perfect example of stunning countryside and impressive stonework, which combine to make this spectacular site. We will then head down to the town of Pisaq and its famous handicraft market, where local people sell their variety of handmade products, using techniques dating back to ancestral times. We will then head along the Sacred Valley to the town of Urubamba, where we will stop for lunch and where we will have the opportunity to sample some of the local delicacies, of the Peruvian kitchen including salads, soups, ceviche a variety of main courses and delectable desserts. After lunch, we will visit the impressive archaeological site of Ollantaytambo, quite probably constructed to monitor the entrance into this part of the valley and protect the Incas from possible invasion. We will have the opportunity to walk through its narrow, cobbled streets and gain a better idea about how this site functioned during Inca times, as a strategic military outpost as well as a religious and cultural centre. After the visit, we will then board the train that will take us to Aguas Calientes, at the base of Machu Picchu. On arrival, the hotel representative will be waiting for us to take us to the hotel.

• Overnight: Hotel in Aguas Calientes
• Meals Included: Breakfast and lunch

In the morning, according to the scheduled time, our guide will pick you up at your hotel to go to the bus station where you will climb 400m along a winding path for 20min to reach the incredible wonder of the world “The Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu”, also known as “The Lost City of the Incas”. Upon arriving at the Machu Picchu citadel with our guide, we will pass through the entrance and begin the tour of the entire citadel. For around 2h30m we will visit the main places in Machu Picchu.

We return to the town of Aguas Calientes in the afternoon, where you will have free time to enjoy lunch in one of the many restaurants (lunch not included). After lunch, we will take the train to Ollantaytambo (depending on train departure time availability). The return will follow the same route as the departure. Upon arrival in Ollantaytambo, the train representative will be waiting to take you to the bus heading to your hotel in Cusco.

• Overnight: Hotel in Cusco
• Meals Included: Breakfast

Please make sure to be ready on time. Don’t forget to bring warm clothing for this adventure.

We will head south of Cusco and arrive at the village of Pacchanta, which will take around 3 and a half hours. Along the way, you’ll have the opportunity to see the sunrise and enjoy the beautiful scenery along the route, and we’ll make a stop for breakfast.
Around 8:30 am, we’ll begin our 3 and a half hour hike to visit the 7 lakes. You’ll have the chance to see these magical lakes and the mystique that surrounds them. Along the way, we’ll pass by Comercocha and Alqacocha, lakes of blue and turquoise located at the foot of the enigma. After visiting the 7 lakes, we’ll return to the small village of Pacchanta for a well-deserved rest and lunch. If you’d like, you can take an optional soak in the thermal waters of Pacchanta (optional), keeping in mind that this is an optional activity and if you don’t want to participate, you’ll have free time to explore the surroundings of this magical village. Then we’ll return to the Imperial City of the Incas. We’ll arrive in Cusco around 6:30 pm.

• Overnight: Hotel in Cusco
• Meals Included: Breakfast and lunch

OnThis day we will visit beautiful Inca towns with their colonial houses, on this unique and pleasant tour we will be able to appreciate the treasures that this sacred land hides. We will start the day visiting the experimental agricultural terraces of Moray. Groups of circular terraces that measure up to 150 meters deep. According to historians, these constructions constituted an important Inca agricultural laboratory. Since their platforms are built with their respective irrigation channels and each of them constitutes a microclimate. What draws most attention is the large difference in average annual temperature between the top and bottom of the depressions, a difference of up to 15°C. Next we will go to the colonial town of Maras, a town that still preserves its Andean traditions and customs. We will be able to appreciate its beautiful architecture and its houses with colonial-style stone doorways. Finally we will visit the Salineras De Maras. These mines continue to be exploited today, where farmers have worked every day since Inca times. At the end of the tour we will return to Cusco, where we will drop you off at your hotel.

• Overnight: Hotel in Cusco
• Meals Included: Breakfast

Early, at the pre-arranged time, our guide will collect you from your Cusco hotel to head out to Collasuyo, found in a Southern direction from the ancient Inca capital, Cusco. This formed part of the important “tawantinsuyo” (the 4 ancient regions of the Incas). Our first stop will be 2 hours out of Cusco, 78 km away, at the Paucarpata (Cusipata) community, where we will have a short rest to buy water, snacks, and enjoy a buffet breakfast. After which, we will continue for another hour along the highway until we arrive at our basecamp of Japura (Pitumarca). Here we will get ready for our ATV Rainbow Mountain, which is a gradual 1h30m (15km). Along the way, we will have the opportunity to see the impressive Glaciers, standing at a whopping 4925m. The distinctive varieties of South American camelids. We will arrive to Qosqopata spot where we will Walk for about 30m up to get to the Rainbow moutain.

On arrival at the magnificent Rainbow Mountain, you will have plenty of time to take photos and videos of this enigmatic, coloured mountain as well as the impressive surrounding countryside. We will then begin our descent back towards the base camp for approximately 1h 30m (15km). where our transport will be waiting to take us to the town of Paucarpata, where we will enjoy a well-deserved delicious lunch. After lunch we Will begin our journey back to Cusco City, arriving at 6pm approximately, where we will drop you off at your hotel.

• Overnight: Hotel in Cusco
• Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

We will head out bright and early and the pre-arranged time, when we collect you from your hotel to begin our adventure. We will head out of Cusco in a North westerly direction. On the way, we will pass through a number of traditional villages, until we reach Limatambo. From here, we will begin an ascent until we reach the town of Mollepata, where we will stop for breakfast and where we will also return to for lunch. After breakfast, we will continue our journey in car to the village of Soraypampa and your guide will give you information about the flora and fauna, as well as the traditional customs of the area. On arrival, to Soraypampa, we will begin our hike and the guide will explain the correct way to trek through the mountains. He will provide a small snack and walking sticks to help you along the route. The hike takes approximately 2 hours, until we arrive at the stunning Humantay Lake where we can appreciate spectacular scenery and an impressive vantage point of the Humantay and Salkantay glaciers. After a short rest, we will return along the same Trail to Soraypampa, where our car will be waiting to take us back to Mollepata and where a delicious buffet lunch awaits us. We will then continue on our return journey to Cusco City.

• Overnight: Hotel in Cusco
• Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Depending on the time of your flight, we will collect you from your hotel and take you to the Cusco airport. This marks the end of our services.

Meals Included: Breakfast
Check in: 12:00pm Check out: 09:00am

NOTE: If your arrival time is after the hotel check-out time, you can use the hotel’s common areas while you wait.