Andean Treasures(Private - 9D/8N)

WELCOME TO THE AMAZING INCA CITY! (PRIVATE – 7D/6N)

Day 1 – Arrival and Exploration of Cusco!

• Upon your arrival at Cusco International Airport, a friendly driver will be waiting to welcome you and transfer you directly to your hotel. After check-in, take some time to relax, enjoy lunch at your own pace, or begin exploring the city on your own.

  

• At 2:00 PM, your afternoon walking tour begins with a visit to the lively San Pedro Market—an authentic glimpse into daily life in Cusco, filled with vibrant colors, local flavors, and cultural traditions. From there, continue to the historic Plaza de Armas, the heart of the city, surrounded by colonial architecture and beautifully kept gardens.

  

• The tour concludes with a visit to Qorikancha, once the most sacred temple of the Inca Empire, later transformed into the Convent of Santo Domingo. Its golden history and striking architecture remain a testament to the grandeur of the Inca civilization. You’ll return to your hotel around 5:30 PM.

  

Note:  Vehicles are not included, as the entire tour is conducted on foot—each attraction is within walking distance in Cusco’s historic center. For this reason, we highly recommend staying at a centrally located hotel.

Meals Included: None
Transportation is not included, as the tour is entirely on foot—each site is within walking distance.
Overnight stay in Cusco at a hotel of your choice.

Suggested flight time: Lima (09:30 am) – Cusco (10:50 am)

Day 2 – Pisac & Ollantaytambo With conection to Aguas Calientes!

• Hotel Pickup at 9:00 AM
  Your Sacred Valley adventure begins with a morning pickup from your hotel. The day’s journey covers key sites across the valley, beginning with Pisac, located 31 km from Cusco. Perched high on a mountain, Pisac’s archaeological complex offers sweeping views and a stunning display of Incan stonework—an enduring testament to their engineering and artistry.

  

• From there, continue through the valley to Ollantaytambo, a remarkable Incan town that still retains its original layout. Once a military, religious, and agricultural center, Ollantaytambo features narrow stone streets, flowing water channels, and grand terraces rising up the mountainside. Its fortress-like structure played a strategic role during the Incan resistance against the Spanish.

  

• Enjoy lunch at a charming local restaurant, then take some time to explore the area at your leisure. In the evening, board your train to Aguas Calientes, departing at 7:04 PM. You’ll arrive around 8:45 PM and settle in for the night in this gateway town to Machu Picchu.

Meals Included: Lunch
Overnight at Hotel in Aguas Calientes by your own.
EXPEDITION Train Schedule – Ollantaytambo (19:04 pm) – Aguas Calientes (20:45 pm).

Day 3 – Visit the Sanctuary of Machu Picchu

• 8:00 AM – Hotel Pickup
  Your exciting day at Machu Picchu begins with a hotel pickup. You’ll board a bus that takes you to the awe-inspiring Machu Picchu archaeological site, located at 2,430 meters (7,972 feet). This mountaintop fortress, designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983 and named one of the New Seven Wonders of the World in 2007, promises an unforgettable experience.

• Around 9:00 AM – Guided Tour
  Your expert guide will lead you on a 2.5-hour exploration of this ancient Inca city, uncovering its fascinating history and hidden secrets. Wander through the town squares, admire the intricate stonework, and ascend the beautifully carved stairways that link the terraced levels. Revered as the spiritual center of the Inca Empire, Machu Picchu offers a deep connection to the mystical energy of the civilization.

• After the Tour – Free Time
  Once you’ve absorbed the extraordinary beauty and historical significance of the site, enjoy some free time to relax. From 12:00 to 1:00 PM, take the bus back down to Aguas Calientes, where you can unwind and reflect on your visit.

• 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM – Lunch
  Savor a delicious lunch at a local restaurant, reflecting on the day’s adventure. Afterward, enjoy some free time to explore Aguas Calientes at your own pace before your train departure.

• 4:43 PM – Train from Aguas Calientes to Cusco
  Your train departs from Aguas Calientes station, a short distance from Machu Picchu. The journey takes approximately 1.5 hours, offering stunning views of the Andean landscape as you travel in comfort with spacious seats and excellent service.

• Arrival in Cusco
  You will arrive at the Poroy train station near Cusco around 8:23 PM. From there, a professional driver will transfer you to your hotel, a short 20-30 minute drive. Please note that arrival times may vary slightly depending on traffic and weather conditions.

Meals Included: Lunch
Overnight at Hotel in Cusco by your own.
Train Schedule – Aguas Calientes (4:43pm) – Cusco (8:23 pm).

Day 4 – Maras & Moray Terraces of Salt

• 8:30 AM – Hotel Pickup: Your adventure begins with a pick-up from your hotel at 8:30 AM. We will then head towards the Sacred Valley, starting with a visit to the Moray archaeological site. Here, you’ll find vast circular and semicircular agricultural terraces built into natural depressions on a limestone plateau, offering spectacular views of the Urubamba Valley. The Incas used these terraces as an agricultural experiment to study plant growth, and it is believed that over 3,000 varieties of plants, including potatoes and corn, were cultivated here.

• Next, we will visit the legendary Salineras Salt Mines, where you’ll witness more than 4,000 salt ponds. These salt mines have been in continuous operation since the time of the Inca Empire and were historically a major source of economic exchange for the region.

• Return to Hotel: After exploring these fascinating sites, you will be transferred back to your hotel around 2:30 PM.

Meals Included: None
Overnight at Hotel in Cusco

Day 5 – Visit Rainbow Mountain (PRIVATE SERVICE)

• 06:00 AM – Hotel Pickup
  We’ll pick you up from your hotel at 6:00 AM for a scenic 3-hour drive to the trailhead. Along the way, we’ll stop in Cusipata before continuing toward Phullawasipata (4,626m/15,177ft), passing herds of alpacas and llamas with fantastic photo opportunities, and glimpsing the majestic Ausangate Mountain.

• Hike to Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca) (5,030m/16,498ft)
  The hike to Rainbow Mountain takes about 1.5 hours. As we approach the vibrant red hill, you’ll be greeted with stunning views of the multi-colored rock formations—turquoise, orange, brown, and red—that give the mountain its name. At the summit, you’ll have time to rest, take in the panoramic views, and enjoy a light meal during a 30-45 minute break.

• Descent and Return
  After soaking in the beauty of the site, we’ll begin our descent. Once back at the trailhead, we’ll enjoy lunch before starting the 3-hour drive back to Cusco.

• Arrival in Cusco
  You’ll be dropped off at your hotel around 5:00 PM.

Hiking Information:
Walking distance: 6 km (3.73 miles)
Estimated hiking time: 2 to 3 hours

Meals Included: Lunch
Overnight at Hotel in Cusco by your own.

Day 6 – Goodbye Cusco and Hello Arequipa! Let’s Visit City and Santa Catalina Monastery!

• Our professional driver will transfer you from your hotel to Cusco Airport for your flight to Arequipa, advising you to arrive two hours prior to departure. Upon arrival at Arequipa’s airport, another driver and our staff will be waiting to take you to your hotel. You’ll have free time to enjoy lunch and explore the city before your afternoon tour begins.
• At 2:00 pm, the tour starts with a visit to the Mirador de Carmen Alto, offering stunning views of the valley, Pre-Inca terraces, and the three volcanoes surrounding Arequipa. We continue to the Plaza de Yanahuara to admire its colonial church and scenic viewpoint of the city and volcanoes.
• Next, we explore the Plaza de Armas and its historic cathedral, then proceed to the Church of the Company of Jesus, known for its ornate gold-covered altarpieces. We visit the Cloisters of the Society of Jesus, which remains well-preserved from colonial times.
• The tour concludes at the Monastery of Santa Catalina, a 16th-century colonial gem, with vibrant streets, colorful flowers, and painted walls, offering a glimpse into the past through its charming alleys and cloisters.

Meals included: None
Overnight at Hotel in Arequipa by your own
Suggested flight time: Cusco (07:55 am) – Arequipa (09:05 am)

Day 7 –  Discover the Magic of Colca Valley!

• 02:45 a.m. (approx.): We’ll pick you up from your hotel and begin our scenic journey to Colca. The drive takes about 3.5 hours to reach the charming town of Chivay.
• 06:30 a.m.: Enjoy a traditional breakfast in Chivay to fuel up for the day.
• 07:00 a.m.: We’ll continue to the Cruz del Cóndor, where you can marvel at the stunning Colca Canyon and witness the majestic flight of the condors.
• 09:00 a.m.: On our return to Chivay, we’ll make several stops, including:
  Pinchollo: Visit the Wayrapunko Viewpoint for breathtaking views of the valley.
  Antahuilque: Admire ancient pre-Inca terraces and the mysterious lagoons of the valley.
  Maca: Explore the colonial church and taste the local Colca Sour.
  Yanque: Visit the picturesque town and its beautiful church.
• 11:30 a.m.: Optionally relax in the thermal baths (entrance fee not included), with temperatures ranging from 35°C to 38°C.
• 1:00 p.m.: Lunch in Chivay (not included).
• 2:00 p.m.: On our way back, we’ll stop at:
  Mirador de los Volcanes: Enjoy panoramic views of the western mountain range.
  Toccra Bofedales: Spot migratory birds, including flamingos.
  Chachani Mountain & Salinas Aguada Blanca National Reserve: Marvel at snow-capped mountains and South American camelids like vicuñas.
• 5:00 p.m.: Return to Arequipa.

Not included: None
Overnight at Hotel in Arequipa by your own.

Day 8 – Exploring the Sillar Route!

• 8:30 AM – Hotel Pickup
  We’ll pick you up from your hotel to begin the journey to the Añashuayco quarry. Along the way, we’ll share insights into the volcanic rock (ashlar) used in local construction. A stop at the Mirador de Zamacola will offer stunning views of the three surrounding volcanoes: Misti, Chachani, and Pichu Pichu.

• Visit Añashuayco Quarry
  Upon reaching the quarry, explore the impressive cliff faces where stones were once extracted.

• Culebrillas Ravine
  Next, we’ll visit the Culebrillas Ravine for a 20-minute walk through the narrow canyon, with towering walls reaching up to 20 meters high. At the end of the trail, admire petroglyphs left by the Wari culture over a thousand years ago, as well as apachetas—stone formations believed to bring good luck and offerings to nature, creating a mystical ambiance.

• Return to the City
  After this captivating experience, we’ll return to Arequipa.

Not included: None
Overnight at Hotel in Arequipa by your own.

DAY 9 – Goodbye Arequipa!

• Our professional driver will pick you up from your hotel to take you Arequipa’s airport for your Lima’s flight.

Not included: None

• No Hidden Costs: Your journey comes without surprise expenses—every admission fee for Cusco and Arequipa.
• Expert Local Guides: Knowledgeable English-speaking local guides will lead your tours.
• Hassle-Free Transfers: We provide all necessary transfers, including airport, train station, and hotel pickups and drop-offs.
• Efficient Train Travel: Journey smoothly with a train ticket for the Ollantaytambo – Aguas Calientes – Poroy Cusco route (Expedition train).
• Culinary Delights: Savor mouthwatering meals as per your itinerary, with unique dietary options available upon request.
• Convenient Ground Transportation: Enjoy reliable ground transportation services for your Adventure.
• Round-the-Clock Support: Our local staff is available 24/7 for any necessary assistance.

• Hotel
• Flights: Both domestic and international flights are not covered. For flight arrangements, please consult a travel agency if needed.
• Visa and Insurance: Procedures related to visas, travel insurance, and any pre- or post-tour accommodation are not included.
• Gratuities: Gratuities for tour guides, drivers, and support staff are not included in the price.
• Language Guidance: If you require guidance in a language other than English (e.g., German, French), please inquire with your travel agent.
• Additional Items: Costs related to items that are not explicitly mentioned in the itinerary description are not included.
• Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain: Entrance fees for Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain are also not covered.

On Summer season:

• Sunscreen
• Comfortable walking shoes and clothes
• A hat
• Sunglasses
• Water

On Winter season

• All named items plus wind jacket