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Peru is one of the great cradles of civilization with its ancient history, numerous archeological sites, and diverse cultural influences. Embark on the trip of a lifetime on a six-day trek through the most famous spots in the country. You’ll start and end your tour in Cusco, former capital of the Inca Empire, and make your way to the hills of Pisac for a community lunch and lessons about the Andean way of life. From here you’ll travel to Ollantaytambo and hike part of the Inca Trail with stops at ancient sites such as Wiñaywayna and Inti Punku until you reach the masterpiece known as Machu Picchu. With a day of exploration here and a killer hike at Rainbow Mountain, you’ll go home with a full heart and maxed out camera roll! When you book your trip, you’re also giving back to the local community through Peruvian Soul’s Traveling with a Purpose program. Each traveler’s booking funds the planting and growth of 15 native trees in the Andes and provides students with disabilities a day’s worth of therapy treatment at the Paqari School in Urubamba.
Welcome to Cusco, the former capital of the Inca Empire and a bustling city that has a wealth of culture and history. Upon arrival, take your private transfer to the hotel for a quick briefing where your guides will answer all your questions about the trip. Afterwards, you’re free to explore the area and get acclimated to the 11,000 ft elevation. Take it slow and enjoy the city, as our luxe hotel is located right in the middle of the historic district in downtown. Don’t be afraid to eat your way through the area, as there are myriad options for Peruvian fare – traditional and modern. Grab an authentic Peruvian dinner and let this trip commence!
Good morning, travelers! After breakfast, we’ll head into the heart of the Sacred Valley and explore the community of Viacha in the Pisac Archeological Park's higher slopes. Here, local Julian and his family will welcome us into their home and show us around, offering insight about Andean rural culture, farming, and fiber weaving. The community will provide us lunch before we embark on a one-hour downhill hike from Viacha to the Pisac Archeological Site. We’ll enjoy views of the Inca ruins, the garden terraces, and the commanding mountain landscape. After our trek, you’ll have the option of walking to Pisac Village to explore the colorful market or head to the next hotel to rest and relax.
Rise and shine, adventurers! Today, we hit the Inca Trail for a short hike to Machu Picchu, traveling on the same roadway as the ancient Inca civilization. After breakfast, we’ll head to Ollantaytambo, the only Inca town that is still inhabited, and take the train to the trail’s checkpoint. From here, we’ll hike towards the archeological site of Chanchabamba which was used to store and transport Andean goods to Machu Picchu. We'll continue our journey for about three hours through the Inca stairs where we’ll enjoy impressive views of snow-peaked mountains and the Urubamba River at the bottom of the valley. Once we reach the waterfall, we’ll take a short break to soak in the views. Next, we’ll continue on to Wiñaywayna, a sister site to Machu Picchu located at over 8,800 ft on the Andean hillside. Upon arrival, we’ll explore the beautiful Inca terraces, temples, water fountains, and water channels that are still functioning today and enjoy lunch surrounded by the mountains and an array of orchids. After lunch, we’ll make our way to Intipuku (the Sun Gate), and catch our first glimpses of Machu Picchu. We'll hike down into the citadel for a quick look, but we’ll save the exploration for tomorrow’s adventure. From here, we’ll take the bus down to Aguas Calientes, the town at the base of the archeological site, enjoy an authentic Peruvian meal, and a comfy night’s rest.
We hope you’re well rested, as today is going to be one for the books! After breakfast, we’ll take the bus back up to Machu Picchu and explore the ruins as a group. We’ll get to see all the iconic landmarks, such as the Temple of the Sun, the Royal Tomb, the Sacred Rock, and the Temple of Three Windows to name a few. After a day of wandering around this majestic site, we’ll take the bus to the train station and head to Ollantaytambo where we’ll take our private transfer back to the Terra Andina Colonial Mansion. You’ll have the rest of the evening to explore Cusco and enjoy a stellar meal downtown.
After a restful sleep, it’s time for another adventure! We’re starting our day with a drive to the Ausangate Mountain Range to hike the iconic Rainbow Mountain. We’ll embark on a four-mile journey to the colorful peak of the mountain range for the most Instagram-worthy pictures ever! Heads up: we’ll be hiking at an elevation over 17,000 ft. Make sure your body and mind are ready for this trek! What we’ll sweat out will be nothing compared to the surreal landscape, making the journey worth the demanding terrain. We’ll spend some time at the top for pictures and lunch, then make our way back down to our transfer. From here, we’ll travel to the hotel just in time for one last dinner in this historic city.
What an incredible trip we’ve had. We’ve seen so many historic places in Peru and have the pictures to prove it! On your last day here, enjoy breakfast at the hotel and use your free time to hang out in downtown Cusco, take a guided city tour, or shop for some souvenirs at the market. If you want to hit the iconic spots of Cusco, head to the Main Square, the San Francisco Church, the Qorikancha Temple, and the San Pedro Market, all of which make this UNESCO World Heritage Site so impressive. Eventually, we’ll have to take our private transport to the airport and say goodbye to this magical place. Be well and safe travels!
