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Andean Explorer with Sacred Valley and Rainbow Mountain – 9 Days

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Overview

Available languages

English
Spanish

1 week 2 days

Mobile ticket

Experience Cusco to the fullest with our 9-day, 8-night Andean Explorer Trek, the most comprehensive tour for those who want to see the essential sites of the Inca world in a single experience. Explore the imperial city, discover the Sacred Valley, conquer the Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu, and marvel at the Mountain of Colors. Adventure, culture, and unforgettable landscapes come together to create the perfect itinerary.

- Explore Cusco with an exclusive City Tour of its most emblematic temples, fortresses, and viewpoints.

- Tour the Sacred Valley visiting Pisac, Ollantaytambo, and Chinchero with authentic cultural experiences.

- Experience the famous Salkantay Trek while resting in exclusive camps.

- Discover Machu Picchu with a guided tour without the crowds.

- Marvel at the impressive Rainbow Mountain after a hike through unforgettable high Andean landscapes.

Additional Info

Service animals allowed

Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries

Not recommended for pregnant travelers

Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health

Travelers should have a high level of physical fitness

It's recommended to arrive in Cusco at least 2 days before the trek to adjust to the altitude.

Spots at Machu Picchu sell out quickly. Book this trip at least five months in advance to secure spaces.

Passport name, number, expiry and country is required at time of booking for all participants

Please ensure your passport is up to date and ready for use on your travel day

Children aged 12 and over may participate and must be accompanied by a responsible adult at all times.

Keep in mind this hike is a challenging trek. travellers have to be in good health and physical shape to fully enjoy every moment of this adventure.

Vegetarian or, vegan options are available, please advise at time of booking if required

Cancellation Policy

All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.

What To Expect

Day 1

Cusco Cathedral - Qoricancha - Saqsahuayman - Qenqo - Puka Pukara - Tambomachay

Accommodations

Hotel in Cusco

1

Cusco Cathedral

We will pick you up at the airport and take you to your hotel so you can rest and acclimatize. In the afternoon, after lunch, we will begin a half-day city tour starting with the Cusco Cathedral, a colonial jewel built on the site of the ancient Inca palace of Wiracocha.

1 hour • Admission Included
2

Qorikancha

Then we will visit the Qoricancha and the Convent of Santo Domingo, where you will appreciate the harmonious union between Inca and colonial architecture.

1 hour • Admission Included
3

Sacsayhuaman

Afterwards, we will take our transport to Sacsayhuamán, an imposing fortress of enormous perfectly assembled stones.

1 hour • Admission Included
4

Q'enqo

We will continue to Qenqo, an Inca ceremonial center associated with worship

1 hour • Admission Included
5

Puka Pukara

Then we will visit Puka Pukara, known as “the red fortress,” which served as a lookout point and resting place.

1 hour • Admission Included
6

Tambomachay

We will end at Tambomachay, a ceremonial complex dedicated to water, famous for its aqueducts and perfectly crafted fountains.

1 hour • Admission Included
7

Cusco

When we finish, we will return to your hotel so you can rest and recharge your energy for the next day.

10 hours • Admission Not Applicable
Day 2

Cusco - Taray - Pisac - Ollantaytambo - Chinchero - Cusco

Accommodations

Hotel in Cusco

Food and Drinks

LUNCH

Lunch

1

Cusco

We start the day at 8:30 a.m. with a pick-up at your hotel to head to Pisac.

1 hour 30 minutes • Admission Not Applicable
2

Mirador Taray

On the way, we will make brief stops at the Qorao and Taray viewpoints, from where you can appreciate the beauty of the Sacred Valley.

30 minutes • Admission Not Applicable
3

Pisac

Upon arrival in Pisac, we will visit its archaeological site and traditional artisan market.

2 hours • Admission Not Applicable
4

Urubamba

Then we will head to Urubamba to enjoy a buffet lunch featuring typical Peruvian dishes.

1 hour • Admission Not Applicable
5

Ollantaytambo

In the afternoon, we will continue on to Ollantaytambo to explore its impressive archaeological complex, with ceremonial fountains, terraces, and temples.

1 hour • Admission Not Applicable
6

Chinchero

We will end the day in Chinchero, where you will learn about Andean textile art in a natural dyeing demonstration and visit its archaeological site and colonial church.

1 hour • Admission Not Applicable
7

Cusco

Afterwards, we will return to Cusco in our transport and drop you off at your hotel.

10 hours • Admission Not Applicable
Day 3

Cusco - Mollepata - Challacancha - Soraypampa - Humantay Lake - Sky Camp

Accommodations

Overnight at the Sky Camp

Food and Drinks

LUNCH

Lunch

DINNER

Dinner

1

Cusco

Today marks the start of the Salkantay adventure. We will pick you up at your hotel around 5:00 a.m. for a 2 hour and 15 minute drive to Mollepata, where you can use the restrooms and enjoy a light breakfast.

2 hours • Admission Not Applicable
2

Then we will continue to Challacancha, the starting point of the hike and where you will meet our team.

1 hour • Admission Included
3

We will begin the trek to Soraypampa (3,900 m / 12,795 ft), walking 7 km / 4.35 miles along an ancient Inca canal until we reach our Sky Camp.

3 hours • Admission Included
4

There you will enjoy lunch and a short rest.

1 hour • Admission Included
5

Humantay Lake

In the afternoon, we will hike to the impressive Humantay Lake (4,200 m / 13,780 ft). The round trip takes about 2.5 hours and covers 3 km / 1.86 miles. You will have free time to enjoy the scenery and take pictures.

3 hours • Admission Included
6

Upon returning to camp, tea time and a delicious dinner will await you, accompanied by a beautiful sunset. Finally, you will rest under a starry sky in your igloo.

10 hours • Admission Included
Day 4

Soraypampa - Abra Salkantay - Huayracmachay - Collpapampa - Mountain Sky View

Accommodations

Overnight at Mountain Sky View Camp

Food and Drinks

BREAKFAST

Breakfast

LUNCH

Lunch

DINNER

Dinner

1

We start the day early with an energy-packed breakfast and a cup of coca tea before beginning the ascent to Abra Salkantay (4,630 m / 12,190 ft), the highest point of the trek.

1 hour • Admission Included
2

The challenge consists of covering 7 km / 4.34 miles in about 4 hours. At the top, you will enjoy spectacular views of the valleys and the snow-capped mountains of Salkantay, Humantay, Tucarhuay, and Pumasillo, considered apus or sacred mountains.

4 hours • Admission Included
3

Colcapampa

Then we will begin the descent along a winding 7 km / 4.35 mile trail to Huarayramachay, where we will have a well-deserved lunch. After a rest, we will continue into the cloud forest, walking 9.5 km / 5.9 miles for approximately 3.5 hours until we reach Collpapampa (2,950 m / 9,678 ft), where our exclusive Mountain Sky View Camp is located.

5 hours • Admission Not Applicable
4

Upon arrival, you will enjoy a delicious dinner and a well-deserved rest surrounded by lush vegetation after a challenging and memorable day.

10 hours • Admission Included
Day 5

Collpapampa - La Playa - Lucmabamba - Super Jungle Domes

Accommodations

Overnight at the Super Jungle Domes

Food and Drinks

BREAKFAST

Breakfast

LUNCH

Lunch

DINNER

Dinner

1

Santa Teresa

We start the day at 6:00 a.m. with a nutritious breakfast before setting off on a scenic hike through the Santa Teresa Valley. Along the way, you will see rivers, wild orchids, waterfalls, fruit trees, and coffee, banana, and avocado plantations.

5 hours • Admission Not Applicable
2

Upon arrival at Zona Propiedad, our private transportation will be waiting to take us to La Playa to visit a farm where we will participate in everything from harvesting to tasting organic coffee.

2 hours • Admission Included
3

After this enriching activity, we will return to our private transportation to arrive at Lucmabamba (2,000 m / 6,562 ft), where lunch will be waiting for you and you can settle into our exclusive Super Jungle Domes camp. In the afternoon, you will have free time to explore the surroundings. At the end of the day, you will enjoy dinner and a restful night accompanied by the sounds of nature.

10 hours • Admission Included
Day 6

Lucmabamba - Llactapata - Ahobamba - Hidroelectrica - Aguas Calientes

Accommodations

Hotel in Aguas Calientes

Food and Drinks

BREAKFAST

Breakfast

LUNCH

Lunch

DINNER

Dinner

1

You will wake up early with a hot cup of coca tea in your Super Jungle Domes and enjoy the last breakfast prepared by our chef.

1 hour • Admission Included
2

Mirador de Llactapata

Then we will begin a three-hour ascent to enter an original section of the Inca Trail, which will take us to the archaeological site of Llactapata (2,700 m / 8,858 ft). Here you will receive an explanation from the guide and you will be able to admire your first panoramic views of Machu Picchu and Huayna Picchu.

4 hours • Admission Included
3

We will then descend to Aobamba, where we will enjoy lunch before continuing on to Hidroelectrica (1,800 m / 5,906 ft).

2 hours • Admission Included
4

From this point, we will continue walking for about three more hours along the train tracks through the tropical vegetation.

3 hours • Admission Not Applicable
5

Aguas Calientes

Upon arrival in Aguas Calientes, you will check into your hotel and have the afternoon free to rest or explore the town. In the evening, we will meet at 7:00 p.m. for dinner at a local restaurant before resting up for the long-awaited visit to Machu Picchu the next day.

10 hours • Admission Not Applicable
Day 7

Aguas Calientes - Machu Picchu - Ollantaytambo - Cusco

Accommodations

Hotel in Cusco

Food and Drinks

BREAKFAST

Breakfast

1

Aguas Calientes

Today we start the day very early, at 6:00 a.m., with a light breakfast before boarding one of the first buses to Machu Picchu.

1 hour • Admission Not Applicable
2

Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu

This will allow us to arrive before the crowds. Upon entering, you will enjoy a guided tour of approximately two hours through the temples, terraces, palaces, and ceremonial enclosures, with free time for photographs. Then, if you wish, you can climb Huayna Picchu Mountain (2,720 m / 8,924 ft) or Machu Picchu Mountain (3,000 m / 9,843 ft). This activity is optional, requires an additional ticket, and takes between two and three hours round trip.

2 hours • Admission Included
3

Aguas Calientes

After the visit, we will return to the town of Aguas Calientes to enjoy lunch.

1 hour • Admission Not Applicable
4

Cusco

Finally, you will board the train to Ollantaytambo, where our private transportation will be waiting to take you back to your hotel in Cusco.

12 hours • Admission Not Applicable
Day 8

Cusco - Quiquijana - Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca) - Cusco

Accommodations

Hotel in Cusco

Food and Drinks

BREAKFAST

Breakfast

LUNCH

Lunch

1

Cusco

We start the day very early, picking you up at your hotel around 4:00 a.m. and heading to the South Valley of Cusco.

2 hours • Admission Not Applicable
2

Quiquijana

After a three-hour drive, we will stop for a continental breakfast before continuing to the starting point of the hike, located at 4,630 m / 15,190 ft.

1 hour • Admission Not Applicable
3

Rainbow Mountain Peru

During the ascent, you will enjoy spectacular views of the imposing snow-capped Ausangate mountain and observe Andean communities going about their daily lives, surrounded by llamas and wearing colorful traditional clothing. After a hike of approximately 1.5 hours, we will arrive at Rainbow Mountain (5,100 m / 16,732 ft). After a brief explanation from the guide, you will have between 30 and 60 minutes to explore the site and take photographs.

2 hours • Admission Included
4

Cusipata

We will then begin the 45-minute descent to the starting point and board the transport to Cusipata for lunch.

45 minutes • Admission Not Applicable
5

Cusco

Finally, we will return to Cusco and drop you off at your hotel.

10 hours • Admission Not Applicable
Day 9

Cusco - Cusco Airport (or Bus Station)

1

Cusco

Today you will have a more relaxed morning. After breakfast, you will pack your belongings and, if you wish, you can buy some last-minute souvenirs. Later, we will coordinate with you the exact pick-up time to transfer you to the airport or bus station, from where you will continue your vacation or begin your return home.

5 hours • Admission Not Applicable

What‘s Included

Pre-departure briefing

Hotel pickup and drop-off

Basic hiking equipment: Sleeping bag, trekking poles, rain poncho, backpack cover, and hand towel.

Experienced Mountain Guide

Safety: First aid kit, Walkie-talkies, oxygen, and emergency satellite pones

Tourist ticket for the Sacred Valley visit and city tour in Cusco.

3 nights camping accommodation (Sky Camp, Mountain Sky View, Super Jungle Domes)

Entrance to Machu Picchu (Circuit 2 for 5-month bookings; if unavailable, Circuit 3, then Circuit 1)

Transportation of personal belongings.

All private transport and transfers during the tour

Entrance tickets to the Salkantay route and Humantay Lake.

Entrance to Rainbow Mountain (Vinincunca).

Personal duffel bag (up to 5 kg / 11 lb) for your travel gear.

Private Camping Facilities & Equipment

Entrance to Cusco Cathedral and Qoricancha.

Water, Tea Time, and daily snacks on the trail

Cultural immersion at a local coffee farm.

4 nights in a hotel in Cusco (Days 1, 2, 7, and 8)

1 night in a hotel in Aguas Calientes (Day 6)

Clothing and personal hiking equipment

Travel Insurance (Recommended)

Gratuities for the staff (Optional)

Pickup points

Select a pickup point

Options

With Huchuy Picchu Mountain

Huchuy Picchu Mountain Ticket
Pickup included

With Machu Picchu Mountain

Machu Picchu Mountain Ticket
Pickup included

With Huayna Picchu Mountain

Huayna Picchu Mountain Ticket
Pickup included

Andean Explorer 9 days with Sacred Valley and Rainbow Mountain

Pickup included

Reviews

5.00

5 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

5
0
0
0
0
  • Outstanding experience and glamping your.

    D3326SYstevew,Apr 29, 2026

    - Review from Tripadvisor

    5.00

    Excellent adventure. Extremely well organized and informational. Exceeded expectations in comfort, quality and overall experience. I did the 5 day in 2018 and the accommodations have blown me away with the improvements since then. Absolutely recommend this touring company.

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  • Mountains and jungle

    N8883DWbriana,Apr 29, 2026

    - Review from Tripadvisor

    5.00

    Top shelf operation!! Amazing trip, super organization, great staff!!!, lodging and food were superb. Recommending to family and friends.

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  • Trip of a Lifetime

    annketz,Apr 22, 2026

    - Review from Tripadvisor

    5.00

    This was truly the trip of a lifetime—challenging, deeply educational, and incredibly inspiring on a personal level. From start to finish, every detail was thoughtfully designed and flawlessly executed. The journey began with two days exploring Cusco and the Sacred Valley, which set the perfect tone. Our guide, Broly, did an outstanding job engaging our entire group—seven adults and two teenagers—by blending history, culture, and religion with thought-provoking questions and fascinating insights. He made every site come alive while also ensuring we acclimated comfortably to the altitude ahead of the trek. On day three, we embarked on the unforgettable five-day Salkantay trek—a more remote and rewarding alternative to the Inca Trail. From towering mountain passes to lush jungle landscapes, every day brought new beauty and challenges. Leading us was Alex “Mountain Lion” Mamani, whose decades of experience were evident in every step. His calm confidence, expert guidance, and constant encouragement made us feel safe, supported, and capable throughout the journey. He checked in regularly, offered practical tips for altitude and breathing, and fostered such a positive group atmosphere that everyone felt empowered without pressure. Behind the scenes, the support team was nothing short of extraordinary. Vladimiro, our horseman, ensured our gear was always where it needed to be, while Hebert and Sadit worked culinary magic in the most unexpected places. The meals were consistently fresh, high-quality, and absolutely delicious—far beyond anything we imagined possible on a remote trek. They accommodated a wide range of dietary needs with ease and care. One of the most meaningful highlights for our family was how inclusive and safe the food experience was for my 16-year-old daughter, who typically finds traveling with food allergies stressful. This was the first time she could truly relax and enjoy every meal without worry—and she still says the food was her favorite part of the entire trip. The accommodations along the way were spectacular as well. At Sky Camp, we experienced the most breathtaking night sky I’ve ever seen—an unforgettable blanket of stars. The beds were incredibly comfortable, and the staff even provided hot water bottles to keep us warm through the chilly night, which was such a thoughtful touch. The following two nights were even more luxurious, with private bathrooms and showers right in the accommodations. Honestly, my only complaint is that we didn’t have more time to relax and enjoy these beautiful spaces. This experience exceeded every expectation. It was physically demanding, emotionally rewarding, and seamlessly supported by an exceptional team. I would recommend this adventure without hesitation to anyone looking for a transformative and unforgettable journey.

    annketz's photo 1
  • Amazing and no regrets! Solo female traveler with dietary restrictions.

    Holly E,Apr 17, 2026

    - Review from Tripadvisor

    5.00

    Our team: Alex Mamani (mountain lion); Hebert, chef; Sadit, sous chef; Vladimiro, horseman, they took care of me every step of the way, I’m a solo female traveler.

  • Once in a lifetime journey

    J3064CEemilyg,Apr 2, 2026

    - Review from Tripadvisor

    5.00

    One of the best experiences of my life! The 5-day Salkantay Trail hike to Machu Picchu was unbelievably memorable. The other activities were really nice as well.

From US$1,415.00

5.00
(5 reviews)
Check availability

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