DAY 1: CUSCO

Arrive Anytime

Transfer: Airport or bus terminal – Accommodation

Arrival day and welcome meeting with the Nomadex representative.
Welcome to your Cusco adventure with Nomadex! Today marks the beginning of this exciting journey. Take the day to explore the city at your own pace, but remember to return in time to meet the group. Our representative will review all the details of your upcoming adventure through Cusco.
It’s time to begin this incredible experience!

Included Meals: Welcome dinner
Accommodation: Intiwatana Hotel Boutique or similar

DAY 2: CITY TOUR TRADITIONAL – HALF DAY

Our journey begins at 09:00 a.m. with a visit to the the Convent of Santo Domingo – Qoricancha, where we will admire the fusion between Inca culture and Catholicism. Here, we will witness the different construction methods used during that time. Qoricancha, once an Inca religious center dedicated to the Sun God (Inti), will impress us with its remarkable architecture and spiritual significance.

Afterwards, we will head by bus to the outskirts of the city to explore Sacsayhuamán, an imposing Inca fortress built with enormous stone blocks weighing up to 200 tons. Our guide will provide a detailed explanation of this astonishing site, while we also enjoy free time to explore its magnificent ruins.

From Sacsayhuamán, we will continue by bus to Q’enqo, another Inca site featuring intriguing ceremonial altars and underground galleries. The tour then proceeds to Puca Pucará, a small Inca fortress believed to have been used as a watchtower. This defensive structure, with its large walls and terraces, formed part of Cusco’s defense system.

Our final stop will be Tambomachay, known as the temple of water worship or the Inca’s royal baths. Here, we will marvel at its impressive water fountains and the sophisticated aqueduct system.

After exploring these fascinating archaeological sites, we will return to Cusco, where our tour will end near the city center.

Altitude:
● Cusco Altitude: 3,350 m.a.s.l. (10,990 ft).
● Qoricancha Altitude: 3,600 m.a.s.l. (11,811 ft).
● Sacsayhuamán Altitude: 3,600 m.a.s.l. (11,811 ft).
● Q’enqo Altitude: 3,580 m.a.s.l. (11,745 ft).
● Puca Pucará Altitude: 3,680 m.a.s.l. (12,073 ft).

Available Schedules:
● Morning: from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
● Afternoon: from 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Included Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Intiwatana Hotel Boutique or similar
Transportation: Cusco – Sacsayhuamán – Q’enqo – Puca Pucará – Tambomachay – Cusco

DAY 3: TRADITIONAL SACRED VALLEY

We will begin our journey with pick-up from your hotel or accommodation in Cusco, between 7:20 and 7:45 AM, to start our trip by bus towards the Sacred Valley along with the group. The Sacred Valley is one of the most remarkable legacies of the Inca civilization.

Our first stop will be at the Taray Viewpoint, where you will enjoy a breathtaking panoramic view of the Sacred Valley and the surrounding mountains.

We then continue to the charming town of Pisac. From there, we ascend to the Pisac Archaeological Site, located high on a mountain with impressive agricultural terraces and Inca architecture.

On our way back to Pisac town, we will explore its traditional artisan market, where locals showcase their craftsmanship in colorful handmade products.

Around midday, we continue along the Vilcanota River until reaching Urubamba, where you will enjoy a buffet lunch of Novo Andean cuisine at a local restaurant.

In the afternoon, we head to the Ollantaytambo Archaeological Site, an ancient Inca fortress and a strategic point leading to Machu Picchu. Here, you will marvel at its stone constructions, including the agricultural terraces, the Temple of the Sun, and the Princess’ Bath fountain.

Finally, we visit the town of Chinchero, where we will explore the beautiful Colonial Temple and the impressive Archaeological Center.

Altitudes
● Cusco: 3,350 m / 10,990 ft
● Pisac Town: 2,972 m / 9,750 ft
● Pisac Archaeological Site: 3,300 m / 10,826 ft
● Urubamba: 2,780 m / 9,120 ft
● Ollantaytambo: 2,790 m / 9,153 ft
● Chinchero: 3,762 m / 12,342 ft

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Intiwatana Hotel Boutique or similar
Transportation: Cusco – Pisac – Urubamba – Ollantaytambo – Chinchero – Cusco

DAY 4: MACHU PICCHU

The Machu Picchu Full Day Tour begins with hotel pick-up around 3:30 – 4:10 a.m., from where we’ll transfer to the Ollantaytambo train station, approximately a 1 hour and 40-minute drive. Once at the station, we’ll board the tourist train to the town of Aguas Calientes, arriving around 7:40 a.m.

Upon arrival, our guide will provide a briefing about the Machu Picchu visit. You’ll have time for last-minute shopping at the central market of Aguas Calientes before meeting the group at the Plaza de Armas or the bus station to Machu Picchu. Once at the Inca citadel, enjoy a 2-hour guided tour, exploring the most important sites of Machu Picchu.

After the guided tour, you’ll have free time to explore Machu Picchu on your own until approximately 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. You may also choose to add the option to climb Huayna Picchu for a spectacular panoramic view of the Inca city from above (subject to availability, please check before booking).

After experiencing Machu Picchu, we’ll return to Aguas Calientes for a included lunch. You’ll have some free time to explore the charming town before heading to the train station between 5:50 – 6:30 p.m. to board the train back to Ollantaytambo.

Upon arrival at Ollantaytambo station, our team will be waiting to transfer you back to Cusco city center.

Altitudes:
● Cusco: 3,350 m.a.s.l. (10,990 ft)
● Ollantaytambo: 2,790 m.a.s.l. (9,153 ft
● Aguas Calientes: 2,020 m.a.s.l. (6,627 ft)
● Machu Picchu: 2,430 m.a.s.l. (7,972 ft)

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Intiwatana Hotel Boutique or similar
Tourist Transport: Cusco – Ollantaytambo – Cusco
Train Transport: Ollantaytambo – Aguas Calientes – Ollantaytambo
Bus Transport: Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu Citadel – Aguas Calientes

DAY 5: CHINCHERO – MARAS

We will pick you up in the morning from your hotel or accommodation in Cusco to begin our adventure through the Sacred Valley, exploring two emblematic sites of the Inca civilization.

We will start with a brief stop in Chinchero, where we will visit the Artisan Community to learn about the traditional process of weaving llama and sheep wool.

After that, we will head to the Archaeological Site of Moray, an ancient agricultural laboratory used by the Incas to experiment with the adaptation of plants to the region’s different microclimates and ecological levels.

Next, we will continue our journey to the picturesque town of Maras, where we will admire the noble coats of arms that recall its colonial past.

To conclude, we will visit the Maras Salt Mines accompanied by our guide, who will take us to the viewpoint to contemplate the impressive salt ponds. Local inhabitants still use ancestral crystallization techniques to obtain salt crystals from the saline water.

At the end of the excursion, we will return to the city center of Cusco, with the tour expected to finish around 2:00 PM or 2:30 PM.

Altitudes:
● Cusco: 3,350 m.a.s.l. (10,990 ft)
● Moray: 3,762 m.a.s.l. (12,342 ft)
● Maras: 3,762 m.a.s.l. (12,342 ft)
● Pisac: 3,300 m.a.s.l. (10,826 ft)

Included Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Intiwatana Hotel Boutique or similar
Transportation: Cusco – Chinchero – Moray – Maras Salt Mines – Cusco

DAY 6: RAINBOW MOUNTAIN

Early in the morning, our guide will be waiting for you at your hotel in Cusco between 4:30 and 5:00 AM to begin this exciting adventure. We will head towards the charming town of Cusipata on a scenic 2-hour drive aboard our tourist transport. Along the way, you will admire picturesque villages, llamas, alpacas, and the daily life of local communities.

Upon arrival in Cusipata, we will gather with the group to enjoy a delicious breakfast that will give us energy for the day. Afterwards, we will continue to the Phulawasipata camp, the starting point of our hike towards the impressive and colorful Rainbow Mountain Vinicunca. The hike takes approximately an hour and a half of steady ascent.

Once at the Vinicunca viewpoint, you will have time to take stunning photos and marvel at the breathtaking landscapes, including the majestic Ausangate Glacier, while our guide provides you with a detailed explanation of this natural wonder.

For our return, we will hike back to Phulawasipata and then head to Cusipata, where a delicious buffet lunch awaits us. Finally, we will board our transport back to Cusco, arriving at around 5:00 PM.

Altitude:
● Cusco: 3,350 m (10,990 ft)
● Cusipata: 3,310 m (10,859 ft)
● Phulawasipata: 4,650 m (15,256 ft)
● Rainbow Mountain: 5,090 m (16,700 ft)

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Intiwatana Hotel Boutique or similar
Transport: Cusco – Cusipata – Phulawasipata – Cusco

DAY 7: HUMANTAY LAKE

Our journey begins between 4:00 and 4:30 a.m., as we board our tourist vehicle that will take us to the charming village of Mollepata, on a scenic drive of approximately two hours. Along the way, we will pass through beautiful Andean towns such as Poroy, Anta, and Limatambo, adding even more charm to our trip.

Once in Mollepata, we’ll enjoy a delicious breakfast before continuing toward Soraypampa Camp. From here, we will begin our ascent to the dazzling Humantay Lake, a hike that takes around one hour and thirty minutes.

This lake, with its stunning turquoise color, offers the perfect setting to take photos and admire the breathtaking scenery — including the majestic Salkantay Mountain, which rises to 5,450 meters (17,880 ft) above sea level. Our professional guide will provide detailed information about this wonderful place and its importance.

On our return, we’ll hike back to Soraypampa, where we can also visit the Sacred Path leading to Salkantay Mountain, the second-highest peak in the Cusco region. After enjoying a comforting lunch, we’ll say goodbye to this spectacular landscape and begin our return trip to Cusco, arriving around 6:30 p.m.

Altitude:
● Cusco: 3,350 m / 10,990 ft
● Mollepata: 2,790 m / 9,153 ft
● Soraypampa: 3,910 m / 12,828 ft
● Humantay Lake: 4,200 m / 13,780 ft

Estimated Hiking Time: 3 hours
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Intiwatana Hotel Boutique or similar
Transportation: Cusco – Mollepata – Soraypampa – Cusco

DAY 8: CUSCO

Depart Anytime

Transfer: Accommodation – Airport or bus terminal
Included Meals: Breakfast