Rainbow Mountain to Short Inca Trail

You will be picked up in your hotel, and driven to Cusipata, located southeast of Cusco Peru. After breakfast, you will rejoin the bus journey to the headrail. You will start out the hike at the foot of snow-topped Mt Ausangate, the highest mountain in the Cusco region. As you gradually ascend, you will see two different breeds of south American camelids, Alpacas and Llamas roaming and grazing freely on the high plains and steep slopes. Upon arrival at the top of the Vinicunca rainbow mountain, you will rest as you admire the minerals’ colors on top of the mountains and the breathtaking view of the Ausangate snow-topped mountain and the faraway high mountains. Afterward, you will backtrack to the bus and drive back to Cusipata for lunch. On the way back to Cusco, you will see three bridges built at three different times, Inca, colonial, and republican. Finally, you will be back in Cusco late afternoon.

You will be picked up at your hotel, and transferred to the train station. The train ride will take you through breathtaking ecosystems to Km104. From the head trail, you will head off to the Chachabamba Inca site, an Inca site located on the shores of the Urubamba river, believed to be one of the main entranceways to Machu Picchu. After exploring the site, the trail gradually rises to Wiñaywayna inca site (2,650mt - 8,690ft) offering great views of the Urubamba river and surrounding scenery. Upon arrival at the site, you will take the time to explore the most well-preserved inca site on the Inca Trail, and this is actually why its name means forever young. The site comprised three different areas, the Urban area, located in the lower part with more than 20 buildings, the religious area located in the uppermost part, and the lower and upper agricultural terraces. After touring the site, you will enjoy lunch, and continue to Inti Punku (sun gate) to enjoy the Machu Picchu site. Afterward, you will head down to Machu Picchu itself for around thirty minutes and take close-up photos of Machu Picchu Inca town. Finally, you will bus down to Machu Picchu town to have dinner and stay overnight in a hotel.

Early in the morning, you will be picked up at your hotel and taken to the entrance of the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu. Once there, you will begin your tour of Circuit 2: Inca City, during which your guide will narrate the fascinating history of this ancient city and take you to the most iconic sites. Moreover, during the visit (approximately 2 hours), you will be able to capture unforgettable photographs of the Machu Picchu. In the afternoon, you will return by train to Ollantaytambo, from where you will continue your transfer to the city of Cusco.

• Pre trek briefing (Our guide will be visiting your hotel 2 or 1 day before the trek for your briefing),
• Accommodation: Hotel in Machu Picchu (1 night),
• Professional English-speaking tour guide
• Inca Trail permits and Machu Picchu ticket,
• Rainbow mountain ticket,
• Meals: 2x breakfast, 1x Rainbow Mountain lunch and 1x box lunch, 1x dinner, and snack bag on the Inca Trail. Please advise on vegetarian or regular meal options
• Train ticket round trip to the head trail of Inca Trail & Machu Picchu to Ollantaytambo
• A shuttle bus between Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes on the second day
• Tourist transport to Rainbow Mountain (round trip)
• Private tourist transportation from Ollantaytambo to Cusco
• First aid kit and oxygen bottle

• Meals not mentioned in the itinerary,
• Accommodation in Cusco.
• Emergency riding horse in the Rainbow Mountain (U$ 30),
• Huayna Picchu mountain ticket (U$ 85),
• Bus tickets down from Machu Picchu site to Aguas Calientes town on the first and second day (U$ 12, single ticket),
• Tips (customary for the trekking staff),
• Travel Insurance,

Solo Traveler: Please note that if you have booked the "Solo Traveler" option for this tour, you receive your own single room in Machu Picchu

ESSENTIALS INCA TRAIL PACKING LIST:

• Passport Valid,
• STUDENT CARD (if you booked as a student)
• Immigration Card (given on the plane as you enter Peru)
• Good daypack (the smaller, the better)
• Water storage: Water reservoir like Camelbaks are encouraged - but enough for at least 2-3 liters.
• Comfortable hiking boots (lightweight with good soles)

ESSENTIALS RAINBOW MOUNTAIN PACKING LIST:

• Good daypack (the smaller, the better)
• Water storage: Water reservoir like Camelbaks are encouraged - but enough for at least 2-3 liters.
• Comfortable hiking boots (lightweight with good soles)

INSIDE YOUR DAYPACK:

Daypacks can be any size for hiking, but we always recommend the smaller, the better. Inside Machu Picchu, no bag larger than 25L will be allowed in. If larger, you will need to store outside citadel gates. 

• 1 wicking t-shirt,
• 1 shirt for Machu Picchu 
• 1 hiking pant, 1 short or pants for Machu Picchu
• 2 sets of undergarments.
• Hiking socks, regular socks
• Sandals 
• 1 Warm, down jacket: gets very cold at night 1
• Rain jacket
• 1 sun hat
• Camera

TOILETRIES:

• Sunscreen
• Insect repellent – recommended minimum is 20% DEET
• Handsanitizer
• Toothbrush and paste
• Toiletpaper
• Personal medication
• First aid kit: band aids, moleskin, etc.

Is important to list extra Money for Souvenirs, Drinks & Tips in your Inca Trail packing list.