- Day tours
- Ollantaytambo- Rainbow mountain
| Day | Route | Distance | Elevation | Walking Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Cusco – Ollantaytambo – Soqma – Perolniyoc waterfall – Rayampata (camp at Qorimarca) | 9 km | 2,999 m – 3,590 m | 6 hours |
| Day 2 | Rayan – Cañón de Buena Negra – Temple of Mount Verónica (Wakaywillka) – Choquetacarpa Pampa | 12 km | 3,590 m – 4,330 m | 8 hours |
| Day 3 | Cachiccata Inca quarries – stonecutters’ tombs – Ollantaytambo (optional Pachamanca lunch) | 7 km | 2,900 m – 3,600 m | 5 hours |
| Day 4 | Train Ollantaytambo – Km 104 – Chachabamba – Wiñay Wayna – Sun Gate (Inti Punku) – Aguas Calientes | 12 km | 2,100 m – 2,700 m | 7 hours |
| Day 5 | Guided tour of Machu Picchu (2.5 hours) – return to Ollantaytambo/Cusco | — | ~2,400 m | — |
We will pick you up from your hotel in Cusco the morning of our first day and head to Ollantaytambo, where we will take a shuttle to the starting point of our trek. Our journey begins in Soqma, a small farming town situated in a valley between two red and black rocky peaks decorated with dry grasses and high-altitude shrubs. As we walk through this valley, the mountains converge at the Perolniyoc waterfall, approximately 3,300 meters above sea level (masl), where the water allows the nearby plants to grow a much more brilliant green than those on the distant hillsides. The route zigzags up to ruins above the waterfall before reaching our first campsite, Qorimarca, at 3,590 meters above sea level.
From our first campsite, we wind through green rolling hills dotted with trees, streams, and local homes, to our lunch area at 4,200 masl, Charcahualla. From this small plateau, with spectacular views of the surrounding peaks and grassy slopes, we ascend to the highest pass along the trek, Cañón de Buena Negra, at 4,330 masl. Here we can see the snow-capped peaks of Arequipa, Verónica, and Onura Punta on the horizon — regarded by locals as sacred deities. We continue through high grassland to the Temple of Mount Verónica, known in Quechua as Wakaywillka, or «Sacred Tears,» at 3,900 masl. A gentle descent brings us to our second campsite, Choquetacarpa Pampa, at 3,750 masl, overlooking the green Sacred Valley at the foot of black rock formations and the icy peaks of the Andes. Hot showers are available here in the evening.
We begin our descent from Choquetacarpa Pampa, taking it slow over roughly 4 hours to fully enjoy the surrounding nature. Along the way, we explore the ancient Inca quarries and the tombs of the Inca stonecutters who once worked this land — a fascinating glimpse into how the Incas sourced and carved the stone used to build their empire.
We arrive at the Cachicata community for lunch, where you’ll have the option of an extra, unforgettable experience: the traditional Pachamanca. This local dish is cooked underground using heated stones, and joining in is a unique way to see firsthand how the local community prepares this ancestral meal.
In the evening, we settle into our campsite, which offers hot showers and beautiful views, allowing you to rest and recharge for Day 4, when we begin the 2-day Inca Trail to Machu Picchu.
Early in the morning, we depart from Ollantaytambo by train to Km 104, the checkpoint for entering the Inca Trail and Machu Picchu National Park. From here, the 12 km (7-mile) hike takes you past the archaeological sites of Chachabamba and Wiñay Wayna before arriving at the legendary Sun Gate (Inti Punku) — your first view of Machu Picchu. We then descend to Aguas Calientes for the night.
After breakfast, we take a van directly to the Machu Picchu archaeological site. Our guide will lead a roughly 3-hour tour through this fascinating Inca city, including its palaces, temples, and the sacred Sun Temple. After the tour, we return to Aguas Calientes for lunch before taking the return train to Ollantaytambo and transferring back to Cusco.
Also we are Renting the sleeping bags
Hiking poles
