Peru

Upon your arrival, you will be welcomed by a Rahhalah representative who will drive you to the hotel (in Miraflores, the most beautiful and safest area of Lima). You may relax for the rest of your day, exploring the city at your own pace.

Overnight in Lima: Casa Andina Select Miraflores Hotel – Superior Room or similar.

*Lima is located at an altitude of 80 meters above sea level.

After an early breakfast, you will head to the airport for your flight to Cusco.
In Cusco, after a brief with your guide about the upcoming hike, you will spend the rest of the day at your own pace, relaxing, acclimatizing, or exploring the alleys of the ancient Inca capital.
In the evening, the group will re-assemble for a welcome dinner.

Overnight in Cusco: Casa Andina Standard Cusco Plaza – Traditional Room or similar.

*Cusco is located at an altitude of 3,400 meters above sea level.

You will leave the hotel very early in the morning (5:30 am), and after 2.5 hours you will reach Mollepata village (at2,900 m. altitude). There, you will stop briefly for last-minute supplies before continuing towards Soraypampa (3,850 m. altitude): the starting point of the trail, and the meeting point with the support crew.

In the morning, you will hike towards the beautiful Humantay Lake (4,200 m. altitude) where you will enjoy amazing views of the lake and the snowcapped peaks of Humantay and Salkantay.

After lunch, you will continue towards the first campsite located in Salkantaypampa at an altitude of 4,000 m.

Estimated hiking distance: 12 kilometers.
Estimated hiking time: 6 hours.

Overnight in the Salkantaypampa Campsite .

Today is the most challenging day on the Salkantay trail, but the rewards are well worth the effort. You will reach the highest point of this trekking adventure, and you will enjoy magnificent views of one of the highest mountains in the Peruvian Andes.

After an early breakfast, you will start hiking on a steep,zig-zag path towards the Salkantay Mountain Pass (4,650 m. altitude), surrounded by the breathtaking views of the Salkantay, the Humantay and other peaks. After a good break, you will hike for three hours downhill to the Huayracmachay campsite, where you will enjoy a delicious lunch.

After lunch, you will continue for about four more hours to the next campsite: Qollpapampa (2,850 m. altitude). On the way, you will observe how the scenery and the weather change as you move from the mountain landscape to the cloud forest.

Estimated hiking distance: 16 kilometers.
Estimated hiking time: 10 hours.

Overnight in the Qollpapampa Campsite .

Today, you will continue trekking through the jungle zone, crossing the Santa Teresa valley, while enjoying on the way the enchanting rainforest scenery, beautiful waterfalls, banana and avocado trees, coffee plantations, passion fruit fields and some orchids.Once at Playa Sahuayaco, you will take a bus to the hydroelectric train station, where you will lunch at around 1:30pm.

From there, you will board the train to Aguas Calientes, otherwise known as Machu Picchu Pueblo (2000 m. altitude). There, you may explore the small town at your own pace, relax at the hotel or take a bath at the local hot springs.

Estimated hiking distance: 15 kilometers.
Estimated hiking time: 7 hours.

Overnight in Aguas Calientes at Hatun Inti Classic – Standard Room.

Today may be considered the peak of your adventure, as you will visit Machu Picchu city, one of the wonders of the world (bus drive from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu: 30 mins).

Hike to the Sun Gate
Hiking time: 2.5 hours.
The hike to the famous Sun Gate is steep but totally worth it as it is the spiritual entry to the lost city and offers beautiful, panoramic views on the archaeological site.

Private Machu Picchu tour
Estimated guided touring time: 2.5 hours.
When back from the Sun Gate, you will explore the impressive Inca city and learn about the history of this site, who lived here, how it was discovered in modern times and why the Spaniards never found it. You will gain insights into the secrets of this sacred city and, finally, spend some free time to enjoy at your own pace the ambience. Don’t forget to stamp your passports with the Machu Picchu stamp!
Later, you will board once again the bus to Aguas Calientes where you will have lunch (buffet lunch in Toto’s House Restaurant) and some free time for shopping.
Later, you will board the train to Ollantaytambo (2,870 m altitude), deep intothe sacred valley.

Upon arrival at the Ollantaytambo train station, you will be welcomed by your new guides who will take you to your hotel.

Overnight in Ollantaytambo at Samanapaq hotel – Standard Room.

After breakfast, you will drive to Pachar, the starting point of your ziplining adventure.
The Sacred Valley zipline, boasting 7 lines or cables, from 150m. to 700m. (a total of 2800m) allows all visitors to fly over the Sacred Valley in a safe and fun way.
You will start with a 30-40-minute hike, and then you will go on a small (4 meters) Via Ferrata climb.
Each line is different from the other so you will start with an easy and short one, and the circuit will allow you to upgrade on the way. You will enjoy a three-hour zip-lining adventure, before driving back to your hotel in Ollantaytambo to relax.

Optional activity: Horseback riding adventure in the Sacred Valley.

Overnight in Ollantaytambo: Samanapaq hotel – Standard Room or similar.

After breakfast, you will drive again to Pachar, this time for a whitewater rafting adventure on the Urubamba River.

Upon arrival, all participants will be given a safety briefing by the guide, including paddling commands, capsize drills, and actions when overboard. Participants will be provided with helmets, wetsuits, splash jackets and a personal flotation device.

The rafting adventure will start on tranquil waters surrounded by beautiful mountains and archaeological remains, before heading to Ollantaytambo and its amazing Inca terraces. On the way, you will enjoy class II-III rapids, and you will finish by “El Resbaladero” (“the slide”), a great, class III rapid that includes waves and small whirlpools.You will end at the Cachiccata community located a few minutes away from the Ollantaytambo village.
After your rafting adventure, you will be driven to your hotel in Ollantaytambo to collect your luggage and then drive to Cusco.

Cusco City and nearby Inca Ruins (private tour)
In the afternoon, you will enjoy a guided tour around Cusco (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), visiting its most remarkable landmarks. Your journey will start with a stroll around the main attractions of the ancient Inca capital: its central square known as Plaza de Armas, and the 16th-century Cathedral that boasts an impressive collection of more than 400 paintings from the Cusco art school dating to the 16thand 17thcentury.

The tour includes a visit to the most impressive of the Inca temples:Koricancha, known as the Temple of the Sun. During the Inca times, the walls of this temple were lined with sheets of solid gold, and its courtyard was decorated with golden statues and ornaments. You will finish with a visit to the Santo Domingo Church built by the Spanish colonists, before moving outside the city for an exploration of a series of other famous Inca monuments.

First, you will head to Sacsayhuaman, an amazing Inca fortress whose main walls, built with massive stones, are perfectly fitted. You will learn more about the Incas’ secrets, before continuing to Qenko,Puca Pucara (an Inca lodging site), and Tambo Machay (known as the Baths of the Inca).

Farewell dinner in the evening.

Overnight in Cusco: Casa Andina Standard Cusco Plaza – Traditional Room or similar.

In the morning, you will head to the airport for your return flight to Lima and, from there, back home. Alternatively, you may choose to continue your Peruvian adventure, spending a few days in the Amazon Rainforest.

Recommended international flight: after 6 pm.