This tour combines Cusco´s classic attractions, Machu Picchu, and one of Peru´s most popular destinations Palcoyocc Rainbow Mountain and 7 lakes of Ausangate. Spend seven days surrounded by history, tradition, and stunning scenery in the heart of the Andes, as you fall in love with the region´s many wonders on the trip of a lifetime! You will stay in quality hotels and hostels specially selected by our agency, and receive included private transportation to and from the airport on the first and last days of your tour.
Peru
Machu Picchu, Palcoyoc, 7 Lakes of Ausagante 6D / 5N
Summary
Overview of the Machu Picchu, Palcoyoc ,7 Lakes in Ausagante 6 days / 5 nights
Day 1:
City Tour in Cusco
Depending on you arrival time, You will be welcomed at the Cusco airport by our staff and escorted to your hotel or hostel, After lunch, your adventure in Cusco begins
Place visited on this tour:
- Cusco Cathedral
- Temple of the Sun or Qoricancha
- Sacsayhuaman
- Q’enQo
- PukaPukara
- Tambomachay
Day 2:
Palccoyoc Rainbow Mountain full Day Hike
Palccoyo is a new route, you will also most likely be alone with your group or with a few other groups. Your pictures will then be better, and you will also see three rainbow mountains instead of just one with the classic tour to Vinicunca. This tour is a must-do in the area.
- Tour Start Time: Between 4:30 and 5:00 am
- Return to Cusco: Between 6:00 and 6:30 p.m.
- Maximum Altitude: 5,200 meters (17,060 ft)
- Walking Hours: 1:30 to 2:00h
- Weather: Cold in the morning; hot and sunny at midday; chilly wind towards in afternoon. Layered clothing adaptable to different conditions is highly recommended.
Day 3
7 lakes of Ausangate full day
7 Lakes Ausangate Full Day Tour is an amazing day trip from Cusco. On this trip, you will visit seven lakes with different beautiful colors like green, turquoise, and bright blue, in addition to spectacular mountains part of the Vilcanota range such as Ausagante and Ayancate. After the trek, you can also enjoy a relaxing moment in the thermal baths, with a stunning view on the Ausangate.
- Tour Start Time: Between 4:30 and 5:00 am
- Tour End Time: Approximately 7:00 pm
- Maximum Altitude: 4,600m/15,200ft
- Round trip walking hours: Around 5 hours
- Weather: Cold in the morning; hot and sunny at midday; chilly wind towards in afternoon. Layered clothing adaptable to different conditions is highly recommended.
- Highlights: Amazing lakes, Spectacular view on the Ausangate ,Thermal baths at the end of the trek
Day 4
Sacred Valley Tour and Overnigh in Aguas Calientes
The tour begins at 8:00am with pickup at your hotel or hostel and a picturesque ride to the village of Pisac for a visit to its famous craft market. Located 33 kilometers from Cusco, the village of Pisac sits below one of Cusco´s most important archeological sites, where you will be able to explore an ancient Inca agricultural center and its stunning terraces. In Urubamba
- Tour Start Time: Approximately 8:00 am
- Arrival in Aguas Calientes: Approximately 6:15 pm
- Difficulty: Light
- Weather : Cold in the morning; hot and sunny at midday; chilly wind towards in afternoon. Layered clothing adaptable to different conditions is highly recommended.
Day 5
Machu Picchu Tour and Returning to Cusco
Today you will visit Machu Picchu. You will determine, with your tour guide, the best time to start your day. Most people prefer to rise at 7 a.m.
- Tour Start Time: Between 5:30 and 6:00 am
- Tour End Time: Approximately 10:00 pm
- Maximum Altitude: we will reach is 2,400 meters 7,920 fts
- Walking tour in MachuPicchu: Around 3 hours
- Weather: Cold in the morning; hot and sunny at midday; chilly wind towards in afternoon. Layered clothing adaptable to different conditions is highly recommended.
Day 6
Good Bye Cusco – Return to Lima
New Regulations
In January 2019, changes to the Machu Picchu visitation rules were implemented. Now, entrance tickets to the citadel are sold for specific time slots, starting at 6:00 AM, 7:00 AM, 8:00 AM, 9:00 AM, 10:00 AM, 11:00 AM, 12:00 PM, 1:00 PM, and 2:00 PM.
With this new entry system, visitors board the bus to Machu Picchu one hour or 30 minutes before the visitation time printed on their ticket. This way, they do not have to endure unnecessary queues in Machu Picchu Pueblo, nor do they contribute to crowding at the entrances to the Inca city.
Meanwhile, visitors who wish to walk to Machu Picchu must depart one and a half hours before their designated visitation time.
In January 2021, new visitation routes or circuits were introduced at Machu Picchu with the aim of preserving the archaeological site for future generations. Each visitor follows a circuit according to the type of entrance ticket they have purchased, whether it’s for visiting Machu Picchu only, Huayna Picchu mountain, or Machupicchu mountain.
For more detailed information about the different circuits and specific entrance schedules, we invite you to read this link on Schedules and New Circuits for Visiting Machu Picchu or to contact us directly. We can provide you with all the necessary information and address any questions you may have.
Itinerary
Day 1 – City tour In Cusco
You will be welcomed at the Cusco airport by our staff and escorted to your hotel or hostel.
After lunch, your adventure in Cusco begins
At 1 p.m., we will meet you at your hotel lobby to begin your tour. From here, you will head to Cusco’s Plaza de Armas, where you will visit the famous cathedral. Following, you will continue on foot through an ancient Inca-built street from the Plaza de Armas to the Q’oricancha, the Temple of the Sun. At the Q’oricancha you will be able to compare and contrast the building methods of the Incan culture and Catholicism. This was the key spiritual center of the Incas, which leads to all four quarters of the Inca Empire. There is also a bronze, high altar to be seen.
From Q’oricancha, your group will walk down Avenida El Sol, where you will take your bus 25 minutes outside of the city. You will be taken to the majestic Inca site, Sacsayhuaman, with its enigmatic, 200 ton monoliths, You will be able to hear from your guide and then, explore on your own.
From Sacsayhuaman, you will take a five minute bus ride to the Q’enqo Inca site to see its fascinating Incan altars. Following, you will take another five minute drive to Puca Pucara, a small, circular Inca site. The final stop on our tour is Tambomachay, a water temple with impressive water fountains, thought to be used by the Inca for bathing. We’ll then drive back down to Cusco where the tour ends in the main square, unless you are taking a private tour, in which case, we will return you to your hotel.
Included:
- Transportation to and from the airport on your arrival day in Cusco
- Transfer from your hotel/hostal
- Tourist transportation for the Cusco City Tour (this will be a large group tour)
- Professional guide who is fluent in English
- Basic Hotel in Cusco (upgrades available)
Not Included:
- Entrance fees to Sun Temple or Qoricancha (15 soles per person or 5 dóllars)
- Entrance fees to Catedral (40 soles person or 12 dóllars)
- Full tourist ticket or Boleto Turístico (130 soles per person or 40 dollars )
What to bring: Small day pack ,warm jacket, water, hat, sunscreen, sunglases
Day 2 – Palcoyoc Rainbow Mountain Full Day Hike
Our tour will start with an early pick-up from your accommodation in Cusco between 4:30 and 5:00 am. We will drive for 3 hours passing through many colorful colonial towns before reaching Pitumarca district where we will have breakfast.
After breakfast, we will drive for 1 hour and a half more along the Salcca Valley. On the way, you will enjoy a nice view over the mountains as we follow a small river to get to the starting point of the hike (4850m/15912ft).
We will then start our hike and walk for 45 minutes to 1 hour (1km) to our viewpoint (5,000m/16,404ft.). From there, we will have the most unique views of Ausangate (highest snow-capped mountain of Cusco 6375m/20915ft) and of the three rainbow mountains. As this is an alternative route to the well-known Vinicunca, you will be able to enjoy the views without crowds of tourists, to take magnificent photos and to remember forever the stunning views. After taking our pictures and appreciating the view, we will make our way back to our bus, have lunch and head back to Cusco. You will be dropped off in the center around 6:30 pm.
Included:
- Transfer from your hotel/hostal
- Tourist transportation for the Palccoyoc Rainbow Mountain (this will be a large group tour)
- Professional guide who is fluent in English
- Simi buffet breakfast and lunch
- Basic Hotel in Cusco (upgrades available)
Not Included:
- Entrance fees for the Rainbow Mountain ( 30 soles per person )
- Rental Horses
What to bring: Comfortable, hiking shoes,small daypack or backpack (approximately 20L),comfortable, lightweight trekking clothes or activewear (layers recommended),waterproof, sturdy hiking boots with good ankle support and traction, waterproof jacket or rain poncho,warm coat, hat and gloves, hand sanitizer, sun hat or cap, sunscreen, sunglasses, water (at least 1L), personal medications, muscle relaxers, painkillers or anti-inflammatories, bandaids (especially those designed for blisters), toilet paper, camera, cash (in small denominations of Peruvian Nuevos soles)
Day 3 – 7 Lakes of Ausangate Full Day Hike
We will pick you up from your accommodation in Cusco between 4:30.a.m to 5 :00.a.m and we will then drive for about two hours and half to the village of Tinki. From there, we will drive for another 40 minutes more to Pacchata village which is the starting point of our hike, In Pacchanta we will have breakfast. After breakfast, we will start our hike. We will hike for about one and a half hours gently uphill to get to the first lake. From that point, we will be really close to the other six lakes, and the way will get easier as it will go mostly downhill or flat. We will have plenty of time to take photos of the lakes and glaciers. After the hike, we will have lunch and you will have the opportunity to enjoy a relaxing moment in the thermal baths with a great view of the Ausangate. We will then make our way back to Cusco, which should take around three hours.
Included:
- Transfer from your hotel/hostal
- Tourist transportation for the 7 Lake of Ausangate hike (this will be a large group tour)
- Professional guide who is fluent in English
- Simi buffet breakfast and lunch
- Basic Hotel in Cusco (upgrades available)
Not Included:
- Entrance fees for the Humantay Lake ( 20 soles per person )
- Rental Horses
What to bring: Comfortable, hiking shoes,small daypack or backpack (approximately 20L),comfortable, lightweight trekking clothes or activewear (layers recommended),waterproof, sturdy hiking boots with good ankle support and traction, waterproof jacket or rain poncho,warm coat, hat and gloves, hand sanitizer, sun hat or cap, sunscreen, sunglasses, water (at least 1L), personal medications, muscle relaxers, painkillers or anti-inflammatories, bandaids (especially those designed for blisters), toilet paper, camera, cash (in small denominations of Peruvian Nuevos soles)
Day 4 – Sacred Valley Tour and Overnight in Aguas Calientes
The tour begins at 8:00am with pickup at your hotel or hostel and a picturesque ride to the village of Pisac for a visit to its famous craft market. Located 33 kilometers from Cusco, the village of Pisac sits below one of Cusco´s most important archeological sites, where you will be able to explore an ancient Inca agricultural center and its stunning terraces. In Urubamba, or “The Heart of the Sacred Valley,” you can eat lunch (not included) in the shadow of snow-capped Chicon Mountain and explore the lush, palm-filled Plaza de Armas before continuing with the afternoon portion of the tour.
Next, you will arrive in Ollantaytambo, where villagers still live in ancient stone houses built by the Incas around Hanan Huacaypata Square. You will experience the majesty of one of the Inca´s most impregnable fortresses, as you climb to the scenic Temple of the Sun and admire the sophisticated engineering of the Baths of the Princess.
Finally, you will board the 4:30 p.m train to Aguas Calientes, After an approximately two-hour journey through the Andes, you will arrive at Aguas Calientes train station, where you will be greeted by our staff and escorted to your hotel and hostel to spend the night before your day at Machu Picchu. At dinner, you will be briefed on the next day´s tour and itinerary.
Included:
- Transfer from your hotel/hostal
- Tourist transportation for the Sacred Valley Tour (this will be a large group tour)
- Professional guide who is fluent in English
- Lunch in the Sacred Valley
- Expedition train ticket Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes
- Basic Hotel in Aguas Calientes (upgrades available)
Not Included:
- Entrance fees Salt mine of Maras (15 soles per person or 5 dollars)
- Full tourist ticket or Boleto Turístico (130 soles per person 40 dollars )
- Dinner in Aguas Calientes
What to bring: On this day you will not return to Cusco because you will spend the night in Aguas Calientes. Therefore you have to make sure you bring the original Passport to board the train, and for your visit to Machu Picchu. Put a change of clothes into your small backpack, comfortable shoes, comfortable and light clothing or sportswear, waterproof jacket or rain poncho, cap or hat for the sun, warm clothes for the end of the afternoon, sunscreen, sunglasses, water (at least 1L) camera, cash (in small denominations of Peruvian nuevos soles
Day 5 – Machu Picchu Tour and Returing to Cusco
Today you will visit Machu Picchu. You will determine, with your tour guide, the best time to start your day. Most people prefer to rise at 4 a.m. walk to the bus station to take one of the first buses up to Machu Picchu. It can be enjoyable to arrive at the ruins as soon as they open, at 6 a.m., to catch the magical mists on the ruins as the sun rises. After a 25 minute bus ride to Machu Picchu, your tour guide will take you to the best views before the day trippers arrive. Then, we will start the two hour guided, walking tour, exploring all of the famous places of this impressive citadel: After the tour, you will have time to explore the ruins on your own. If you have booked permits to climb Huayna Picchu Mountain or Machu Picchu Mountain, you will head to that adventure. If you chose not to book a hike, you can climb to the Sun Gate and witness its amazing views. At around 12:p.m or 1 p.m., you will need to take the bus back down to Aguas Calientes to enjoy lunch at one of the many restaurants there. Be sure to arrive at the train station 30 minutes before your departure.
Note: Machu Picchu Inca site is different from Machu Picchu Mountain. When most people refer to Machu Picchu, they are referring to the archeological site. Machu Picchu Mountain requires a separate permit to climb. Please notify us if you are interested and we can book this for you. It must be done in advance and is a part of your entry into the site
Included:
- Round trip bus ticket from Aguas Calientes to MachuPicchu/ Aguas Calientes
- Machu Picchu entrance fees
- Professional guide who is fluent in English
- Two hours walking tour in Machu Picchu
- Expedition train ticket from to Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo train station
- Transfer from Ollantaytambo train station to your hotel in Cusco
- Basic Hotel in Cusco (upgrades available)
Not Included:
- A ticket to climb HuaynaPicchu or MachuPicchu Mountain-let us know in advance if you would like to do this
- Lunch in Aguas Calientes
What to bring: Original passport, small day pack , warm jacket, water, hat, sunscreen, sunglasses
Day 6 – Good Bye Cusco – Return to Lima
We will pick you up from your hotel and bring you to the airport for your flight to Lima.
Included:
- Breakasta in the hotel
- Transfer from your hotel/hosta to Airport
Options Pricing
Just The Tour
USD$510.00Per Person
In this tour price option, we exclusively organize the tours, provide experienced guides, arrange transportation, and cover the entrance fees. As a result, you have the flexibility to make your own arrangements for hotel accommodations in both Cusco and Aguas Calientes
Basic Hotel in Cusco
USD$660.00Per Person
In this tour price option, we will take care of all the organization for a basic hotel accommodation in both Cusco and Aguas Calientes. Additionally, we will arrange the tours, provide experienced guides, handle transportation logistics, and cover the entrance fees.
Hotel names in Cusco are:
- 7 ventanas Hotel
- El Triunfo hotel
This hotels provides private rooms, private toilets, hot showers, Wi-Fi
Hotel name in Aguas Calientes :
- Tambo Machu Picchu
Upgrade Hotel Available
Comfortable Hotel in Cusco
USD$850.00Per Person
In this tour price option, we take care of the organization of a Conform hotel accommodation in both Cusco and Aguas Calientes. Additionally, we will arrange the tours, provide experienced guides, handle transportation logistics, and cover the entrance fees.
Hotel names in Cusco are:
- Tierra Viva Saphi
- Novo hotel
This hotels provides private rooms, private toilets, hot showers, Wi-Fi
Hotel name in Aguas Calientes :
- Ccccccc
Upgrade Hotel Available
Hotel booking is subject to availability of spaces.
The cost of the tour packages are based on double or matrimonial room. For an individual room an extra payment has to be made.
Prices do not include VAT for Peruvian passengers.
Please note that meals are not included on this tour; however, with several excellent restaurants in Cusco, you will have no trouble finding plenty to eat!
Read all out reviews in Tripadvisor: TRIPADVISOR INTI SUN TREK
Inclusion
Included
- Transportation to and from the airport on your arrival day in Cusco
- City Tour (transport and guide, Tourist ticket or entrance fees to see the sites in the Cusco City tour)
- Palcoyocc Rainbow Mountain full day (Round trip transportation, buffet breakfast and Lunch, professional bilingual tour guide, entrance fees to the Rainbow Mountain)
- 7 Lakes in Ausangate full day (Round trip transportation, breakfast and Lunch, professional bilingual tour guide, entrance fees to 7 lakes in Ausangate)
- Sacred Valley Tour – Night in Aguas Calientes (Transfer from your hotel, Guide who is fluent in English, Tourist transportation to the sites in the Sacred Valley, Tourist ticket or entrance fees to see the sites in the sacred valley tour, Lunch in the tour, One night stay in an Aguas Calientes hostel
- Machu Picchu Tour(Round trip train tickets (tourist class) (Ollanta – Aguas Calientes – Ollanta)Round trip bus tickets (Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu.) Professional bilingual tour guide, Entrance to Machu Picchu, Walking tour in Machu Picchu, Transportation back from Ollantaytambo to Cusco.
- 4 nights in a Cusco basic hotels with hot shower,wife, Hotel names in Cusco are, 7 ventanas, Triunfo hotel,
- 1 night in a basic hotel in Aguas Calientes Hotel name is Tambo Machupicchu
Not Included:
- All breakfast, lunchs and dinners that are not mentioned in the tour itinerary
- Flights (Lima – Cusco – Lima)
- Entrance to the mountain of Huayna Picchu and Machu Picchu Peak (optional $40 USD).
- Entrance to Qoricancha (15 soles) and Cathedral (40 soles)
What to bring
What you need to bring
- Original passport and migration card (TAM)
- Sneakers or hiking shoes
- water
- We strongly recommend to bring your Camel Back and water canteen due to that government of Peru will not allow disposable plastic bottles anymore on the Inca trail and in Machu Picchu.
- Raincoat (long poncho) during the rainy season.
- Warm jacket
- Gloves and hat
- Long-sleeved shirts
- T-shirts
- Long pants.
- Insect repellent
- Sunscreen, sunhat, sunglasses
- Binoculars
- Medicine and / or personal items/toiletries
- Toilet paper
- A backpack or lightweight suitcase (between 5-6 kilos for tours in Machu Picchu)
- Camera or camcorder, film, memory cards
- Cash in small denominations of Peruvian nuevo soles
- Bathing suit for the hot springs (optional)
before you go
Pre-Trek Briefing
All briefings are done at our office at 6:00 PM the night before your trek. If you are unable to make this time, you need to coordinate another time with a member of the Inti Sun Trek office team. Briefings are approximately 30 -45 minutes long.
Do the tour guides speak English?
Our team of guides are all local to the Cusco area and speak both Spanish and English fluently. Many of them also speaking Quechua (the native language of Peru). With degrees in tourism and with two years minimum of experience under their belts, they are full of energy, information about the native flora and fauna, and the Inca sites, with a vast knowledge of ready sourced stories and legends told by the Andean people.
How many people are there per group?
Group size depends on the day´s activity: the Sacred Valley Tour will have about 20 people, the Rainbow Mountain Tour will have twenty people maximum, and Machu Picchu will have sixteen people maximum.
Renewal or change passport number?
If you plan to renew or change your name on your passport between making your trek booking and starting your trek, you can book your trek or tour with your current passport number or name, but you must send us a copy of your old passport and a copy of your new passport when you have them. We can then make the change with the government before you arrive. The extra cost to make the change is US$25 per person. (This will cover the change in number or name for your Inca Trail Permit, Machu Picchu Entrance, and train.)
If you do not advise us of the change or do not want to pay the fee, bring the original of both passports (the old and new one). You can enter Peru with your new passport but you must show the government authorities your old passport in order to enter the Inca Trail, Machu Picchu or train. If you cannot do so, you will not be allowed to start your trek by the government officials. All names and numbers must match!!
Return train after your day at Machu Picchu
Returning train Included in the cost of this tour/trek is the Expedition train, which departs either at 6:20 pm or 7:00 pm and DEPENDING ON AVAILABILITY.
Can I get an early train ticket?
We can also book an afternoon train that departs 2:55 p.m. or 4:22 p.m. at an extra cost of US $35 per person the train we will book DEPENDS ON AVAILABILITY.
Please, notice that 35 dollars extra you will pay also will cover your private transportation to bring you back from Ollantaytambo train station to your hotel in Cusco
Can I change my return train ticket?
It may still be possible to make changes to your return train ticket if you don’t want to take the 18:20p.m train You will have to take your train ticket personally to the train station in Aguas Calientes and ask them to change the return ticket for an early one. You will probably be asked to pay an extra administration fee, which will depend on the train service and departure time. Changing the ticket will be subject to availability of spaces on the train
Tips for the Staff
Tips for porters, cooks and guides are always welcome. The porters are also very grateful for small gifts, such as clothing and school equipment for their children. A normal amount for the group to tip is S/60-80 for each porter and S/120 for the chef. The group will pool money for the tip, this is not an individual amount.
Refunds
Inti Sun Trek fails to confirm the reservation, your payment will be refunded in full.
Huayna Picchu Climb
Only 400 people can climb this mountain per day. If you are interested in climbing Huayna Picchu, tickets need to be booked in advance.
Storage during your tour
You can leave any of your belongings at your hotel or hostel you were previously staying in. These hostels/hotels usually have a secure, locked room where you can store your belongings. If you do not trust your hostel, we would be more than happy to securely store your belongings for you.
