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All destinationsExplore two of the best-known sights of Peru’s Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu and Vinicunca, also known as Rainbow Mountain, on a demanding trek along one of the oldest routes in the region, the Inca Trail.
Explore two of the best-known sights of Peru’s Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu and Vinicunca, also known as Rainbow Mountain, on a demanding trek along one of the oldest routes in the region, the Inca Trail.
Explore two of the best-known sights of Peru’s Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu and Vinicunca, also known as ‘Rainbow Mountain’, on a demanding trek along one of the oldest routes in the region, the Inca Trail.
This 10-day trekking trip lets you experience the geography and culture of the Peruvian Andes, with hikes to Rainbow Mountain and Machu Picchu.
The first highlight is Machu Picchu, one of the Seven Wonders of the World: an Inca city of fine stonework set between two high Andean peaks. It is believed to have been a sacred archaeological centre for the nearby Inca capital of Cusco. The site was unknown except to local people until 1911, when the archaeologist Hiram Bingham rediscovered it. The Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is one of the best-known and most popular hikes in the world. The trail crosses high mountains and offers views of mountain ranges, varied vegetation and a wide range of ecosystems.
Next, you visit Rainbow Mountain, originally known as Vinicunca, at an altitude of 5,200 metres in the Peruvian Andes. Its natural colours are rare anywhere else in the world. It is a few hours from Machu Picchu, Peru’s best-known sight, and is reached from Cusco. The trail up Rainbow Mountain is very challenging, with views along the way of small villages, adobe houses, herds of llamas and alpacas, and Ausangate, the highest mountain in the Cusco region.
Both sites are remarkable places to visit.
On arrival in Lima, you are met and transferred to your hotel for the night.
After an early breakfast, you transfer from the hotel to the airport for the flight to Puno. On arrival in Puno, you are met and transferred to your hotel.
After breakfast, you tour the Titicaca National Reserve to visit the Uros “floating islands”. These are a group of more than 40 islands made of layers of “Totora” reeds. The Uros people have intermarried with the Aymara and no pure Uros remain, but the islanders still live as their ancestors did and keep some Uro traditions. They fish, hunt birds and graze cattle on the islets.
At the scheduled time, you travel to Cusco by private transport. On the way there are several stops to visit the Andahuaylillas Chapel and archaeological sites including the Temple of Raqchi, La Raya and Pukara. A buffet lunch is provided in the village of Sicuani. On arrival, you are met and transferred to your hotel for the night.
After an early breakfast, the tour starts with a three-hour bus ride through the Sacred Valley to Km 82 (the 54.68-mile post) at 2,750 m (9,022 ft). From here you hike for about five hours through the Sacred Valley along the Urubamba River to the campsite at Wayllabamba, at 3,000 m (9,842 ft). Lunch and dinner are provided.
After breakfast, you set off for the Warmiwañusca Pass at 4,200 m (13,779 ft), which has a panoramic view of the Peruvian Andes. The trail then descends to the second campsite at Pacay, at 3,600 m (11,811 ft). Total hiking time is about six to seven hours. Lunch and dinner are provided.
After breakfast, you set off for the Warmiwañusca Pass at 4,200 m (13,779 ft), which has a panoramic view of the Peruvian Andes. The trail then descends to the second campsite at Pacay, at 3,600 m (11,811 ft). Total hiking time is about six to seven hours. Lunch and dinner are provided.
After an early breakfast, the hike starts at 5:30 am to see the sunrise at Intipunku, the “Sun Gate”. You arrive at Machu Picchu at around 8:00 am for a two-hour guided tour. After the tour, you climb Huayna Picchu. At the scheduled time, you take the shuttle bus down to Aguas Calientes for lunch, then the train back to Cusco and your hotel. Lunch is included.
A day tour, including a trek, from Cusco to the mountain known as the 7 Colour Mountain. Located in southern Peru, in the Cusco region, the route passes through landscapes with glaciers, snow-capped mountains, and clear rivers and lakes. You pass villages of Quechua descendants and explore the surrounding countryside. You are picked up from your accommodation at around 3:00 am and travel first to Arco (on the road to Puno) and then to the Checacupe district, a journey of 2 hours. The drive continues to Pitumarca and several small villages until you reach the community of Hanchipata-Quesuno, a further 1.5 hours. The hike starts here. Along the way you can see many surrounding mountains and the Ausangate glacier, as well as local wildlife and camelids in their natural environment. The trek takes about 3 hours to reach Vinicunca (Rainbow Mountain). Here you have about one hour to rest and take photographs. You then hike back to the start of the trek and return to Cusco, arriving at about 7:00 pm.
After an early breakfast, you transfer from the hotel to the airport for the flight to Lima. On arrival in Lima, you are met and transferred to your hotel. In the evening, we take you to a cultural show and dinner.
Peru and Bolivia, "Machu Picchu Trek and Rainbow Mountain
July 2019, Tripadvisor
Most amazing experience, good vegan, veggie food everywhere. Earthbound make the trip happen with knowledgable guides. Badri makes sure you have a wonderful experience and achieve the unthinkable. Thank you Badri and Rajan for making it another memorable trip.
Flawless, Seamless Himalayas Trip for My Wedding Engagement Proposal!
August 2017, Tripadvisor
Quite frankly not sure where to begin to describe what a great trip we had. Rajan was incredibly responsive and helpful from the early stages of planning to navigating changes in Tourist Visa processes. As I was planning to propose to my now Fiance, you can imagine this was quite an important trip for me. Rajan was wonderfully helpful in structuring the itinerary so that we could hit the key spots that we wanted to see while managing costs to our budget. His attention to detail was greatly appreciated. Moreover the local guide/driver was incredible. They were both passionate and knowledgeable while also suggesting great spots to take photos. Really an all-around wonderful experience.
Nepal Meaningful Adventure
May 2017, Tripadvisor
What a remarkable experience! We traveled with Earthbound Expeditions as a college group with 16 students and 2 professors in May-June 2017. Rajan at Earthbound worked very closely with us to customize an experience that matched our academic and cultural exchange goals. We hiked in the Himalayas to the magical Tengboche monastery, volunteered in a rural village in Gorkha District, and observed rhinos in the wild Chitwan jungle. We highly recommend Earthbound!
Team Badri....outstanding!!
June 2017, Tripadvisor
I have just returned from a second trip using Earthbound Expeditions and can't wait to return again. This time I joined the Kailash pilgrimage because I was keen to visit the Tibetan landscape and I was not disappointed. In Kathmandu we visited Pashupatinath, Buddha Nilkantha, Boudhanath and Swayambhanth with Resham a very knowledgeable guide. Next day we left for Tibet. With Badri on his 46th trip to Kailash, the whole trip ran smoothly nothing too much trouble and every diet catered for by his amazing staff who joined us in Tibet. In the thin air we were 'encouraged' to eat and drink in order to alleviate altitude sickness, making the trip safe and relaxed in the knowledge we were in good hands. The team including Kedar, Arjun, Maule, Sarki, Narayan, Norbu and drivers and they always had a reassuring smile and nothing was too much trouble for our sometimes demanding group. We had to change part of the pilgrimage trek due to weather (snow) but this was done and alternate plans made calmly without any fuss. There was always someone nearby to give you a helping hand or encouragement on the trek. The Tibetan scenery is breathtaking at times and it's raw beauty made it a truly memorable journey. Back in Kathmandu I chose to stay again with Rajan in his home on the edge of the Raniban forest (See Himanshu Homestay) and was I invited to join in celebrations for an upcoming wedding making the experience unique and enjoyable. A truly professional company dedicated to making your dreams come true! Thank you.
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10 days
$2,157 per person
