Enjoy an amazing 8-day adventure through some of Peru's most incredible sites. Begin with a tour of the historic city of Cusco. Then, follow in the footsteps of the Incas through the Sacred Valley. Embark on the ancient Inca Trail, leading to the stunning Machu Picchu. Conclude your journey with the breathtaking views of Rainbow Mountain and Red Valley. This tour offers an unforgettable experience, blending culture, excitement, and mysticism.
City tour, Sacred Valley, Inca Trail, and Rainbow Mountain 8 days
This action-packed 8-day tour covers some of the most popular tourist attractions in the Cusco region. The itinerary includes a city tour of Cusco, where you'll explore the city's colonial architecture and delve into its Inca history. You'll also visit the Sacred Valley, taking in some of the region's most significant archaeological sites, such as Pisac, Moray, the Salineras of Maras, and Ollantaytambo. The Inca Trail trek, one of Peru's most renowned hikes, leads to Machu Picchu. Your trip concludes with a visit to Rainbow Mountain and Red Valley, two of Peru's most iconic landmarks, ensuring a truly unforgettable experience.
Tour Highlights:
- Explore the most important landmarks of Cusco.
- Marvel at the finest ancient sites in the Sacred Valley.
- Hike the Inca Trail with the top trekking tour operator.
- Board the exclusive panoramic trains (Vistadome or 360°).
- Enjoy the amazing landscapes of Rainbow Mountain and the Red Valley.
Inca Trail 8-Day at a Glance
Day 1: Airport Pickup - Cusco City Tour
You will be picked up from Cusco airport and transferred to a centrally located hotel. In the afternoon, you will take a city tour of Cusco, exploring Plaza de Armas, important streets, Coricancha, Sacsayhuaman, and the surrounding ruins.
Day 2: Sacred Valley Tour
Explore the best of the Sacred Valley, visiting Pisac, Moray, Salineras of Maras, and Ollantaytambo, with an overnight stay in a hotel in Ollantaytambo.
Day 3: Inca Trail
Embark on a 6-hour hike to the first campsite at Ayapata, 3,300m above sea level.
Day 4: Inca Trail
Conquer the trail's highest peak (4,200m) during a 10-hour hike. The second campsite is at 3,600m.
Day 5: Inca Trail
Explore iconic archaeological sites along the Inca Trail, including Phuyupatamarca, Intipata, and Winaywayna.
Day 6: Machu Picchu
Rise early for a hike to the Sun Gate to witness the sunrise. Then, explore Machu Picchu with an expert guide. Return on the Vistadome Panoramic Trains.
Day 7: Rainbow Mountain
Depart early from Cusco to discover the natural wonders of Rainbow Mountain and Red Valley.
Day 8: Departure
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your departure.
Included
- Airport Transfers
- Cusco City Tour
- Sacred Valley Tour, including Maras and Moray
- 4-day Classic Inca Trail tour
- Rainbow Mountain & Red Valley Tour
- 4 nights hotel in Cusco and Sacred Valley
- 3 nights camping with comfortable equipment
- All transportation during the 8-day tour
- Personal Porter for up to 7 kilos of luggage
- Professional tour guides
- Experienced chefs and porters
- Entrance tickets to all the sites we visit
- Vistadome panoramic train
Not Included
- Sleeping bags, trekking poles, inflatable mattresses
- Huayna Picchu
- Travel Insurance
- Meals not mentioned
Full Itinerary of the Inca Trail 8 days with Rainbow Mountain
Day 1: Airport Pick up - Cusco City Tour
Upon arrival at Cusco Airport, we will pick you up and transfer you to your centrally-located hotel in Cusco City. In the late afternoon, at 1:00 p.m., you will walk in the heart of Cusco, visiting the city's most notable sites. These include the Plaza de Armas, the street with the 12-angled stone, Loreto Street, Qorikancha, Sacsayhuaman, Qenqo, Puca Pucara, Tambomachay, and Cristo Blanco. The tour will conclude back at your hotel around 6:00 p.m.
- Duration: a half-day
- Meals included: none
- Tickets included: yes
- Hotel: San Agustin or Similar
- Transportation + Tour guide
Day 2: Sacred Valley Tour - Ollantaytambo
After breakfast at your hotel, your tour guide will pick you up at 7:00 a.m. and drive you for 30 minutes to Alpaca Center and to Mirador Taray, where you will be greeted with a stunning view of the Sacred Valley, the Urubamba River, the cornfields, and the Andes Mountains. You will then visit the best of the Pisac Inca Site, explore the Pisac Market, and enjoy lunch at a quaint restaurant in Urubamba known for its fresh, locally sourced ingredients.
After lunch, your journey continues with the circular terraces of Moray and the Salineras of Maras before concluding the day in the village of Ollantaytambo. Your accommodation will be a hotel conveniently located near Ollantaytambo and the entrance to the Inca Trail.
- Duration: Full day
- Meals: Breakfast at the hotel & buffet lunch in Urubamba
- Included tickets
- Hotel: Tunupa Lodge or Similar
Day 3: Inca Trail
Breakfast will be served at our hotel in Ollantaytambo, and you will join the Inca Trail group around 7:00 a.m. to drive for approximately 30 minutes to the village of Piskacucho, also known as KM 82, which marks the start of the Inca Trail. You will present your passport at the checkpoint and begin the 4-day trek to Machu Picchu. The first day features a relatively easy 6-hour hike alongside flowing streams, through small villages, and past impressive ancient sites. The first campsite, situated at 3,300 meters (10,826 feet), is known as Ayapata.
- Distance: 13.5 kilometers / 8 miles
- Duration: 8 hours
- Meals: Breakfast, snacks, lunch, afternoon tea, dinner
- Lodging: Camping
- Difficulty: Moderate
Day 4: Inca Trail
After a restful night, our trekking team will gently wake you with a hot cup of coffee or tea served in your tent. You'll have time to pack and brace yourself for the Inca Trail's most demanding day en route to Machu Picchu. The day's trek involves crossing two mountains over a total of 10 hours. The ascent to the highest point of the Inca Trail, Dead Woman's Pass, takes about 4 hours, reaching an altitude of 4,215 meters (13,828 feet), followed by a 2-hour descent to Pacaymayu for a well-deserved lunch. Post-lunch, you'll tackle a 2-hour climb to Runkuracay Pass (4,000 m / 13,123 ft), then a 2-hour descent to Chaquicocha, your second campsite. En route, you will explore ancient Inca sites such as Runkuracay, Sayacmarca, and Conchamarca.
- Campsite Altitude: 3600m – 11811ft
- Highest Altitude: 421700m – 13835ft
- Distance: 16km / 9 miles
- Duration: 10 hours
- Meals: Breakfast, snacks, lunch, tea time, dinner
- Accommodation: Camping
- Difficulty: Moderate to challenging
Day 5: Inca Trail
After completing the most difficult and demanding section of the Inca Trail, you will begin on a 5-hour hike to the Inca Trail's last campsite. You'll travel through several ecosystems, enjoy amazing panoramic views of the Vilcabamba Mountain range, and explore majestic Inca monuments like Phuyupatamarca, known as the 'City in the Clouds,' and Intipata, known as the 'Terraces of the Sun,' before arriving at the campsite for lunch. Enjoy the afternoon by taking a shower, interacting with llamas, exploring the beautiful Inca site of Wiñawayna, and participating in an early farewell dinner replete with a special surprise!
- Campsite elevation: 2600 m – 8530 ft
- Distance: 10 km / 6 miles
- Duration: 6 hours
- Meals: breakfast, lunch, supper
- Lodging: camping
- Challengingness: Moderate
Day 6: Machu Picchu
On the final and most awaited day, you will wake up at 3:30 a.m., have breakfast at 4:00 a.m., and begin the final two hours of hiking to Machu Picchu at 5:30 a.m. It's a one-hour hike from the checkpoint to the Sun Gate, where you will arrive around 6:30 a.m. to have the first and most outstanding view of Machu Picchu and if the weather permits, a breathtaking sunrise over the Lost City of the Incas awaits you here.
After a brief stop at the Sun Gate, you will descend to Machu Picchu for another hour, stopping at different vantage points to get the iconic photo of the citadel. Then, your expert tour guide will take you through the main sights of Machu Picchu, explaining the secrets of the citadel and the Inca Civilization. Later that afternoon, you'll board the Vistadome Panoramic train and a private shuttle to travel to Cusco, arriving at approximately 7:30 p.m. at your accommodation.
- Highest altitude: 2700m -8858ft
- Distance: 6km / 3 miles
- Duration: 2 hours
- Meals: Breakfast
- Hotel: San Agustin or Similar
- Easy difficulty
Day 7: Rainbow Mountain and Red Valley
At 4:30 a.m., you will be picked up from your hotel in Cusco City and drive for 3 hours to the trailhead. On the way, you will enjoy breakfast at a local restaurant. After breakfast, you'll prepare for the hike with a cup of coca tea to help acclimate to the altitude and then begin the ascent to the mountain, peaking at 5,200 meters.
The trek to the top of Rainbow Mountain takes approximately 2 hours, with an elevation gain of 300 meters from the trailhead. Upon reaching the summit, you'll be greeted with a stunning 360° panorama of Rainbow Mountain. Afterward, a 30-minute hike will take you to explore the unique landscapes of the Red Valley. Finally, you'll head back to the trailhead and enjoy a well-earned lunch at a local restaurant. You'll return to Cusco by van, with an estimated arrival time of around 6:00 p.m.
- Transport, guide, breakfast, and lunch
- Fees for entry to Rainbow Mountain and Red Valley
- Hotel: San Agustin or Similar
Day 8: Fly out
We will transport you back to the airport after breakfast at your hotel.
Inca Trail + Rainbow Mountain 8 days Packing List
The Inca Trail + Rainbow Mountain 8-day tour includes day tours in Cusco, the Sacred Valley, the Inca Trail, and the Rainbow Mountain Tour. For each tour, you need to pack differently.
You will travel to Peru with big luggage, and depending on the tour and day, you will travel with all your belongings or leave your bags at the hotel. Below is detailed information on packing and luggage storage.
Packing list for the City Tour In Cusco
Upon arrival at Cusco airport, we will transfer you to your hotel in the Cusco center. You will have time to unpack, have lunch, and rest before we begin to explore Cusco City in the afternoon.
For the city, you will go in a small backpack where you put all the essentials for the day. Your luggage will stay in Cusco.
- A small backpack or day bag
- Sunscreen and a hat or visor
- Comfortable walking shoes
- A light jacket or sweater - even though it's sunny
- Your camera, of course! Cusco is full of spots for pictures.
- Snacks and water
- Rain gear
- Extra money
You must always travel with rain gear, sun protection, and warm clothes.
Packing list for the Sacred Valley Tour
After breakfast on day 2, your tour guide will collect you from the hotel; you must check out, and you can travel with all your luggage (recommended). During the Sacred Valley tour, you will travel by van, and if the places we visit, your luggage remains in the hotel, and you are with your backpack during the guided tours.
During the guided tours, you will be out in open areas; most of them include hiking, and you need to be prepared. You will spend the night in a hotel in Ollantaytambo and prepare for the Inca Trail.
- A comfortable backpack
- Sun Protection, rain gear
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Comfortable clothes for hiking
- Light warm jackets
- Camera
- Water
- Extra money for souvenirs
Packing list for the Inca Trail
The tour guide will pick you up from your hotel in the Sacred Valley after breakfast around 7.00 am. You will travel to the Inca Trail with your backpack and a small duffle bag with 7 kilos; the rest of your luggage, you will give to the driver, who will transfer back to Cusco and deliver to the new hotel after the Inca Trail. The duffle bags will be given during day 2 with the Sacred Valley tour guide and a short briefing for the Trek.
During the Inca Trail, you will have a backpack with all the essentials for the day, which you are responsible for carrying all the time. You will also have duffle bags where you will put all hiking gear for the 4-day trek; porters carry this bag.
After the Inca Trail, your luggage will be waiting in Cusco.
- A good daypack is essential for carrying your belongings during the hike. Ensure it is comfortable and has enough space to fit everything you need.
- Layers of clothing: The weather can be unpredictable on the trail, so it is important to pack layers that you can take on and off as needed.
- Hiking boots: A good pair of hiking boots is necessary for this trek. Ensure they are well broken in before you go to avoid blisters.
- A hat and sunscreen: Protect yourself from the sun with a hat and sunscreen.
- Water bottle: You must stay hydrated during the hike, so bring a water bottle or CamelBak.
- Snacks: Pack some snacks to keep your energy up during the hike. Energy bars, trail mix, and dried fruit are all good options.
- First Aid kit: It is always a good idea to bring a kit for minor injuries or illnesses.
Packing lits for Rainbow Mountain and Red Valley tour
The pack-up for Rainbow Mountain is early; you will leave your luggage in the hotel, and you don't need to check out as we will return to the same hotel.
One important thing to consider is that Rainbow Mountain is a high-altitude day hike, and the weather can be cold and extreme. Prepare for sunny, cold, windy, and rainy days.
- Sturdy, comfortable shoes: You will be doing a lot of walking on this tour, so make sure to bring shoes that will support your feet and keep you comfortable.
- Sunscreen and hats: The sun can be intense at high altitudes, so pack sunscreen and a hat to protect yourself from the sun.
- Layers of clothing: The temperature can vary greatly depending on the time of day and whether you are in the sun or shade, so it is important to pack layers of clothing that you can adjust according to the conditions.
- Water bottle: It is important to stay hydrated at high altitudes, so bring a water bottle with you and drink plenty of water throughout the day.
- Snacks: We recommend packing some snacks for the tour, as there will not be any opportunities to buy food along the way.
- Trekking poles, the trail can be slippery.
Price for the Inca Trail + Rainbow Mountain 8 days tour
Price per person:
- From US$ 998 - Adults
- From US$ 958 - Students
To book this tour, you need to make an initial payment of US$ 400 per person; the remaining balance can be paid online or at our office in Cusco with any card and without booking fees.
Student Discount:
- 40$ off per person
All travelers under 17 have a $40 discount. If you are 25 years old or under when traveling, you can get the discount with your Student ID. Please send us an email to receive a code for the discount.
Valid Student ID for discount:
To get the student discount, travelers should have a Valid ID with the following:
- 25 years or less at the time of entering Machu Picchu. Older than 25 can not enter as a student
- The ID must have the Name of the university, name, and photo of the student
- The ID must have a valid expiration date
Invalid Student IDs:
Student IDs are not eligible for a discount when:
- Traveler is older than 25
- Expired ID
- Student ID without expiration date
- ISIC cards are not valid
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Inca Trail + Rainbow Mountain 8 days FAQs
The Inca Trail and Rainbow Mountain combination is one of the most breathtaking experiences in South America, combining stunning scenery and ancient culture.
What is the Inca Trail + Rainbow Mountain 8 days?
This complete tour includes city tours in Cusco, Sacred Valley Tour, the Classic Inca trail tour, the Rainbow Mountain hike, exclusive hotels in Cusco and the Sacred Valley, and all the transportation required.
How difficult is this tour?
The Inca Trail and Rainbow Mountain are considered difficult treks. It is recommended for travelers in regular/good physical condition. The trail is steep and often slippery, with many stairs to climb. The altitude can also be challenging, especially on the Rainbow Mountain day hike.
How long is the Inca Trail?
The Inca Trail is a 4-day, 3-night trek that covers 26 miles (42 kilometers) and reaches an altitude of 13,829 feet (4,215 meters) at its highest point.
How long is the Rainbow Mountain hike?
To get to Rainbow Mountain, you must drive from Cusco for about 3 hours to the trailhead. The Hike is about 6 km long to the Top of Rainbow Mountain, through the Red Valley, and back to the trailhead. The total hiking time is about 3.5 hours round trip.
What is the weather like on the Inca Trail and Rainbow Mountain?
The Cusco region is located in the Andes Mountains of Peru so that the weather can be quite variable.
The best time to hike the trail is during the dry season, which runs from May to September. You can expect average temperatures of around 15-20 degrees Celsius during the day and 5-10 degrees at night. However, it is important to be prepared for sudden weather changes, as mountain weather can be unpredictable. The rainy season on the Inca Trail runs from October to April, and while there are still some great days, you are more likely to experience bad weather. It can rain heavily in the mountains, and temperatures can drop below freezing at night.
The Rainbow mountain is high in the Andes of Ausangate, and its peak reaches an impressive elevation of 5,200 meters (17,060 feet). The mountain is covered in various colors, so it is called Rainbow Mountain. The weather on Rainbow Mountain can be unpredictable. The temperature can vary depending on the time of year and the elevation. In general, the temperature is cool at higher elevations and warm at lower elevations. The best time to visit Rainbow Mountain is during the dry season, which runs from April to October. During this time, there is less chance of rain and snow.
How much does the Inca Trail + Rainbow Mountain 8 days cost?
The average cost of an almost all-inclusive package of 8 days is from US$ 1300 to US$ 1400 per person, and this is based on double occupancy in a 3-star hotel.
Are there any discounts for travelers?
- Travelers under 3 years old will not be charged
- Travelers from 3 to 7 years old can get a 50% discount
- Travelers from 7 to 17 years old will get a US$ 40 discount
- Students under 25 with valid student IDs will get a US$ 40 discount
Can I hike the Inca Trail if I have a pre-existing medical condition?
Yes, you can hike the Inca Trail if you have a pre-existing medical condition, but you must get a doctor’s note confirming that you are fit to hike.