Day 1: WELCOME..ARRIVAL TO CUSCO. CITY TOUR,THE FAMOUS SAQSAYWAMAN AND KORICANCHA.

Arrival Reception in airport and transfer to Marqueses Hotel Cusco. Rest and acclimatize as you are now at 3,400 m above sea level. If you are feeling up to it... enjoy the 3 plazas that directly surround your hotel and all the cultural activity and beauty they offer without wandering too far on your first day. Afternoon: Guided Visit to the City as well ( Koricancha, the Inca´s Temple of the Sun and Cusco main Cathedral) as the nearby Inca Ruins of Tambomachay, Puca Pucara, Quenko and Sacsaywaman. ( or this tour can be done on your free Day 6 if you prefer. Return to the Hotel Marqueses.

Accommodation: Hotel Marqueses

Day 2: MARAS, MORAY,SALT MINES TOUR HOTEL MARQUESES

Moray a further breathtaking 20 kms drive with the beautiful snowcapped Chicon and Veronica mountains in the Cordillera Vilcanota as a backdrop we continue through to Moray, in the other side of the Sacred Valley. In Moray we visit “ the Inca agricultural greenhouse or laboratory”, consisting of four platforms amphitheater style or Has a depth of 150 meters, the overlapping concentric circular stone rings widen as they rise. It was an experimental place to study the adaptation of plants to new ecosystems.
Maras, Salineras ( Salt mines ) located 7 miles from Moray at altitude of 3, 380 m is a small village, as a model of a miniature city. Famous for its salt mines, made up of about 3000 small wells with an area average size of about 5 mts . These were already exploited since Inca times as a means of economic exchange and securities. Very interesting to see how the salt is recovered from these mines and the lives of those who work here.
Depart Cusco approx 9:00 am returning approximately 15.00 Hrs return to Cusco.
Sites: approximate duration of visit; Moray: 60 mins 90 mins : Maras , Salineras: 60 mins – 90 mins : What is not Included: Lunch, Cusco Tourist Ticket This ticket is required for the entrance to Moray. If you do not have a tourist ticket it can be purchased at Moray (70 Soles), Saltmines entrance additional 10 soles. Tonigh we recommend to go to Qosqo Music Center to see folk dancers with your tourist ticket located at Sol Avenue and start at 7pm.

Meals: B

Accommodation: Hotel Marqueses

Day 3: SACRED VALLEY OF THE INCAS, PISAC, URUBAMBA, YUCAY,OLLANTAYTAMBO.

At 08.20am meet at SAS Travel office just next door Hotel Marqueses. In a tourist bus, we travel from Cusco past Saqsaywaman & Tambomachay, over the mountains toward the Sacred Valley. We descend 1500 feet to the valley floor of the sacred Urubamba river and the village of Pisac where we will visit a traditional market and you can buy some local souveniers. We then drive up to explore the extensive ruins of Pisac with stunning views over the valley. On the guided walk into the Citadel of Pisac you can observe temples, residences, altars, channels, carvings, tunnels/caves and the famous Intihuatana “The hitching post of the Sun", For those who would prefer to spend more time in the typical Pisac market instead of visiting the ruins, advise your guide so he can organise a time and place to pick you up when returning through the market. We continue on to Urubamba where we stop to buy lunch. A further 30 mins drive takes us to Ollantaytambo surrounded by the sacred mountains, where we will again discover the magnificence of the Incan constructions, the amazing temple of the Sun, enormous blocks of rock perfectly carved and polished, stone water fountains, stairs, terraces and the beauty of the local people in their traditional dress, all surrounded by the sacred mountains and Valley of Patacancha and Willoq. At approximately 4:00 pm the sacred valley tour group returns to Cusco but you are assisted to your check in at the Hotel Apu Lodge, Ollanta Lodge or similar room with private bathroom. Settle in and then enjoy sunset in the valley before buying dinner in the plaza. we recommended Panaka Grill and Hearts Cafe at Ollantaytambo`s Plaza.

Meals: B

Accommodation: Hotel Apu Lodge

Day 4: SHORT VERSION OF INCA TRAIL TO MACHUPICCHU

We`ll pick you up from your Hotel between 05.30 and 05:45 am to transfer you to OllantaTrain Station for a train journey of just over one hour to kilometer 104 (starting point of our trek). As soon as we arrive to this point we will cross a bridge to the check point and show your passports then we will start a soft walk into the other side of the Vilcanota river the trail heads off to the right towards the ruins of Chachabamba. After a visit this impresive Inca ruins with buildings on stone, we`ll continue the trail road most of it on stone steps, heads south and begin climbing the mountain, great views around of the high jungle area and mountains, before entering the cloud forest. Then the trail leaves the forest and goes west while continuing the uphill hike in open grassland. After hiking in the sun for about three hours, the trail descends into a shaded forest. This is where trekkers can enjoy a beautiful waterfall. After leaving the waterfall and forest, trekkers will arrive at the lower part of the incredible ruins of Wiñaywayna, steps to climb to reach the superior edifications described as temples. We will have plenty of time for a guided exploration scorted by our experienced guide and time to explore and pictures in our own. By the time we arrive to this complex it wont be crowded, because most trekkers headed to the Sun gate and Machupicchu. It is recommended that you start the trek with at least 2 litres of water. After lunch in Wiñaywayna ruins we continue through a cloud forest full of bromelias, orchids and fern trees. You will walk the last part of the original trail with amazing features stone steps and tambos, resting places, and climb the 60 steps before arriving to the Inti Punku or "Sun`s Gate". From this point you will be able to contemplate and observe this marvelous place, last 45 minutes to be on front of this wonder, where you can feel an inner peace. Spend a short time for pictures and views then we prepare our mind for the next early morning, time to take a bus for 30 minutes to Aguas Calientes town. Hot springs pools are optional or just free time to chill out at this small village. Accommodation in private rooms with private bathroom, InkaTown or Wiracocha Hotel .This is all considered a low altitude hike, but you would want to be fit. Dinner included. (If for any reason you decide not to do the trek you can continue by train to Aguas Calientes town and set early at your hotel and wait your group there, they will get down by 5 or 6 pm and join for the second day tour at Machupicchu).

Meals: B,L,D

Accommodation: Hostal Viajeros or see additional options for Hotel Upgrade

Day 5: AGUAS CALIENTES, MACHUPICCHU GUIDED VISIT... RETURN TO CUSCO. H MARQUESES.

Early after a good breakfast re-live the history and the mysterious world of the Incas, we take the first bus up at approx 06.15am and arrive at the ruins at 06.45am. This time is still not so crowded so we take advantage of the tranquility of this sacred site ; Guided Tour of Machupicchu. This enigmatic city is explored for Approx 2 hrs and their mysteries and archaeological information will be explained by your expert guide, ( you generally have approx 6 hrs extra free time but depends on train timetables in high season.) Option to climb to the Huayna Picchu mountain (Please book a ticket in advance otherwise a nice walk to the Inca Bridge does not need a fee). Around 3:45 pm bus down to Aguas Calientes for your Train return. ( $9 )
The train departs Aguas Calientes late in the afternoon at 4:30 pm or train to Ollantaytambo then a 2 hour transport to Cusco arriving between 8- 9:00 pm approx)

Meals: B

Accommodation: Hotel Marqueses

Day 6: RAINBOW MOINTAIN WALK -FULL DAY HOTEL MARQUESES.

Pick up from your Hotel in Cusco between 3:45 am to 4:00 am 3 Hrs drive on a private transport to Quesiuno located at 4,320 masl (start of the trek). Breakfast will be provided once we arrive to Quesiuno. We start our hike from 4200 m to 5100 masl to RAINBOW MOUNTAIN aka:(Cerro Colorado, Montaña de Colores or “Vinicunca”) lead by our expert guide, here we can see the stunning colors that are natural formations of minerals since ages that give colors to the mountain. Beautiful views of red and colors mountains, streams and herds of alpacas and llamas and the south side of Ausangate ranges of mountains. We will hike through small traditional andean villages a see the local people with their colorful dresses. After a total hike of approximately 3-4 hours, we finally will reach to this mirador spot to have an impressive views of Rainbow Mountains located at 5,100 masl. Time to explore the area. Time to rest and enjoy our packed lunch. You will have time to take pictures and soak in the environment. (We will spend approximately 30-45 minutes at the top). Then we start our return back hiking a downhill the way thru we came. The hike will take 3 hours.
Our private van will be waiting for us when we return. 3 hour drive back to Cusco and drop you off at your Cusco hotel. Approximate arrival time is between 7:00 pm.

Meals: B

Accommodation: Hotel Marqueses

Day 7: FAREWELL CUSCO... ADIOS CUSCO.

Adios al Cusco Free morning in Cusco ; Transfer to airport for the flight back to Lima. OR Extension flights or Transport to Puno -Lake Titicaca, the Amazon - Puerto Maldonado or Colca Canyon in Arequipa.

Meals: B