Book your next adventure at the best price.
This two-day tour combines visits to two of Cusco’s most well-known destinations: the historical site of Machu Picchu and the Rainbow Mountain. The itinerary is structured for efficiency, allowing visitors with limited time to experience both locations. The first day is dedicated to visiting the Inca citadel, while the second day involves a high-altitude hike.
The tour begins on day one with an early morning train journey to Aguas Calientes, the town located at the base of Machu Picchu. From there, a short bus ride takes you up to the site for a guided walking tour. After spending a few hours at the location, you will travel back to Cusco by train that same evening.
Day two focuses on the trip to the Rainbow Mountain, also called Vinicunca. This day also requires a very early start, with a drive from Cusco into the Vilcanota Valley. The main activity is a hike of approximately three hours to reach the viewpoint of the multi-colored mountain. Following the visit, the tour concludes with the return drive to Cusco.
We pick you up from your hotel very early in the morning to travel towards Ollantaytambo village, where there is a 2-hour train service to Aguas Calientes village. Arriving at Machu Picchu train station where the guide waits for you with your names displayed. Then we board a bus to Machu Picchu sanctuary. On the trip, we ascend 400 m/1,312 ft. by a zigzag route for 30 minutes and finally arrive at the Machu Picchu sanctuary.
The Sanctuary of Machu Picchu is known as the lost city of the Incas and was the last refuge of the Inca Empire. We visit and explore all the Incan places that are part of this site. The walking tour takes 3 hours, enough time to understand why the Incas decided to build Machu Picchu at this location. In the afternoon, board the train back to Cusco.
Please note that you need to be at the train station at least 30 minutes before the departure time of your train service. During the train service, waiters provide some aperitifs on board and drinks. When you get to Ollantaytambo or Poroy station, a transfer service will be waiting for you to take you to your hotel in Cusco city.
We leave Cusco very early in the morning from your Hotel, adjusting to its altitude by traveling through the Vilcanota Valley, small villages, a colonial church, Pitumarca village, and the small Inca site MACHUPITUMARCA with its small canyon. A short drive from here takes us to Q´ESIUNO, where we are met by Quechua-speaking Inca descendants. After a short break and energy breakfast, our trip continues with a 3-hour hike up toward VINICUNCA THE RAINBOW MOUNTAIN. We set off to explore the area. This is a perfect opportunity to stop for photos and a snack. From here, we return to Q´ESIUNO for our lunch spot, then return to Cusco.
$340 USD per person for two or more people.
With this option, you’ll join an existing group of up to 16 people for your travel between Cusco and the train station, as well as for the Rainbow Mountain tour. Your 2-hour tour of Machu Picchu will be private due to different routes and entry times. This tour has daily departures all year.
This tour is exclusive to your group of friends or family and can be booked on any day of the year. The price per person is based on the size of your group:
Enhance your tour by adding these extra services:
We offer a $20 USD discount to students ages 9-17 and university students under 25 with a valid student ID. A discount is also available for travelers from Andean Community countries (Colombia, Bolivia, Ecuador, and Peru).
Children under 8 receive a $110 USD discount. Children under 3 do not pay but are not guaranteed a seat on the train or buses.
PERSONAL CLOTHING
PERSONAL EQUIPMENT
When to Visit The best time for this tour is during the dry season, from April to October. This period offers a higher chance of clear skies for both Machu Picchu and Rainbow Mountain.
Recommendations
Climate The climate varies greatly between the two sites. Machu Picchu is in a sub-tropical cloud forest, so it can be warm, humid, and rainy. Rainbow Mountain is in the high Andes, with a cold, alpine climate. Expect temperatures near or below freezing, especially with wind chill.
Local People On the way to Rainbow Mountain, the route passes through areas with Quechua-speaking communities that maintain traditional lifestyles. Please be respectful if taking photos. In Aguas Calientes and Cusco, you will find people accustomed to tourism.
How to Prepare for the Tour For Day 2, good cardiovascular fitness is important. Being accustomed to walking or hiking will make the experience more manageable. For Day 1, no special physical preparation is needed beyond being well-rested for the long day.
Recommended Age The tour is open to most ages, but participants must be prepared for the physical demands. The Rainbow Mountain hike is not recommended for young children or adults with heart or respiratory problems due to the extreme altitude.
How to Acclimatize Acclimatization is crucial for the Rainbow Mountain portion of the tour. Spend at least 1-2 full days in Cusco (3,400m) before your tour starts. During this time, avoid heavy exertion, drink plenty of water and coca tea, and eat light meals. This will help your body adjust and reduce the risk of altitude sickness.
Is this tour physically demanding? Yes. Day 1 involves a very long day of travel with an early start. Day 2 includes a hike at a very high altitude (around 5,200 meters), which is physically strenuous and requires a good level of fitness.
Do I need to acclimatize for this tour? Yes, acclimatization is very important. It is recommended to spend at least one to two full days in Cusco to adjust to the altitude before the tour, especially for the Rainbow Mountain hike on Day 2.
What is the highest altitude on this tour? The highest point is the Rainbow Mountain viewpoint on Day 2, at approximately 5,200 meters (17,060 feet).
Are meals included? No meals are included on Day 1 (Machu Picchu). On Day 2 (Rainbow Mountain), breakfast and lunch are included.
What kind of clothes should I wear? For Machu Picchu, wear comfortable layers: a t-shirt, a warm jacket, and a rain jacket. For Rainbow Mountain, wear warm winter layers: thermal clothing, fleece, an insulated jacket, gloves, and a warm hat.
Is a horse available for the Rainbow Mountain hike? Yes, the itinerary states that a horse is included per person for the Rainbow Mountain portion. This can help cover a significant part of the uphill trail, but you will still need to walk the final section to the viewpoint.
Do I need to bring my original passport? Yes, you must bring your original passport. A physical copy is required to enter Machu Picchu and must match the details on your entrance ticket.
What happens if there is bad weather? Tours operate in most weather conditions. The guide will make decisions based on safety. At Rainbow Mountain, visibility can be affected by fog or snow.
How much walking is involved? Day 1 includes a 3-hour walking tour within the Machu Picchu site. Day 2 involves a hike that takes approximately 3 hours to go uphill to the Rainbow Mountain viewpoint, plus the return hike.
Is this tour suitable for children? The Machu Picchu portion is suitable for most ages. The Rainbow Mountain hike is very strenuous due to the extreme altitude and is not recommended for young children or anyone with health conditions that could be affected by high altitude.
Andes Path Peru is a locally-owned and operated family travel agency and tour operator based in Cusco, built on many years of first-hand trekking experience. As a 100% Cusqueñian company with no external shareholders, we are deeply rooted in our community.
Our vision as a local company is to craft small, customized tours and treks that are exclusively operated by our team of local professionals. We are dedicated to providing a PERSONALIZED and HIGH-QUALITY SERVICE.
We take great pride in our reputation as a RESPONSIBLE & SUSTAINABLE tour operator. We consider our staff to be our extended family and ensure they receive fair wages for their hard work. We are incredibly proud of our team! Without their dedication, we couldn’t offer the exceptional service and create the lifetime experiences our clients cherish.
Andes Path Peru understands the importance of trusting a reliable and honest operator to plan your adventure of a lifetime in Peru. We invite you to read our outstanding reviews and view our certificates of excellence on TRIPADVISOR! We also come highly recommended by publications such as Conde Nast Travelers and Lonely Planet.
To provide a more customized experience for our guests, Andes Path Peru has a strict policy of limiting our groups to a maximum of 8 people. This commitment to small group sizes is a key factor that distinguishes us from other companies that operate with much larger tour groups.
We are incredibly proud of our guides! They are consummate professionals who are fluent in English. They possess a deep knowledge of and a true passion for Inca heritage and history. Our guides are committed to continuous professional and personal growth, constantly researching to ensure you receive accurate and recognized information about Inca and Andean culture. Our crew is fun-loving, engaging, and highly educated. Each guide holds a university degree in a relevant field such as Archeology, Tourism, Botany, History, or Anthropology.
Trekking with Andes Path Peru is a life-changing journey. We offer a fully portered experience where your comfort and enjoyment are our highest priorities. We are dedicated to making sure you have the best possible holiday in Peru, allowing you to interact with local people, explore breathtaking sites, and rediscover remote ancient Inca towns. Our porters will carry your gear, prepare delicious meals, set up your tents in quiet locations away from crowded campsites, and take care of you, allowing you to simply sit back and relax.
We provide the following equipment to our porters at no cost: a jacket, sun hat, warm hat, t-shirt, pants, hiking boots, comfortable duffel bags, a canteen, a supportive girdle to protect their backs, sleeping bags, mattresses, and travel insurance. All of our porters are hired from isolated communities, giving them the opportunity to improve their economic situation and help support their children’s education. We ensure that every one of our porters is treated like family!
The quality of our team (guides, cooks, porters, horsemen) and our top-of-the-line equipment truly makes Andes Path Peru stand out from the competition. For all of our adventure hikes, we include the following:
At Andes Path Peru, we have always believed in the importance of giving back to the local, isolated communities. Therefore, as part of our commitment to responsible tourism, we consistently run social projects and prioritize local hiring.
Andes Path Peru is proud to be able to support our local people. We do more than just employ them; we go back to our grassroots as they share with their families. We are delighted to have this holistic and supportive relationship with our highland employees and their families!