Heart of the Incas Plus Llama Trek 9 Days / 8 Nights

Enjoy a worry-free, lodge-based adventure that promises the perfect blend of comfort and excitement. Explore the main highlights of Cusco, including the Colonial Cathedral, the Temple of the Sun Qoricancha, Sacsayhuamán, the Salt Mines of Maras, the Sacred Valley, and the breathtaking Inca city of Machu Picchu through the Short Inca Trail. Experience an unforgettable Llama pack trekking journey and the stunning natural wonder of Rainbow Mountain on a day hike. Peru Trails will take care of everything from airport transfers to all-inclusive services, including entrance tickets to attractions, transportation, accommodations, train tickets, meals, and expert guides.

• Day 1: Arrival and Rest – Overnight in Cusco
• Day 2: City Tour – Overnight in Cusco
• Day 3: Sacred Valley including Salt Mines
• Day 4: Machu Picchu Town
• Day 5: Hike to the Waterfalls of Perolniyuc and Rest Day
• Day 6, 7, 8: Llama Trek to Rainbow Mountain – 2 Nights Camping
• Day 9: Departure from Cusco

Highlights

• Enjoy all-inclusive, worry-free services
• Expert local guides passionate about sharing Peru’s culture and history
• Handpicked hotels in the heart of Cusco
• Savor top-notch Peruvian cuisine at renowned restaurants
• Tour the most iconic attractions in Cusco
• Scenic train ride to Machu Picchu
• Visit the awe-inspiring Machu Picchu
• Experience a unique adventure with llamas

• Tour Type: Lodge-based, historical, van transport, train ride, camping, trekking
• Service: All-inclusive
• Food: We select top restaurants such as Morena, Chicha, Organika, Indio Feliz
• Transport: Private van for each tour from start to finish and train rides
• Duration: 9 days / 8 nights (6 nights in hotels, 2 nights camping)

Group Size: To ensure the best quality of service and a personalized experience, our group size averages 2 to 7 guests. This intimate size guarantees close interaction with your guide, making the experience more enriching. Imagine the difference of having only 2-7 people in your group rather than a large group of 20 or more, making it more engaging and enjoyable for you. Accommodation: We offer both 3-star and 5-star hotels, depending on your preference, to ensure comfort during your stay. Please request your preference when booking. Our Guides: Peru Trails is led by Jose Condor, who started guiding in 2004 and has visited Machu Picchu over 1,000 times. Our team includes highly trained guides who undergo annual training with NOLS (National Outdoor Leadership School) in Wilderness First Responder courses. We invest heavily in our guides to ensure they provide the best care and share their vast knowledge with you during your trip. Location: This journey begins in Cusco city or the Sacred Valley, depending on your preference. To get to Cusco, you’ll first fly to Lima, Peru’s capital, and then take a domestic flight to Cusco’s Velasco Astete airport, which serves as the gateway to this incredible region. Departures: Peru Trails runs this hike exclusively. We operate tours daily throughout the year. We cater to small groups of 2 to 5 people, ensuring personalized attention and a memorable experience. No need to book far in advance – just reach out when you’re ready, and we’re here to assist you with any questions via our 24/7 support at +51 987467790 (WhatsApp) or via email at info@perutrails.com.

Day 1: Arrival and Resting

Upon your arrival in Cusco, our friendly guide will meet you and transfer you to your hotel in the historic area of Cusco for a restful evening. This will allow you to acclimatize to the altitude.

Overnight: Cusco

• Includes: Airport pickup

Day 2: City Tour

Your guide will meet you at your hotel at 8:00 am. Depending on your hotel’s location, you may start with a walking tour if it’s near the historical district, or a car ride if it’s farther from the main attractions. First, visit Cusco’s Cathedral to admire art from the XV, XVI, and XVII centuries, including a unique depiction of the Last Supper featuring guinea pig (cuy) as the main dish.

Next, continue to Qoricancha, the Temple of the Sun, the most important religious site of the Inca Empire, and learn about its fascinating history and the blend of Inca and colonial architecture. Then, visit Sacsayhuamán, a site renowned for its massive stones that fit perfectly without mortar, followed by a tour of Qenqo (the temple of Mother Earth), Pukapukara (a fort), and Tambomachay (the water temple).

Overnight: Cusco

• Includes: Private transport, guide, lunch at Morena restaurant, entrance permits to attractions

Day 3: Sacred Valley, including Salt Mines

Your guide will pick you up at 7 am to begin the 1-hour journey to the Pisac archaeological site, where you will explore the ancient Temple of the Sun, the Inca cemetery, agricultural terraces, and beautiful views of the Sacred Valley.

Next, head to Ollantaytambo for a 1.5-hour tour of its Temple of Water, Sun, Inca princess bath, and agricultural terraces. Lunch will be served at the renowned Tunupa restaurant in Urubamba, offering a variety of authentic Peruvian dishes. After lunch, visit the Salt Mines of Maras, where over 3,000 salt ponds are still processed by locals using traditional methods.

The final stop of the day is Moray, an Inca agricultural laboratory that once allowed the Incas to experiment with different crop varieties. On your way back to Cusco, visit the Chinchero weaving industry, where you will learn about the traditional process of weaving alpaca and llama wool, followed by a warm cup of local Muña tea.

Overnight: Sacred Valley

• Includes: Private transport, guide, lunch, entrance permits, scenic train ride to Machu Picchu town

Day 4: Machu Picchu Tour – Overnight in Cusco

Start the day early with a buffet or packed breakfast at your hotel before taking one of the first buses to Machu Picchu. Arriving at sunrise, enjoy the magnificent views before entering the citadel. Your guide will provide a detailed 2-3 hour tour of Machu Picchu, avoiding the busiest areas and ensuring you capture the best photo opportunities.

After the tour, you may choose to hike Huayna Picchu (if you’ve booked the permit in advance) or take the bus back to Aguas Calientes. Afterward, return to Cusco by train, reflecting on the incredible experiences of the past two days.

Overnight: Cusco

• Includes: Tour guide, Machu Picchu ticket, round-trip bus to Machu Picchu, train tickets to Ollantaytambo, transport from the train station to your Cusco hotel, lunch

Day 5: Rest Day in Cusco and Hike to the Waterfalls of Perolniyuc

Today, take a 30-minute drive to Soqma and enjoy a leisurely 30-minute hike to the beautiful Waterfalls of Perolniyuc. Afterward, return to Cusco for lunch and rest in preparation for the Llama trek.

Overnight: Cusco

• Includes: Private transport, guide, lunch

Day 6: Cusco – Upis Bajo – Arapa Pass – Pukacocha

Depart Cusco at 4 am for a 3-hour drive to the trailhead at Upis Bajo. Meet the horse riders, load your equipment, and enjoy a camping breakfast. Hike uphill toward Ausangate Mountain, passing Llama and Alpaca herds. The trek will be gradual, but challenging due to the high altitude. Arrive at Upis camp for lunch and a nap, then head towards Arapa Pass for a small ceremony to honor the sacred mountains. Continue to Puka Cocha for an overnight stay.

Overnight: Camping

• Includes: Guide, camping gear, horses, meals, private transport, entrance permits
• Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
• Hiking Time: 7-8 hours
• Distance: 12 km (7.4 miles)
• Lowest Elevation: 3,900 m (12,795 ft)
• Highest Elevation: 4,800 m (15,748 ft)
• Accommodation: Camping

Day 7: Puka Cocha – Ananta Pass – Huarmisaya

Start with a cup of tea or coffee and breakfast before hiking up to Ananta Pass. Continue the journey through stunning landscapes, encountering snow-capped mountains, red hills, and vicuñas. Reach Huarmisaya Pass for a spectacular view of Rainbow Mountain before descending to the nearby camp at Huarmisaya Lake.

Overnight: Camping

• Includes: Guide, camping gear, horses, meals, private transport, entrance permits
• Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
• Hiking Time: 7 hours
• Distance: 10 km (6.5 miles)
• Lowest Elevation: 4,500 m (14,763 ft)
• Highest Elevation: 5,000 m (16,404 ft)
• Accommodation: Camping
• Level of Difficulty: Challenging

Day 8: Rainbow Mountain – Cusco

Early morning hike to Rainbow Mountain to experience the beauty before the crowds arrive. Afterward, visit the Red Valley and other scenic valleys. Finish the day with a meal before returning to Cusco by noon.

• Meals: Breakfast and lunch
• Hiking Time: 4 hours
• Distance: 6 km (3.7 miles)
• Lowest Elevation: 4,300 m (14,107 ft)
• Highest Elevation: 5,010 m (16,437 ft)
• Accommodation: Hotel in Cusco

Day 9: Departure from Cusco

On your final day, enjoy a leisurely morning to explore Cusco before meeting one of our representatives to transfer you to the airport for your return flight or next destination.

Overnight: Cusco

Why Peru Trails

• Peru Trails offers personalized treks and tours tailored to your interests.
• We focus on exceptional customer service and memorable experiences.
• We are a local, experienced company based in Cusco, Peru.
• Our staff speaks English, Spanish, and Quechua.
• Guides are professionally trained in the history, culture, and first aid.
• We are committed to environmental conservation and fair labor practices.
• A percentage of income goes towards supporting local communities and children’s education.
• We specialize in small group tours to provide you with a more intimate experience.

Peru Small Group Specialists

Our tours are perfect for adventurers of all types: whether you love history, food, photography, or just exploring new places. At Peru Trails, we keep our groups small (2-5 people) to ensure personalized service and flexibility.