Tour Machu Picchu, Mountain of Colors and Humantay Lagoon 3 days

🧭 Description

✨ Exploring Cusco in three days means immersing yourself in the grandeur of the Andes and the living heritage of the Inca culture. This trip combines the best of history, nature, and adventure: the sacred energy of Machu Picchu, the natural spectacle of the Rainbow Mountain, and the tranquility of the Humantay Lagoon. Each experience will allow you to connect with unique landscapes, ancestral traditions, and the majesty of the mountain range.

🌄 More than a tourist tour, this itinerary is an invitation to experience the contrasts of Peru in a short time: walk among glaciers and turquoise lagoons, discover the Andean worldview, taste the local cuisine, and be enveloped by the intense colors of the Andes. Ideal for travelers looking to combine culture, nature, and adventure in a single package, this trip encapsulates the essence of Cusco at its finest.

🧭 Itinerary

Complete Machu Picchu, Rainbow Mountain, and Humantay Lagoon Itinerary | 3-Day Adventure

📍Day 1: Discovering Machu Picchu, the jewel of the Andean world

• Pickup at your hotel and transfer to the train station (3:30 – 4:00 a.m.)

We’ll start the day very early with pickup from your hotel in Cusco. We’ll travel to Ollantaytambo, a charming town in the Sacred Valley of the Incas, where you’ll board the tourist train.

• Tour by Tourist Train to Aguas Calientes

The train ride is considered one of the most beautiful in the world. Through its panoramic windows, you’ll observe the Andean landscapes, canyons, and the Urubamba River winding through the mountains.

• Eco-Friendly Bus Ride to Machu Picchu

Upon arrival in Aguas Calientes, an eco-friendly bus will take you on a 25-minute ascent to the entrance of Machu Picchu, one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World.

• Guided tour of the Inca Citadel (admission subject to availability)

Our expert guide will escort you through the temples, plazas, terraces, and main sections of this lost city of the Incas. You’ll learn about its history, architecture, and spiritual significance.

• Free time to explore and photograph

After the guided tour, you’ll have time to explore Machu Picchu at your own pace, take photographs, and admire the panoramic views from the Guardian’s House or the agricultural sector.

• Descent to Aguas Calientes and lunch

We’ll return by bus to Aguas Calientes, where you’ll enjoy lunch at a local restaurant (included or recommended by the guide).

• Return by train to Ollantaytambo and transfer to Cusco

In the afternoon, you will take the train back to Ollantaytambo, where our private transportation will be waiting to take you to your hotel in Cusco, arriving around 8:00 p.m.

📍Day 2: Rainbow Mountain Adventure (Vinicunca)

• Pickup at your hotel (4:00 – 5:00 a.m.)

We leave Cusco very early, heading south, passing through spectacular Andean landscapes and traditional villages.

• Breakfast in Tintinco

After a 2.5-hour drive, we will stop for an Andean buffet breakfast to give you the energy you need for the hike.

• Start of the hike in Phulawasipata

After an additional 1-hour drive, we will arrive at the trekking starting point. The hike to Vinicunca, the Rainbow Mountain, takes about 2 hours and is of moderate difficulty, at over 5,000 meters above sea level.

• Arrival at Rainbow Mountain

Around 10:30 a.m., we will reach the natural viewpoint from where you can contemplate the mountain’s chromatic spectacle, a product of unique minerals. Weather permitting, you can also see Nevado Ausangate, the highest sacred mountain in Cusco.

• Descent and Buffet Lunch

After enjoying the scenery, we will begin the descent to the starting point and return to Tintinco, where an Andean buffet lunch awaits us.

• Return to Cusco

After a well-deserved rest, we will travel back to Cusco, arriving at the hotel around 5:00 p.m.

📍Day 3: Humantay Lagoon, the Turquoise Treasure of the Andes

• Pickup from your hotel (4:00 – 5:00 a.m.)

We will start the day traveling to the Anta Valley, heading for the town of Mollepata (approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes).

• Breakfast in Mollepata

You will enjoy a hot Andean breakfast to start the hike with energy.

• Transfer to Soraypampa and start of the trek

From Mollepata, we continue to Soraypampa, at 3,900 meters above sea level, the starting point of the trek. The ascent to Humantay Lagoon takes between 1 hour and 30 minutes and 2 hours.

• Arrival at Humantay Lagoon

A stunning natural setting opens up before you: a lagoon with crystal-clear turquoise waters, fed by the glaciers of Nevado Humantay and surrounded by the snow-capped peaks of the Andes mountain range.

• Free time to explore and meditate.

You can rest, take photographs, or simply enjoy the mystical energy of the place.

• Descent to Soraypampa and lunch in Mollepata

We will descend along the same trail to Soraypampa to board our return transportation to Mollepata, where a buffet lunch with typical regional dishes awaits us.

• Return to Cusco

After lunch, we will return to Cusco, arriving at approximately 6:00 p.m. The rest of the afternoon will be free to rest, have dinner, or stroll through the city.

✅ What’s included in the tour?

✅Complete transfers: Pickup and drop-off at your hotel in Cusco during the three-day tour.

✅Private tourist transportation: Safe and comfortable transportation for transfers to Ollantaytambo, Rainbow Mountain, and Humantay Lagoon.

✅Tourist train tickets (roundtrip): Expedition or Vistadome service (subject to availability) on the Ollantaytambo – Aguas Calientes – Ollantaytambo route.

✅Eco-friendly bus ticket: Official transportation from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu and back.

✅Official entrance fees: Access to Machu Picchu, Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca), and Humantay Lagoon.

✅Certified professional guide: Guide in Spanish and English, expert in history, Andean culture, and nature.

✅Buffet breakfasts: in Tintinco (Rainbow Mountain) and Mollepata (Humantay Lagoon).

✅Andean buffet lunches: at local restaurants in Tintinco and Mollepata, with typical regional dishes.

✅Lunch in Aguas Calientes: a menu at a recommended tourist restaurant.

✅Prior orientation and personalized assistance: recommendations before each hike, safety tips, and constant support from your guide.

✅First aid kit: available at all times with emergency oxygen and basic equipment.

✅Complete organization: coordination of train, bus, and food schedules so you can enjoy your hike without worries.

❌ What’s not included?

❌Dinners during the itinerary: Each traveler may freely choose where to dine in Cusco or Aguas Calientes.

❌Breakfast on the first day: Due to the early departure time, this is not included.

❌Additional drinks and personal snacks: Juices, alcoholic drinks, or energy drinks are not part of the package.

❌Horses for rent at Rainbow Mountain or Humantay Lagoon: Available on route, but payable directly to local residents (optional).

❌Entrance fees to additional mountains in Machu Picchu: Access to Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain is not included (they can be requested at an extra cost).

❌Voluntary tips: For guides, drivers, and service staff (at the traveler’s discretion).

❌Personal expenses: souvenirs, phone calls, laundry, snacks, and shopping en route.

❌Accommodation in Cusco: The package does not include hotel stays, although we can help you arrange this if you wish.

❌Travel insurance or international medical assistance: We recommend purchasing it before your arrival in Peru.

🌟 Recommendations

• Mandatory documentation: Always carry your original passport or ID, as it will be requested for entry to Machu Picchu and at checkpoints.
• Prior acclimatization: Stay at least 1 or 2 days in Cusco before embarking on the excursions, so your body can adapt to the altitude (3,400 m).
• Appropriate clothing: Wear layered clothing (windbreaker, fleece jackets, and breathable polo shirts) due to the sudden changes in weather from morning to afternoon and night.
• Trekking footwear: Wear comfortable, non-slip, and water-resistant sneakers or boots, ideal for hiking on uneven terrain.
• Sun protection and weather: Include a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, and lip balm, as the sun at altitude is intense. Also, have a rain poncho or raincoat on hand, especially during the rainy season (November to March).
• Essential accessories: a small backpack with water, energy snacks, trekking poles (optional), and a camera to capture every experience.
• Cash in soles: Small towns don’t always accept cards, so it’s recommended to carry small bills for purchases or local services.
• Personal medications: If you suffer from altitude sickness, bring specific pills or coca leaf infusions, widely used in the region. Also, don’t forget your basic personal first-aid kit.
• Constant hydration: Drink water in small amounts during hikes to stay energized and avoid dehydration.
• Physical fitness: Although you don’t need to be an athlete, regular physical fitness is recommended to fully enjoy the hikes to Rainbow Mountain and Humantay Lagoon.
• Travel insurance: It’s recommended to have insurance that covers medical emergencies and trekking activities.
• Cultural and natural respect: Support local communities by buying their handicrafts, don’t leave trash on the trails, and respect the Andean flora and fauna.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the best time to travel to Machu Picchu and Vinicunca?

The best time to visit is between April and October, the dry season with clear skies. However, Machu Picchu is open year-round.

2. Do I need to be in good physical condition?

Machu Picchu doesn’t require much physical effort. However, both Rainbow Mountain and Humantay Lagoon require moderate to high endurance due to the altitude.

3. Can I rent horses on the hike to Rainbow Mountain or Humantay?

Yes, horses are available for hire directly from local residents on both routes.

4. At what altitude are the destinations?

• Machu Picchu: 2,430 m.a.s.l.
• Rainbow Mountain: 5,036 m.a.s.l.
• Humantay Lagoon: 4,200 m.a.s.l.

5. What type of train does the tour include?

It includes a tourist train with panoramic windows. Depending on availability, it may be an Expedition or Vistadome train.

6. Is it safe to travel with children or seniors?

Machu Picchu is accessible for all ages. Vinicunca and Humantay are only recommended for those accustomed to high-altitude hikes or horseback riding.