Discover the best of Cusco in 5 unforgettable days: City Tour, Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, Rainbow Mountain and Humantay Lake
Set out on a unique adventure through the heart of the Inca Empire with this 5-day, 4-night Cusco tour, an experience designed for travelers who want to see the highlights of southern Peru. This complete itinerary takes you to the region’s main attractions: the majestic archaeological sites of the Cusco City Tour, the ancestral towns and landscapes of the Sacred Valley of the Incas and the jewel of the trip, the citadel of Machu Picchu, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.
But that’s not all. You’ll also climb the famous Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca), one of Peru’s most impressive natural destinations, and visit the stunning Humantay Lake, surrounded by Andean glaciers and turquoise waters that seem out of this world. Each day of this tour is carefully planned to give you the perfect combination of culture, history, nature and adventure.
This travel package includes accommodation, transportation, professional guides and entrance tickets to the most iconic archaeological sites. Ideal for travelers looking for an authentic, safe and enriching experience in Peru’s historic capital.
Book now and spend 5 magical days in Cusco, connecting with the energy of the Andes and discovering the secrets of the Inca legacy at every step.
Itinerary
This first day is ideal for acclimatizing. In the afternoon, we visit some of Cusco's most iconic archaeological sites and monuments on a half-day tour.
Before the tour, we welcome you at the airport with a private transfer to your hotel and a short briefing about the full itinerary.
Welcome at Cusco airport
We'll be waiting for you on arrival to take you privately to your hotel. Our team will be ready to welcome you.
Briefing
Once at the hotel, you'll receive a short briefing about the itinerary, schedules and useful tips for your stay.
Pick-up from your hotel
We start the tour with pick-up from your accommodation in Cusco.
Temple of the Sun – Qorikancha
We visit this important Inca ceremonial center, famous for having been covered in gold sheets and for its precise architecture.
Transfer to Sacsayhuaman
We drive in tourist transport to the impressive archaeological site of Sacsayhuaman.
Sacsayhuaman
We explore this imposing ceremonial fortress, famous for its huge stone blocks fitted together with unique precision.
Q’enqo
We visit this ceremonial site carved into the rock, used for rituals and funerary practices.
Puka Pukara
We visit this small fortress with reddish walls, which served as a checkpoint and resting place for travelers in Inca times.
Tambomachay
We end the tour at this site dedicated to the worship of water, where canals and fountains built by the Incas still flow.
Return to Cusco
The tour ends with the return to your hotel or the Plaza de Armas, as you prefer.
Recommendations
- Wear comfortable walking shoes
- Bring water, a hat and sunscreen
- Meeting point: airport or hotel lobby
- Estimated tour duration: approx. 5 hours (not counting the airport transfer)
Enjoy a complete tour of the Sacred Valley of the Incas, visiting its most iconic sites such as Chinchero, Moray, Maras, Urubamba, Ollantaytambo and Pisac, with buffet lunch included.
Pick-up from your hotel
Pick-up from your hotel in Cusco. On the group service, the tour starts once the group is complete.
Chinchero
Our first stop is Chinchero, where you'll see Inca agricultural terraces, the colonial church and a textile interpretation center where you'll learn about the traditional Andean weaving process.
Moray
Next, the amazing circular terraces of Moray, used by the Incas as an agricultural laboratory to adapt crops to different altitudes.
Maras Salt Mines
See more than 3,000 salt pools on the mountainside, used since Inca times to this day for traditional salt extraction.
Buffet lunch in Urubamba
We enjoy a delicious variety of typical Andean and international dishes at a local restaurant.
Ollantaytambo
After lunch we head to Ollantaytambo, a site with impressive terraces, temples and viewpoints built to protect the Sacred Valley from invasions.
Pisac
Finally we head to the Pisac Archaeological Complex, famous for its terraces, temples and spectacular views of the valley. It was built by Inca Pachacutec on top of a strategic mountain.
Return to Cusco
After a day full of history, culture and stunning landscapes, we return to Cusco, arriving at around 7:00 p.m. You can choose to stay at the Plaza or be dropped off at your hotel.
Important notes
- Recommended clothing: comfortable walking shoes, light clothing and a windbreaker.
- Bring water, sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses.
- The buffet lunch is included in the tour.
- The order of the visits may vary depending on traffic or weather conditions.
- Total tour duration: about 12 hours.
- This tour makes quick visits to the archaeological sites, ideal for travelers with little time who want to see several places in one day. If you'd like to explore more calmly, we recommend doing the Traditional Sacred Valley tour and the Maras-Moray tour on two separate days.
- Prices:
Live an unforgettable experience at Machu Picchu. You'll travel by train through the Sacred Valley's landscapes and discover the wonder of the Inca world on this day with a professional guide and personalized attention.
Pick-up from your hotel in Cusco
We start the day very early with pick-up from your hotel in Cusco and drive to Ollantaytambo in tourist transport.
Drive to Ollantaytambo train station
We drive for about 1 hour and 30 minutes to the train station in Ollantaytambo, enjoying the sunrise and the Sacred Valley landscapes.
Train ride to Aguas Calientes
We board the tourist train that crosses the Sacred Valley on a 1 hour 50 minute journey to Aguas Calientes, at the edge of the Cusco cloud forest.
Bus up to Machu Picchu
When we arrive in Aguas Calientes, we take a bus for about 25 minutes up to the entrance of the Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu.
Guided tour of Machu Picchu
Explore the Citadel of Machu Picchu with a professional guide for 2 to 3 hours. Learn about its architecture, its history and how this wonder could sustain itself even in isolation.
Free time in Aguas Calientes
After the tour, we take the bus back to Aguas Calientes, where you'll have free time for lunch and to explore the craft shops.
Return by train and transport to Cusco
We board the train back to Ollantaytambo. There, our transport waits to take you back to your hotel in Cusco.
Important notes
- Maximum altitude: Cusco (3,399 m)
- Minimum altitude: Aguas Calientes (2,040 m)
- Machu Picchu altitude: 2,430 m
- The total duration of the tour is about 12 to 14 hours.
- Train schedules may vary depending on availability. Book in advance.
- We recommend bringing your passport, comfortable clothes, sunscreen, water and a camera.
- Visit subject to Machu Picchu entrance availability (advance booking required).
Explore the amazing Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca) from Cusco. You'll admire Andean landscapes, meet traditional communities, see local wildlife such as alpacas and vicuñas, and enjoy an unforgettable hike to one of Peru's most iconic natural destinations.
Pick-up from your hotel in Cusco
We start our tour between 4:00 a.m. and 4:30 a.m. with pick-up from your hotel in the historic center of Cusco and set off on a scenic drive south in tourist transport.
Scenic drive to Cusipata
During the drive of about 3 hours, we pass picturesque towns such as Oropesa, Andahuaylillas and Urcos, enjoying spectacular views of the Andes.
Breakfast in Cusipata
We stop in the district of Cusipata for a typical Andean breakfast to get ready for the hike to the mountain.
Arrival at Phulawasipata and start of the hike
From the trailhead at Phulawasipata (4,630 m), we start a moderate 1 hour 30 minute hike to Rainbow Mountain. On the way up you can see alpacas, llamas, vicuñas and impressive high-mountain landscapes.
Rainbow Mountain – Vinicunca (5,200 m)
At the summit, you'll have free time to rest, take photos and admire this natural phenomenon of multicolored mineral layers. The views of the Vilcanota mountain range and the snow-capped Ausangate are breathtaking.
Return to Phulawasipata
After exploring the mountain, we hike back to the starting point at Phulawasipata, where our transport is waiting.
Lunch in Cusipata
We return to Cusipata to enjoy a delicious buffet lunch with typical dishes of the region.
Return to Cusco
After lunch, we start the drive back to Cusco. Estimated arrival is between 4:30 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. We'll drop you off at your hotel or the Plaza de Armas, as you prefer.
Important notes
- Minimum altitude: Cusco (3,399 m) – Maximum altitude: Vinicunca (5,200 m).
- We recommend acclimatizing for at least 1 day before the tour.
- Wear layered thermal clothing, hiking boots, a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen.
- We recommend bringing a small backpack with water, snacks and a warm layer.
- Total tour duration: approx. 13 hours.
- This tour is not recommended for people with heart or respiratory problems.
Enjoy a unique sunrise adventure on our tour to the stunning Humantay Lake, an iconic natural destination near Cusco that combines Andean landscapes, a moderate hike and spectacular views of the snow-capped Humantay.
Early pick-up from your hotel in Cusco
Between 4:30 and 5:00 a.m., our tourist transport picks you up at your accommodation in Cusco to start this unforgettable adventure.
Scenic drive to Mollepata
We drive northwest of Cusco, passing picturesque villages until we reach Limatambo, then climb to Mollepata, where we enjoy a nutritious breakfast.
On to Soraypampa
After breakfast, we continue to the village of Soraypampa, the starting point of our hike to Humantay Lake.
Hike to Humantay Lake
We start a moderate hike of about 2 hours to Humantay Lake, at 4,200 meters above sea level. On the way up we enjoy the fresh air and panoramic views until we reach the turquoise lake, with the imposing snow-capped Humantay as a backdrop.
Time to rest and take photos
At the lake we have time to relax, enjoy the scenery, take photos and soak up the energy of this magical place before heading down.
Return to Soraypampa and transfer to Mollepata
We descend along the same route to Soraypampa, where we board our transport back to Mollepata to enjoy a delicious traditional lunch.
Return to Cusco
After lunch we drive back to Cusco, arriving at around 6:30 p.m., where our tour ends.
Important notes
- Maximum altitude at Humantay Lake: 4,200 meters above sea level.
- Minimum altitude at Mollepata: about 2,900 meters.
- The hike is moderate and takes about 2 hours uphill.
- We recommend acclimatizing in Cusco before the tour.
- Wear comfortable clothes, a warm layer, hiking shoes, sunscreen and a cap, and bring water.
- Total tour duration: about 13 hours.
- Ideal for lovers of nature, trekking and landscape photography.
What's included
- 4 nights of accommodation in 2★ hotels
- Entrance fees to all archaeological sites included
- Voyager or Expedition train ticket (round trip)
- Machu Picchu entrance ticket
- Consettur buses Aguas Calientes ↔ Machu Picchu (round trip)
- Cusco Tourist Ticket (full BTC)
- Airport ↔ hotel transfers (round trip)
- Buffet lunches in the Sacred Valley and Aguas Calientes
- Official English/Spanish-speaking guides throughout the tour
- Private or shared tourist transportation depending on the destination
- First aid kit and basic assistance
- 24/7 assistance during your trip
Exclusions
- Domestic or international flights
- Meals not specified in the program
- Alcoholic drinks or extras at restaurants
- Travel insurance (recommended)
- Horse at Rainbow Mountain or Humantay Lake
- Tips for guides, drivers and service staff
- Personal expenses or shopping during the tour
Remember these tips to better enjoy your trip, always carry with you:
- Bring light clothing for the day and warm clothing for the night
- Wear comfortable shoes suitable for hiking
- Acclimatize in Cusco at least 1 day before to avoid altitude sickness
- Stay hydrated and bring a reusable water bottle
- Bring altitude sickness pills or coca tea (ask your guide)
- Always keep your original passport or ID at hand
- Use sunscreen, a cap, sunglasses and insect repellent
- Bring a camera or phone with a good battery to capture the landscapes
- Bring cash in soles for local purchases or tips
- In the rainy season (November to March), bring a poncho or rain jacket
Bloqueador solar
Botella de agua reutilizable
Cámara fotográfica
DNI o pasaporte vigente
Power bank (batería externa)
Sombrero o gorra
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to acclimatize before starting the tour?
Yes, we strongly recommend arriving in Cusco at least 1 day before the tour starts to acclimatize to the altitude (3,399 m) and avoid altitude sickness.
Does the tour include entrance tickets to Machu Picchu and other archaeological sites?
Yes, the package includes all entrance tickets: Machu Picchu, the Cusco Tourist Ticket (BTC), Rainbow Mountain, Humantay Lake and the Sacred Valley sites.
What type of train is included for Machu Picchu?
The Voyager or Expedition tourist train is included, round trip between Ollantaytambo and Aguas Calientes. You can request an upgrade to the Vistadome train for an additional fee.
How much walking is there at Rainbow Mountain and Humantay Lake?
Both hikes are about 5 to 7 km round trip. They require moderate physical effort and good prior acclimatization.
What type of accommodation is included?
The tour includes 4 nights in comfortable, well-located 2-star hotels in Cusco and/or Aguas Calientes. Accommodation upgrades are available on request.
Are airport transfers included?
Yes, the package includes airport–hotel transfers (round trip).
What should I bring on the tour?
Warm clothes, light clothes, hiking shoes, a rain poncho (in season), sunscreen, a cap, a water bottle, a camera and your original passport.
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