5 Days / 4 Nights
Cusco, Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu and Rainbow Mountain
ITINERARY
Cusco City And Surroundings
Upon arriving at Cusco airport, you’ll be warmly greeted and transported to your hotel for a well-deserved rest. After settling in, your adventure begins at 1:30 PM with a tour of Cusco and its nearby Inca sites.
We’ll start at Cusco Cathedral, renowned for its exquisite wooden carvings and impressive altars, featuring artwork by local Cusco School artists. Next, we’ll stroll to Qoricancha, the Temple of the Sun, where you’ll marvel at the Incas’ advanced stonework, which remains intact despite earthquakes.
Our journey continues with a drive to Sacsayhuaman, located just 3 km from Cusco. This site, known for its enormous limestone blocks weighing between 25 and 130 tons, offers stunning views of the city and served as a venue for significant festivals.
Next, we’ll visit Q’enqo, a labyrinth-like site that includes stone sculptures and structures used for astronomical and religious purposes. We’ll then head to Puca Pucara, or the «red fortress,» which played a key role in controlling access to the Imperial City of Cusco.
Finally, we’ll explore Tambomachay, known for its flowing waters, often referred to as the Inca Baths or the Waters of Eternal Youth, wrapping up our city tour near Cusco’s main square.
You will spend the night in Cusco.
INCLUDES:
- Pre-tour assistance
- Transfers in tourist transportation
- Professional guided tour (English and Spanish)
- Entrance tickets to all archaeological sites and attractions
- Hotel accommodations in Cusco
NOT INCLUDED:
- Flights
- Tips
- Meals not specified
- Other unspecified services
RECOMMENDATIONS:
After the tour, take a leisurely walk around the Plaza de Armas. Enjoy Peruvian cuisine at nearby restaurants or relax on a bench while capturing memorable photos in a charming atmosphere. For those interested in nightlife, various discos and bars are located around the square.
Cusco – Sacred Valley – Aguas Calientes
We kick off our adventure early in the morning with a pick-up from your hotel around 7:00 AM. After a one-hour journey, we will arrive in Pisac, where you can enjoy the breathtaking views of the Sacred Valley and its significance to humanity.
Our first stop will be the Pisac Archaeological Center, perched above the city. Here, you’ll see local farmers utilizing ancient Inca agricultural techniques to cultivate the steep slopes for maximum yield.
Next, we’ll dive into the vibrant Pisac handicraft market, bursting with color and a wide range of crafts. At noon, a delicious buffet lunch awaits us at a local tourist restaurant in Urubamba.
After lunch, we’ll proceed to Ollantaytambo, located 76 km from Cusco. Here, you’ll be amazed by the massive stone blocks, some weighing over 100 tons, meticulously carved and transported for astronomical purposes—a true marvel of engineering.
Ollantaytambo is uniquely positioned among three valleys, serving as a gateway to the jungle. This town, often regarded as the «Best Tourist Town in the World,» boasts Inca colonial architecture and a sophisticated hydraulic system that channels water through its streets, preserving its original charm.
From Ollantaytambo, we will head to the train station for a scenic 1 hour and 50 minutes journey to Aguas Calientes. You can enjoy the lush jungle vegetation and stunning views of the Vilcanota River along the way. Upon arrival, you will be taken to your hotel to settle in, with the rest of the afternoon free for exploration, shopping for local crafts, or dining at one of the many restaurants.
You will spend the night in Aguas Calientes.
INCLUDES:
- Transfers in tourist transportation
- Professional guided tour (English and Spanish)
- Entrance tickets to all archaeological sites and attractions
- Buffet lunch
- Hotel accommodations in Aguas Calientes
- Train ticket from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes
NOT INCLUDED:
- Tips
- Meals not specified
- Other unspecified services
RECOMMENDATIONS:
- Wear comfortable shoes as there will be many stairs to climb.
- Bring a small backpack, your camera, a hat, sunscreen, mosquito repellent, and a water bottle.
- Be sure to try the empanadas and take home a souvenir from the Pisac crafts market.
- Don’t miss the opportunity to sample the delicious corn from the Sacred Valley in Urubamba.
Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu
Today, we embark on an exhilarating journey to discover one of the Modern Wonders of the World: Machu Picchu. Our day begins early as we take a bus—the most popular mode of transportation to reach the Inca citadel, which takes about 25 minutes.
Upon arrival at Machu Picchu, we’ll start our tour on the Main Circuit (Circuit 2), where you can capture the classic photo of the citadel. Our guide will lead you through the agricultural and urban zones, highlighting squares, temples, terraces, staircases, paths, aqueducts, and more.
As we explore, you’ll enjoy breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains and the Urubamba River winding through the cloud forest. The guided tour of Machu Picchu lasts approximately 2 hours, during which your guide will share valuable insights and answer your questions.
After delving into the mysteries and history of Machu Picchu, you’ll leave with unforgettable memories. We will then return to Aguas Calientes to board the train back to Ollantaytambo station, where our transport will be ready to take you back to your hotel in Cusco.
You will spend the night in Cusco.
IMPORTANT:
- Train schedules to Machu Picchu may vary depending on availability.
- It’s advisable to book your trip in advance, as entrances to Machu Picchu often sell out quickly during peak seasons.
INCLUDES:
- Transfers in tourist transportation
- Professional guided tour (English and Spanish)
- Entrance tickets to all archaeological sites and attractions mentioned
- Access to Machu Picchu Circuit 2 (subject to availability)
- Round-trip bus ticket (Machu Picchu – Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu)
- Train ticket from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo
NOT INCLUDED:
- Tips
- Meals not specified
- Other unspecified services
RECOMMENDATIONS:
- Book in advance.
- Bring your passport or ID.
- Arrive at the train station at least half an hour early.
- Wear appropriate shoes for climbing, as there will be many stairs.
- Carry a small backpack with your camera, a sun hat, sunscreen, mosquito repellent, and a water bottle.
- Don’t miss the chance to visit and enjoy the thermal baths in Aguas Calientes.
- You can bring a maximum of 5 kilograms of luggage on the train.
- Be prepared for queues for the bus to the Machu Picchu Sanctuary during high season, as visitor numbers increase.
Hike To Rainbow Mountain
We will visit one of the new natural wonders in Cusco, Rainbow Mountain, also known as Vinicunca. This site has been declared a «Unique Natural Treasure in the World» and stands at an altitude of 5,100 meters above sea level, comparable to Everest Base Camp.
Our adventure begins early, with a pickup from your hotel in Cusco around 4:00 AM. We will drive for about two hours to the Cusipata district in the Quispicanchi province, where we will enjoy breakfast.
After a short break, we will continue by vehicle to the first control point of the Tintinco and Paucarpata communities, and then make a 25-minute drive to the second control point of the Chilliwani community. From this point, we will start a hike lasting approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes to the Red Valley mountain range.
During the hike, you’ll have the chance to admire the distinctive flora and fauna of the Andes, with the possibility of seeing llamas and alpacas in their natural habitat.
Upon reaching the Vinicunca viewpoint, our guide will explain the orography, ecosystem, and vibrant colors of the mountain. Rainbow Mountain is a natural marvel created by the oxidation of various minerals, displaying striking geological formations in shades of red, purple, green, pink, and yellow.
After enjoying the views, we will return along the same path to the starting point of the hike, where our transportation will take us to a restaurant for a delicious Andean lunch. We will then begin our return journey to Cusco, arriving around 4:00 PM.
We will spend the night in Cusco.
INCLUDES:
- Professional guided tour in English and Spanish
- Entrance tickets to the mentioned archaeological sites
- Tourist transportation equipped with oxygen
- Walking sticks
- Assistance throughout the tour
- Buffet lunch at a Cusipata restaurant
- Accommodation in Cusco
NOT INCLUDED:
- Horse rental
- Tips
- Meals not mentioned
- Other unspecified services
RECOMMENDATIONS:
- Wear warm clothing
- Use sunscreen (preferably SPF 90+)
- Bring sunglasses and a hat
- In the rainy season, bring a waterproof poncho
- Wear suitable hiking shoes
- Carry water
OPTIONAL: You can also choose the tour to Maras, Moray, and Salinas de Maras on this day.
Hotel Transfer – Airport
On the final day of the tour, we will enjoy breakfast at the hotel. At the designated time, we will take you to the airport for your departure flight.
This marks the end of your 5-day, 4-night adventure exploring Cusco, the Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, and the stunning Rainbow Mountain.
INCLUDES:
- Transfer between the hotel and the airport in tourist transportation.
NOT INCLUDED:
- Meals not specified
- Flights from Cusco to Lima
- Tips
- Any other services not mentioned
Included
- Pre-tour assistance.
- All transfers in tourist transportation included.
- Professional guided tour, English — Spanish.
- All entrance tickets to archaeological sites and tourist attractions mentioned in the tour.
- Entrance to Machu Picchu circuit 2 (subject to availability).
- Train tickets, Ollantaytambo — Aguas Calientes, round trip.
- Bus ticket Aguas Calientes — Machu Picchu, round trip.
- 03 nights hotel in Cusco.
- 01 night hotel in Aguas Calientes.
- 01 lunch and 01 buffet lunch.
Not Included
- Flights.
- Entrance to Huayna Picchu.
- Tips.
- Meals not mentioned.
- Other services not mentioned.