Cusco Tour Package (5 Days)

Tour Description

The five-day Cusco vacation package is one of the best travel packages to Cusco, Peru. It has been carefully designed to offer you a detailed introduction to the Inca civilization before visiting the lost city of the Incas, Machu Picchu.

Accompanied by a professional local tour guide, you will receive detailed information about the history of the Incas, the Spanish conquest, and the Andean traditions and customs.

This five-day experience begins with a detailed half-day tour of the city of Cusco. You will visit the main Inca ruins that surround the ancient capital of the Incas, the city of Cusco.

Then you will visit the Inca ruins in the Sacred Valley of the Incas before embarking on a scenic train journey to the town of Aguas Calientes for your tour of the Machu Picchu Sanctuary.

This five-day tour package concludes with a visit to the iconic Vinicunca Rainbow Mountains.

We offer this Cusco tour package in small groups. Take a moment to read our reviews on Tripadvisor.

Tour Details
Duration

5 Days

Tour Type

Adventure

Difficulty

Moderate

Departure & Return

Cusco

Start Time

1:00 pm

Group Size

Small

Tour Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Cusco – City Tour

Our representative will welcome you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel in Cusco. We recommend taking a morning flight from Lima, as the city tour begins at 1:00 p.m.

We will begin the Cusco City Tour by visiting the Inca Temple of the Sun, Qorikancha, one of the most sacred sites of the Incas. The courtyard once housed numerous gold statues. Our guide will explain how Spanish rule modified the structures of the Inca temple.

Then we will take you in our private transportation to Sacsayhuamán, the impressive Inca fortress that rises on a hill overlooking the city of Cusco. Built by Pachacutec, it features enormous stones weighing more than 100 tons each, joined without mortar through precise stone cutting.

We will continue with a visit to the Q’enqo archaeological complex, an important site of the Inca civilization where scarification and mummification rituals were performed.

Afterwards, we will visit Tambomachay, a spa for the Inca political elite, with several channels connected to natural spring waters. Although the site was built centuries ago, the channels still function today.

We will finish the day at Puca Pucara, whose name in Quechua means “Red Fortress.” This site protected Cusco and was built with rocks that reflect a deep red tone at sunset.

After visiting Puca Pucara, we will drive you back to the city of Cusco so you can rest and prepare for the next day of the tour.

Day 2: Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu

We will pick you up from your hotel in Cusco at 7:00 a.m. and travel in private transportation to explore the Sacred Valley of the Incas.

Chinchero

We will begin with a morning drive to Chinchero, a small village where the locals have preserved their textile traditions. Historically, it was home to the summer palace of Pachacutec. The archaeological site features agricultural terraces and Inca aqueducts, as well as a church built by the Spanish conquerors over the ruins of the Inca Royal Palace.

Maras

We will visit the Maras Salt Mines, geometric pools on the side of a hill fed by mineral-rich spring water. When the water evaporates, it leaves salt crystals, which locals harvest by hand following an ancestral tradition.

Moray

Our next stop will be Moray, where you will find circular agricultural terraces. Each level has a different temperature, with up to a 15-degree variation between the top and the bottom. The Incas used them as an agricultural laboratory to experiment with crop growth.

Urubamba

We will stop for lunch in Urubamba.

Ollantaytambo

We will continue to Ollantaytambo, a town that reflects Inca urban planning and is located between two archaeological sites. Our guide will provide a detailed tour.

Aguas Calientes

We will board the train to Aguas Calientes, enjoying a scenic journey where you will observe the change in landscape, from the snowy Andean peaks to the tropical forests. In Machu Picchu Pueblo, we will accommodate you in a hotel room with a private bathroom.

Day 3: Machu Picchu Tour

At sunrise, you will take a bus to Machu Picchu. Our local expert will provide a two-hour guided tour of the Inca citadel, visiting the ruins of the Inca royal quarters, temples, ceremonial sites, agricultural terraces, and more.

After the half-day tour, you will have free time to explore the citadel on your own. If you have tickets to climb Huayna Picchu Mountain or Machu Picchu Mountain, our guide will indicate the corresponding entrance. It is important to have a permit in advance, which often sells out six or seven months in advance.

As an alternative, you can hike to the Sun Gate, the entrance used by those who complete the Inca Trail. It offers a spectacular view of the citadel.

Afterwards, you will take the bus back to the town of Aguas Calientes, where you will have free time for lunch if you wish. Later, you will board the train back to the Ollantaytambo station.

Our representative will meet you at the train station and transfer you back to your hotel in Cusco.

Day 4: Rainbow Mountain Tour (Vinicunca)

We will pick you up from your hotel in Cusco at 4:00 a.m. and transfer you to Cusipata, about two hours by car from Cusco. We will make a short stop for breakfast.

Hike Starting Point

We will continue to the base camp. Along the way, we will pass the checkpoint where community officials will collect the entrance fee. Our guide will provide a detailed explanation and tips for hiking. If you feel tired, you can rent a horse.

Ascent and Summit

The ascent offers captivating views of the Andes. Once at the summit, you will have free time to enjoy the scenery and take photos.

Return

We will begin the hike back to the starting point, where our driver will be waiting to take us to Cusipata. There we will stop for lunch before returning to Cusco.

Day 5: Transfer to Cusco Airport

Our representative will pick you up from your hotel in Cusco and transfer you to the airport.

What is included?

  • Transfer from Cusco airport
  • All transportation
  • Tour guide
  • Transportation to visit the Sacred Valley
  • Lunch in Urubamba during the Sacred Valley tour
  • Train from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes and return
  • Entrance to the citadel of Machu Picchu
  • 01 night accommodation in Aguas Calientes
  • Bus from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu and return
  • Transportation from Ollantaytambo to Cusco
  • Guided tour of the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu
  • Breakfast and lunch during the tour to Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca)

What's Not Included?

  • Entrance to Qorikancha (approx. 15 soles)
  • Tourist ticket to archaeological sites (approx. USD 23 per person)
  • Entrance to the Maras Salt Mines (approx. 10 soles)
  • Local or international flights
  • Accommodation except for the night included in Aguas Calientes
  • Meals except those mentioned in the itinerary

Packing List

Below is a list of recommended items for your trip to Machu Picchu and the Peruvian Amazon.

  • Comfortable backpack
  • Reusable water bottle
  • Sunscreen
  • Cash
  • Passport/ID
  • Snacks

Frequently Asked Questions

Here we answer some of the most common questions travelers have before taking this five-day tour through Cusco, the Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, and Rainbow Mountain.

Do I need to book far in advance to climb Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain?

Yes, tickets for Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain require a special permit that usually sells out three or four months in advance. It is recommended to book early to guarantee your entry.

Do I need to be in good physical condition for Rainbow Mountain?

It is recommended to have moderate physical fitness since the hike involves climbing at high altitude. Those who feel tired can rent a horse at the base camp.

What transportation is included during the tour?

The tour includes airport transfers, private transportation to visit the Sacred Valley, the train from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes, the bus to Machu Picchu, and all transportation included in the itinerary.

Is accommodation included throughout the tour?

The tour includes one night of accommodation in Aguas Calientes. The remaining nights must be booked by the traveler or can be arranged with our agency.

What type of meals are included?

Some breakfasts and lunches are included, specifically during the Rainbow Mountain tour and in Urubamba during the Sacred Valley tour. Other meals are not included.

Is a local guide required in Machu Picchu?

Yes, the tour includes a professional guide who will provide a tour of approximately two hours through the citadel, explaining the history of the temples, terraces, ceremonial sites, and royal quarters.

What should I bring for the tour?

It is recommended to bring a comfortable backpack, reusable water bottle, sunscreen, cash, passport or identification, and snacks for the journey.

What happens if I arrive late for the train to Aguas Calientes?

It is important to respect the schedules since train seats are limited. If you arrive late, you will need to wait for the next available train, which could affect the day’s itinerary.

Can additional activities be done in Machu Picchu?

In addition to the guided tour, you can walk around the citadel on your own or hike to the Sun Gate, which offers spectacular views of Machu Picchu and is the entrance of the Inca Trail.

Customer Experience

Starting at
$450per person
Please review our policies before booking your tour.
Do you have any questions?

Feel free to call us. We’re a team of experts and would be happy to speak with you.

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