The Cusco and Machu Picchu 5-day/4-night program is the ideal option for travelers who wish to immerse themselves in the rich culture and history of the Incas, designed under the demanding quality standards of Vilcabamba Tours. This experience perfectly combines classic archaeological attractions with stunning natural landscapes. Throughout the journey, you will explore the pre-Hispanic and colonial temples of Cusco’s historic center, venture into the Sacred Valley, combining the agricultural laboratories of Moray with the spectacular Maras Salt Mines, and crown the trip with a guided visit to the majestic citadel of Machu Picchu. As a closing adventure, the itinerary organized by Vilcabamba Tours includes the challenging and beautiful high-mountain trek to the famous Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca). The entire route guarantees comprehensive transfers, official entry tickets, and smooth logistics from start to finish so you can enjoy your vacation with absolute peace of mind.
Short Itinerary
- Day 1: Airport Pickup – City Tour: Reception at the airport, transfer to the hotel by the Vilcabamba Tours team, and afternoon excursion to Qoricancha, Sacsayhuamán, Qenqo, Puca Pucara, and Tambomachay.
- Day 2: Sacred Valley – Maras Moray – Overnight in Aguas Calientes: Tour through Chinchero, Moray, the Maras Salt Mines, lunch in Urubamba, and exploration of Ollantaytambo before taking the train to Aguas Calientes.
- Day 3: Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu – Return to Cusco: 2-hour guided tour of the Machu Picchu citadel with our specialist, free time in the town, and return trip by train and van to Cusco.
- Day 4: Vinicunca Rainbow Mountain: Early morning trip to Cusipata, breakfast, ascent hike from Chilliwani to the Vinicunca summit, descent, lunch, and return to Cusco in the mid-afternoon.
- Day 5: Free Day – Airport Transfer: Free time in the city and direct transfer to the airport coordinated by Vilcabamba Tours two hours before your return flight departure.
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Airport Pickup — City Tour
Upon your arrival in the city of Cusco, our Vilcabamba Tours staff will greet you at the airport to give you a warm welcome and transfer you to your selected hotel. In the afternoon, you will begin the first tour with the City Tour, exploring the emblematic Temple of Qoricancha and continuing to the outskirts of the city to visit the monumental stone blocks of the Sacsayhuamán fortress, the underground galleries of Qenqo, the military checkpoint of Puca Pucara, and the sanctuary dedicated to water worship at Tambomachay. The tour concludes with the return to the city center around 6:30 p.m. with the constant assistance of our team.
Day 2: Sacred Valley — Maras Moray — Overnight in Aguas Calientes
We will pick you up at your accommodation early in the morning in the agency’s comfortable transportation to head towards the Sacred Valley of the Incas. The first stop is in the historic town of Chinchero to visit its archaeological complex and a traditional textile center. Afterward, you will go to the circular terraces of Moray and the ancient Maras Salt Mines. After enjoying a restorative lunch in Urubamba, you will explore the monumental archaeological center of Ollantaytambo, and then head to the train station to board the train bound for Aguas Calientes, where the hotel staff will receive you upon arrival with all the logistics coordinated by Vilcabamba Tours.
Day 3: Aguas Calientes — Machu Picchu — Return to Cusco
After breakfast, you will board the ascent bus to the Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu. Once at the archaeological site, you will take a two-hour guided tour with a professional Vilcabamba Tours guide, visiting the main sectors and plazas to contemplate the magnificence of Inca engineering. Upon finishing, you will return by bus to the town of Aguas Calientes, having free time to have lunch on your own, explore its streets, or visit its thermal baths. At the indicated time, you will board the return train to Ollantaytambo, where our transportation will be waiting to safely transfer you back to your hotel in Cusco, arriving around 10:50 p.m.
Day 4: Vinicunca Rainbow Mountain
The high-mountain journey begins at dawn with the pickup at your hotel by the agency staff to travel southeast of Cusco to Cusipata, where an energetic breakfast will be served. Afterward, the Vilcabamba Tours transportation will continue to the Chilliwani sector, the starting point of the trek. The ascent walk to the summit of the Rainbow Mountain takes between an hour and a half and two hours. After enjoying the spectacular panoramic view at the Vinicunca summit and receiving the geological explanation from our guide, you will begin the descent back to take the transportation to Cusipata for lunch, arriving at Plaza Regocijo in Cusco around 4:30 p.m.
Day 5: Free Day — Airport Transfer
You will start the last day with breakfast at the hotel, having free time according to your flight schedule to do some last-minute shopping in the city. At the appropriate time, our Vilcabamba Tours transportation will pick you up at the accommodation to transfer you directly to the Cusco airport, providing personalized assistance at departure to board your return flight and thus concluding our exclusive services.
Included
- Inbound and outbound transfers (Airport – Hotel – Airport) provided by Vilcabamba Tours.
- Ollantaytambo – Cusco land transfers upon returning from the train.
- 3 nights of accommodation in Cusco with breakfast included.
- 1 night of accommodation in the town of Aguas Calientes with breakfast included.
- Guided excursions for City Tour, Sacred Valley with Maras and Moray, Machu Picchu, and Rainbow Mountain.
- Round-trip tourist train tickets for the Machu Picchu excursion.
- Up and down bus tickets between Aguas Calientes and the citadel.
- Official entrance ticket to the Machu Picchu Citadel.
- Professional guiding service on all routes and permanent assistance from Vilcabamba Tours.
- Meals included on the route: Lunch in the Sacred Valley, breakfast and lunch on the Rainbow Mountain excursion.
- Entrance tickets and extra tolls: General Tourist Ticket (BTC), entrance fees to Qoricancha, Maras Salt Mines, and Rainbow Mountain.
Not Included
- Air tickets and fares for domestic or international flights.
- Horse rental for riding on the Rainbow Mountain excursion.
- Food or beverage services not specified in detail in the itinerary.
- Personal expenses, souvenirs, or extra services at hotels.
