This complete 7-day, 6-night program offers an absolute immersion into the historical, archaeological, and natural richness of the Cusco region, designed under the demanding quality standards of Vilcabamba Tours. It is the ideal choice for those who wish to explore both traditional circuits and the most astonishing scenic environments of the Andes. Throughout the week, you will tour the colonial and Inca temples of the historic center and the mystical South Valley, delve into the classic Sacred Valley by combining the agricultural laboratories of Moray with the spectacular salt mines of Maras, and crown the adventure with a guided visit to the majestic citadel of Machu Picchu.
In addition, this itinerary organized by Vilcabamba Tours challenges your traveler spirit with two of the most highly regarded one-day treks in South America: the hike to the turquoise waters of Humantay Lake and the mineral ascent to the famous 7-Color Mountain (Vinicunca), guaranteeing strategic overnight stays, comprehensive transportation, and official entrance fees included for a totally fluid experience from start to finish.
Short Itinerary
- Day 1: Airport Pick-up – City Tour: Reception at the airport, transfer to the hotel by the Vilcabamba Tours team, and afternoon excursion to Qoricancha, Sacsayhuaman, 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: Machu Picchu – Return to Cusco: 2-hour guided visit to the Machu Picchu citadel with our specialist, free time in the town of Aguas Calientes, and train and van travel back to Cusco.
- Day 4: Vinicunca Rainbow Mountain: Early morning trip to Cusipata, breakfast, hike from Chilliwani to the summit of the Rainbow Mountain, descent, lunch, and return to Cusco in the afternoon.
- Day 5: South Valley: Half-day excursion visiting the Tipón channels, the pre-Inca structures of Pikillaqta, and the colonial temple of Andahuaylillas, with a return to Cusco mid-afternoon.
- Day 6: Humantay Lake: Early morning transfer to Mollepata, breakfast, start of the trek in Soraypampa to the turquoise lake, descent, local lunch, and return to Cusco at the end of the afternoon.
- Day 7: Free Day and Airport Transfer: Free time in the city and private transfer to the airport coordinated by Vilcabamba Tours two hours before your flight departure.
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Airport Transfer – City Tour
Upon your arrival in the city of Cusco, our Vilcabamba Tours staff will receive you at the airport to give you a warm welcome and transfer you to your selected hotel. In the afternoon, you will start the first tour, the City Tour, exploring the emblematic Qoricancha Temple (Temple of the Sun) and continuing to the outskirts of the city to visit the monumental stone blocks of the Sacsayhuaman fortress, the underground galleries of Qenqo, the Inca checkpoint of Puca Pucara, and the temple dedicated to water worship, Tambomachay. The tour concludes in the mid-afternoon with a safe return to the city center.
Day 2: Sacred Valley with Maras and Moray — Overnight in Aguas Calientes
The day begins early with a pick-up at your accommodation in the agency’s comfortable transport to head towards the Sacred Valley of the Incas. The first stop is the historic town of Chinchero to visit its archaeological complex and a traditional textile interpretation center. Subsequently, you will head towards the circular terraces of Moray, used as an Inca agricultural research center, and the ancient Maras Salt Mines, which display thousands of artisanal salt extraction pools. After enjoying a buffet lunch in Urubamba, you will explore the monumental archaeological center and living town of Ollantaytambo, then head to the train station to board the train to Aguas Calientes, where the hotel staff will receive you upon arrival with all logistics coordinated by Vilcabamba Tours.
Day 3: Machu Picchu — Return to Cusco
After breakfast at the hotel, you will board the bus to the Machu Picchu Historical Sanctuary. Once at the archaeological site, you will take a two-hour guided tour with a professional Vilcabamba Tours guide, touring the main sectors, plazas, and passages of the assigned circuit, contemplating 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, walk through its streets, visit the local hot springs, or its site museums. At the indicated time, you will board the return train to Ollantaytambo, where our transport will be waiting to take you back safely to your hotel in Cusco.
Day 4: Vinicunca Rainbow Mountain
The high mountain day begins at dawn with pick-up at your hotel by agency staff to travel southeast of Cusco to Cusipata, where breakfast will be served. Then, the Vilcabamba Tours transport will continue for an additional 50 minutes to the Chilliwani sector, the starting point of the trek. The hike to the summit of the Rainbow Mountain takes between an hour and a half and two hours, allowing you to appreciate glacial landscapes and alpaca herds on the route. After enjoying the spectacular panoramic view at the top of Vinicunca and receiving the geological explanation from our guide, you will begin the descent to Chilliwani to take the transport back to Cusipata for lunch, arriving in Cusco around 16:30 p.m.
Day 5: South Valley
In the morning, you will be picked up at your hotel to begin a cultural and scenic circuit to the South Valley of Cusco. The first point of visit will be the Tipón archaeological complex, a marvel of Inca hydraulic engineering where water channels still flow perfectly carved over terraces. Subsequently, with the constant accompaniment of Vilcabamba Tours, you will explore the extensive pre-Inca structures of Pikillaqta, a notable urban center of the Wari culture, to finally visit the Church of San Pedro de Andahuaylillas, recognized for its profuse interior decoration in gold leaf as the Sistine Chapel of America. On the way back, there will be a short optional stop in the district of Saylla for lunch, returning to Cusco around 15:30 p.m.
Day 6: Humantay Lake
The second trekking challenge begins very early with a transfer from your hotel by the Vilcabamba Tours team to the northwest of the region, making a stop in the town of Mollepata to have an energizing breakfast. Once finished, the trip continues by vehicle to Soraypampa, a mountain camp that marks the start of the trek. The ascent hike takes approximately an hour and a half to two hours, flanked by high-Andean flora until revealing the impressive turquoise lake at the foot of the Humantay snowy peak. After free time for photos and the guided exploration with our specialist, you will descend on foot to Soraypampa to board the transport back to Mollepata for lunch, arriving in the city of Cusco near 18:00 p.m.
Day 7: Free Day — Airport Transfer
You will begin the last day with breakfast at the hotel, having free time to do last-minute shopping or tour the historic center at your own pace. At the appropriate time coordinated according to your flight itinerary, our private Vilcabamba Tours transport will pick you up at the hotel to take you directly to the Cusco airport, providing personalized assistance at the departure to board your return flight and concluding our exclusive services.
Includes
- Arrival and departure transfers (Airport – Hotel – Airport) in Cusco provided by Vilcabamba Tours.
- All shared and private ground transportation detailed in the excursions.
- 5 nights of accommodation in Cusco with breakfast included.
- 1 night of accommodation in the town of Aguas Calientes with breakfast included.
- Guided excursions: City Tour, classic Sacred Valley with Maras and Moray, South Valley, Rainbow Mountain, and Humantay Lake.
- Round-trip tourist train tickets for the Machu Picchu excursion.
- Up and down bus tickets between Aguas Calientes and the Inca citadel.
- Official entrance ticket to the Machu Picchu Citadel (available circuit).
- Professional bilingual guide service (English and Spanish) on all routes by Vilcabamba Tours specialists.
- Food included on the route: Lunch in the Sacred Valley, breakfasts and lunches on the Vinicunca and Humantay Lake excursions.
- Entrance tickets and extra tolls: General Tourist Ticket (BTC), entrance fees to Qoricancha, Maras Salt Mines, Rainbow Mountain, Humantay Lake, and the temple of Andahuaylillas.
- Permanent assistance by the Vilcabamba Tours travel agency.
Does not include
- Domestic or international airfare tickets.
- Food services not explicitly detailed in the program (such as the optional lunch in Saylla or dinners).
- Rental of riding horses on the Vinicunca or Humantay Lake excursions.
- Personal expenses, souvenirs, or extra services at hotels.
- Medical assistance or international travel insurance.
