The Cusco and Machu Picchu 6 days and 5 nights program is the ideal option for travelers who wish to explore the region in depth, perfectly combining the grandiose Inca history with the most impressive natural landscapes of the Andes, under the demanding quality standards of Vilcabamba Tours. Throughout the week, you will explore the pre-Hispanic and colonial temples of the historic center of Cusco, venture into the Urubamba Valley visiting the agricultural laboratories of Moray and the millenary Maras Salt Mines, and crown the experience with a guided visit to the majestic citadel of Machu Picchu.
In addition, this itinerary organized by Vilcabamba Tours includes two demanding and beautiful high-mountain treks: the ascent to the turquoise waters of Humantay Lake and the mineral trekking to the famous Mountain of 7 Colors (Vinicunca). The entire route guarantees comprehensive transfers, official entrance tickets, and comfortable accommodation 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 journey 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: Humantay Lake: Early morning transfer, breakfast, start of the trek in Soraypampa to the turquoise lagoon, descent, lunch in Mollepata, and return to Cusco at the end of the afternoon.
- Day 6: Free Day – Airport Transfer: Free time in the city and direct transfer to the airport coordinated by Vilcabamba Tours two hours before the departure of your return flight.
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Airport Pickup — 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 begin the first tour with 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 Sacsayhuamán fortress, the underground galleries of Qenqo, the military checkpoint of Puca Pucara, and the sanctuary dedicated to the worship of water at Tambomachay. The tour concludes with the return to the city center (Plaza Regocijo) in the mid-afternoon with constant assistance from 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 and 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. Later, you will go to the circular terraces of Moray, used as an agricultural research center, and the millenary Maras Salt Mines, which display thousands of artisanal salt extraction pools. 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 to 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 ascending bus to the Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu. Once at the archaeological site, you will take a two-hour guided tour led by a professional Vilcabamba Tours guide, touring the main sectors, squares, and passages of the assigned circuit to contemplate the magnificence of Inca engineering. Upon completion, you will return by bus to the town of Aguas Calientes, with free time to have lunch on your own, walk its streets, or visit its local hot springs and museums. At the indicated time, you will board the return train to Ollantaytambo, where our transport will be waiting to safely transfer you back to your hotel in Cusco.
Day 4: Vinicunca Rainbow Mountain
The high mountain journey begins early in the morning with pickup at your hotel by the agency staff to travel southeast of Cusco to Cusipata, where an energetic breakfast will be served. Then, the Vilcabamba Tours transport will continue for 50 additional minutes to the Chilliwani sector, the starting point of the trek. The walk up to the summit of the Rainbow Mountain takes between one and a half and two hours, allowing you to appreciate glacial landscapes and herds of alpacas along the route. 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 Chilliwani to take the transport to Cusipata for lunch, arriving in Cusco around 4:30 p.m.
Day 5: Humantay Lake
The second trekking challenge begins very early with the transfer from your hotel by the Vilcabamba Tours team, making a technical stop for an energetic breakfast. After this, the journey continues by vehicle to Soraypampa, a mountain camp that marks the start of the official trek. The ascent walk takes approximately between one and a half and two hours, flanked by high-Andean flora until revealing the impressive turquoise water lagoon at the foot of the snow-capped Humantay mountain. After free time for photos and the guided exploration at the summit 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 6:00 p.m.
Day 6: 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 the last activities in the city. At the appropriate time, our Vilcabamba Tours transport will pick you up at the accommodation to transfer you directly to the Cusco airport (two hours before the departure of your flight), providing you with personalized assistance at the departure to board your return flight and concluding our exclusive services.
Includes
- Entry and exit transfers (Airport – Hotel – Airport) provided by Vilcabamba Tours.
- Ollantaytambo – Cusco land transfers upon returning from the train.
- 4 nights accommodation in Cusco with breakfast included.
- 1 night accommodation in the town of Aguas Calientes with breakfast included.
- Guided excursions for City Tour, Sacred Valley with Maras and Moray, Machu Picchu, Rainbow Mountain, and Humantay Lake.
- Round-trip tourist train tickets for the Machu Picchu excursion.
- Bus tickets up and down between Aguas Calientes and the citadel.
- Official entrance ticket to the Machu Picchu Citadel (available circuit).
- Professional guiding service on all routes and permanent assistance from Vilcabamba Tours.
- Meals 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), entrances to Qoricancha, Maras Salt Mines, Rainbow Mountain, and Humantay Lake.
Does not include
- Airline tickets and fares for domestic or international flights.
- Rental of riding horses on the Vinicunca or Humantay Lake excursions.
- Food or beverage services not detailed in the itinerary.
- Personal expenses, souvenirs, or extra services at hotels.
- International travel or medical assistance insurance.
