Classic Cusco in 6 Days
Classic Cusco in 6 Days
Overview
This exciting Classic Cusco tour offers a 5-day experience full of adventure and discovery. It begins with a day of exploration in the city of Cusco and its most important archaeological sites. Next, you will visit the impressive Humantay Lagoon, enjoying a dreamlike natural landscape. The third day is reserved for a visit to the iconic Machu Picchu, where you will explore this world wonder accompanied by a professional guide. On the fourth day, you will go to the Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca), offering breathtaking panoramic views. Finally, on the fifth day, you will return home from the Cusco Airport. A tour that combines culture, nature, and adventure in one of the most fascinating regions of Peru.
Itinerary
Day 1: Cusco City Tour and Archaeological Sites
Welcome to the city of Cusco and transfer to your hotel.
A representative of our company will be waiting for you with transportation upon your arrival in Cusco. We will board the vehicle to the selected hotel, where you will receive an informative briefing about the activities planned for the coming days.
At 12:50 p.m., our transfer will pick you up from your hotel. At 1:00 p.m., we will begin our city tour. We will start by visiting the impressive Temple of Qoricancha, a highlighted site that showcases the fusion of Inca and colonial architecture. Then, we will travel in our vehicle to the fascinating nearby archaeological sites.
Our first stop will be Sacsayhuamán, known for its enormous polished stones and strategic location, offering spectacular panoramic views of Cusco. Next, we will continue to Qenqo, an ancient Inca temple where religious ceremonies were performed. Afterward, we will explore Puka Pukara, an Inca military and control center. Finally, we will visit the enigmatic Temple of Tambomachay, known for its crystal-clear water fountains.
Finally, we will return to the city of Cusco at approximately 6:30 p.m.
Day 2: Sacred Valley + Moray and Maras Salt Mines
Our transportation will pick you up at your hotel at 6:30 a.m., and we will head to our first destination: Chinchero. There, we will visit the traditional market and the archaeological site, where we will admire the impressive Inca architecture and the cultivated areas. We will explore the incredible agricultural terraces, spending about an hour discovering this Inca citadel.
Next, we will visit the archaeological site of Moray, also known as the “Inca Greenhouses.” This site consists of a system of terraced circular depressions built by the Incas for agricultural experimentation. Each terrace has different microclimates depending on its depth, which is believed to have been used by the Incas to determine the ideal growing conditions for various crops.
We will also visit the Salineras de Maras, an impressive complex of salt mines that were highly important during the pre-Inca, Inca, and colonial periods, and which continue to operate today, providing artisan salt to local inhabitants.
We will continue to the town of Urubamba, where we will enjoy a delicious buffet lunch. Finally, we will reach Ollantaytambo, where you will have time to explore the ancient and bustling Inca town, admiring its massive stone constructions with the explanations provided by our professional guide.
Next, we will board the scenic train, which will take us on an approximately 1 hour and 50-minute journey to the town of Machu Picchu (Aguas Calientes), where we will spend the night.
Upon arrival in Aguas Calientes, our staff will be waiting to transfer you to your hotel and provide an informative briefing about the site and the activities for the following day, when we will visit the wonder of Machu Picchu.
Day 3: Machu Picchu
We will start the day with breakfast at the hotel. One hour before our entrance to Machu Picchu, we will head to the bus station, where we will board a short 25-minute ride to reach the impressive Inca City. There, our professional guide will be waiting to begin the guided tour.
Once inside, we will enjoy a full two-hour tour, exploring the most outstanding and intriguing corners of Machu Picchu. We will uncover the mystery behind its abandonment for centuries and marvel at the numerous agricultural terraces and irrigation channels that surround the city, enabling year-round harvests.
Machu Picchu has over 200 structures, including houses, plazas, granaries, temples, and astronomical observatories. Among the most remarkable monuments are the Temple of the Sun, the Main Plaza, the Temple of the Three Windows, and the Temple of the Condor. Other points of interest include the Funerary Rock, the Main Gate, the Acllahuasi, the Royal Mausoleum, and the Princess’ House, among many other architectural wonders.
At the end of our visit, we will take the bus back to the town of Aguas Calientes, where you will have free time to enjoy lunch on your own. At the agreed time, we will head to the train station to begin the return journey to Ollantaytambo, from where we will continue in our private vehicle back to the city of Cusco.
Day 4: Humantay Lake
Our transportation will pick you up at your hotel at around 4:00 a.m. Then, we will head to the town of Mollepata by bus for approximately 2 hours, where we will make a stop at a restaurant to enjoy a delicious breakfast. We will continue on the same bus along a dirt road for another hour until we reach Soraypampa, at 3,800 meters above sea level, the starting point of the hike.
We will prepare for the hike to Humantay Lagoon, a climb of approximately 2 hours along 3 km. Once at Humantay Lagoon, you will have enough time to take photos of the spectacular landscape, listen to the guide’s explanations, and enjoy the wonderful natural surroundings. The time spent at the lagoon will range from 45 minutes to 1 hour, depending on the weather conditions. If it is cloudy, foggy, slightly rainy, or very cold, the approximate time will be 40 minutes. If the weather is sunny and clear, you can stay around 1 hour, enough time to fully appreciate the lagoon.
Afterwards, we will prepare for the return hike along the same path to our vehicle, marking the end of the excursion. Then, we will board our minivan back to Mollepata for 1 hour, where we will stop to enjoy a buffet lunch. Finally, we will travel by bus for approximately 2 hours back to Cusco.
Day 5: Rainbow Mountain Vinicunca
The tour starts early in the morning. We will pick you up at your hotel in Cusco between 4:00 and 4:30 a.m. and travel by bus for approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes south, until we reach the Cusipata district (3,310 meters above sea level), where we will enjoy a semi-buffet breakfast. We will continue traveling for another 2 hours along a dirt road until reaching the control point, where the hike at Kayrahuiry begins. The hike will last approximately 50 minutes, during which we will observe the typical Andean flora and fauna, highlighting the presence of llamas and alpacas. We will pass through beautiful ravines and admire the surrounding snow-capped peaks.
Upon arrival at the Vinikunka viewpoint, also known as the Rainbow Mountain (5,080 meters above sea level), our guide will provide a detailed explanation of the orography, ecosystem, and the unique colors of the mountain. We will also take the opportunity to admire the Vinikunka mountain range (5,020 meters above sea level), take photos, and enjoy the stunning Andean landscape.
Afterwards, we will return along the same path to the starting point of the Kayrahuiry hike, where our transportation will be waiting to take us back to Cusipata, where we will enjoy a semi-buffet lunch. Once lunch is finished, we will start the return trip to the city of Cusco, with an estimated arrival between 4:00 and 5:00 p.m.
Day 6: Transfer from Hotel to the Airport
At the agreed time, our vehicle will pick you up at your hotel for the transfer to Cusco Airport to catch your return flight. This service marks the end of our services, and we hope you have enjoyed this unforgettable trip. Have a safe journey back!
Included:
- Airport – Hotel – Airport transfers.
- 4 nights of *** hotel accommodation in Cusco.
- 1 night of *** hotel accommodation in Aguas Calientes.
- Tourist transportation for all tours.
- Professional tour guide service.
- 1 buffet lunch in the Sacred Valley.
- 1 breakfast and 1 lunch during the Humantay Lagoon tour.
- 1 breakfast and 1 lunch during the Rainbow Mountain tour.
- Entrance ticket to Humantay Lagoon.
- Entrance ticket to Rainbow Mountain.
- BTP (General Tourist Ticket in Cusco).
- Entrance ticket to Qorikancha.
- Entrance ticket to the Maras Salt Mines.
- Entrance ticket to Machu Picchu.
- Bus ticket Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu – Aguas Calientes.
- Tourist train ticket VOYAGER or EXPEDITION (Ollantaytambo – Machu Picchu – Ollantaytambo route).
- Bus ticket Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu – Aguas Calientes.
- First aid kit; Oxygen tank available during the Rainbow Mountain and Humantay Lagoon tours.
- Passenger orientation and continuous monitoring.
Not included:
- Meals not mentioned in the program.
- Entrance ticket to Huayna Picchu Mountain.
- Personal expenses or additional consumption by passengers.
Recommendations
- Always carry copies of your travel documents, such as passport and tickets.
- Make sure to bring a small backpack with essential items such as water, snacks, a warm jacket, sunscreen, and a hat.
- Wear comfortable clothing suitable for hiking, considering the changing weather conditions.
- Bring trekking or hiking shoes for the walks.
- If you are sensitive to altitude, consider taking supplements or consult a doctor before the trip.
- Respect the natural environment and avoid leaving trash or disturbing local flora and fauna.
- Follow the guide’s instructions on each excursion and respect the rules of archaeological sites.
- If you have pre-existing medical conditions, consult a doctor before undertaking high-altitude hikes.
- Take the opportunity to capture photos, but keep in mind the restrictions on the use of drones and tripods in certain areas.
