Classic Cusco in 6 Days
Classic Cusco in 6 Days
Overview
This exciting Cusco Classic tour offers a 6-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. Then, you will visit the impressive Humantay Lagoon, where you can enjoy 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 guide. On the fourth day, you will head to the Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca), offering breathtaking panoramic views. Finally, the fifth day marks your return home from 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 Cusco and Transfer to Hotel
A representative from our company will be waiting for you upon arrival in Cusco to transfer you to your selected hotel. Once there, you will receive an informative briefing about the activities we have prepared 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’ll start with a visit to the impressive Temple of Qoricancha, a remarkable site showcasing the fusion of Inca and colonial architecture. Afterward, we’ll head by vehicle to explore the fascinating nearby archaeological centers.
Our first stop will be Sacsayhuamán, renowned for its massive polished stones and strategic location offering breathtaking panoramic views of Cusco. We will then continue to Qenqo, an ancient Inca temple where religious ceremonies were held. Next, we’ll explore Puka Pukara, an Inca military and administrative center. Finally, we’ll visit the enigmatic Temple of Tambomachay, famous for its water fountains.
Day 2: Sacred Valley + Moray and Maras Salt Mines
Recommendation: Bring a small backpack with your personal belongings and a change of clothes, as we will not be returning to Cusco.
Our transportation will pick you up from your hotel at 6:30 a.m., and we will head to our first destination: Chinchero. Here, we will visit its traditional market and archaeological center, where you will admire impressive Inca architecture and farming areas. We will explore the incredible agricultural terraces and spend 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 circular terraces built in a large depression excavated by the Incas for agricultural purposes. The terraces have varied microclimates depending on the depth, which is believed to have helped the Incas determine ideal conditions for growing different crops. We will also visit the Maras Salt Mines, an important site during pre-Inca, Inca, and colonial times, which remains relevant today as the local villagers continue to benefit from the salt extracted here.
We will then 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 this vibrant Inca town and its massive ancient constructions, guided by the explanations of our tour guide.
Afterwards, we will board the train for a 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 escort you to the selected hotel and provide an informative briefing about the town and the activities planned for the following day, when we will visit the wonder of Machu Picchu.
Day 3: Machu Picchu
We will begin 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 that will take us to the breathtaking Inca City. There, our guide will be waiting to begin our visit.
Once inside, we will enjoy a comprehensive two-hour guided tour, exploring the most remarkable and intriguing corners of Machu Picchu. We will uncover the mystery behind its centuries-long abandonment and marvel at the numerous farming terraces and irrigation channels that surround the city, enabling year-round harvests.
Machu Picchu boasts more than 200 structures, including houses, plazas, storehouses, temples, and observatories. Among the most outstanding monuments are the Temple of the Sun, the Main Square, the Temple of the Three Windows, the Temple of the Condor, and the Intihuatana. Other points of interest include the Funerary Rock, the Main Gate, the Acllahuasi, the Royal Mausoleum, and the Princess’s House, among other wonders.
At the end of our visit, we will take the bus back to Aguas Calientes, where you will have free time to enjoy lunch on your own. At the scheduled time, we will head to the train station to board the train back to Ollantaytambo, from where we will continue by vehicle back to the city of Cusco.
Day 4: Humantay Lake
Our transport will pick you up from your hotel between 4:20 and 5:00 a.m. We will then head to the town of Mollepata by bus for about 2 hours, where we will 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 (3,800 m / 12,467 ft), the starting point of our hike.
We will prepare for the hike to Humantay Lake, a climb of approximately 2 hours covering 3 km. Once at the lake, you will have enough time to take photographs of the spectacular scenery, listen to the guide’s explanations, and enjoy the breathtaking surroundings. The time spent at Humantay Lake will be between 45 minutes and 1 hour, depending on weather conditions. If it is cloudy, foggy, rainy, or very cold, the stay may be around 40 minutes. If the weather is sunny and clear, you may remain for about an hour, which is more than enough to fully enjoy the lake.
Afterward, we will prepare for the return hike along the same trail back to our transport, thus ending the trekking portion. We will then board our minivan back to Mollepata (1 hour), where we will stop to enjoy a buffet lunch. Finally, we will travel by bus for another 2 hours back to Cusco.
Day 5: Rainbow Mountain Vinicunca
The tour begins early in the morning. We will pick you up from 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 district of Cusipata (3310 m.a.s.l.), where we will enjoy a semi-buffet breakfast. We will then continue traveling for another 2 hours on a dirt road until we arrive at the checkpoint and start our hike in Kayrahuiry.
The hike will last approximately 50 minutes, during which we will observe the typical flora and fauna of the Andes, especially the presence of llamas and alpacas. We will pass through beautiful valleys and enjoy views of snow-capped peaks.
Upon reaching the Vinikunka viewpoint, also known as Rainbow Mountain (5080 m.a.s.l.), our guide will give us an explanation about the orography, ecosystem, and the unique colors of the mountain. We will also take the opportunity to admire the Vinikunka mountain range (5020 m.a.s.l.), take photos, and enjoy the breathtaking scenery.
We will return along the same trail to the starting point in Kayrahuiry, where our transport will be waiting to take us back to Cusipata for a semi-buffet lunch. After lunch, we will begin the return trip to the city of Cusco, arriving 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 from your hotel for the transfer to Cusco Airport for your return flight. This marks the end of our services, and we hope you have enjoyed this unforgettable journey. Have a safe trip 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.
