Cusco and Machu Picchu Program - 6D/5N
Summary
Day 1
Cusco City Tour
Day 2
Sacred Valley of the Incas
Day 3
Machu Picchu
Day 4
Humantay Lagoon
Day 5
Rainbow Mountain
Day 6
Departure
DAY 1: Cusco City Tour
Day 1: City Tour
- Pick-up from the airport and transfer to the selected hotel.
- Afternoon tour (12:45 – 13:00): Visit to the Cathedral of Cusco, Qoricancha (Temple of the Sun), and archaeological sites outside Cusco, including Sacsayhuamán, Qenqo, Puca Pucara, and Tambomachay.
DAY 2: SACRED VALLEY
Day 2: Sacred Valley
- Pick-up from the hotel (8:30 – 8:45 am) to start the tour.
- Visit Pisaq, known for Inca constructions and its craft market.
- Buffet lunch in Urubamba.
- Visit Ollantaytambo to learn more about Inca culture.
- Take the train to Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu Pueblo) for the overnight stay.
DAY 3: MACHU PICCHU
Day 3: Full Day Machu Picchu
- Early pick-up from the hotel to take the bus to Machu Picchu.
- Guided tour of Machu Picchu (approx. 2.5 hours).
- Return to Aguas Calientes for lunch.
- Afternoon train back to Poroy station and transfer to the hotel in Cusco.
DAY 4: HUMANTAY LAGOON
Day 4: Humantay Lake Tour
- Early pick-up from the hotel (4:15 – 4:30 am) and drive to Mollepata for breakfast.
- Continue to Soraypampa, where the 2-hour hike to the lake begins.
- Free time at the lake for photos and guided tour.
- Descend back to Mollepata for a delicious lunch.
- Return to Cusco after lunch.
DAY 5: RAINBOW MOUNTAIN
Day 5: Rainbow Mountain
- Departure at 4:00 a.m. from Cusco.
- Breakfast in Cusipata and transfer to Phulawasipata.
- 1-hour hike to the mountain (option to rent a horse).
- Guided visit of 45 minutes at Rainbow Mountain.
- Return to Phulawasipata, lunch in Cusipata, and back to Cusco.
DAY 6: DEPARTURE
Day 5: Transfer Out
- Transfer to the airport based on flight times.
- End of services.
INCLUDES
- Airport transfers (arrival/departure).
- All tour transfers in tourist transport.
- Cusco Tourist Ticket (City Tour Cusco and Sacred Valley).
- Entrance to Coricancha.
- Entrance to Machu Picchu.
- Expedition or Voyager train ticket (Ollantaytambo – Aguas Calientes – Ollantaytambo).
- Bus ticket (Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu – Aguas Calientes).
- Entrance to Humantay Lagoon.
- Entrance to Rainbow Mountain.
- Professional guide for all tours.
- 4 nights in Cusco (2-star hotel).
- 1 night in Aguas Calientes (2-star hotel).
- 5 breakfasts.
- 1 buffet lunch in Sacred Valley.
- 1 lunch at Rainbow Mountain.
- 1 lunch at Humantay Lagoon.
NOT INCLUDED
- Domestic and international flights.
- Meals and drinks not specified.
- Other services not mentioned.
WHAT YOU NEED TO BRING
- Passport (optional): Bring a photocopy, but for the Rainbow Mountain stamp, bring the original.
- 1.5 liters of water: Stay hydrated during the hike.
- Personal snacks: Extra energy bars if you need frequent snacks.
- Pillow for van ride: Leave it in the van during the hike.
- Trekking shoes: Essential for the dusty and slippery path.
- Waterproof pants (optional): Only for the rainy season (Dec-Mar).
- Extra clothes (optional): For rainy season to stay dry.
- Sunscreen lip protector: Protect lips from dryness.
- Down jacket: To stay warm, as it’s usually cold.
- Rain jacket: For unexpected rain, even during dry seasons.
- Long sleeve t-shirt: Protect from sunburn; apply sunscreen if wearing short sleeves.
- Wool hat: It’s cold at Rainbow Mountain, even in summer.
- Trekking pants: Suggested for hiking, but any suitable pants work.
- Rain poncho: Essential in the rainy season or cloudy days.
- Sunhat: Protect from strong sun at high altitudes.
- Sunscreen: Both sun and cold can burn, so apply regularly.
- Water bottles or Camelbak: Reusable bottles are recommended.
- Sunglasses: Strong sun and snow reflection can harm eyes.
- Extra money: For snacks, soda, alpaca meat, or tips for photos.
- Thick socks: To keep feet warm.
- Neck gaiter: Keeps neck and face warm, especially in winter.
- Gloves: Essential for warmth, especially at the summit.
- Basic medications: Ibuprofen for headaches, Diamox for altitude sickness.
- Portable charger: To keep devices powered in the cold.
- Phone or camera: Capture memories of the adventure.