5-Day Cusco & Machu Picchu Tour: Sacred Valley, Maras & Moray

Summary

Cusco City Tour, Sacred Valley & Machu Picchu Experience

You’ll walk ancient Inca paths, see Machu Picchu at sunrise, taste real Andean food in Urubamba, shop salt from Maras mines, and explore Cusco’s lively streets—all with local guides who know every shortcut and story.

What’s the experience like?

Landing in Cusco hits you with that crisp mountain air—honestly, it’s a bit of a shock if you’re coming from sea level. Someone from Chullos Travel Peru was waiting for me at the airport with my name on a sign (always a relief). The first morning’s yours to rest and get used to the altitude—I just sipped coca tea in the hotel lobby and watched locals bustle by outside. At 2pm sharp, our guide picked us up for the city tour. Koricancha—the Temple of the Sun—was our first stop. The stonework here is wild; you can run your fingers along walls that have stood for centuries. Afterward, we drove out to Sacsayhuaman. Our guide explained the Quechua meaning (“where the hawk is satiated”), and I swear I spotted one circling overhead while we walked among those massive stones.

Next up was Qenqo—a ritual site carved right into the rock. It’s got this cool, shadowy vibe inside; you can almost feel why people thought it was mystical. PucaPucara came after—a red fortress perched above the valley—and then Tambomachay, where water still flows through ancient channels. We wrapped up around 7pm back in Cusco, just as street vendors started setting up for the evening near Plaza de Armas.

The next day started early with a drive through patchwork fields toward Pisaq. The ruins are high above town—you’ll want good shoes for uneven paths—and our guide pointed out terraces still used today. Lunch was in Urubamba: buffet-style Andean food (try the quinoa soup if they have it). Ollantaytambo’s archaeological site is something else—the Temple of the Sun stones fit together so tightly you can’t slip a coin between them. After exploring, we caught an evening train to Aguas Calientes; there’s this moment when you hear the river rushing past as you step off at night that sticks with you.

Machu Picchu day means an early start—buses line up before sunrise. Our guide led us through Circuits 1 and 2 (ticket availability changes fast; only buy from Peru’s Ministry of Culture). Walking through those cloud-wrapped ruins feels surreal—llamas munching grass right next to ancient walls. After two and a half hours learning about Inca history and snapping way too many photos, we had free time in Aguas Calientes for lunch (I grabbed empanadas at a tiny spot near the market). Then it was back by train to Ollantaytambo and a van ride to Cusco—our driver even played some local music on the way.

Day four took us out to Maras—a sleepy town with blue doors and kids playing soccer in dusty streets—then Moray’s circular terraces. Our guide explained how Incas experimented with crops here; standing at the edge looking down makes you feel tiny. The salt mines at Salineras come next: thousands of white pools glinting in the sun, salty air hanging heavy as workers scoop crystals into bags (pick some up as souvenirs—they’re cheap and make great gifts). We were back in Cusco by mid-afternoon.

On our last morning, I wandered Plaza de Armas before breakfast—the cathedral bells echo across cobblestones while street dogs nap nearby. San Blas neighborhood is worth a stroll for its narrow lanes and little art shops. Before heading to the airport, I grabbed fresh juice at San Pedro market (the pineapple-orange mix is perfect if you’re thirsty). The transfer was smooth; staff handled everything right up until check-in.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Airport Pickup and Cusco City Tour

• Visit Koricancha Temple
• Tour Sacsayhuaman Ruins
• Explore Q'enqo Ritual Center
• Visit PucaPucara Fort
• See Tambomachay Water Cult Site

Day 2 — Sacred Valley Tour and Travel to Aguas Calientes

• Travel to Pisaq Ruins
• Guided Tour of Pisaq
• Buffet Lunch in Urubamba
• Travel to Ollantaytambo
• Tour Ollantaytambo Archaeological Site
• Train to Aguas Calientes

Day 3 — Machu Picchu Visit

• Bus to Machu Picchu
• Guided Tour of Machu Picchu
• Free Time in Aguas Calientes
• Train to Ollantaytambo and Transfer to Cusco

Day 4 — Moray and Maras Salt Mines

• Tour Agricultural Terraces of Moray
• Visit Maras Salt Mines
• Return to Cusco

Day 5 — Relax and Transfer to Airport

• Walking Tour: Plaza de Armas, Nazarenas, San Blas, Twelve-Angle Stone, San Pedro Market
• Transfer to Airport

Top questions

Are Machu Picchu tickets included?

Yes—entrance is included for circuits 1 or 2 depending on what’s available when booking. Only tickets from Peru's Ministry of Culture are valid.

What kind of hotels do we stay in?

You’ll stay in comfortable 4-star hotels both in Cusco and Aguas Calientes—clean rooms, hot showers, good breakfasts.

Is this tour suitable for everyone?

This trip needs moderate fitness due to walking at altitude and uneven ground—not recommended if you have spinal injuries or are pregnant.

Are meals included?

Lunches are included on days visiting Urubamba (Sacred Valley) and Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu day). Breakfasts are usually provided by your hotel.

How do we get around?

The tour uses private vehicles for transfers plus scenic trains between Ollantaytambo and Aguas Calientes—no public buses needed.

What’s included

Your package covers airport pick-up/drop-off in Cusco, all private transportation during tours (including trains), entrance fees for Sacred Valley sites plus Maras & Moray, Machu Picchu admission (circuit 1 or 2), guided tours with local experts throughout, two lunches (Urubamba & Aguas Calientes), four nights’ accommodation in quality 4-star hotels—including one night right near Machu Picchu—and all city tour admissions too.