6-Day Machu Picchu, Sacred Valley & Rainbow Mountain Tour

Summary

Sacred Valley to Rainbow Mountain: Real Peru in 6 Days

You’ll walk ancient Inca paths, taste real Andean food, see Machu Picchu at sunrise, shop for salt at Maras, and hike Rainbow Mountain—all guided by locals who know every shortcut and story along the way.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing that hit me stepping off the plane in Cusco was the thin air—cool and dry, with a faint scent of eucalyptus drifting in from the hills. Someone from the team met us right at arrivals, holding a small sign with my name. The drive into town was slow; traffic here moves at its own pace. I spent the morning just resting and sipping coca tea at the hotel lobby—locals swear by it for altitude. By afternoon, we set out for the city tour. Koricancha’s golden walls glowed in the late sun while our guide explained how it once dazzled with gold plates before the Spanish arrived. Sacsayhuaman came next—massive stones stacked like puzzle pieces, and you can’t help but wonder how they managed it all those centuries ago. Qenqo felt different: cool shadows inside ancient rock channels, a little eerie but fascinating. We wrapped up at Tambomachay, where water trickles through stone fountains—still running after hundreds of years.

The Sacred Valley day started early; breakfast was simple but filling—fresh bread, eggs, and strong coffee. Pisac’s terraces looked like green steps carved into the mountain. At Urubamba we stopped for lunch—a buffet with quinoa soup and roasted chicken that tasted smoky from the wood oven. Ollantaytambo’s ruins were busy with local families and travelers alike; climbing up to the Temple of the Sun left my legs shaky but happy. Later that evening we caught a train to Aguas Calientes—the ride is all windows and river views—and our guide popped by our hotel to go over every detail for Machu Picchu.

Visiting Machu Picchu itself felt surreal. We took an early bus up winding roads as mist clung to the peaks. The entry process was smooth (don’t forget your passport), and then suddenly you’re there—the Lost City spread out below clouds that shift every few minutes. Our guide walked us through circuit 1 (it depends on ticket availability), pointing out spots I’d only seen in photos before: Intihuatana stone, terraces where llamas grazed quietly nearby. Afterward we headed back down for lunch in Aguas Calientes—try anything with trout if you can—and then caught a sleepy train back to Cusco.

Maras and Moray brought a change of pace: rolling fields dotted with sheep and tiny adobe homes along dusty roads. Moray’s circular terraces are deeper than they look in pictures; standing at the edge you feel a weird pull from below (locals call it Pachamama’s energy). The salt pools at Maras shimmered white under midday sun—workers still harvest salt by hand here, and I picked up a small bag as a souvenir from one of the stalls near the entrance.

Rainbow Mountain meant an early wake-up—4am is no joke—but breakfast in Cusipata made up for it: warm bread straight from someone’s kitchen and sweet black coffee that cut through my sleepiness fast. The hike itself is tough if you’re not used to altitude; I took it slow, stopping often just to catch my breath or watch herds of alpacas wander past. When you finally reach Winicunca’s summit, all those colors really do streak across the ridge—it looks painted on some days more than others depending on weather (we got lucky with clear skies). Lunch back in Cusipata tasted better after all that effort.

The last morning was relaxed—I wandered around Plaza de Armas watching locals set up flower stalls before heading out to catch my flight home. If you’ve got time before leaving, there’s even an option to learn how to make pisco sour or try some Peruvian dishes with a local chef.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Airport Pickup and City Tour

• Airport pickup and transfer to hotel
• Visit Koricancha (Temple of the Sun)
• Travel to Sacsayhuaman
• Visit Sacsayhuaman
• Visit Qenqo
• Travel to PucaPucara
• Visit PucaPucara
• Visit Tambomachay
• Return to Cusco

Day 2 — Sacred Valley and Aguas Calientes

• Travel to Pisaq
• Guided tour of Pisaq
• Travel to Urubamba for buffet lunch
• Travel to Ollantaytambo
• Guided tour of Ollantaytambo
• Train to Aguas Calientes

Day 3 — Machu Picchu Visit

• Bus to Machu Picchu
• Guided visit of Machu Picchu
• Return to Aguas Calientes for lunch
• Train and bus back to Cusco

Day 4 — Maras and Moray Tour

• Pickup from hotel
• Visit Maras town
• Guided tour of Moray
• Travel to Maras Salt Mines
• Guided tour of Maras Salt Mines
• Return to Cusco

Day 5 — Rainbow Mountain Trek

• Pickup from hotel at 4:00 am
• Breakfast in Cusipata
• Travel to Wasipata area
• Trek to Rainbow Mountain
• Visit Rainbow Mountain
• Return trek to mobility
• Travel back to Cusipata
• Buffet lunch in Cusipata
• Return to Cusco

Day 6 — Departure or Optional Tour

• Free morning to relax
• Optional Peruvian gastronomy and pisco sour tour

Top questions

Is Machu Picchu entry guaranteed?

Machu Picchu tickets depend on daily availability set by Peru's Ministry of Culture. If tickets aren’t available for your dates, you’ll get a full refund.

How hard is the Rainbow Mountain hike?

It’s challenging due to high altitude—expect about 1.5 hours each way on foot—but guides go at your pace and there are plenty of breaks.

Are meals included during tours?

Yes! Breakfasts are included daily plus buffet lunches in Urubamba (Sacred Valley), Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu), and Cusipata (Rainbow Mountain).

What kind of hotels are provided?

You’ll stay in comfortable 3-star hotels both in Cusco city and Aguas Calientes—all clean, safe, and centrally located.

What’s included

Your package covers airport transfers; all ground transport; guided tours with local experts; entry tickets for sites including Machu Picchu (subject to availability); train rides; daily breakfasts; buffet lunches on key days; walking sticks for hikes; oxygen supply if needed; plus stays at quality 3-star hotels throughout your trip.