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6-Day Private Cusco & Machu Picchu Tour with Sacred Valley

★★★★★★★★★★ 5.00 (1 reviews)

Free cancellation

1/13

Duration6d

GroupPrivate

LanguagesEN · PT +1

PickupAt your hotel

Private Guided Tour: Sacred Valley, Maras, Machu Picchu & Rainbow Mountain

You’ll get hands-on history at Inca sites like Sacsayhuaman and Machu Picchu, taste Andean food in local towns, shop salt from Maras mines, and hike Rainbow Mountain—all with private guides who know every shortcut and story along the way.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Cusco City Tour

Visit Koricancha (Temple of the Sun)
Travel to Sacsayhuaman
Visit Sacsayhuaman
Visit Qenqo Ritual Center
Travel to PucaPucara
Visit PucaPucara Fortress
Visit Tambomachay (Inca Bath)

Day 2 — Sacred Valley and Aguas Calientes

Travel to Pisaq
Guided tour of Pisaq
Buffet lunch in Urubamba
Travel to Ollantaytambo
Visit Ollantaytambo archaeological site
Train to Aguas Calientes and overnight

Day 3 — Machu Picchu Tour

Bus to Machu Picchu
Guided tour of Machu Picchu
Free time in Aguas Calientes
Train to Ollantaytambo
Transfer to Cusco hotel

Day 4 — Maras and Moray Tour

Guided tour of Moray agricultural terraces
Travel to Maras Salt Mines
Guided tour of Maras Salt Pools
Return to Cusco

Day 5 — Rainbow Mountain Trek

Breakfast in Cusipata
Trek to Rainbow Mountain (Winicunca)
Visit Rainbow Mountain
Return trek to mobility
Buffet lunch in Cusipata
Return to Cusco

Day 6 — Departure or Optional Tour

Free morning to relax
Optional Peruvian gastronomy and pisco sour tour

The Experience

The first thing that hit me stepping out of the airport in Cusco was the crisp air—cooler than I expected, even with the sun out. Our guide met us right at arrivals, holding a sign with my name (a small relief after an early flight). We dropped our bags at a cozy 4-star hotel just off Plaza de Armas before heading out for the city tour. Koricancha—the Temple of the Sun—was our first stop. The walls still glint with traces of gold if you look closely in the right light. Our guide explained how Spanish churches were built on top of Inca temples; you can see both histories layered in stone.

Driving up to Sacsayhuaman, I noticed vendors selling coca leaves and tiny carved llamas near the entrance. The stones here are massive—some taller than me—and fit together so tightly you can't slip a coin between them. Qenqo felt different: dark passageways cut into rock, cool and echoey inside. Puca Pucara and Tambomachay followed; Tambomachay's water channels still run clear and cold, and locals say it's good luck to touch it. We got back to Cusco just as dusk settled over the rooftops.

The next morning started slow—coffee at a corner café while watching locals set up their stalls—before we headed into the Sacred Valley. Pisaq's terraces curve along the hillsides like green steps; our guide pointed out where farmers still plant potatoes by hand. Lunch in Urubamba was buffet-style: quinoa soup, roasted corn, and chicha morada (that purple corn drink is everywhere). Ollantaytambo's ruins sit above cobbled streets; climbing up to the Temple of the Sun left me breathless but happy for the view.

Catching the train to Aguas Calientes felt like entering another world—the river rushing beside us, mist hanging low over dense jungle. Our hotel here had big windows facing green hills; that night our guide stopped by to walk us through every detail for Machu Picchu day (I appreciated knowing exactly when we'd need to line up for buses).

Machu Picchu itself? Early start—still chilly enough for a jacket—but worth every minute. The site opens in soft morning light; llamas wander between terraces while clouds drift past Huayna Picchu peak. Our guide led us through circuit 1 (tickets depend on what's available), explaining how each sector worked: temples, storage houses, even an old sundial stone called Intihuatana. Afterward, we had free time in Aguas Calientes for lunch—I grabbed a tamal from a street vendor before catching the train back toward Ollantaytambo.

Day four took us out to Maras and Moray—fields dotted with wildflowers this time of year—and down winding roads to salt pools that shimmer white against red earth. The salt tastes sharp on your tongue (they let you try a pinch), and local women sell little bags tied with string if you want a souvenir.

The Rainbow Mountain hike started before sunrise—a blur of headlights and sleepy faces bundled in hats and gloves. Breakfast was simple but filling: bread rolls, eggs, hot tea in Cusipata village. The trek itself is no joke at altitude; I stopped more than once just to catch my breath and watch herds of alpacas grazing nearby. When we finally reached Winicunca's summit, colors really did stripe across the mountain like someone painted them on—reds, yellows, turquoise bands under shifting clouds.

On our last morning there was time to wander Plaza de Armas or join an optional pisco sour class (I went for coffee instead). Transfers back to the airport were smooth—they even helped with luggage check-in tips.

What’s included

This tour covers all main admissions—including Machu Picchu (circuit 1 or 2), Sacred Valley sites, Maras salt mines—and private transportation throughout your stay.
You’ll have professional English-speaking guides at every major stop plus comfy 4-star hotels each night (Cusco & Aguas Calientes).
Train rides between Ollantaytambo/Aguas Calientes are included too!.
Walking sticks for hikes are provided if needed; all transfers from airport/bus station arranged for you as well as most meals listed in your itinerary.

Good to know

Moderate physical levelNot for pregnant travelersNot for back problems

Operated by Chullos Travel Peru