Cusco & Machu Picchu: 5-Day Tour with Sacred Valley & Rainbow Mountain

Summary

Winding through sacred valleys to Machu Picchu and painted mountains

You’ll touch ancient stones in Cusco’s temples, share laughter with locals over Andean food in Sacred Valley, stand quietly among Machu Picchu’s ruins as morning mist lifts, then climb Rainbow Mountain’s surreal colors before heading home full of new stories.

What’s the experience like?

I still remember the first thing I noticed in Cusco — the way sunlight hit those old stones outside Qorikancha, making them look almost warm, even though the air was sharp and thin. Our guide, Maribel, met us right at the airport (I was grateful for that after a sleepless flight) and she had this gentle way of explaining things without making it feel like a lecture. In the cathedral, I caught a whiff of incense and old wood polish that reminded me of my grandmother’s house — funny what sticks with you.

The Sacred Valley day was a blur of color and chatter. Pisac market was noisy in a comforting way; vendors calling out over piles of woven blankets and potatoes stacked like little pyramids. Lunch in Urubamba — I tried some kind of corn beer (chicha?) that tasted earthy and strange but not bad. Ollantaytambo’s terraces made my legs ache just looking at them. We took the train to Aguas Calientes as dusk fell, watching mist curl around the mountains through smudged windows. I didn’t expect to feel so small there.

Machu Picchu itself… well, it’s hard to write about without sounding dramatic. The stones felt cold under my hands when Maribel pointed out where water used to flow along carved channels. She told us stories about Pachamama — I probably butchered the pronunciation but she just laughed. There was a moment when everyone else wandered off and it went quiet except for birds somewhere below; I just stood there trying to take it in. Afterward we had lunch in Aguas Calientes (the trout was good), then poked around the market where everything smelled like eucalyptus oil and dust.

Rainbow Mountain day started before dawn — honestly, I almost skipped it because I’m not much for early mornings or high altitudes. But walking up through that thin air, with snow patches crunching underfoot and colors slowly appearing as the sun rose… it’s stuck with me more than I thought it would. The wind up top stung my cheeks but everyone cheered when we finally reached the striped ridge (I think someone cried? Hard to tell with sunglasses). So yeah, if you’re wondering whether five days is enough for Cusco and Machu Picchu — somehow it feels both too short and exactly right.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Arrival and Cusco City Tour

• Pick-up at airport and hotel transfer
• Visit Cusco Cathedral at 13:00
• Tour Koricancha temple
• Explore Sacsayhuaman fortress
• Visit Tambomachay Inca baths
• See Qenko stone block and carvings
• Tour Pucapucara military center

Day 2 — Sacred Valley and Travel to Machu Picchu

• Breakfast at hotel
• Pick-up at hotel at 8:00 a.m.
• Visit Pisac archaeological site and market
• Lunch buffet at Restaurant Tunupa
• Tour Ollantaytambo archaeological site
• Board train to Aguas Calientes at 16:36
• Arrive in Aguas Calientes at 18:10
• Meet guide for next day Machu Picchu tour

Day 3 — Machu Picchu Guided Tour

• Breakfast at hotel in Aguas Calientes
• Bus to Machu Picchu sanctuary
• Present entrance tickets and start tour
• 2.5-hour guided Machu Picchu visit
• Free time to explore Machu Picchu
• Return to Aguas Calientes village
• Lunch buffet at local restaurant
• Visit handicraft market in Aguas Calientes
• Train to Ollantaytambo at 14:36 or 19:00
• Transfer from Ollantaytambo to Cusco
• Arrival and hotel transfer in Cusco

Day 4 — Rainbow Mountain Excursion

• Early hotel pick-up at 4:30-5:00 a.m.
• Drive 2 hours to Cusipata restaurant
• Breakfast at Cusipata
• Drive 1 hour to hike starting point
• 1-hour 2 km hike through mountains
• 1.5-hour hike to Rainbow Mountain summit
• 40 minutes enjoying mountain colors
• Return hike downhill
• Shuttle to Cusipata for buffet lunch
• Return to Cusco by 17:00

Day 5 — Departure and Airport Transfer

• Breakfast at hotel
• Transfer to airport for flight

Top questions

How many days is this Cusco & Machu Picchu tour?

This tour lasts 5 days from arrival in Cusco to departure transfer.

Is airport pickup included on this tour?

Yes, pickup at Cusco airport is included on day one.

What sites are visited during the Sacred Valley part?

Pisac archaeological site and market plus Ollantaytambo are visited in Sacred Valley.

How long is the guided tour at Machu Picchu?

The guided portion at Machu Picchu lasts about 2.5 hours.

Is lunch provided during the trip?

Yes, buffet lunches are included on several days such as Sacred Valley and Rainbow Mountain days.

How difficult is the Rainbow Mountain hike?

The hike is moderate; about 2km each way at high altitude with some steep sections.

Are all entry tickets included?

Yes, all tickets for attractions are included in your booking.

What kind of accommodation is provided?

You’ll stay in comfortable 3-star hotels throughout the tour.

What’s included

Your trip includes airport pickup on arrival in Cusco, all entry tickets for sites like Qorikancha and Machu Picchu, air-conditioned transport throughout each day including train rides to Aguas Calientes, guided tours led by locals who know their history inside out, buffet lunches featuring Andean flavors (plus breakfast daily), hotel stays every night, plus transfers back to the airport when you leave.