Cusco, Machu Picchu, Humantay Lake & Rainbow Mountain 6 Days Full Itinerary

Day 1: Transfer from Cusco Airport – Cusco City Tour

Welcome to Cusco. Upon arrival at the airport, our team will meet you and transfer you to your centrally located hotel. If you arrive early, you’ll have time to rest, drink water, and begin adjusting to the altitude before the afternoon tour.

Around 1:00 p.m., your guide will meet you at your hotel to begin the Cusco City Tour. You’ll explore the Plaza de Armas area, famous Inca streets in the historic center, Loreto Street, the Twelve-Angled Stone area, and Qoricancha, also known as the Temple of the Sun.

Then we continue by vehicle to the famous Inca sites above the city: Sacsayhuaman, Qenqo, Puca Pucara, and Tambomachay. If time allows, we also stop near Cristo Blanco for one of the best panoramic views of Cusco.

• Tour duration: Half-day.
• Included: Tour guide, transportation, and entry fees to all places visited.
• Meals: Not included.
• Hotel: San Agustin hotel or similar.
• Difficulty: Easy, with light walking and some stairs.

Day 2: Sacred Valley – Pisac, Maras, Moray, Ollantaytambo – Train to Aguas Calientes

After breakfast at your hotel, we pick you up at 7:00 a.m. and drive toward the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Our first stop is an alpaca farm, where you can see llamas, alpacas, vicuñas, and guanacos up close and learn how Andean textiles are made.

We continue to the Taray viewpoint, one of the best places to see the Sacred Valley, the Andes, and the Urubamba River from above. Later, we visit the town of Pisac to explore the Inca ruins and the local handicraft market.

Next, we visit Moray, known for its circular agricultural terraces, and the Maras Salt Mines, where salt pools are still worked by local families using traditional methods. We stop in Urubamba for a buffet lunch at a local restaurant.

The last place to visit is Ollantaytambo, one of the most beautiful living Inca towns in the Sacred Valley. After exploring the fortress and town, we board the Expedition train to Aguas Calientes, also known as Machu Picchu Pueblo, and spend the night in a hotel.

• Included: Tour guide, transportation, and entry fees.
• Meals: Breakfast at the hotel and buffet lunch in Urubamba.
• Transportation: Tourist vehicle and Expedition train.
• Hotel: Ferre Machu Picchu hotel or similar.
• Difficulty: Easy to moderate, with walking at archaeological sites.

Day 3: Machu Picchu Guided Tour – Return to Cusco

After breakfast at your hotel, we board one of the first buses to Machu Picchu. At the entrance, you must show your original passport and entrance ticket.

Your guide will lead a 2 to 3-hour tour through the most important areas allowed by your assigned circuit. You’ll explore terraces, viewpoints, temples, royal spaces, sacred areas, and the central part of the citadel while learning about Inca history, architecture, and daily life.

We request Circuit 2 when available because it offers one of the most complete guided visits. If Circuit 2 is sold out, we offer the best official alternative available for your date, usually Circuit 1 or Circuit 3.

After exploring Machu Picchu, you will take the bus back to Aguas Calientes, where you can have lunch on your own. In the afternoon, board the Expedition train back to Ollantaytambo and continue by private transport to Cusco. Arrival is around 7:30 p.m., depending on train schedules and road conditions.

• Duration: Full day.
• Meals: Breakfast at your Aguas Calientes hotel.
• Return: Bus down, Expedition train, and private transport to Cusco.
• Hotel: San Agustin hotel or similar.
• Difficulty: Easy to moderate, with stairs and uneven stone paths.

The train schedule and Machu Picchu circuit depend on availability at the time of booking. If Circuit 2 is sold out, we secure the best available official alternative. Booking early gives you better chances of getting the best schedules and circuits.

Day 4: Humantay Lake Tour

We pick you up from your hotel in Cusco at 4:00 a.m. and drive toward the Salkantay area. Upon arrival in Mollepata, we enjoy breakfast at a local restaurant before continuing to Soraypampa, the trailhead for Humantay Lake.

The hike begins with a steady ascent toward Humantay Lake. The walk usually takes around 2 hours uphill. At the lake, you’ll have time to enjoy the turquoise water, take photos, and admire the views of Humantay and Salkantay mountains.

After the visit, hike back down to the trailhead. Our transportation will take you back to the local restaurant for lunch, then we return to Cusco by bus, arriving around 6:00 p.m.

• Included: Guide, transportation, and entry fee.
• Meals: Breakfast and lunch in a local restaurant near Humantay Lake.
• Highest altitude: Approximately 4,200 m / 13,779 ft.
• Hotel: San Agustin hotel or similar.
• Difficulty: Moderate, mainly because of altitude.

Day 5: Rainbow Mountain and Red Valley

We pick you up from your hotel in Cusco at 4:00 a.m. and drive toward the Ausangate area. In a local restaurant near the mountain, we enjoy breakfast before continuing to the trailhead.

The hike begins with a steady uphill walk to the top of Rainbow Mountain. At the summit, you’ll be rewarded with colorful mountain layers, wide Andean landscapes, and views of the Ausangate region.

After enjoying Rainbow Mountain, continue for about 25 minutes toward Red Valley, a less crowded and dramatic landscape with deep red tones. After the visit, return to the trailhead, enjoy lunch at the local restaurant, and travel back to Cusco. Arrival is around 6:00 p.m.

• Included: Guide, transportation, and entry fee.
• Meals: Breakfast and lunch in a local restaurant close to Rainbow Mountain.
• Highest altitude: Approximately 5,200 m / 17,060 ft.
• Hotel: San Agustin hotel or similar.
• Difficulty: Moderate to challenging, mainly because of altitude.

Day 6: Depart Cusco

After breakfast at your hotel, our team will transfer you to Cusco airport or the bus station according to your schedule. This ends your 6-day Cusco, Machu Picchu, Humantay Lake and Rainbow Mountain experience with TreXperience.

• Meals: Breakfast at the hotel.
• Transfer: Airport or bus station transfer included.
• Difficulty: Easy.

Cusco, Machu Picchu, Humantay Lake & Rainbow Mountain 6 Days Price and Booking

Join one of our premium small-group departures for a complete Cusco, Machu Picchu, Humantay Lake & Rainbow Mountain 6 Days experience. This package includes selected hotels, guided tours, entrance tickets, train travel, Machu Picchu bus, Humantay Lake, Rainbow Mountain and Red Valley, airport transfers, and local coordination from arrival to departure.

Prices are per person in USD and may vary depending on hotel availability, room type, train schedule, Machu Picchu ticket availability, and selected upgrades. If you want private service, hotel upgrades, or a train upgrade, contact us for a personalized quote.

Small-Group Tour:

Private Tour:

Private service is ideal for families, couples, and travelers who want more flexibility, a private guide experience, upgraded hotels, train upgrades, or special timing. Prices are based on group size and are subject to hotel, train, and Machu Picchu ticket availability.

Booking and Payment

• Deposit: US$400 per person to reserve your spot.
• The remaining balance can be paid online or at our office in Cusco using any credit card, PayPal, or wire transfer.
• Contact us if you would like to verify alternative payment options.
• For each traveler, we require the full name exactly as shown on the passport, passport number, date of birth, passport expiration date, and nationality.
• Please inform us in advance of any vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, allergies, or other dietary needs.

Student and Child Discount

• US$30 off per person

This discount applies to travelers under 17 and students under 25 with a valid university ID. To qualify, the ID must include:

• Student name, photo, and university name.
• A valid expiration date. Expired IDs will not be accepted.
• ISIC cards are not accepted.

The child discount is applied automatically. Students must send a copy of their university ID when booking; if the ID is not accepted, the adult rate will apply.

Before You Book

• Hotel availability, train schedules, Machu Picchu entry times, and circuits depend on availability at the time of booking.
• Your passport must be valid and match the information used for your train and Machu Picchu tickets.
• If you want Huayna Picchu Mountain, Machu Picchu Mountain, Vistadome train, Vistadome Observatory train, private service, or hotel upgrades, request them as early as possible.
• Humantay Lake and Rainbow Mountain are high-altitude hikes. If you have health concerns, please consult your doctor before traveling and inform our team when booking.

Cusco, Machu Picchu, Humantay Lake & Rainbow Mountain 6 Days Packing List

The Cusco, Machu Picchu, Humantay Lake & Rainbow Mountain 6 Days tour includes city sightseeing, Sacred Valley visits, train travel, one night in Aguas Calientes, Machu Picchu, Humantay Lake, and Rainbow Mountain. Pack smart, dress in layers, and keep your essentials organized.

You will travel to Peru with larger luggage, but for the train to Machu Picchu you should take only a small overnight bag or carry-on. Your main suitcase can stay safely in Cusco. TreXperience offers free luggage storage if needed.

Essentials

Keep these essential items with you throughout the trip, especially during the Cusco City Tour, Sacred Valley tour, Machu Picchu visit, Humantay Lake hike, and Rainbow Mountain hike.

Original passport

Plastic Rain Coat

Toiletries

Warm down jacket

Peruvian soles cash

Good-quality daypack

Water bottle

Power bank

Lip balm

Sunscreen

Hand sanitizer

Wet wipes and tissues

What to Wear?

Cusco’s weather can change quickly, so dress in layers. For the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu, bring comfortable walking clothes, sun protection, and rain gear. For Humantay Lake and Rainbow Mountain, bring warmer clothing because both hikes are high altitude and can be windy and cold.

High-top hiking boots

Walking shoes

Hiking crew sock

Comfortable underwear

Thermal base layers

Moisture-wicking shirts

Quick-dry hiking pants/trousers

Fleece

What to Put in the Daypack?

Your daypack should stay with you during each tour. Pack water, rain jacket, warm layer, sunscreen, camera, passport, cash in soles, personal medication, and snacks.

Waterproof and windproof jacket

Sun hat or cap with neck cover

Sunglasses

Beanie or chullo

Gloves

Buff or bandana

Insect repellent

Camera + extra batteries

Snacks

Trekking poles

Personal Medication

What to Pack for Aguas Calientes?

Due to luggage restrictions on the train to Machu Picchu, you won’t be able to take your main suitcase with you. Pack only what you need for one night in Aguas Calientes and your Machu Picchu visit the next morning.

Your main luggage can stay at your Cusco hotel or with TreXperience storage. Take a small carry-on or overnight bag with a change of clothes, toiletries, phone charger, light jacket, personal medication, and essentials for the next day.

What Can You Rent with TreXperience?

If you need trekking poles for Humantay Lake or Rainbow Mountain, or other basic hiking gear, contact us before departure and we will help you prepare properly.

Trekking poles

You can also review our complete Machu Picchu packing list before traveling.

Cusco, Machu Picchu, Humantay Lake & Rainbow Mountain 6 Days - Travel Information

Below you’ll find practical information to prepare for this 6-day cultural and adventure package: places visited, altitude, Machu Picchu tickets, Humantay Lake, Rainbow Mountain, train travel, luggage, weather, upgrades, and responsible travel.

Places visited on this tour

Cusco City Tour

Your journey begins in Cusco’s historic center, where Inca stonework meets colonial architecture. You’ll visit the Main Square area, Qoricancha, and the most important archaeological sites above the city, including Sacsayhuaman, Qenqo, Puca Pucara, and Tambomachay.

Sacred Valley: Pisac, Moray, Maras and Ollantaytambo

The Sacred Valley day combines Andean culture, landscapes, markets, and Inca engineering. You’ll visit an alpaca farm, Taray viewpoint, Pisac ruins and market, Moray terraces, the Maras Salt Mines, and Ollantaytambo before boarding the train to Aguas Calientes.

Machu Picchu

The Machu Picchu visit begins with a bus ride from Aguas Calientes to the entrance. With your guide, you’ll explore the citadel according to the official circuit assigned to your ticket, learning about temples, terraces, royal areas, water channels, and Inca architecture.

Humantay Lake

Humantay Lake is a turquoise glacial lake located near Soraypampa, below Humantay and Salkantay mountains. The hike is shorter than a multi-day trek, but it reaches high altitude, so a steady pace and warm layers are important.

For more details, see our Humantay Lake tour or read the official MINCETUR Humantay Lake resource.

Rainbow Mountain and Red Valley

The Rainbow Mountain hike takes you into the high Andes near the Ausangate range. The trail reaches above 5,000 m / 16,400 ft and rewards you with colorful mineral layers, wide mountain views, and, when conditions allow, the dramatic landscapes of Red Valley.

Machu Picchu tickets and circuits

Machu Picchu visits are organized by official circuits and time slots. Your ticket shows your route and entry time, and your guide will follow the official route assigned to your ticket.

We request Circuit 2 when available because it offers one of the most complete guided visits. If Circuit 2 is sold out, we secure the best available alternative, usually Circuit 1 or Circuit 3. For more details, read our Machu Picchu tickets and circuits guide or check the official Machu Picchu circuits and routes.

Map of Circuit 2 in Machu Picchu

Cusco, Machu Picchu, Humantay Lake & Rainbow Mountain 6 Days - Frequently Asked Questions