Start in the Inca capital and finish in the White City. In between: Machu Picchu with one of the first buses of the morning, the color bands of Rainbow Mountain, a boat across Lake Titicaca and condors rising out of the Colca Canyon. Nine days from Cusco to Arequipa through the Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu by train, Rainbow Mountain, the Uros and Taquile islands and the Colca Canyon, with a hotel bed every night and no road traveled twice.
Tickets, trains, hotels, the buses across the altiplano and local guides are handled by a 100% Peruvian team based in Cusco. You bring your passport and your camera; we take care of everything around them.
Duration 9 Days / 8 Nights
Season All year round
Starts/Ends Cusco - Arequipa
Average Group Size 12 peopleCusco to Arequipa Tour 9 Days: Machu Picchu, Rainbow Mountain, Lake Titicaca and Colca Canyon - Overview
The Cusco to Arequipa Tour 9 Days is the great loop of southern Peru without the camping. You take the train through the cloud forest to Machu Picchu and walk it with your guide while the morning is still quiet, stand on Rainbow Mountain, cross the altiplano on the Route of the Sun, spend a day on Lake Titicaca with the families of the Uros and the knitters of Taquile, and wait at Cruz del Cóndor for the first condors of the morning before coming down to Arequipa. One direction, every night in a hotel, and a local guide waiting at each stage.
Hotels are named, your Machu Picchu ticket and train seats are booked in your name, and we tell you which circuit you have before you pay the balance. TreXperience is a 100% Peruvian tour operator based in Cusco: the people who plan this route are the same people who answer when you land.
Tour Highlights:
- Cusco in one afternoon: the Plaza de Armas, the Twelve-Angled Stone, Qoricancha and the giant walls of Sacsayhuaman.
- The Sacred Valley and the train: Pisac, Moray, the Maras salt pans and Ollantaytambo, then the Expedition train along the river into the cloud forest.
- Machu Picchu early: one of the first buses up, 2 to 3 hours with your guide, and Circuit 2 requested whenever it is available.
- Rainbow Mountain and the Red Valley: natural color bands at 5,200 m / 17,060 ft, at your guide’s pace, with horses if you want them.
- Cusco to Puno on the Route of the Sun: Andahuaylillas, Raqchi, the La Raya pass and Pukara, with a buffet lunch on the way.
- Lake Titicaca: the Uros floating islands and a walk through Taquile, with lunch on the island.
- The Colca Canyon: a 4,910 m / 16,109 ft pass with volcano views, condors at Cruz del Cóndor and a last night in Arequipa.
The Tour Day by Day
Day 1: Arrival in Cusco - Afternoon City Tour
Morning airport pickup and a slow start at altitude. In the afternoon: the Plaza de Armas, the Twelve-Angled Stone, Qoricancha, Sacsayhuaman, Qenqo, Puca Pucara and Tambomachay.
Day 2: Sacred Valley - Pisac, Moray and Maras - Train to Aguas Calientes
A camelid center, the valley viewpoint, Pisac and its market, lunch in Urubamba, Moray, the Maras Salt Mines and Ollantaytambo, then dinner and the Expedition train to Aguas Calientes.
Day 3: Machu Picchu Guided Tour - Return to Cusco
One of the first buses up, 2 to 3 hours inside the citadel with your guide, then the train to Ollantaytambo and a private transfer to your Cusco hotel.
Day 4: Rainbow Mountain and the Red Valley - Cusco
Pre-dawn pickup, breakfast on the road and the hike to the Vinicunca viewpoint, then the Red Valley when conditions allow. Lunch and back to Cusco.
Day 5: Cusco to Puno - Route of the Sun
A day on the tourist bus with guided stops at Andahuaylillas, Raqchi, the La Raya pass and Pukara, and a buffet lunch on the way. Evening arrival in Puno.
Day 6: Lake Titicaca - Uros Floating Islands and Taquile Island
Boat to the reed islands of the Uros, then Taquile for a walk through the village, lunch and time by the lake. Back to Puno.
Day 7: Puno - Patapampa Pass - Colca Valley
Early departure across the high plains: vicuñas and flamingos at Lagunillas, the Volcanoes Viewpoint at 4,910 m / 16,109 ft and the afternoon in Chivay, with optional thermal baths.
Day 8: Cruz del Cóndor - Colca Canyon - Arequipa
Yanque, Cruz del Cóndor and Maca in the morning, lunch in Chivay, then the road to Arequipa for the last night.
Day 9: Arequipa - Departure
Breakfast, free time if your flight allows, and a private transfer to Arequipa airport, where the TreXperience service ends.
Included
- Pre-trip assistance and local support from Cusco to Arequipa
- Cusco airport pickup (Day 1) and Arequipa airport drop-off (Day 9)
- All transfers and ground transport for the included tours
- 3 nights at San Agustín Internacional, Cusco, or similar
- 1 night at Ferré Machu Picchu, Aguas Calientes, or similar
- 2 nights at Casa Andina Standard, Puno, or similar
- 1 night at Colca Lodge, Colca Valley, or similar
- 1 night at Casa Andina Standard, Arequipa, or similar
- Breakfast every day from Day 2 to Day 9
- Lunch on Days 2, 4, 5 and 6
- Lunch on Day 8 in Chivay [TO CONFIRM]
- Dinner on Day 2, in Ollantaytambo or Aguas Calientes depending on your train time
- Cusco City Tour and Sacred Valley tour with all entrance tickets
- Expedition train from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes and back
- Buses between Aguas Calientes and Machu Picchu (Day 3)
- Machu Picchu entrance and 2 to 3-hour guided tour (Day 3)
- Private transfer from Ollantaytambo to your Cusco hotel (Day 3)
- Rainbow Mountain and Red Valley tour with entrance tickets
- Route of the Sun tourist bus from Cusco to Puno with guided stops and buffet lunch
- Lake Titicaca boat tour to the Uros islands and Taquile, with entrance tickets
- Colca Canyon tour from Puno to Arequipa with Cruz del Cóndor and entrance fees
- Professional English-speaking guides on all tours
Not Included
- International and domestic flights, including Lima to Cusco (Day 1) and Arequipa onward (Day 9)
- Meals not listed: Day 1, lunch on Days 3, 7 and 9, and all dinners except Day 2
- Dinner on Day 7 in the Colca Valley [TO CONFIRM]
- Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain tickets (US$75 each)
- Horse rental at Rainbow Mountain and thermal baths in the Colca Valley
- Early check-in in Cusco on Day 1, unless confirmed separately
- Train and hotel upgrades
- Travel insurance (highly recommended)
- Personal expenses and tips
Machu Picchu Tickets and Circuits
Your Machu Picchu ticket is issued in your name for a specific entry time and circuit. We request Circuit 2, the classic route with the postcard view and the heart of the citadel, whenever it is available for your date; if it is sold out, we book the best circuit on sale and tell you before you pay the balance. See our Machu Picchu circuits guide or the official circuits and routes.
Extra Hikes at Machu Picchu
- Huayna Picchu Mountain - US$75 per person, about 2 hours round trip, on Day 3 after the tour.
- Machu Picchu Mountain - US$75 per person, about 3 hours round trip, on Day 3 after the tour.
One mountain only. Separate ticket, booked in advance, and the time slot must fit your entry time and your train.
Optional Upgrades
Private service: your own guide and vehicle for selected parts of the itinerary; we confirm which services are private when you book. Trains, the Machu Picchu buses, the Route of the Sun bus and the Lake Titicaca boat are shared services.
Also on request: the Vistadome panoramic train instead of the Expedition, 4-star or 5-star hotels, extra nights in Cusco or Arequipa, and extensions to Lima and Nazca before Cusco or to the Amazon after Arequipa.
Full Itinerary of the Cusco to Arequipa Tour 9 Days
Nine days from the Inca capital to the White City, by train, road and boat. Here is each day with times, meals and hotels: no surprises in the logistics, only on the road.
Day 1: Arrival in Cusco - Afternoon City Tour
Welcome to Cusco, 3,400 m / 11,155 ft above the sea. We meet you at the airport in the morning and drive you to San Agustín Internacional, or similar, near the historic center. Rest, drink water and eat light; a slow first morning is the best way to meet the altitude.
Around 1:00 p.m., your guide picks you up. On foot first: the Plaza de Armas, the Inca walls of Hatun Rumiyoc street with the Twelve-Angled Stone, and Qoricancha, the Temple of the Sun, whose fitted stones still hold up a colonial convent. Then by vehicle to the sites above the city: Sacsayhuaman and its zigzag walls of giant stones, Qenqo, Puca Pucara and Tambomachay, where Inca fountains still run, with a stop at the Cristo Blanco viewpoint if time allows. Tomorrow’s chapter: the Sacred Valley.
- Meals: not included
- Tour: half day, afternoon
- Hotel: San Agustín Internacional, Cusco, or similar 3-star hotel
- Maximum altitude: about 3,700 m / 12,139 ft
- Difficulty: easy, with walking and stairs at altitude
Tips: Arrive in Cusco in the morning to join the tour; if your flight lands later, ask us about an extra night before the tour. Walk slowly, skip alcohol today, and read our guide to altitude in Cusco before you fly.
Day 2: Sacred Valley - Pisac, Moray and Maras - Train to Aguas Calientes
Pickup around 7:00 a.m. for the valley of the Urubamba River. First stop, a camelid center to see llamas, alpacas, vicuñas and guanacos up close, then a viewpoint over the whole valley. Pisac next: terraces that climb the mountainside and a market known for textiles, ceramics and silver. Lunch at a local restaurant in Urubamba.
In the afternoon, the circular terraces of Moray, the Maras Salt Mines where families still harvest salt from thousands of pools, and Ollantaytambo, a living Inca town with water channels running down its streets. Dinner is included tonight, in Ollantaytambo or Aguas Calientes depending on your train time. Then the Expedition train follows the river into the cloud forest, and you check in at Ferré Machu Picchu, or similar. Sleep early: tomorrow you take one of the first buses up.
- Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner
- Transport: tourist vehicle and Expedition train
- Hotel: Ferré Machu Picchu, Aguas Calientes, or similar 3-star hotel
- Altitude: Aguas Calientes, 2,040 m / 6,693 ft
- Difficulty: easy to moderate, with walking and stairs at the sites
Tips: Pack a small overnight bag of about 5 kg / 11 lb; train luggage is limited. Your main suitcase stays at your Cusco hotel, where you return tomorrow. More in our Sacred Valley guide.
Day 3: Machu Picchu Guided Tour - Return to Cusco
Early breakfast, then one of the first buses up the switchbacks to Machu Picchu; the early light and the quiet of the first hour are worth the alarm. At the gate you show your original passport and your ticket, and you enter by the route your ticket allows; we request Circuit 2 whenever it is available. For 2 to 3 hours your guide walks you through terraces, temples, houses and water channels, and explains how and why a city was built up here. There is time for photos. If you booked Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain, the hike comes after the tour, according to your entry time and your train.
Bus down, lunch on your own in Aguas Calientes, and the Expedition train to Ollantaytambo, where a private vehicle takes you to your Cusco hotel. Arrival is usually around 7:30 p.m., depending on the train.
- Meals: breakfast at the hotel
- Guided tour: 2 to 3 hours
- Altitude: 2,430 m / 7,972 ft
- Return: bus, Expedition train and private transfer to Cusco
- Hotel: San Agustín Internacional, Cusco, or similar 3-star hotel
- Difficulty: easy to moderate, with stairs and uneven stone paths
Tips: Original passport, small daypack, rain protection, sunscreen, hat, water and some cash. No large bags, drones, tripods or food inside. See our Machu Picchu rules guide. Go to bed early: tomorrow starts before dawn.
Day 4: Rainbow Mountain and the Red Valley - Cusco
Pickup at 4:30 a.m. and a three-hour drive toward the Ausangate range, with breakfast at a local restaurant on the way. From the trailhead, 1.5 to 2 hours of steady walking bring you to the Vinicunca viewpoint, about 5,200 m / 17,060 ft. This is the hardest day of the trip and it comes early, so your guide sets a slow pace with plenty of stops, and horses are for rent at the trailhead if you prefer to ride up.
The color bands are natural mineral layers, brightest under a clear sky. When the weather and the group allow, continue about 30 minutes to the Red Valley, quieter and emptier. Lunch at a local restaurant on the way back and arrival in Cusco around 6:00 p.m.
- Meals: breakfast and lunch at local restaurants
- Hike: about 10 km / 6.2 mi round trip, including the Red Valley
- Highest point: about 5,200 m / 17,060 ft
- Hotel: San Agustín Internacional, Cusco, or similar 3-star hotel
- Difficulty: moderate to challenging, because of the altitude
Tips: Warm layers, gloves and a hat for the cold start, sunscreen and sunglasses, water and snacks; the weather changes fast up there. Feeling unwell? Say so at once; no viewpoint is worth it. Prefer a quieter day? Tell us before the trip and we make this a free day in Cusco. More in our Rainbow Mountain guide.
Day 5: Cusco to Puno - Route of the Sun
A travel day with rewards along the way. After breakfast, the tourist bus heads south on the Route of the Sun with a guide on board, about 10 hours with stops: the painted church of Andahuaylillas, called the Sistine Chapel of the Andes; Raqchi and the tall adobe walls of the Temple of Wiracocha; a buffet lunch at a restaurant on the route; the La Raya pass at 4,335 m / 14,222 ft, where the Cusco region ends and Puno begins; and the Pukara museum with its stone sculptures.
Late-afternoon arrival in Puno and transfer to Casa Andina Standard, or similar, a short walk from the center. Stops may vary with the bus schedule.
- Meals: breakfast and buffet lunch
- Bus: about 10 hours, including stops
- Highest point: La Raya pass, 4,335 m / 14,222 ft
- Hotel: Casa Andina Standard, Puno, or similar 3-star hotel
- Difficulty: easy
Tips: A warm jacket, water and your camera within reach; the stops are short. Puno sits at 3,827 m / 12,556 ft, a little higher than Cusco, so keep dinner light tonight. See our Puno guide.
Day 6: Lake Titicaca - Uros Floating Islands and Taquile Island
After breakfast, transfer to the port and a boat onto Lake Titicaca, 3,812 m / 12,507 ft above the sea. First the Uros floating islands, layers of totora reeds that families build, walk on and rebuild; they show you how the islands and their reed boats are made.
Then about two hours across open water to Taquile, where the men knit and the textile art is on UNESCO’s Intangible Heritage list. A walk up the stone path to the village, lunch of local ingredients with the lake below, and time to explore before the boat back to Puno, around 5:00 p.m.
- Meals: breakfast and lunch
- Tour: full day by boat
- Altitude: 3,812 m / 12,507 ft
- Hotel: Casa Andina Standard, Puno, or similar 3-star hotel
- Difficulty: easy to moderate, with stone steps at altitude on Taquile
Tips: Sunscreen and a hat, a warm jacket for the boat, comfortable shoes and small bills for textiles from the knitters. More in our Lake Titicaca guide.
Day 7: Puno - Patapampa Pass - Colca Valley
Pickup between 6:00 and 6:15 a.m. for the road west across the high plains. At Lagunillas, alpacas, llamas and wild vicuñas graze by the lakes, and Andean flamingos and caracaras feed in the shallows. A short stop at Patahuasi for the restrooms and a coca tea.
The road peaks at Patapampa, the Volcanoes Viewpoint, 4,910 m / 16,109 ft, the highest point of the trip and reached by vehicle: Ampato, Sabancaya and Misti stand in a line on the horizon. Then down to Chivay around 1:00 p.m., lunch on your own and your lodge. The afternoon is free, with optional thermal baths nearby; in the evening, dinner in Chivay, where some restaurants add a folk music show.
- Meals: breakfast at the hotel; lunch not included; dinner [TO CONFIRM]
- Highest point: Patapampa, 4,910 m / 16,109 ft, by vehicle
- Hotel: Colca Lodge, Colca Valley, or similar
- Difficulty: easy, with a long drive at altitude
Tips: Warm clothes, sunscreen and sunglasses; Patapampa is cold even in full sun. Move slowly at the viewpoint and bring a swimsuit for the hot springs; after Rainbow Mountain, your legs will thank you.
Day 8: Cruz del Cóndor - Colca Canyon - Arequipa
Departure between 6:15 and 6:30 a.m. First the village of Yanque, where you may catch the Wititi dance in the square, then Cruz del Cóndor, the viewpoint over one of the deepest canyons on Earth, more than 3,000 m / 9,800 ft from rim to river in places. Condors ride the morning thermals along the walls; most days they come, but no one can promise it.
On the way back, the village of Maca and its colonial church, and more viewpoints over the terraces that climb the valley walls. Lunch in Chivay around 1:00 p.m., then the road down to Arequipa, arriving around 4:30 p.m. at Casa Andina Standard, or similar. The evening is yours in the White City.
- Meals: breakfast at the lodge; lunch in Chivay [TO CONFIRM]
- Day: about 10 hours, including the drive to Arequipa
- Hotel: Casa Andina Standard, Arequipa, or similar 3-star hotel
- Difficulty: easy to moderate, because of the altitude and the long day
Tips: Warm layers for the early start, binoculars for the condors, comfortable shoes and your camera. Arequipa sits at 2,335 m / 7,661 ft, so breathing gets easier tonight; try rocoto relleno for dinner.
Day 9: Arequipa - Departure
Breakfast and, if your flight allows, a last walk: the Plaza de Armas, the cathedral and the white volcanic stone of the old streets, with the Santa Catalina Monastery a block away. At the agreed time, a private transfer to Arequipa airport, where the TreXperience service ends. Nine days ago you landed in the Inca capital; you leave having walked Machu Picchu, stood on Rainbow Mountain, crossed Lake Titicaca and watched condors from the edge of the Colca.
- Meals: breakfast at the hotel
- Transfer: hotel to Arequipa airport, according to your flight
- Not included: flight from Arequipa
Want more of Peru? Add Lima and Nazca before Cusco, the Amazon after Arequipa, or an extra night in the White City. Write to us and we suggest the best order for your dates.
Cusco to Arequipa Tour 9 Days Price and Booking
Prices are per person in US dollars. They include all hotels, the Expedition train, the Machu Picchu entrance and guided tour, the Rainbow Mountain, Lake Titicaca and Colca Canyon tours, the Route of the Sun bus, all listed tickets, local guides and ground transport. Flights are not included.
Small-Group Tour Price
| Traveler Type | Price Per Person |
|---|---|
| Adults | US$[TO CONFIRM] |
| Students under 25 with a valid university ID | US$30 off the adult price |
| Children under 17 | US$[TO CONFIRM] |
Private Tour Price
Your own guide and vehicle, at your pace, on the city, valley, Rainbow Mountain and Colca days. Prices depend on group size and availability.
| Number of Travelers | Adults (Per Person) | Students and Children (Per Person) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 traveler | US$[TO CONFIRM] | US$[TO CONFIRM] |
| 2 travelers | US$[TO CONFIRM] | US$[TO CONFIRM] |
| 3 travelers | US$[TO CONFIRM] | US$[TO CONFIRM] |
| 4 travelers | US$[TO CONFIRM] | US$[TO CONFIRM] |
| 5 travelers | US$[TO CONFIRM] | US$[TO CONFIRM] |
| 6 travelers | US$[TO CONFIRM] | US$[TO CONFIRM] |
| 7 travelers | US$[TO CONFIRM] | US$[TO CONFIRM] |
| 8 to 16 travelers | US$[TO CONFIRM] | US$[TO CONFIRM] |
| 17 or more travelers | Contact us for a group rate | |
Note: Private service covers selected parts of the itinerary; we confirm which when you book. Trains, the Machu Picchu buses, the Route of the Sun bus and the lake boat are shared.
Booking and Payment
- Deposit: US$600 per person to secure your Machu Picchu ticket, train seats and hotels. Balance online or at our Cusco office by card, PayPal or wire transfer.
- Send each traveler’s full name, passport number, date of birth, passport expiry and nationality. Machu Picchu tickets and train seats are issued in your name and can’t be changed or transferred.
- For May to September, book at least two months ahead; Machu Picchu tickets are limited per day and per circuit. See our Terms and Conditions.
- Tell us about dietary needs, pregnancy or any heart, lung, knee or mobility concern, and why you’re traveling. It helps us prepare.
Student and Child Discount
Students under 25 with a valid university ID (name, photo, university and expiry date) get US$30 off the adult price. ISIC cards are not accepted. Children under 17 may qualify for lower official Machu Picchu rates; send the ID or date of birth when booking and we confirm the discount [TO CONFIRM].
Customization and Upgrades
- Private service for selected parts of the itinerary.
- Vistadome panoramic train instead of the Expedition, one way or both ways.
- Hotel upgrades to 4-star or 5-star in Cusco, Aguas Calientes, Puno, the Colca and Arequipa.
- Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain on Day 3, US$75 per person.
- Extra nights and extensions to Lima and Nazca before Cusco, or the Amazon after Arequipa.
Changes depend on availability and may change the price. Contact us for a quote.
Packing List for the Cusco to Arequipa Tour 9 Days
Two climates in nine days: the mild valley and cloud forest around Machu Picchu, with showers in the afternoon, and the cold, bright altiplano of Rainbow Mountain, Lake Titicaca and the Colca pass, where mornings freeze and the midday sun burns. Pack light layers and a small bag for the night in Aguas Calientes. More in our Peru Packing List.
Essentials
Original passport (checked at Machu Picchu, the trains, the buses and your flights), medication, documents, insurance details and some cash in soles for meals on your own and small purchases on the islands.
What to Wear?
Comfortable walking shoes with grip, breathable layers and a light rain jacket for Machu Picchu, and a warm jacket, hat and gloves for Rainbow Mountain, the lake and the Colca pass, where it can drop below freezing before sunrise.
What to Put in the Daypack?
1.5 liters of water, snacks, sunscreen, sunglasses, lip balm, a rain poncho and a warm layer. The high-altitude sun is strong even when the air is cold.
What to Pack for the Night in Aguas Calientes?
A small bag of about 5 kg / 11 lb with a change of clothes, toiletries and a charger; train luggage is limited and your suitcase stays at your Cusco hotel. A swimsuit for the Colca hot springs goes in the suitcase. See our Machu Picchu packing list.
What We Provide
Hotels, the Expedition train, the Machu Picchu entrance, the tourist bus and the boat, all listed tickets and guides, and a first-aid kit and oxygen on the Rainbow Mountain hike.
Optional Gear and Extra Items
Trekking poles with rubber tips for Rainbow Mountain, binoculars for the condors, a power bank, motion-sickness remedies for the bus and boat, and anything your doctor recommends for altitude.
Travel Information for the Cusco to Arequipa Tour 9 Days
What to know before you book: flights, altitude, the hikes and long days, Machu Picchu tickets, hotels and trains, the bus and boat days, booking times and weather.
Which flights do I need, and when should I arrive in Cusco?
Two domestic flights, not included: Lima to Cusco on Day 1 and Arequipa onward on Day 9, usually to Lima. Day 1 needs a morning arrival in Cusco so you can rest before the afternoon city tour; early check-in is not included unless confirmed separately. Landing later? Tell us and we adjust the day or add a night. Wait for our recommended times before you buy.
How should I prepare for the altitude?
You land in Cusco at 3,400 m / 11,155 ft, and the next two days are lower: the Sacred Valley, Aguas Calientes at 2,040 m / 6,693 ft and Machu Picchu at 2,430 m / 7,972 ft. The high points come after that: Rainbow Mountain on Day 4, about 5,200 m / 17,060 ft on foot, and the Patapampa pass on Day 7, 4,910 m / 16,109 ft by vehicle with a short stop. Puno and the lake sit around 3,800 m / 12,500 ft, Chivay at about 3,600 m / 11,800 ft, and Arequipa, at 2,335 m / 7,661 ft, is the easy ending. Walk slowly, drink water, eat light, skip alcohol at first and tell your guide if you feel unwell. See our guide to altitude in Cusco.
How hard is this tour, and which days are the longest?
The only real hike is Rainbow Mountain on Day 4: about 10 km / 6.2 mi round trip, not technical, but slow because of the altitude; horses can be rented at the trailhead. Machu Picchu is 2 to 3 hours of walking with stairs, and Taquile has stone steps up to the village. The long days are by vehicle: Day 5 is about 10 hours on the bus with stops, Day 7 starts at 6:00 a.m. and Day 8 at 6:15 a.m. Your guide sets the pace and carries a first-aid kit and oxygen on the hike.
How do Machu Picchu tickets, circuits and rules work?
Your ticket is issued in your name for a set entry time and circuit. We request Circuit 2, the classic route with the postcard view, whenever it is available for your date, and we tell you which circuit you have before the balance is due. Bring the original passport used for your booking. No large bags, drones, tripods or food inside. See our circuits guide and rules guide.
Which hotels, trains and luggage services are included?
San Agustín Internacional in Cusco (three nights), Ferré Machu Picchu in Aguas Calientes, Casa Andina Standard in Puno (two nights), Colca Lodge in the Colca Valley and Casa Andina Standard in Arequipa, or similar. Trains: the Expedition from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes and back, with the Vistadome panoramic train as an upgrade. Train luggage is limited to a small bag of about 5 kg / 11 lb; your suitcase waits at your Cusco hotel for the one night away.
What are the bus, boat and Colca days like?
Day 5 is a tourist bus made for travelers, about 10 hours from Cusco to Puno with a guide, short stops and a buffet lunch; stops may vary with the schedule. Day 6 is a full day on Lake Titicaca by boat, with Taquile about two hours from Puno and a choppy lake some afternoons. Days 7 and 8 are the Colca: a long drive over the Patapampa pass to Chivay, then an early start for Cruz del Cóndor and the road down to Arequipa. Condors appear most mornings, but sightings are never guaranteed.
How far ahead should I book?
Machu Picchu tickets are limited per day and per circuit, and the trains have limited seats, so for May to September book at least two months ahead, and as early as you can for any date. We request your ticket and train seats once we have your passport details and the US$600 deposit. If your preferred circuit is sold out, we tell you right away and book the best option available.
What is the weather like, and when is the best time to go?
The Andes are drier from April to October and wetter from November to March; Machu Picchu can see showers any month, and Rainbow Mountain can see snow in the wet season. Lake Titicaca and the Colca are sunny by day and cold at night all year, and condor sightings are best in the dry months. No season guarantees clear skies, so bring layers and a rain shell whenever you travel. See our Best Time to Visit Machu Picchu guide.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Cusco to Arequipa Tour 9 Days
Quick answers about who this tour is for, the route, flights, fitness, Machu Picchu, the condors, meals and customization.
Is this tour a good choice if I don’t want to trek?
Yes. You reach Machu Picchu by train and bus, every night is in a hotel or lodge, and the only real hike is Rainbow Mountain, which you can shorten with a horse or swap for a free day in Cusco. The rest is sightseeing with some stairs at altitude. It covers Cusco, the Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, Rainbow Mountain, Lake Titicaca and the Colca Canyon in nine days, with one local team handling every connection.
Why end in Arequipa instead of returning to Cusco?
Because the road from Cusco to Puno to the Colca is one of the great overland routes of South America, and doing it in one direction means no backtracking and two extra places: Lake Titicaca and the Colca Canyon, with condors at dawn. Arequipa has daily flights to Lima, so your way home is simple.
Are flights included?
No. You need two domestic flights: Lima to Cusco (Day 1, arriving in the morning) and Arequipa onward (Day 9). Buy them once we confirm the recommended times. For Day 9, an afternoon flight gives you a free morning in the White City; send us your flight and we confirm the pickup.
How fit do I need to be, and can I skip Rainbow Mountain?
Moderately fit. Rainbow Mountain is the hardest day, about 10 km / 6.2 mi up to 5,200 m / 17,060 ft, and it comes on Day 4, after three days in the region; horses are available, and your guide keeps it slow. If you would rather rest, tell your guide and stay in Cusco that day, or ask us before the trip to swap it for a lighter visit or a free day. Tell us before booking about any knee, heart or lung concern.
Which circuit will I get at Machu Picchu, and can I add a mountain?
We request Circuit 2, the classic panoramic route, whenever it is available for your date, and confirm your circuit before the balance is due. You can add Huayna Picchu (about 2 hours round trip) or Machu Picchu Mountain (about 3 hours) on Day 3 for US$75 per person; both sell out fast and must fit your entry time and your train, so tell us when you book.
Will I see condors at the Colca Canyon?
Very likely, but never guaranteed. Condors ride the warm air rising from the canyon in the morning, which is why Day 8 starts before 6:30 a.m. to reach Cruz del Cóndor at the right hour. Sightings depend on weather and the birds themselves; clear, calm mornings in the dry season give the best chances. Bring binoculars and patience.
What meals are included, and can you handle special diets?
Breakfast from Day 2, lunch in the Sacred Valley, at Rainbow Mountain, on the Route of the Sun and on Taquile, and dinner on Day 2 before the train. Other meals are on your own, with plenty of restaurants near every hotel. Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and allergy requests can usually be arranged if you tell us in advance.
Can I travel solo or customize the trip?
Yes. Solo travelers can join a small-group departure or book the private rate for one. You can upgrade to the Vistadome train, add nights, upgrade hotels, or extend to Lima and Nazca before Cusco or the Amazon after Arequipa. Prefer to walk into Machu Picchu? See our Andean Highlights 9 Days with the Short Inca Trail.