Cusco Sacred Valley Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu 5 Days

Day 1: Arrival in Cusco – Afternoon City Tour

We’ll meet you at the airport and take you straight to your hotel so you can settle in. Later in the afternoon, you’ll head out with your guide to explore Cusco’s most important sights.

This tour is a great first step because it helps you “get” Cusco right away. You’ll see the city’s main square, step inside Coricancha (the Inca sun temple), and then visit the famous Inca sites above the city—Sacsayhuamán, Qenqo, Pukapukara, and Tambomachay. You’ll also stop at the Christ statue viewpoint for a wide view over Cusco.

• Duration: ~3.5 hours
• Accommodation: 3-star hotel in Cusco
• Difficulty: Easy

Day 2: Sacred Valley Tour with Moray & Maras – Overnight in Ollantaytambo

We pick you up at 7:00 a.m. and head into the Sacred Valley for a full day of highlights, scenery, and Inca history.
First, you’ll visit an alpaca and llama farm and learn why these animals are so important in Andean life. Then you’ll stop at the Taray viewpoint for a big, classic Sacred Valley panorama. Next is the Pisac archaeological site—terraces, temples, and amazing mountain views—followed by time to explore the Pisac market for local crafts and souvenirs.

Midday, you’ll enjoy a buffet lunch in Urubamba (a relaxed break with fresh local food). In the afternoon you’ll visit Moray, famous for its circular terraces, then continue to the Maras Salt Mines—thousands of salt pools built along the mountainside.

You finish the day at Ollantaytambo, a living Inca town with a powerful fortress and a calm, authentic feel at night. Staying here makes Day 3 much easier.

• Duration: Full day
• Accommodation: 2-star hotel in Ollantaytambo
• Difficulty: Easy

Day 3: Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu – Sun Gate Arrival – Night in Aguas Calientes

Today is your Inca Trail day—and it’s a big one. After an early breakfast, we pick you up around 5:30 a.m. and take you to the Ollantaytambo train station. The train follows the Urubamba River until you reach Km 104, where the Short Inca Trail begins.

After the checkpoint (passport required), you’ll enjoy a picnic breakfast prepared for you, then start hiking on original Inca paths through the cloud forest. You’ll visit Chachabamba first, then continue uphill to Wiñay Wayna, one of the most beautiful and impressive Inca sites on the trail. Your guide will walk you through the history and the details you’d easily miss on your own.

After exploring, you’ll enjoy a fresh picnic lunch with hot drinks. In the afternoon, you’ll reach the Sun Gate (Intipunku) and see Machu Picchu below you, this is the moment people talk about for years. You’ll then descend toward the entrance area and enjoy the famous viewpoints for photos before taking the bus down to Aguas Calientes for dinner and a comfortable night in a hotel.

• Hiking distance: 13 km / 8 mi
• Hiking time: ~7 hours (including stops)
• Highest altitude: 2,700 m / 8,858 ft
• Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
• Accommodation: 3-star hotel in Aguas Calientes
• Difficulty: Moderate

Day 4: Discover Machu Picchu – Return to Cusco

Start early with breakfast, then take the first buses up to Machu Picchu. At the entrance, you’ll show your passport and ticket, then begin your guided visit.

Your tour lasts about 2.5 hours and covers the key parts of the citadel: terraces, temples, ceremonial spaces, water features, and the most important viewpoints and structures. Your guide keeps the story simple and clear, so you leave with real understanding, not just photos.

If you want an extra challenge, you can add Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain (not included). These tickets sell out quickly and must be booked in advance.

After the visit, return by bus to Aguas Calientes and enjoy lunch on your own. Later, you’ll board the Vistadome Panoramic train back to Ollantaytambo. From there, we’ll drive you to Cusco by private transport (expected arrival around 7:30 p.m.).

• Guided tour time: ~2.5 hours
• Accommodation: 3-star hotel in Cusco
• Difficulty: Easy–Moderate

Day 5: Transfer Out

At the scheduled time, we’ll transfer you to Cusco Airport for your departure. Please plan to arrive at the airport at least two hours before your flight.

Price of Cusco, Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu 5 day tour

Prices depend on your travel date, availability, and your hotel category. Because permits and Machu Picchu tickets are limited, booking early is the best way to get the best schedule.

Price per Person

• From US$ [UPDATE] – Adults

Booking & Payment

• Deposit: US$400 per person (to secure permits and reserve your spot)
• Balance: Pay online or at our Cusco office using credit card, PayPal, or wire transfer
• Contact us if you want to discuss alternative payment options.

Required traveler info (must match passport exactly):

• Full name (no nicknames)
• Passport number
• Date of birth
• Passport expiration date
• Nationality

Dietary needs:

Please tell us in advance if you are vegetarian, vegan, or have allergies or other restrictions.

Student Discount

• US$30 off

Applies to travelers under 17 and students under 25 with a valid university ID.

ID must include:

• Student name
• Photo
• University name
• A valid expiration date (expired IDs are not accepted)

ISIC cards are not accepted.
Children's discounts apply automatically. Students must submit a copy of the ID when booking (if rejected, the adult rate applies).

Place to visit in the City Tour + Sacred Valley + Short Inca Trail tour

Cusco City Tour (Half-Day)

Start in Cusco’s historic center, where perfectly cut Inca stone walls sit beside colonial buildings, then head up to Sacsayhuamán and nearby sites.

• Cusco Main Square (Huacaypata): The old heart of the Inca Empire, used for major ceremonies like Inti Raymi.
• 12-Angled Stone Street: Famous Inca masonry fitted without mortar.
• Loreto Street (Intik’ijllu): Long, tightly aligned Inca walls.
• Qorikancha (Temple of the Sun): The Incas’ most important religious complex.
• Sacsayhuamán: Massive stonework and wide views over Cusco.
• Qenqo, Puca Pucara & Tambomachay: Key archaeological sites tied to rituals and water worship.

Sacred Valley Tour (Full Day)

A full-day journey through Andean culture, living traditions, and impressive Inca architecture.

• Alpaca Farm: See alpacas and llamas up close and learn how Andean textiles are made.
• Taray Viewpoint: A classic photo stop with sweeping Sacred Valley views.
• Pisac: Explore hilltop ruins, then browse the lively market in town.
• Moray: Remarkable circular terraces, likely used for agricultural experiments.
• Maras: Thousands of white salt ponds still worked using traditional methods.
• Ollantaytambo: Visit the fortress and temples before continuing by train to Aguas Calientes.

The Inca Trail

The Inca Trail is Peru’s most famous trek to Machu Picchu, following original Inca stone paths through cloud forest, ancient ruins, and dramatic mountain scenery. Most hikers finish by entering the citadel through the Sun Gate (Inti Punku) for a classic first view. Permits are limited and often sell out months ahead, so booking early is important. The route is not technical, but altitude and long hiking days can be challenging.

Machu Picchu Tour

After a short bus ride from Aguas Calientes, explore Machu Picchu with your guide—stone-built temples, terraces, and streets laid out to blend naturally with the surrounding mountains.

Packing List of Short Inca Trail 5 days 4 nights

This trip combines city sightseeing, a full Sacred Valley day, and one real hiking day on the Short Inca Trail. You can travel with a larger suitcase for Cusco and a daypack for daily tours and the hike.

Bag Setup

• Main luggage (suitcase): for Cusco + Sacred Valley hotels
• Daypack: what you carry during tours and the hike (water, jacket, passport, etc.)
• Small overnight bag: recommended for Aguas Calientes (train travel is easier when you pack light)

Must-Bring Essentials

Original passport

Plastic Rain Coat

Toiletries

Peruvian soles cash

Good-quality daypack

Water bottle

Power bank

Lip balm

Sunscreen

Hand sanitizer

What to Wear

Cusco and the Sacred Valley can be cool in the morning and evening, with strong sun during the day. Machu Picchu is warmer and more humid. Dress in layers so you can adjust easily.

High-top hiking boots

Walking shoes

Hiking crew sock

Moisture-wicking shirts

Quick-dry hiking pants/trousers

Daypack Checklist (Especially for Day 3 & Day 4)

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

Optional Rentals

Trekking poles

Cusco, Sacred Valley, Inca Trail to Machu Picchu 5 Days - Travel Info

Altitude in Cusco

Cusco is around 3,400 m (11,150 ft) above sea level, so the air is thinner and most visitors need to slow down for the first 24–48 hours after arriving.

It’s common to feel a bit out of breath on stairs or uphill walks, and some people get a mild headache or feel more tired than usual while their body adjusts. On Day 1, keep things easy, drink plenty of water, and take breaks whenever you need. After a good night’s sleep, most travelers feel noticeably better.

Short Inca Trail Permits Are Limited

The Short Inca Trail uses official permits with limited daily spaces. 

• Once confirmed, permits are not flexible. 
• Book early for the best dates and train times.

Passport Details Must Match

Your permits and tickets are tied to your passport information. 

• Do not book with nicknames. 
• You must carry your original passport on Day 3 and Day 4.

Machu Picchu Entry Times & Circuits

Machu Picchu uses timed entry and assigned circuits (routes). We plan your schedule around the ticket that is available for your date, so your visit runs smoothly.

Since June 1, 2024, Machu Picchu entry has been arranged into three circuits with ten one-way routes. You must stick to the exact route printed on your ticket, and once you exit, there’s no re-entry. Booking early gives you more circuit choices and better odds of a morning entry.

Circuit 1: Viewpoint routes

• 1-A Machu Picchu Mountain: Citadel + mountain hike with big views (up to 7 hours).
• 1-B Upper Terraces: High overlooks and classic photos; less time in the urban area (up to 2h 30m).
• 1-C Intipunku (Sun Gate): Scenic approach; high season only (up to 4 hours).
• 1-D Inca Bridge: Short walk to the bridge viewpoint; high season only (up to 3 hours).

Best for: Panoramic viewpoints or the mountain hike.

Circuit 2: Classic circuit (citadel focus) 

• 2-A Designed: Full walk through key areas (Intiwatana, Sacred Rock, Temple of the Condor) plus viewpoints (up to 2h 30m).
• 2-B Lower Terraces: Similar coverage with viewpoints from the lower terraces (up to 2h 30m).

Why we prefer it: It’s the most complete visit of the main areas in a realistic time window.

Circuit 3: Lower entrance and urban areas (with mountain add-ons)

• 3-A Huayna Picchu: Citadel + Huayna Picchu climb (up to 6 hours).
• 3-B Designed (lower sector): Temples and urban areas with gentler slopes (up to 2h 30m).
• 3-C Great Cavern / Temple of the Moon: Longer hike on the Huayna side; high season only (up to 7 hours).
• 3-D Huchuy Picchu: Shorter hike on the Huayna side; high season only (up to 3h 30m).

Time slots & tips: Entries are scheduled by the hour. Arrive before your time, use the restrooms before going in, and carry only a small daypack. Once you leave, you can’t enter again.

Train Travel & Luggage

Train services have luggage rules, and moving around is much easier when you pack light for Aguas Calientes. Keep your passport, jacket, and essentials in your daypack.

Optional Hikes Need Extra Tickets

Huayna Picchu and Machu Picchu Mountain require separate tickets and must be reserved in advance. They are not included and can sell out quickly.

FAQs - Cusco, Sacred Valley, Short Inca Trail and Machu Picchu 5 day tour