Best of Cusco and Machu Picchu 6 Days - full Itinerary 

Day 1: Transfer from Cusco Airport - City Tour of Cusco

Upon arrival at the airport, we will pick you up and transfer you to your centrally located hotel. Around 1:00 pm, please meet at your hotel lobby with our tour guide; you will explore the Plaza de Armas, the most famous streets of Cusco center, the Coricancha or Inca sun temple, Sacsayhuaman Inca fortress, Qenqo, Puca Pucara, Tambomachay, and the Statue of Jesus Christ (White Christ) to enjoy the best view of Cusco.

• The tour guide, transportation, and entry fees to all places are included
• Meals: Not included
• Hotel: San Agustin hotel or similar

Day 2: Sacred Valley: Pisac, Urubamba, Salineras, Moray, and Ollantaytambo

We will pick you up from your hotel in Cusco at 7:00 am and drive towards the Sacred Valley of the Incas. The first stop is Mirador Taray (viewpoint), where we will have the best view of the Sacred Valley with the Andes and the Urubamba River.

Later, we continue to the town of Pisac to visit the Inca Ruins and the Indigenous market. We then drive to Moray circular terraces to fascinate us with its circular beauty, the salt mines of Maras used since the Inca times, and Urubamba, where we have lunch at a local restaurant. The last place to visit is Ollantaytambo fortress before boarding the Expedition train to Aguas Calientes and spending the night in a hotel.

• The tour guide, transportation, and entry are all included.
• Meals: Buffet lunch at Urubamba
• Hotel: Ferre Machu Picchu hotel or similar

Day 3: Visit Machu Picchu - Cusco

After breakfast at your hotel, we will board the first buses to Machu Picchu; upon arrival at the gate, you will need to show your original passport and the entrance tickets we will give you. You will have a guided tour of the citadel for about 3 hours, exploring the best of this ancient citadel through Circuit 2, appreciating beautiful areas of the citadel, including the observatories, enclosures, temples, and the central part of the citadel. After, you will have some free time to take photos or take the extra hikes to Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Montaña on your own (Not Included).

After exploring Machu Picchu, you will take the bus to Aguas Calientes, where you can take a lunch on your own (not included) and board the afternoon Expedition trains back to Ollantaytambo and the bus back to Cusco. The arrival time is around 7:30 pm back in your hotel.

*The train schedules and the circuit to Machu Picchu indicated will depend on the time you book. If tickets for Machu Picchu Circuit 2 are sold out, we offer tickets for Circuit 1 or 3. We strongly suggest that all guests secure their Machu Picchu trip as early as possible, as tickets to Machu Picchu are sold on a first-come, first-served basis, and the best circuits and schedules sell out first.

• Duration: one full day
• Meals: Only breakfast provided by your Aguas Calientes hotel
• Hotel: San Agustin hotel or similar

Day 4: Humantay Lake Tour

We will collect you from your hotel in Cusco at 4:00 am and drive towards the Salkantay area; upon arrival at Mollepata town, we will enjoy a delicious breakfast in a charming local restaurant. After, we'll board again our transportation to go to Soraypampa basecamp. There, the hike will begin.

The hike starts with a slow ascent to Humantay Lake for 2 hours; upon arrival at the turquoise color lake, you will have time to unwind, walk around, and take in the beautiful vistas of this remarkable place. Then, you will hike down for another 2 hours to the trailhead, where our transportation will drive you up to the local restaurant mentioned previously to enjoy a delicious lunch prepared with local products. Return to Cusco by bus, arriving around 6:00 pm.

• The costs of the guide, transportation, and entry are all included in this price.
• Meals: Breakfast and lunch will be served in a local restaurant close to Humantay lake
• Hotel: San Agustin hotel or similar

Day 5: Rainbow Mountain and Red Valley

We will pick you up from your hotel in Cusco at 4:00 am and drive towards the Ausangate area. In a local restaurant of a town close to the mountain, we'll enjoy a delicious breakfast. After, we'll board our transportation again to go to the same trailhead. There, your trekking experience will start.

The hike starts with a 2-hour hike uphill to the top of Rainbow Mountain; upon arrival, you will be rewarded with an impressive 360° view and the fantastic colored mountain. After enjoying the beauty of this place, you will hike for another 25 minutes to the Red Valley, a rarely-visited place that will take your breath away.

After enjoying the incredible vistas, you will return to the trailhead to take our transportation heading to the local restaurant previously mentioned. There, you'll taste a fantastic lunch, and then return to Cusco by bus. The arrival time in Cusco is around 6:00 pm.

• The costs of the guide, transportation, and entry are all included in this price.
• Meals: Breakfast and lunch will be served in a local restaurant close to Rainbow Mountain
• Hotel: San Agustin hotel or similar

Day 6: Depart Cusco

After breakfast at your hotel, we will take you back to Cusco airport. 

Price - Best Day Tours From Cusco – 6 Days

Price per person  

• From US$ 890 - Adults
• From US$ 850 - Children and students

Booking and Payment

• Deposit: US$400 per person (to reserve your spot). The remaining can be paid online or at our office in Cusco, using any credit card, PayPal, or wire transfer. Contact us to see alternative payment options.

Student Discount

• US$ 40 off

Applies to all travelers under 17 and students under 25 with a valid university ID. To get the discount, the ID must include:

• Student name, photo, and university name.
• Have a valid expiration date (expired IDs will not be accepted)
• ISIC cards are not valid.

Please email us at info@trexperienceperu.com at the time of booking to receive your discount.

Similar Tours to Machu Picchu: 

• Classic Inca Trail 4 days
• Short Inca Trail 2 days
• Rainbow Mountain 1 day
• Humantay Lake 1 day

Best of Cusco and Machu Picchu 6 Days - Travel Info

You've booked your Best Day Tours From Cusco & Machu Picchu 6 Days, that include Machu Picchu and are ready to go...but what should you pack? Don't worry; we've got you covered. Here are some travel details and useful tips for Machu Picchu. So please sit back, relax, and let us help you prepare for the trip of a lifetime!

Circuits visited on this Tour

This Machu Picchu Tour follows Circuit 2, which takes you to the Citadel's most complete side and important buildings, including the observatory, the temples, the houses, the Sacred Rock, the Temple of the Condor, and more. If Circuit 2 isn't available, you will be offered an alternative that fits your schedule. Please note that Circuits are subject to availability depending on the season and visitor demand.

For more details about the different circuits in Machu Picchu, check out our Machu Picchu Tickets Guide.

Map of Circuit 2 in Machu Picchu

Tips for visiting Machu Picchu

• Arrive early - aim to arrive at Machu Picchu as early as possible to avoid the crowds. The gates open at 6 am, so if you can get there then or soon after, you'll have a much better experience.
• Hire a tour company - unless you want to explore the site alone, we recommend hiring a tour company with a guide. They'll be able to bring the ruins to life and tell you all sorts of interesting stories and facts about what you're seeing.
• Allow plenty of time - because there's so much to see at Machu Picchu
• Dress appropriately - although it can be hot during the day, it gets cold once the sun goes down, so pack some warm clothes for the evening.

Best Day Tours From Cusco 6 Days - Packing List

The Best Day Tours From Cusco & Machu Picchu 6 Days tour includes day tours in Cusco, the Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, Humantay lake and the Rainbow Mountain Tour. For each tour, you need to pack differently.

You will travel to Peru with big luggage, and depending on the tour and day, you will travel with all your belongings or leave your bags at the hotel. Below is detailed information on packing and luggage storage.

Packing list for the City Tour In Cusco

Upon arrival at Cusco airport, we will transfer you to your hotel in the Cusco center. You will have time to unpack, have lunch, and rest before we begin to explore Cusco City in the afternoon.

For the city, you will go in a small backpack where you put all the essentials for the day. Your luggage will stay in Cusco.

• A small backpack or day bag
• Sunscreen and a hat or visor
• Comfortable walking shoes
• A light jacket or sweater - even though it's sunny
• Your camera, of course! Cusco is full of spots for pictures.
• Snacks and water
• Rain gear
• Extra money

You must always travel with rain gear, sun protection, and warm clothes.

Packing list for the Sacred Valley Tour

After breakfast on day 2, your tour guide will collect you from the hotel; you must check out, and you can travel with all your luggage (recommended). During the Sacred Valley tour, you will travel by van, and if the places we visit, your luggage remains in the hotel, and you are with your backpack during the guided tours.

During the guided tours, you will be out in open areas; most of them include hiking, and you need to be prepared. You will spend the night in a hotel in Ollantaytambo and prepare for the Inca Trail.

• A comfortable backpack
• Sun Protection, rain gear
• Comfortable walking shoes
• Comfortable clothes for hiking
• Light warm jackets
• Camera
• Water
• Extra money for souvenirs

Packing list for the Machu Picchu tour

Packaging the essentials is important to make your visit comfortable and memorable.

• Passport or ID: You will need a valid passport or ID to enter Machu Picchu.
• Machu Picchu ticket: We will provide this on the tour day.
• Valid Student Card (if you booked as a student): The original student card must be issued by the university and is valid for students up to the age of 25. It must contain the following: university information, personal information of the student, a photo of the student, and a valid date no later than December 31 of the year of travel.
• Backpack: Bring a backpack to carry all your essentials and keep your hands free while exploring the site. The backpack must be a maximum of 25 liters; if you have a bigger backpack, pack it light and make it look small for Machu Picchu; otherwise, you will be requested to store it in the lockers.
• Insect repellent: Mosquitoes and other insects can be a nuisance in Machu Picchu.
• A good pair of waterproof hiking shoes or boots
• Underwear and socks: Best if they are moisture-wicking
• Moisture-wicking t-shirt
• Fleece or warm layer
• Quick-drying trekking pants made from lightweight fabric
• Lightweight and waterproof jacket
• Choose a comfortable, lightweight hat or cap that's easy to pack and store. Avoid bringing bulky items.
• Water bottle: Bring a refillable water bottle throughout the day.
• Sun protection: Bring sunscreen, sunglasses.
• Snacks: Bring snacks or energy bars to fuel you during your visit.
• Camera: Bring a camera or smartphone to capture the stunning views and memories of your visit to Machu Picchu.
• Cash: Bring some money as there are no ATMs inside Machu Picchu, and some vendors may not accept credit cards.

Packing lits for Rainbow Mountain, Humantay lake and Red Valley tour

The pack-up for Rainbow Mountain is early; you will leave your luggage in the hotel, and you don't need to check out as we will return to the same hotel.

One important thing to consider is that Rainbow Mountain is a high-altitude day hike, and the weather can be cold and extreme. Prepare for sunny, cold, windy, and rainy days.

• Sturdy, comfortable shoes: You will be doing a lot of walking on this tour, so make sure to bring shoes that will support your feet and keep you comfortable.
• Sunscreen and hats: The sun can be intense at high altitudes, so pack sunscreen and a hat to protect yourself from the sun.
• Layers of clothing: The temperature can vary greatly depending on the time of day and whether you are in the sun or shade, so it is important to pack layers of clothing that you can adjust according to the conditions.
• Water bottle: It is important to stay hydrated at high altitudes, so bring a water bottle with you and drink plenty of water throughout the day.
• Snacks: We recommend packing some snacks for the tour, as there will not be any opportunities to buy food along the way.
• Trekking poles, the trail can be slippery.

Best of Cusco and Machu Picchu 6 Days tour - Frequently Asked Questions