Get the most out of the Cusco region by visiting the city and its surroundings, which are filled with history and archaeological sites. The Sacred Valley holds huge Inca complexes, and the Short Inca Trail with Machu Picchu will provide a complete understanding of Andean culture and Inca architecture. You will finish the trip exploring the amazing Rainbow Mountain and Red Valley.
Duration 6 Days / 5 Nights
Activities Trekking, Culture, Adventure
Average Group Size Up to 16
Difficulty Easy to Moderate
Accommodation Hotels
Tour Language English, Spanish
Starts/Ends Cusco / Cusco
Season All yearCusco, Sacred Valley, Inca Trail, and Rainbow Mountain 6 days
The Cusco city tour will take you to some of the city's most important Inca and colonial sites. You'll learn about the history and culture of the Inca Empire as you visit the Sacsayhuaman fortress, Qenqo, and more. On the Sacred Valley Tour, you can explore the vibrant local markets and try some traditional Peruvian cuisine. On our Sacred Valley tour, you'll visit ancient Inca ruins Pisac, Moray, Salineras of Maras, and Ollantaytambo, where we will spend the night in a hotel.
The Short Inca Trail hike is for those who want to experience a taste of the Classic Inca Trail without undertaking the full trek. We offer a short hike that takes you to some of the most stunning sections of the trail. This option is great for those who want to enjoy the trail's beauty without committing to the entire trek. The Rainbow Mountain hike is one of Cusco's most popular day hike, also known as Vinicunca Mountain. This incredible spot gets its name from its multi-colored stripes caused by mineral deposits in the rock.
Tour Highlights:
- Explore the impressive stone architecture of Cusco’s Inca sites.
- Explore the Sacred Valley's most iconic spots.
- Hike the iconic Inca Trail to reach Machu Picchu.
- Enjoy the stunning views of Machu Picchu from the Sungate.
- Experience the amazing Rainbow Mountain and Red Valley
Tour at a glance:
Day 1: Arrival in Cusco - Afternoon city tour
Welcome and airport transfer to your hotel. In the afternoon, explore Cusco’s classics on a guided city tour: Plaza de Armas, Coricancha, and the nearby Inca sites of Sacsayhuamán, Qenqo, Pukapukara, and Tambomachay, plus the Christ statue viewpoint over the city.
Day 2: Sacred Valley Tour with Maras Moray
Start early, visit an alpaca and llama farm, the Taray viewpoint, the Pisac archaeological site and traditional market, then continue to Moray’s circular terraces and the Maras Salt Mines. End the day at Ollantaytambo fortress, where you’ll have dinner and stay overnight.
Day 3: Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu
Travel by train to Km 104 to begin the Short Inca Trail. Along the hike, explore Chachabamba and the impressive Wiñay Wayna site, then reach the Sun Gate (Intipunku) for your first panoramic view of Machu Picchu. Arrive at the citadel in the afternoon for great photo light, then descend to Aguas Calientes for dinner and hotel.
Day 4: Discover Machu Picchu - Back to Cusco
After an early breakfast, take the first buses up and enter to Machu Picchu with your passport and ticket. Enjoy a 2.5-hour guided tour covering the main terraces, temples, palaces, and key sectors of the citadel. Then return by Vistadome Panoramic train to Ollantaytambo and private transport to Cusco.
Day 5: Rainbow Mountain and Red Valley Tour
Early pick-up for a scenic drive to the trailhead, with breakfast en route. Hike up to Vinicunca Rainbow Mountain in the Ausangate range, then continue to the Red Valley for a quieter landscape of red-toned slopes. After lunch, return to Cusco in the evening.
Day 6: Transfer Out
At the scheduled time, transfer to Cusco Airport for your departure flight.
Included:
- Airport Transfers
- Standard train to Km 104 Inca Trail
- Panoramic Vistadome Train (One way)
- All transportation for the 6-day tour
- Entrance tickets to all the places we visit
- English-speaking tour guide
- Cusco City Tour
- Sacred Valley with Moray, Salineras of Maras
- Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu
- Rainbow Mountain, Red Valley tour
- 5 nights hotel (Cusco, Ollantaytambo, Machu Picchu Pueblo)
- Meals mentioned in the itinerary
Not included:
- Flight tickets
- Huayna Picchu Mountain tickets
- Travel Insurance
- Meals not mentioned
Full Itinerary of the Short Inca Trail + Rainbow Mountain 6-day tour
Day 1: Arrival in Cusco - Afternoon city tour
We will meet you at the airport and escort you to your hotel. In the afternoon, we have planned a city tour to explore the most remarkable plazas, streets, and temples, including Plaza de Armas, Coricancha, Saqsayhuaman, Qenqo, Puku Pukara, Tambomachay, and the statue of Jesus Christ (8 m / 26 ft) atop Cusco city.
- Duration: 3.5 hours
- Accommodation: 3-star hotel
- Difficulty: Easy
Day 2: Sacred Valley Tour with Maras Moray
We will pick you up at 7:00 a.m. from your Cusco hotel and take you to an alpaca farm. Learn about the differences between llamas, alpacas, vicuñas, and guanacos and their significance in Andean culture. Next, we'll travel to Taray, a view point of the Sacred Valley.
Following that, we'll visit the Pisac Inca site, which is perched on top of a mountain and features spectacular farming terraces, old tombs, temples, and andean views. After exploring the Inca Site, we'll visit the colourful Pisac market to browse for handicrafts and sourvenirs. Then we'll travel to Urubamba, where you can have a buffet lunch at a local restaurant serving dishes made with fresh and local ingredients.
In the afternoon, we'll continue our journey to Moray's circular terraces, four terraces created in a natural depression and used as an agricultural laboratory. From there, we'll go to the Maras Salt Mines, where residents still harvest salt using traditional Inca methods. Over 3,000 salt pools along a steep mountainside provide a magnificent picture.
Ollantaytambo, popularly known as the "Last Living Inca Citadel," is our final stop. It's notable for its archaeological site with gigantic stones and temples. UNESCO named Ollantaytambo town one of the best tourism villages, and it is where you'll eat dinner and spend the night in a comfortable hotel.
- Duration: Full day
- Accommodation: 2-star hotel in Ollantaytambo
- Difficulty: Easy
Day 3: Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu
We will pick you up at the hotel around 5:30 a.m after breakfast and drive you to the Ollantaytambo train station. We'll follow the Urubamba River until we get to km 104. This is where our walk to Machu Picchu begins.
After going through the checkpoint, you'll enjoy a delicious breakfast that was made just for you and then get ready for the epic walk. On our trip, we will stop at the Inca site of Chachabamba. After this, we'll start a four-hour hike to Wiñaywayna, one of the most beautiful Inca sites on the Inca Trail. We'll take our time here to look around the place and enjoy the views of the Andes mountain range. Our expert trekking chef will have prepared a delicious, fresh picnic lunch with lots of choices and hot drinks to keep us energized for the trail ahead.
The next stop is the Sun Gate (Intipunku), where you'll see Machu Picchu for the first time. By the time we reach the Sun Gate, most people will have left, making the experience more serene. We'll get to Machu Picchu in the afternoon, which is a great time for golden hour pictures of the citadel. The next day, we'll return in daylight for a second visit.
The last stop on our trip is Aguas Calientes town, also known as Machu Picchu Pueblo. We'll have dinner at a local restaurant and stay the night in a hotel.
- Hiking distance: 13 km / 8 mi
- Duration: 7 hours
- Highest Altitude: 2,700 m / 8,858 ft
- Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
- Accommodation: 3-star hotel in Aguas Calientes town
- Difficulty: Moderate
Day 4: Discover Machu Picchu - back to Cusco
We will start the day with an early breakfast at the hotel, then board the first buses up to Machu Picchu. Once at the main entrance, you’ll need to show your passport and ticket. You’ll explore Machu Picchu with our expert tour guide on around 2.5 hour tour in the citadel, visiting the farming terraces, temples, palaces, and the most important buildings.
After the guided tour, you’ll have the option to hike either Huayna Picchu Mountain or Machu Picchu Mountain. These tickets are not included and require advance booking, as they sell out quickly. Once you have finished exploring Machu Picchu, you’ll take the bus back to Aguas Calientes and enjoy lunch on your own.
Later in the afternoon, you will board the exclusive Vistadome Panoramic train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo. Upon arriving at the train station in Ollantaytambo, we will transfer you in our exclusive van back to Cusco. The expected arrival time is around 7:30 PM.
- Tour Duration: 2.5 hours
- Accommodation: 3-star hotel in Cusco
- Difficulty: Moderate
Day 5: Rainbow Mountain and Red Valley Tour
We will pick you up from your hotel in Cusco at 4:30 a.m for a three-hour journey to our starting point. On the way, you will enjoy breakfast at a local restaurant and take in the mountain views.
The hike to Vinicunca starts with a 1.5-hour hike top the summit Vinicunca Rainbow Mountain, which stands over 5,000 meters in the Ausangate mountain range. You can take photos along the way while our guide shares fascinating facts about this unique area.
Next, we'll walk for 30 minutes to the Red Valley, where only a few tourists visit. After exploring the breathtaking scenery, we'll hike back and then stop for a relaxing lunch break. The tour continues with our return to Cusco, arriving at your hotel around 6:00 p.m, giving you time to unwind and reflect on this unforgettable journey.
- Duration: 4 hours
- Accommodation: 3-star hotel in Cusco
- Difficulty: Moderate to Challenging
Day 6: Transfer Out
Today, we will take you back to Cusco Airport to catch the flight to Lima or elsewhere. You must be ready there at least two hours before.
Price for the Short Inca Trail + Rainbow Mountain 6 days
Price per person:
- From US$ 890
Booking and payment
- Deposit: US$400 per person (to secure your spot). The balance can be paid online or at our office in Cusco using any credit card, PayPal, or wire transfer. Contact us to discuss alternative payment options.
- The following information is required for each traveler: full name exactly as it appears on the passport (no nicknames), passport number, date of birth, passport expiration date, and nationality.
- Please inform us in advance of any vegetarian, vegan, or other dietary restrictions.
Student Discount
- US$ 30 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.
- A valid expiration date (expired IDs will not be accepted).
- ISIC cards are not valid.
The discount is applied automatically for children. For students, you must submit a copy of your student ID when booking; if your ID is rejected, you will be charged the adult rate.
Short Inca Trail + Rainbow Mountain 6 days Packing list
This 6-day tour takes you through city experiences, outdoor activities, and hiking adventures. You will arrive in Cusco with a piece of big luggage; it depends on how long your vacation is in Peru. Depending on the tour and day, you will take your bags with you or leave them at the hotel. Here are some specific tips on how to pack your luggage.
Essentials
Keep these essentials with you for the entire trip, especially for short excursions like the Cusco City Tour on Day 1.
What to wear?
Cusco’s weather can change quickly, so dress in layers and be ready for sudden shifts. On Day 5, remember that Rainbow Mountain is a high-altitude day hike where conditions can be harsh and cold, be prepared for bright sun or sudden rain, strong winds and low temperatures.
What to put in the Daypack?
On Day 2, we’ll travel to the Sacred Valley for a full-day tour, and we'll bring all your belongings with you to your hotel in Ollantaytambo. Since we’ll visit several Inca sites along the way, keep a small daypack with your essentials while your main luggage stays in the vehicle; it will be sent back to Cusco with our driver the next day.
On Days 3 and 4, you’ll need to travel light. You’ll carry a daypack with everything you need for the 2-day Short Inca Trail and Machu Picchu tour.
What can you rent with TreXperience?
Short Inca Trail + Rainbow Mountain FAQs
Trekking in the Andes is one of the most unforgettable experiences you will ever have. The trek takes you through some of the most beautiful scenery you will ever see. You will be amazed by the landscape's vastness and the mountains' beauty.
What is the Short Inca Trail and Rainbow Mountain 6-day tour?
This adventure tour combines the best in Cusco in only 6 days. You can explore Cusco, the best of the Sacred Valley of the Incas, and the impressive Rainbow Mountain and Red Valley.
How long is the hike on the Short Inca Trail?
The Short Inca Trail is 16 km long and starts at Km 104, on the railway to Aguas Calientes, the town just before the Machu Picchu citadel.
How long is the hike at Rainbow Mountain?
To reach Rainbow Mountain, take a 3-hour van ride from Cusco to the trailhead. The distance from the trailhead to the summit is around 6 kilometers, including the Red Valley. The hike takes about 3.5 hours.
What is the best time of year to take this tour?
The best time of year to hike the Short Inca Trail and Rainbow Mountain Tour is from April to October. The weather is generally dry and stable during this time, making for ideal hiking conditions. Remember that Rainbow Mountain can be quite cold at high altitudes, so pack appropriate clothing.
How difficult is the tour?
This package includes a city tour in Cusco and the Sacred Valley tour. You will explore the sites in a van with short hikes. The most challenging part of this tour is hiking the Short Inca Trail and Rainbow Mountain.
Short Inca Trail
The tour is considered easy to moderately difficulty. If you are moderately fit and have no health issues, you should be able to complete it without any problems. The highest altitude reached on the tour is 2,700 m / 8,858 ft at Sungate, which is lower than Cusco City.
Rainbow Mountain
The Rainbow Mountain tour is not difficult but can be challenging due to its location and altitude. This fantastic mountain is located at 5,200 m (17,060 ft), and you need to acclimatize in Cusco a few days before.
What is the weather like?
The weather on the Short Inca Trail is humid and warm, as the Inca Trail and Machu Picchu are located in the cloud forest. Weather can change quickly in areas like Rainbow Mountain. In the rainy season, expect frequent showers, but temperatures typically stay above 5°C.
The weather in Rainbow Mountain is cold and dry. This mountain is located up in the Andes, above 4,700 m / 15,420 ft on average, and the weather is windy and cold, and there is snow in some seasons.
Do I need a permit for this tour?
Permits are required to hike and book the Short Inca Trail. These permits can only be booked through an authorized tour company and are nonrefundable and nontransferable.
To enter Rainbow Mountain and Red Valley, we are required to purchase an entry ticket but are not required to do it in advance; the tickets will be bought at the place we visit.
What will you see during the tour?
During the Short Inca Trail, you will see incredible Inca sites such us Chachabamaba, Wiñaywayna, Sun Gate, and Machu Picchu. You will also enjoy the fantastic landscapes of the cloud forest.
On the Rainbow Mountain hike, you will enjoy the natural landscapes of the Andes, the colored mountain, and the reddish hills or Red Valley.
What is the food like?
You’ll hike the Short Inca Trail with a guide, chefs, and porters. On the trail, we serve picnic meals. For the rest of the trip, you’ll eat in local restaurants, including dinner in Machu Picchu Pueblo (Aguas Calientes).