Cusco Sacred Valley Machu Picchu Tour 5 Days
Upon arrival at Cusco airport, our team will be waiting to give you a warm welcome and take you to your hotel, where the unforgettable Cusco Sacred Valley Machu Picchu 5-Day Tour begins. Once settled in and after a short rest, we will start exploring the historic capital of Peru and its surroundings.
At 1:30 p.m., we will pick you up to begin the Cusco City Tour. The first stop will be the imposing Cusco Cathedral, a colonial temple that houses important relics and works of religious art. We will then visit Qoricancha, also known as the Temple of the Sun, one of the most sacred sites of the Inca world, famous for its architecture and perfectly polished stonework.
Next, we will leave the city center to visit the majestic fortress of Sacsayhuamán, known for its enormous stone blocks fitted with millimetric precision. The tour continues through nearby archaeological sites: Qenqo, a ceremonial center carved into rock; Puka Pukara, an ancient military outpost; and Tambomachay, known as the Inca baths for its crystal-clear water fountains.
The next day, we will enter the impressive Sacred Valley of the Incas, where we’ll explore the archaeological remains of Pisac and Ollantaytambo, two places full of history and breathtaking scenery. From Ollantaytambo, we’ll board the train that takes us to the picturesque town of Aguas Calientes, where we will spend the night.
The following morning, we’ll visit the jewel of the journey: Machu Picchu, one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World. We’ll explore its terraces, temples, and viewpoints, guided by a professional who will reveal the secrets and history of this ancient citadel.
On the fourth day, we will visit Maras Moray, a fascinating agricultural complex where the Incas experimented with crops on circular terraces. We’ll then visit the famous Maras Salt Mines, a collection of thousands of salt pools still worked by hand today, offering a unique view of traditional craftsmanship that endures to this day.
Highlights
Day 1: Welcome and City Tour in Cusco
Reception at the airport and transfer to the hotel.
Visit to the Cusco Cathedral and Qoricancha (Temple of the Sun).
Archaeological circuit: Sacsayhuamán, Qenqo, Puka Pukara, and Tambomachay.
Return to the hotel to rest.
Day 2: Sacred Valley – Aguas Calientes
Excursion to the archaeological site of Pisac.
Visit to the Pisac handicraft market.
Buffet lunch in Urubamba.
Visit to the Ollantaytambo Fortress.
Train ride to Aguas Calientes and overnight stay.
Day 3: Excursion to Machu Picchu – Cusco
Bus ride up to Machu Picchu.
Guided tour through Circuit 1 or 2 (temples, plazas, terraces, and viewpoints).
Free time for exploration and photos.
Train back to Ollantaytambo and transfer to Cusco.
Day 4: Maras – Moray and Salt Mines
Visit to the agricultural laboratory of Moray (circular terraces).
Tour of the Maras Salt Mines with over 3,000 salt ponds.
Return to Cusco in the afternoon.
Day 5: Farewell – Transfer to the Airport
Transfer from the hotel to the airport according to flight schedule.
Optional: Excursion to the Rainbow Mountain for an extra $10.
🌍 Itinerario de viaje
- Day 1: WELCOME AND CITY TOUR IN CUSCO
- Day 2: SACRED VALLEY – AGUAS CALIENTES
- Day 3: MACHU PICCHU EXCURSION – CUSCO
- Day 4: MARAS – MORAY AND SALT MINES
- Day 5: FAREWELL – TRANSFER TO THE AIRPORT
📅DAY 1: WELCOME AND CITY TOUR IN CUSCO
Upon arrival in the Imperial City, our team will warmly welcome you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel, giving you some time to rest before beginning your first great experience in Cusco.
In the afternoon, at 1:30 p.m., we’ll start our tour through the city’s most emblematic landmarks. We’ll begin by visiting the impressive Cusco Cathedral, a jewel of colonial art adorned with gilded altars, carved wooden altarpieces, and paintings from the famous Cusco School, which reveal hidden symbols and traces of pre-Hispanic Andean thought.
Next, we’ll walk through the charming streets of the historic center to reach Qoricancha, the legendary Temple of the Sun. This ceremonial site was one of the most sacred spaces of the Inca Empire, where the stone walls, carved with astonishing precision, still stand strong, defying time and earthquakes.
Afterward, we’ll take our transportation to the archaeological sites on the outskirts of the city. We’ll visit Sacsayhuamán, an impressive fortress of megalithic stone blocks offering a panoramic view of Cusco. We’ll then continue to Qenqo, a ceremonial site with mysterious stone passages; Puka Pukara, an ancient fortress known for its reddish hue at sunset; and finally Tambomachay, known as the “Inca’s Bath,” with its eternal fountains of crystal-clear water.
We’ll end the day returning to your hotel for a well-deserved rest.
📅DAY 2: SACRED VALLEY – AGUAS CALIENTES
We’ll start the day early. At 7:00 a.m., we’ll pick you up to begin a wonderful journey through the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Our first stop will be the archaeological complex of Pisac, located high on a mountain, where we’ll admire agricultural terraces, irrigation channels, and Inca tombs carved into the rock.
We’ll then visit the Pisac artisan market, a vibrant place full of color and tradition where you can buy handmade souvenirs crafted by local artisans. Later, we’ll enjoy a buffet lunch in a traditional restaurant in the Urubamba Valley.
We’ll continue to the impressive Ollantaytambo archaeological site, a marvel of Inca engineering with massive stones fitted with millimetric precision. This fortress is also considered one of the last living Inca cities, where water still flows through cobblestone streets.
From there, we’ll board the train to the town of Aguas Calientes, a nearly two-hour journey through lush mountain scenery along the majestic Vilcanota River. Upon arrival, we’ll accompany you to your hotel, where you’ll have the rest of the afternoon free to relax.
📅DAY 3: MACHU PICCHU EXCURSION – CUSCO
Early in the morning, your guide will pick you up to take the bus to the Machu Picchu citadel, a 25-minute ride ascending the mountain.
Once inside the sanctuary, we’ll begin our guided tour through Circuit 2 or Circuit 1—the most complete route, including the classic panoramic viewpoint of Machu Picchu. Your guide will share the history, architecture, and symbolism of this mysterious place as we walk through its plazas, temples, terraces, stairways, and agricultural zones.
After the tour, we’ll return to Aguas Calientes for lunch (not included), and later take the train back to Ollantaytambo. From there, our private transport will drive you back to your hotel in Cusco.
📅DAY 4: MARAS – MORAY AND SALT MINES
We’ll depart at 7:30 a.m. to visit two of the most fascinating sites in the Cusco highlands. Our first stop will be Moray, an ancient Inca agricultural laboratory made up of circular terraces that simulate different microclimates, allowing experimentation with crops at various altitudes and conditions.
Next, we’ll continue to the Maras Salt Mines, an incredible formation of more than 3,000 salt ponds still in use today. Here, you’ll learn about the ancestral process of salt extraction and have the chance to purchase local handmade salt products.
After the visit, we’ll return to Cusco around 2:00 p.m.
📅DAY 5: FAREWELL – TRANSFER TO THE AIRPORT
After breakfast at your hotel, and according to your flight schedule, we’ll transfer you to the Cusco airport for your departure. This concludes your unforgettable 5-day/4-night journey through Cusco, the Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, and Maras-Moray.
Optional: For only $10 extra, you can replace this tour with an excursion to the Rainbow Mountain.
Includes
- Transfers to and from Cusco airport
- All nights of accommodation (Cusco and Aguas Calientes)
- Daily breakfast at the hotel
- City Tour in Cusco (Cathedral, Qoricancha, Sacsayhuamán, Qenqo, Puka Pukara, Tambomachay)
- Sacred Valley Excursion (Pisac, Ollantaytambo, handicraft market, and buffet lunch in Urubamba)
- Entrance tickets to all mentioned archaeological sites
- Transfer to the train station in Ollantaytambo
- Train ticket Ollantaytambo – Aguas Calientes – Ollantaytambo
- 1 night accommodation in Aguas Calientes
- Bus ticket Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu (round trip)
- Entrance ticket to Machu Picchu (Circuit 2 – subject to availability)
- Guided tour of Machu Picchu with a professional guide
- Maras – Moray – Salt Mines Tour
- Entrance ticket to Moray and the Maras Salt Mines
- Tourist transportation during all excursions
- Professional bilingual guide (Spanish – English) on all tours
- Information and assistance before each tour
Not Included
- Lunches not mentioned (Day 3 and 4)
- Dinners during the trip
- Tips for guides, drivers, or hotel staff
- Personal expenses
- Additional food and beverages not specified
- Entrance ticket to Rainbow Mountain (optional, with extra cost)
- Services not mentioned in the program
- Additional luggage on the train (limit 5 kg per passenger)
Recommendations
- Always carry a light backpack with essentials for excursions (water, snacks, documents, camera, etc.).
- Wear comfortable layered clothing, as the weather can vary greatly between day and night.
- Bring sneakers or trekking shoes with good traction for walking on uneven paths and stairways.
- Sun protection: use sunscreen (SPF 50+), a hat or cap, and sunglasses.
- During the rainy season (November to March), bring a waterproof poncho or rain jacket.
- Always keep your ID or passport handy, especially for Machu Picchu.
- Bring insect repellent, especially for Aguas Calientes and Machu Picchu.
- Stay hydrated, but do so moderately to avoid altitude sickness.
- Avoid heavy meals or alcohol during the first few days while acclimating to the altitude.
- Keep some cash in soles on hand, especially for markets or rural areas.
Frequently Asked Questions
It includes transfers, accommodation, guided visits to the city of Cusco, the Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, Maras, and Moray, as well as train tickets and entrance fees to the tourist sites according to the itinerary.
You will stay overnight in Cusco (several nights) and one night in the town of Aguas Calientes, before visiting Machu Picchu.
Yes. There is an option to replace the Maras and Moray excursion with the Rainbow Mountain tour for an additional cost of $10.
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