View in the short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu

Best of Cusco 5 Days

5 Days 4 Nights
Inca Trail Video
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Hotel Accommodation
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Up to 8 People Group Size
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5,200 m / 17,060 ft Max. Altitude
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Moderate Difficulty

Cusco Wonderful 5 Days 4 Nights

City tour- Sacred Valley tour - Machu Picchu - Rainbow Mountain
Accommodation Icon
Hotel Accommodation
Group Size Icon
Up to 8 People Group Size
Max. Altitude Icon
5,200 m / 17,060 ft Max. Altitude
Difficulty Icon
Moderate Difficulty

Cusco, the ancient Inca capital, is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Peru. The city is a mix of Inca and Spanish architecture, with picturesque cobblestone stairs to climb up the narrow one-way street. Cusco is the starting point of the spectacular pilgrimage to the UNESCO World Heritage site of Machu Picchu as well as other fascinating Inca places. At Machu Picchu by Locals, we’ve put together an itinerary that allows you to explore the best of Cusco 5 days.

  • Overview
  • Itinerary
  • Inclusions
  • Recommendations
  • Faqs
  • Pricing
  • Enquire Now
  Overview

During this 5-day trip in Cusco, you will explore the city center, architecture, traditions, history, culture, and the magic of nature in the Andes of Peru. The Machu Picchu by Locals team will take you to magical places so that you can explore and enjoy them before the crowds arrive.

Highlights: Cusco, Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu
Considerations: Available all year round. (Summer season: April to November, Rainy season: December to March)
NOte: This package is flexible and can be tailored to your requirements

Itinerary at a Glance

  • Day01

    Welcome to Cusco and City tour.

  • Day02

    Sacred Valley tour

  • Day03

    Machu Picchu

  • Day04

    Rainbow Mountain

  • Day05

    Explore Cusco local Market

  Itinerary
Day 01

Welcome to Cusco and City tour.

This is the first day of our adventure in Cusco. Our staff will pick you up from Cusco Airport according to your flight itinerary. We will take you to your accommodations in Cusco, where you can acclimate to the Cusco altitude. Remember Cusco city is located over 3,390m /11,123ft. In case you are arriving from a lower altitude, you may need time to acclimatize.  If you are already acclimated to this altitude, you will explore Cusco on the city tour with our tour guide.

This tour is optional if you want to rest on your first day in Cusco.

Next, we will head to Qoricancha, or the Sun Temple, to appreciate the perfect Inca architecture in every aspect of this site. Afterwards, we will drive outside of Cusco city to visit the Inca complex at Sacsayhuaman. this is a spectacular Inca site, where you can see the enormous carved rocks joined with compelling precision. Then we will visit Qenqo, another ceremonial Inca temple, where your guide will explain its significance. We will then head to the next Inca site, Puca Pucara, also known as the “red fortress” due to the reddish tints resulting from the vast amounts of iron in its rocks. The last Inca complex we will visit on this tour is the famous Tambomachay. This temple is dedicated to the water – you will see smooth carved stones, aqueducts that were constructed to carry water from nearby springs until nowadays unknown.

Accommodation:3-stars hotel in Cusco
Entrance ticket Included
Meals: Breakfast (at the hotel)

Day 02

Sacred Valley tour.

This is the most popular tour in Cusco, and it is the highlight of everyone’s trip there. Machu Picchu by Locals has designed a special tour that allows you to explore before the crowds arrive. In this tour, we’ll drive from the highlands of Cusco, across the Andes, into the fertile lands of the Sacred Valley, enjoying the spectacular views. Our tour will begin with a pickup from your accommodation and a drive to Chinchero. Here we will visit the archaeological site and the colonial church.

We will continue to Moray the site of the circular Inca terraces. You will have plenty of time to explore Moray, while your guide will explain the purpose of this impressive Inca farming laboratory. Following our itinerary, we will be heading to Maras town.

The next stop will be at salt mines that been used since the incas time and head to Urubamba to enjoy your lunch. At the end of the day, you’ll visit the last Inca complex, Ollantaytambo, an important place after Machu Picchu. Finally, after this, you will ride a train to Aguas Calientes, where you will spend the night.

Accommodation: 3-stars hotel in Aguas Calientes
Entrance ticket Included
Meals: Breakfast (at the hotel)
Train ticket: Included

Day 03

Machu Picchu Tour

This day will have an early start. You will wake up very early and board one of the first buses that leaves for Machu Picchu. This early start will allow us to arrive at Machu Picchu before the crowds and explore the site in peace. You will have the opportunity to enjoy the sunrise as the sun casts a stunning orange glow over the huge mountains.

Your guide will take you to the site so that you can feel the powerful energy of this fantastic archaeological site as you start exploring Machu Picchu. Our guide will show you the most important areas here, and then you’ll have some free time to explore Machu Picchu on your own. If booked in advance, you can climb the Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain. Your guide will show up, accompany you, and provide you with the necessary information to get to the summit. You will return to Aguas Calientes by bus around midday.

In Aguas Calientes, you will find a variety of restaurants to have lunch at. After lunch, you will board the train heading to Ollantaytambo, followed by a bus drive to Cusco. We will drop you off at the door of your hotel.

Accommodation: 3-stars hotel in Cusco
Entrance ticket Included
Meals: Breakfast (at the hotel)
Train and Bus tickets Included

Day 04

The Rainbow Mountain Tour

Day 4 entails an epic adventure to the Peruvian Andes. The day will have a super early start—we will pick you up from your hotel and drive to Cusipata. in this picturesque village, where you will enjoy a delicious continental breakfast. Then we will continue our journey to the trailhead at 4630 m (15190 ft). Here we will start hiking along the meandering trail, surrounded by incredible views in the middle of the Andes.

As you are ascending, you’ll be rewarded with an impressive view of the Apu Ausangate mountain, at 6385 m (20948  ft). After hiking for about two hours, we will reach the summit of Rainbow Mountain (5100 m; 16732 ft). Here you will take your time to admire the incredible Peruvian Andes, where nature creates the best landscape for your eyes. While you are enjoying the views, your guide will explain the natural formations of the colors. You can take your time to explore the area and take incredible photos before the crowds arrive.

It’ll take us an hour to descend the same way back down to the bus station. We will board our transport to the restaurant in Cusipata, where you will enjoy a well-deserved delicious buffet lunch. We will board our transport to return to Cusco, and the day will end at the door of your accommodation.

Accommodation: 3-stars hotel in Cusco
Entrance ticket Included
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch along the tour.

Day 05

Explore Cusco Local Market

After three intense days, you will take it easy on this last day and visit some local markets where you can purchase some souvenirs. Our walking tour will start at your hotel, and our guide will take you to visit the famous San Pedro market. There you will appreciate all the local traditions of meals, fruits, different local products, and fully Peruvian handicrafts. In the afternoon, our staff will transfer you to the airport.

  Inclusions

At Machu Picchu by Locals, we are transparent and provide the specific details of what is included and excluded in our tours. We know this is very important so that you know what exactly to bring and you don’t miss anything. We provide this information to ensure that you have an incredible experience during your cultural tour

WE INCLUDE

DURING OUR BEST OF CUSCO 5 DAYS WE INCLUDE

Machu Picchu by Locals Team Provide

  • Pre-Orientation

    Once you book the tour with us, you will get a notification about the pre-orientation. During this pre-orientation you will meet with your cultural and adventure guide and the tour group in our office.

  • Professional Cultural Guide

    All our tour guides have a great reputation in customer service. Our tour guides have graduated with tourism specialization from National University San Antonio Abad of Cusco. They have also studied English in a private language institute. They are patient, responsible, knowledgeable, passion for adventure and proud to have been born in the land of the Incas. We ensure our tour guides provide an excellent experience for you when you explore Cusco, and the famous Sacred Valley of the Incas.

  • Entrance Fees

    Once we receive your details and the deposit for your tour, we purchase all the necessary tickets for your adventure. These tickets will be issued for the specific date of your tour. (Machu Picchu ticket, Train tickets, City tour and Sacred Valley tickets, and Rainbow mountain)

Transportations

  • Private Transport

    All transportation during your tour is included. We will pick you up and drop you off to your hotel in Cusco for each adventure.

Hotels

  • Cusco

    We will provide three evenings in Cusco in a 3 starts hotel near the Plaza de Armas

  • Aguas Calientes

    One evening in Aguas Calientes

We can easily add extra nights before or after the tour, if needed. Rooms are based on double occupancy, there is a surcharge for a single room. Upgraded the hotels are always possible. We can also book the tour without any hotels, if you prefer to book them on your own.

Equipment

  • Medical First Aid Kit

    All tour guides of Machu Picchu by Locals are very well trained in First aid. They receive training courses every 6 months on how to assist to someone in an emergency. Also, they are trained how to supply a balloon oxygen in the case if someone requires it.

WE NOT INCLUDED

WE NOT INCLUDED

  • Water bottle

    Every customer need water during this activity is for that we will stop in a shop where you can purchase some water bottles and snacks

  • Meals

    Meals are NOT included in our package, however during the hiking tours such as the Rainbow Mountain, breakfast and lunch is included. Breakfast is included with your hotel stay.

  • Flights

    Flying to Cusco, Peru can be tricky – delays occur often, and it is not uncommon for flights to be cancelled. Plan to arrive in the city at least two days before your tour start date.

  • Travel Insurance

    We recommend to buy a travel insurance before to leave your country in case something happen during your visit to Peru.

  • Tips for our team

    Tips are not included. Tipping the team is usual on any excursion in Cusco. We pay good salaries to our entire team, but tips are welcome as a token of your appreciation for the team’s hard work.

  Recommendations

BEST OF CUSCO 5 DAYS IMPORTANT INFO

At Machu Picchu by Locals we focus to make your trip an unforgettable experience and we want to provide all details which you need to know before to leave your country and start your life experience in Peru.

What you need to pack? Important

  • Passport
  • Valid, STUDENT CARD (if you booked as a student)
  • Immigration Card (given on the plane as you enter Peru)
  • Good daypack (the smaller, the better)
  • Water storage: Water reservoir like Camelback is encouraged – but enough for at least 2-3 liters.
  • Comfortable hiking boots (lightweight with good soles)

FOR YOUR DUFFEL:

Your duffel bag will be transported by our team, it has to be up to 7 kg of your personal items. This must include your sleeping bag and air matt (if you bring/rent one). From us these two items weigh 3.5 kg.

  • 2-3 wicking t-shirts
  • 2-3 hiking pants
  • 4 sets of undergarments.
  • 1 Fleece
  • 1 Warm, down jacket: gets very cold at night
  • 1 Rain jacket and pants
  • 1 sun hat
  • 1 wool hat
  • Headlamp: essential
  • Waterproof gloves
  • Comfortable shoes for camp or flip flops
  • Walking boots
  • Waterproof jacket/rain poncho

Battery Charger: There is no place to plug in while trekking!
Large plastic bags: to help organize and keep clean from dirty.
Sleeping bag: Recommend down bags for -10C at least

INSIDE YOUR DAYPACKS:

Daypacks can be any size for hiking, but we always say the smaller, the better. Inside Machu Picchu, bags larger than 25L will not be allowed in. If it is larger, you will need to store it outside citadel gates. But don´t worry, they have a secure storage facility. Water: we supply clean water at each meal. You are responsible for your first morning of water only as we won’t have time to filter water until your first lunch.

  • Sun hat
  • Rain gear
  • Fleece
  • Camera
  • Music (iPhone)
  • Hand sanitizer
  • Toilet paper and small plastic bag for waste
  • Extra Money for Souvenirs, Drinks & Tips
  • Earplugs
  • Some snacks (Chocolate, fruits, energy bars, etc.)

TOILETRIES:

  • Sunscreen
  • Face moisturizer
  • Bug spray
  • Hand sanitizer
  • Wet wipes
  • Small towel
  • Toothbrush and paste
  • Toilet paper
  • Personal medication
  • First aid kit: band aids, moleskin, etc.
  Faqs

MACHU PICCHU by LOCALS FAQs

Here some frequently asked question about the Inca trail to Machu Picchu

OUR BOOKING SYSTEM

At Machu Picchu by Locals, we try to make the best of us to booking system works as easy as possible for you, once you decided to do the Inca trail, we will send to you a booking form where you need to complete all the required detail which can’t be changed once it been confirmed, we need a previous deposit of $200USD per person. Once as soon as you paid it we immediately book a spot for the Inca trail once we have done with it, we will send you your invoice and confirmation that all the booking process has set up satisfactorily.

FLIGHT TICKETS AND BUS TICKETS

To book our Cusco five days package you should do it in advance because there is a limitation in each group, the capacity is 10 people in per group only. Once you book the trip, our team will purchase your different tickets to enjoy your journey For more details about these, please contact to Machu Picchu by Locals sales team.

WHERE TO STAY IN CUSCO?

Cusco is a big city enough to find different categories of hotels from 2 stars to 5 stars also there are Airbnb places where you can stay without any problem. Cusco streets are narrow specially near to the main square and some streets are pedestrian with some stairs, we will send you a notify for the pick up if is not possible the access with our car and arrange another place to pick you up and drop off. Also is possible to stay in the Sacred Valley near to Urubamba city or Ollantaytambo where we can pick you up 1.20 hour lately than in Cusco. In case you want some recommendations please ask to Vidal Expeditions sales team.

WHAT SHOULD I EXPECT AS FAR AS WEATHER?

The weather in Cusco regions and part of the Andes is unpredictable even if the weather forecast says it’s sunny, we can’t trust in it. It is an impossible question for us to answer. Historically April through September is the dry season, November through February is the rainy season and March and October and bridge months – a mixture of both. But the clouds have not followed these rules in the last few years. Prepare for sun and rain no matter when you come. As far as temperatures go, that is consistent throughout the year. Mornings and evenings are always cold. Make sure to bring a fleece jacket for the mornings and a down jacket for the evenings.

CAN I ADD EXTRA NIGHT IN CUSCO, SACRED VALLEY OR MACHU PICCHU?

Yes! You can add an extra night in Cusco, Sacred Valley or Machu Picchu town, this program can be tailor made for you.

CAN I UPGRADE MY HOTEL?

Definitely, Cusco has many great hotels and you are available to upgrade your hotel, you can contact to Machu Picchu by Locals team to provide you more details about it.

HOW DIFFICULT IS THE HIKE TO THE RAINBOW MOUNTAIN?

The Rainbow mountain trek is one of the challenge treks in Cusco, take a few hours to reach 5100 meters, and for someone who is not used to being at this elevation can be little difficult, however we have a great option to reach there with horses and avoid the hike up to the Rainbow Mountain.

WHERE DO I STORE MY LUGGAGE?

All of your luggage is not needed during the tours and should stay in Cusco. All the hotels have a storage or lockers where you can leave your luggage without any charge. Another option is to store with Machu Picchu by Locals team.

  Pricing

From: USD 460.00 per person

USD 450.00: from 4 people to more

  Enquire Now

Thank you for your interest in having an adventure travel experience in Peru curated by Machu Picchu by Locals. Please take a moment to complete our short form, so one our friendly Adventure Consultants could provide you all the information for your trip of a lifetime in Peru.

Our Pledge |  Your privacy is respected and protected. Machu Picchu by Locals will never share, sell, or make public any of your personal contact information to third parties.

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Feel free to reach us via email at sales@machupicchubylocals.com or by calling us directly at +51 951 359 694

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Saturday: 09:00 to 13:00 Hrs.

Machu Picchu by Locat travel agency

Prolongacion Av. Grau L-8, Santiago - Cusco

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5 Days 4 Nights
Best of Cusco 5 Days


Price from $ 460 USD Per Person

Group Size Up to 8 People

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Map of Best of Cusco 5 Days



WHAT MAKES US DIFFERENT?


At Machu Picchu by Locals we offer the best service for all our customers and here is what makes us different than others.

  • Small groups: Along our excursion group size is a capped at 8 people. This guarantees that you will enjoy every step of our excursion

  • Hotel: During our excursion to Machu Picchu, we offer a private hostel stay for the last night. This ensures you are well rested and ready to explore Machu Picchu.

  • Local Tour guides: Our team consists of 100% local tour guides, who have expert knowledge in our ancient culture.

  • Best Camping Equipment: We have the state-of-the-art camping equipment for our excursion. The equipment is thoroughly cleaned and sanitized before and after every excursion.

  • Best Trekking team: At Machu Picchu by Locals we focus to create the best experience during our excursions. Our team that consists of tour guides, cooks, porters, horse drivers are handpicked. We train our team to offer you the best service. We take care of our team by providing them with good equipment and paying them fairly.

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