Photo gallery
Cusco, Machu Picchu & Rainbow Mountain tour photos
Tour overview
Cusco, Machu Picchu & Rainbow Mountain tour at a glance
Everything most travelers want from Cusco, in the right order. Culture first, Machu Picchu in the middle, a free day to rest, and the big high-altitude hike at the end, when your body is ready. You choose Rainbow Mountain or Humantay Lake.
Our Cusco team checks the services, timings and availability for your dates and sends the options in a written quote.
Journey highlights
Highlights of the Cusco, Machu Picchu & Rainbow Mountain tour
- Cusco, the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu with a night in Aguas Calientes
- A free day to rest or explore
- Rainbow Mountain or Humantay Lake to finish
- 5-day version available with a late flight home
Interactive journey map
The train route to Machu Picchu
This interactive map shows the transfer and train section of this trip. Other visits and overnight stays are described in the itinerary. The line is schematic, not a GPS navigation track.
Ready in Cusco
- 01CuscoHotel pickup
- 02OllantaytamboBoard the tourist train
- 03Machu Picchu PuebloAlso known as Aguas Calientes
- 04Machu Picchu entranceBegin your guided visit
By private carCusco to Ollantaytambo through the Sacred Valley.
By trainOllantaytambo to Machu Picchu Pueblo beside the Urubamba River.
By shuttle busMachu Picchu Pueblo to the sanctuary entrance.
Return journeyReturn connections are confirmed in your quote.
Detailed itinerary
Cusco, Machu Picchu & Rainbow Mountain tour itinerary: day by day
Times and services are indicative. Your final schedule is confirmed in your written quote.
Day 1 — Arrival and Cusco City Tour
We meet you at the airport and take you to your hotel to rest. In the afternoon you visit Qoricancha, the Inca Temple of the Sun, the Cathedral on the main square, the giant walls of Sacsayhuamán and the smaller sites of Q'enqo, Puka Pukara and Tambomachay.
Day 2 — Sacred Valley to Aguas Calientes
You drive down to the Sacred Valley for the terraces and market of Pisac, a buffet lunch in Urubamba and the Ollantaytambo fortress above the last living Inca town. In the evening the train takes you to Aguas Calientes.
Day 3 — Machu Picchu
An early bus up to the citadel, a guided visit of your circuit, free time in Aguas Calientes and the afternoon train and transfer back to Cusco.
Day 4 — Free day in Cusco
A day to rest your legs before the big hike. Wander the cobbled streets of San Blas, the artisans' quarter, try local dishes at the San Pedro market, or add a cooking class or a visit to the Inca Museum.
Day 5 — Rainbow Mountain or Humantay Lake
Your choice of high-altitude hike, now that you are acclimatized. Rainbow Mountain is a 1.5–2 hour climb to the striped slopes of Vinicunca, followed by the Red Valley viewpoint. Humantay is a steep 1.5-hour climb to a turquoise glacier lake under the Salkantay range. Both include breakfast on the way and lunch after the hike, and you are back in Cusco around 5:30 pm.
Day 6 — Departure
After breakfast, a transfer takes you to the airport. Flying out late on Day 5? We can skip the last night and finish the trip that evening (5 days / 4 nights, lower price), although a delayed return from the hike puts the flight at risk.
What's included
What's included in the Cusco, Machu Picchu & Rainbow Mountain tour
Included
- airport transfers
- 5 hotel nights with breakfast
- city tour, Sacred Valley tour and Day 5 hike with all entrance and community fees
- buffet lunch on Day 2
- breakfast and lunch on Day 5
- round-trip train
- bus
- Machu Picchu ticket
- guides
- 24/7 assistance
Not included
- flights
- meals not listed
- mountain add-ons at Machu Picchu
- horse rental on Day 5
- tips
Optional extras
Ways to tailor this trip
- Huayna Picchu / Machu Picchu Mountain +US$ 75
- Vistadome train +US$ 65
- Vistadome Observatory +US$ 145 (round trip)
- Day 4 Maras & Moray tour
Optional services are subject to availability. Mention your preferences in the booking form notes; your quote will list the selected extras and final total.
Plan with confidence
Duration, difficulty and price
Good to know
Good to know before you go
Entrance route
This tour uses the Machu Picchu circuit available for your date, confirmed in your quote. See Machu Picchu circuits explained.
Planning guides
Planning guides
What to bring
What to pack
- Original passport
- Small overnight bag for Aguas Calientes and a daypack
- Layers for cold mornings and evenings, plus warm gear for Day 5 (hat, gloves, down jacket)
- Rain jacket, sunscreen, sun hat and insect repellent
- Comfortable walking shoes or light hiking boots
- Cash in soles for meals not included and tips
Carry the original passport used to book. Check your confirmed ticket and operator instructions for current baggage and site rules.
Frequently asked questions
Cusco, Machu Picchu & Rainbow Mountain tour FAQs
Can I do this package with children?
Yes. Days 1–4 suit all ages (8+ recommended). The Day 5 hike to Rainbow Mountain or Humantay Lake has a minimum age of 8; for younger children we replace it with a Sacred Valley activity.
Can I change the order of the days?
Within limits. We keep the high-altitude hike at the end for your safety.
Is this package private or shared?
Group pricing uses shared tours with private airport transfers. The private price makes every service private.
Rainbow Mountain or Humantay Lake on Day 5?
You choose. Rainbow Mountain (about 5,000 m) is higher and more famous; Humantay Lake (about 4,200 m) is greener and a shorter hike. Both come after a free day, once you are acclimatized.
Can I do it in 5 days?
Yes. With the 5-day option you do the Day 5 hike and take a late evening flight the same day.
What can I do on the free day?
Rest before the hike, walk around San Blas, try the San Pedro market or add a cooking class. You can also swap it for a Maras & Moray tour.
Which meals are included?
Breakfast at the hotel from Day 2, a buffet lunch on Day 2 and breakfast and lunch on the Day 5 hike. Other meals are not included.
Tripadvisor reviews
What travelers say about our team
Reviews of Traveleez Peru SAC, the operator of Machu-Picchu.tours, on our Tripadvisor profile Machu Picchu by Traveleez.
★★★★★
Incredible experience
“An unforgettable experience. Super punctual, good transportation, and very good treatment.”
Translated from Spanish
★★★★★
Highly recommended
“This agency is super responsive, unlike others that can take weeks to get back to you.”
★★★★★
Seamless Last-Minute Machu Picchu Trip!
“The entire process was seamless, and everyone was absolutely wonderful to work with.”
