Tour overview
Cusco Apus 5D/4N is our five-day program to experience Cusco, the Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, and Humantay Lake. On the first day we pick you up at the airport, give you a few hours to acclimatize, and in the afternoon do the Cusco City Tour (Cathedral, Qoricancha, Sacsayhuamán, Qenqo, Pucapucara, and Tambomachay). On the second day we tour the Sacred Valley of the Incas (Taray viewpoint, Pisaq, Urubamba, and Ollantaytambo) and take the train to Aguas Calientes. On the third day we visit Machu Picchu with a guide and return to Cusco. On the fourth day we hike to Humantay Lake, and on the fifth day, after breakfast and free time, we transfer you to the airport. We run the program with tourist transport, a professional guide, admission to every place, the Cusco Tourist Ticket, train tickets to Machu Picchu, and ongoing support from our team.
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Best time to travel Approx. April to October (dry season)
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Approximate altitude Cusco ~3,400 m · Machu Picchu ~2,430 m · Humantay ~4,200 m
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Physical difficulty Moderate to demanding on day 4 (Humantay); moderate otherwise
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Minimum number of passengers 2 adults (double-room base rate)
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Maximum number of passengers Depends on the hotel
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Booking lead time Book in advance; confirm flights, train, and hotel category
Overview
- Day 1 – Arrival and Cusco City Tour: airport pickup, transfer to the hotel, time to acclimatize, Cusco Cathedral, Qoricancha (Temple of the Sun), Sacsayhuamán, Qenqo, Pucapucara, Tambomachay, and return to the hotel.
- Day 2 – Sacred Valley tour – Aguas Calientes: Taray viewpoint, archaeological site of Pisaq, Pisaq craft market, buffet lunch in Urubamba, archaeological site of Ollantaytambo, train to Aguas Calientes, briefing with the guide, and overnight in Aguas Calientes.
- Day 3 – Machu Picchu full day – Cusco: bus to the sanctuary, guided tour of about 2 hours at Machu Picchu, lunch in Aguas Calientes, train to Ollantaytambo, and transport to Cusco.
- Day 4 – Humantay Lake tour: very early departure, breakfast in Mollepata, Soraypampa, a hike of about 1 hour to Humantay Lake, lunch in Soraypampa, and return to Cusco.
- Day 5 – End of the trip: breakfast at the hotel, free time, transfer to the airport, and farewell.
Itinerary
Day 1 — Arrival and Cusco City Tour
When you arrive at Cusco airport, our staff will be waiting to take you to your hotel in the city. Once you get there, you will have a few hours to acclimatize to the altitude.
In the afternoon we start the Cusco City Tour. We pick you up in our vehicle and take you to the city center. Our first stop is Cusco Cathedral, on the main square. After the guided visit to the Cathedral, we walk to Qoricancha, the Temple of the Sun, where Inca and Spanish cultures meet.
When we finish at Qoricancha, we leave Cusco. Our first stop is the archaeological site of Sacsayhuamán, where your guide explains the importance of its massive walls. We then continue a few minutes outside Cusco to Qenqo, a mysterious place you will get to know.
To finish the tour we visit Pucapucara and Tambomachay and learn a little more about the Incas. When the circuit ends, we drive back to Cusco and drop you off at your hotel.
Day 2 — Sacred Valley tour – Aguas Calientes
You have breakfast at your hotel in Cusco and our vehicle picks you up. Your hotel needs to be in central Cusco; if it is outside the center, arrange an extra transfer with our travel agency. On the way we stop at the Taray viewpoint for photos of the Sacred Valley of the Incas.
We continue with a visit to the archaeological site of Pisaq and then the Pisaq craft market, where you can buy a few souvenirs. After that we head to Urubamba, where you have our buffet lunch.
After lunch we continue to Ollantaytambo to visit its archaeological site. When the tour ends we go to Ollantaytambo station and board the train to Aguas Calientes; the ride takes about 1 hour and 40 minutes.
At Aguas Calientes train station we will be waiting to take you to your hotel, where you have a briefing with your guide. You spend the night at your hotel in Aguas Calientes.
Day 3 — Machu Picchu full day – Cusco
You have breakfast at your hotel in Aguas Calientes and we take you to the bus station. There we board the bus to the Machu Picchu Sanctuary. After entering the sanctuary, we start the Machu Picchu tour with our guide, for about 2 hours.
When the visit ends we take the bus back from the sanctuary to Aguas Calientes, where we have lunch. To return to Cusco we go to Aguas Calientes station and board our train back to Ollantaytambo.
In Ollantaytambo our vehicle will be waiting to take you back to Cusco and drop you off at your hotel.
Day 4 — Humantay Lake tour
You skip breakfast at the hotel today because we leave very early for Humantay Lake. We board our vehicle for Mollepata, where we have breakfast. We then continue by vehicle to Soraypampa, where the hike begins.
The hike from Soraypampa to Humantay Lake takes about 1 hour, and along the way your guide points out the beautiful places on the route. At Humantay Lake you can take photos and hear your guide’s explanation.
After a reasonable time we return to Soraypampa, where we have lunch. After lunch we board our vehicle back to Cusco and drop you off at your hotel.
Day 5 — End of the trip
You have breakfast at your hotel. The day is free for time on your own.
At the agreed time, our travel agency picks you up and takes you to the airport, where we say goodbye.
Recommendations
General
- Leave your luggage at the hotel and bring a small backpack for each excursion.
- Bring snacks or small drinks.
- Follow your guide’s advice on what to wear.
- Bring your camera and extra batteries.
- Bring some cash for souvenirs.
Acclimatization
- When you arrive in Cusco, give yourself at least half a day to acclimatize, because the altitude can affect you.
- At your hotel, drink some coca tea to help you acclimatize.
- If you have any health issues, tell your travel agent so we can take them into account in your program.
What's included
Included
- Airport–hotel transfer on arrival and hotel–airport transfer at the end of the trip.
- Tourist transport for all our excursions.
- A professional guide on all our excursions.
- Admission to every place we visit.
- Cusco Tourist Ticket.
- Tourist train tickets to Machu Picchu.
- Ongoing support from our travel agency team.
Meals included
- Breakfast at the hotel: days 2, 3, and 5.
- Breakfast on the road: day 4 (in Mollepata).
- All lunches: day 2 (buffet lunch in Urubamba), day 3 (in Aguas Calientes), and day 4 (in Soraypampa).
Not included
- International flights.
- Domestic flights.
- Dinners.
- Meals not mentioned in the itinerary.
- Tips or extra expenses.
- An extra transfer if your hotel is outside central Cusco (arrange it with our agency).
Frequently asked questions
Where do I sleep each night?
Night 1 in Cusco, night 2 in Aguas Calientes, and nights 3 and 4 back in Cusco.
Do I have time to acclimatize on arrival day?
Yes. When you reach your hotel you have a few hours to acclimatize to the altitude, and we start the Cusco City Tour in the afternoon.
How long is the Machu Picchu visit and the train ride?
The guided tour at Machu Picchu lasts about 2 hours. The train from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes takes about 1 hour and 40 minutes.
How much walking is there on the Humantay Lake tour?
The hike from Soraypampa to the lake takes about 1 hour each way, with your guide.
Which meals are included?
We include hotel breakfast on days 2, 3, and 5, breakfast in Mollepata on day 4, and lunches on days 2, 3, and 4. Dinners are not included.
Does my hotel have to be in central Cusco?
Yes. For the Sacred Valley pickup, your hotel needs to be in central Cusco. If it is outside the center, arrange an extra transfer with our agency.
How is the price calculated?
The price is based on 2 people in a double or matrimonial room and varies with the hotel category you choose (category 1, 2, or 3). We confirm the exact amount when we quote.
