Tour overview
Cusco Sumaq 6D/5N is our six-day program based in the city of Cusco to see the Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, Humantay Lake, and Rainbow Mountain. 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 travel the Sacred Valley of the Incas in a full day (Taray viewpoint, Pisaq, Urubamba, Ollantaytambo, and Chinchero). On the third day we take the train to Aguas Calientes, visit Machu Picchu with a guide, and return to Cusco. On the fourth day we hike to Humantay Lake, on the fifth day we leave before dawn for Rainbow Mountain, and on the sixth day, after breakfast and free time, we transfer you to the airport. We operate the program with tourist transport, a professional guide, entrance fees to every place, the Cusco Tourist Ticket, train tickets to Machu Picchu, and ongoing support from our team.
-
Best time to travel Approx. April to October (dry season)
-
Approximate altitude Cusco ~3,400 m · Machu Picchu ~2,430 m · Humantay ~4,200 m · Vinicunca ~5,000 m
-
Physical difficulty Moderate to demanding on days 4 and 5; moderate on the other days
-
Minimum number of passengers 2 adults (double-room base rate)
-
Maximum number of passengers Check according to hotel
-
Booking lead time In advance; confirm flights, train, and hotel category
Overview
- Day 1 – Arrival and City Tour in Cusco: airport pickup, transfer to the hotel, hours to acclimatize, Cusco Cathedral, Qoricancha (Temple of the Sun), Sacsayhuamán, Qenqo, Pucapucara, Tambomachay, return to the hotel.
- Day 2 – Sacred Valley Full-Day Tour: Taray viewpoint, Pisaq archaeological site, Pisaq craft market, buffet lunch in Urubamba, Ollantaytambo archaeological site, Chinchero archaeological site and craft market, return to Cusco.
- Day 3 – Machu Picchu Full Day: transport to Ollantaytambo, train to Aguas Calientes, bus to the sanctuary, 2-hour guided visit at Machu Picchu, buffet lunch in Aguas Calientes, craft market, train to Ollantaytambo, transport to Cusco.
- Day 4 – Humantay Lake Tour: very early departure, breakfast in Mollepata, Soraypampa, walk of about 1 hour to Humantay Lake, lunch in Soraypampa, return to Cusco.
- Day 5 – Rainbow Mountain Full-Day Tour: pre-dawn departure, drive of about 2 hours to Cusipata, breakfast in Cusipata, 1 more hour of transport, walk of 1 hour to 1 hour 30 minutes to Rainbow Mountain, lunch in Cusipata, return to Cusco.
- Day 6 – End of the trip: breakfast at the hotel, free day, transfer to the airport, farewell.
Itinerary
Day 1 — Arrival and City Tour in Cusco
When you arrive at the airport in the city of Cusco, our staff will be waiting to take you to your hotel in the city. When you reach the hotel 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 transport and take you to the city center. Our first stop is the Cusco Cathedral, on the main square. After the guided visit through the Cathedral we walk to Qoricancha, or the Temple of the Sun, a place where Inca and Spanish cultures meet.
When the Qoricancha visit ends we leave the city of Cusco. Our first stop is the Sacsayhuamán archaeological site, where our guide will explain the importance of its imposing walls. We then continue a few minutes farther outside Cusco to Qenqo, where you will get to know this mysterious place.
To close the tour we visit Pucapucara and Tambomachay to learn a little more about the Incas. When the route ends we return in our transport to the city of Cusco and take you back to your hotel.
Day 2 — Sacred Valley Full-Day Tour
You have breakfast at your hotel in Cusco and our transport comes to pick you up. Your hotel must be in the center of the city of Cusco; if it is outside the center, arrange your additional 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 the visit to the Pisaq archaeological site and then to the Pisaq craft market, where you can buy a few souvenirs. We then go to Urubamba, where you enjoy our buffet lunch.
After lunch we continue to Ollantaytambo to visit its archaeological site. When we finish we go to Chinchero, where we have a guided visit of its archaeological site and also of its craft market.
When the tour ends we set off back to the city of Cusco and take you back to your hotel.
Day 3 — Machu Picchu Full Day
You have breakfast at your hotel in Cusco and we pick you up to take you in our transport to the Ollantaytambo train station. From there you travel by train to Aguas Calientes, where we meet you at the station and go to the bus station to board the bus toward the Machu Picchu Sanctuary.
We enter the Machu Picchu Sanctuary, where you have a 2-hour guided visit. When the guided tour ends we board the return bus to Aguas Calientes, where you enjoy a buffet lunch. After lunch you have time to visit the craft market of Aguas Calientes, or Machu Picchu Pueblo.
At the right time we go to the train station to board the train back to Ollantaytambo. When you arrive in Ollantaytambo we will be waiting with our transport to return to the city of Cusco, where we take you back to your hotel.
Day 4 — Humantay Lake Tour
Today you do not have breakfast at the hotel because we leave very early for Humantay Lake. We board our transport bound for Mollepata, where we have breakfast. We then continue in our transport until we reach Soraypampa, where we start the hike.
The hike from Soraypampa to Humantay Lake takes about 1 hour, and along the way our guide will show you the beautiful places on the route. When you reach Humantay Lake you can take photographs and hear our guide’s explanation.
After a reasonable time we return to Soraypampa, where we have lunch. After lunch we board our transport back to the city of Cusco and take you back to your hotel.
Day 5 — Rainbow Mountain Full-Day Tour
Today you leave the hotel without breakfast because we start the tour before dawn. We board our transport bound for Cusipata, south of the city of Cusco; the drive takes about 2 hours. When we reach Cusipata we have breakfast and, when we finish, we board the transport again for one more hour until we reach the start of our hike.
We start the hike toward Rainbow Mountain, lasting about 1 hour to 1 hour and 30 minutes. When we reach our final point you can take in Rainbow Mountain, take photos, and enjoy the setting.
At the right time we start the return trip to Cusipata, where we have lunch. When lunch ends we set off back to the city of Cusco and take you back to your hotel.
Day 6 — End of the trip
You have breakfast at your hotel and have the day free for activities that are not guided.
At the right time, our travel agency comes to pick you up and take you to the airport, where we say goodbye.
Recommendations
General
- Leave your luggage at the hotel and carry a small backpack on each excursion.
- Bring snacks or small drinks.
- Follow the guide’s advice on what to wear.
- Bring your camera and extra batteries.
- Carry some cash to buy souvenirs.
Acclimatization
- When you arrive in the city of Cusco it is important to have at least half a day to acclimatize, because the altitude can affect you.
- At your hotel it is important to drink some coca tea to help with acclimatization.
- If you have any health issue, tell your travel agent so we can take it into account in your program.
Inclusions
Included
- Airport–hotel transfer on arrival and hotel–airport transfer at the end of the trip.
- Tourist transport for all of our excursions.
- A professional guide on all of our excursions.
- Entrance fees 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 6.
- Breakfast on the road: day 4 (in Mollepata) and day 5 (in Cusipata).
- All lunches: day 2 (buffet lunch in Urubamba), day 3 (buffet lunch in Aguas Calientes), day 4 (in Soraypampa), and day 5 (in Cusipata).
Not included
- International flights.
- Domestic flights.
- Dinners.
- Meals not mentioned in the itinerary.
- Tips or extra expenses.
- An additional transfer if your hotel is outside downtown Cusco (arrange it with our agency).
Frequently asked questions
Where do I sleep each night?
Every night (1 through 5) you sleep at your hotel in Cusco. We visit Machu Picchu in a single day, with a round-trip train from Ollantaytambo.
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?
The guided visit inside the Machu Picchu Sanctuary lasts 2 hours. After the buffet lunch you have time to visit the Aguas Calientes craft market.
How much walking is there at Humantay and at Rainbow Mountain?
The hike from Soraypampa to Humantay Lake takes about 1 hour. The hike to Rainbow Mountain takes about 1 hour to 1 hour and 30 minutes. Our guide is with you on both.
Which meals are included?
We include hotel breakfasts on days 2, 3, and 6, breakfasts on the road on days 4 (Mollepata) and 5 (Cusipata), and lunches on days 2, 3, 4, and 5. Dinners are not included.
Does my hotel have to be in downtown Cusco?
Yes. For the Sacred Valley tour pickup, your hotel must be in downtown Cusco. If it is outside the center, arrange an additional 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 you.
