Cusco and Machu Picchu in 7 days Description

Introduction

The 7-Day Cusco and Machu Picchu Tour Package adventure begins in the mystical city of Cusco, the ancient Inca capital and navel of the world. Its narrow cobblestone streets and centuries-old Inca stonework offer an extraordinary window into the Andean past. On the first day, we will wander through colonial plazas, sacred Inca temples, and remarkable archaeological sites such as Sacsayhuamán, Qenqo, Puka Pukara, and Tambomachay, immersing ourselves in the rich blend of Inca and Spanish heritage.

As we continue our journey, we will make our way to Humantay Lake, one of the most breathtaking high-altitude lakes in the Cusco region. Its striking turquoise waters, framed by snow-capped peaks and dramatic mountain scenery, create a truly magical setting ideal for photography and quiet contemplation. We will also trek to Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca), a natural masterpiece rising above 5,000 meters above sea level. Its extraordinary spectrum of colors, shaped by millions of years of mineral deposits, makes it an unforgettable highlight for lovers of wild and unspoiled landscapes.

Our journey continues through the Sacred Valley and the historic sanctuary of Machu Picchu, two of the most iconic and meaningful destinations in the entire Cusco region. Each offers its own distinct sense of wonder and adventure, yet both share an unparalleled depth of history and natural beauty that leaves every traveler forever changed.

We will also explore a hidden gem that few tourists discover: the Southern Valley. This off-the-beaten-path route takes us through the most significant cultural and historical sites south of Cusco, and rewards us with a visit to Cielo Punku, one of the most scenic and awe-inspiring viewpoints the region has to offer.

To close our adventure, guests may optionally join our exclusive Cusco Behind the Scenes experience, a carefully curated tour through the city's most intimate and lesser-known corners. These are the places that locals cherish and that most visitors never get to see hidden gems that reveal the true soul of this ancient Andean city.

Important

To receive all the information on how to make a reservation, please write to us at:

info@viajesmachupicchu.com

Our team will get back to you promptly with all the necessary details and assistance.

Cusco and Machu Picchu in 7 days Summary

DAY 01 – Arrival in Cusco + Cusco City Tour

  • Arrival in the city of Cusco and reception at the airport or bus terminal.
  • Guided tour through the archaeological sites of Qoricancha, Sacsayhuamán, Qenqo, Puca Pucara, and Tambomachay.

DAY 02 – Humantay Lake

  • Travel to Soraypampa and hike up to Humantay Lake.
  • Free time to enjoy the landscape and take photos.
  • Lunch at 2:00 p.m.
  • Return to Cusco in the afternoon.

DAY 03 – Rainbow Mountain

  • Hotel pick-up and breakfast in Cusipata.
  • Round-trip tourist transportation.
  • Hike to the summit to admire the multicolored landscapes.
  • Lunch before returning to Cusco.
  • Return to Cusco in the afternoon.

DAY 04 – Super Sacred Valley Tour

  • Tourist transfer through Chinchero, Moray, Maras, Urubamba, and Ollantaytambo.
  • Buffet lunch in the Sacred Valley.
  • Train transfer from Ollantaytambo to Machu Picchu Town.

DAY 05 – Sunrise at Machu Picchu

  • Round-trip bus transfer with Consettur to the Wonder of the World.
  • Guided tour through the temples, plazas, and terraces of the citadel.
  • Free time for exploration and photography (optional).
  • Return to Cusco by train and transfer to the hotel.

DAY 06 – Southern Valley Tour

  • Visit to the hydraulic terraces of Tipón.
  • Exploration of Pikillacta, a pre-Inca city of the Wari culture.
  • Tour of the church of Andahuaylillas, known as the "Sistine Chapel of the Americas."
  • Visit to Cielo Punku viewpoint.

DAY 07 – Cusco Behind the Scenes (Optional – Free of Charge)

  • Daytime visit to the Main Plaza of Cusco, Plaza San Francisco, San Pedro Market, and one of Cusco's famous local eateries.
  • Visit to a local restaurant showcasing Andean gastronomy, the San Blas neighborhood, and the Main Plaza of Cusco.

Detailed Itinerary: Tour Package 7 Days Cusco

Day 1: CITY TOUR + INKA TEMPLE'S

On our first day of adventure, our travel agent will be there to accompany you to your hotel, giving you time to rest or get ready for the Cusco City Tour, which will take place according to the established schedule.

On this first adventure, we will visit 5 archaeological sites located near Cusco. We begin at Qoricancha, the great temple dedicated to the sun ancient chronicles tell us that its walls were once adorned with sheets of pure gold. Next, we will visit Sacsayhuamán, the great Inca fortress situated 5 km from the city. This was a sacred place during the Inca Empire, accessible only to Inca nobility. After the arrival of the Spanish, it became a refuge and military stronghold due to its ideal strategic position.

We then continue to Qenqo, a sacred amphitheater and center of worship of the Puma god, where ritual human sacrifices once took place. Our next stop is Puca Pucara, known as the "Red Fortress" for the reddish hue its rocks take on at sunset. Finally, we arrive at Tambomachay, one of the most beloved sites among visitors, celebrated for its stunning landscapes and remarkable hydraulic engineering system that, incredibly, remains functional to this day. After completing the Cusco City Tour, we will return to our hotel.

Inca temple dedicated to the sun, known as Qoricancha

Overnight stay: Cusco
Meals: None

The Tour Includes:

  • Transfers from the airport to the hotel
  • Tourist transportation
  • Professional guide in Spanish or English
  • Entrance tickets to the attractions

Day 2: HUMANTAY LAKE

Our Humantay Lake Tour begins with a hotel pick-up in Cusco at approximately 4:30 AM. At this point, we will board our tourist transport and set off towards Mollepata, a journey of about 2 hours. Upon arrival, we will enjoy a delicious and energizing breakfast.

After registering and paying the entrance fee for the Salkantay route, we continue our journey towards Humantay Lake. Our transport will take us to Soraypampa, traveling for over an hour along an unpaved mountain road. Along the way, we will be surrounded by breathtaking scenery, with views of the Salkantay and Humantay glaciers, as well as deep valleys and ravines.

Upon arriving at Soraypampa, we will prepare for our hike to Humantay Lake. The ascent takes approximately one hour, passing through spectacular landscapes and mountain trails under the protection of Apu Salkantay. We will finally reach the magnificent turquoise waters of Humantay Lake, located at 4,300 meters above sea level, at the foot of the Humantay Glacier.

We will spend around two hours exploring this extraordinary place, taking countless photos, and for the more adventurous visitors, soaking in the raw natural beauty of the surroundings. Meanwhile, our guide will share fascinating insights about the cultural and spiritual significance of the lake and its environment.

After enjoying the lake, we will begin our descent and return to Mollepata, where we will sit down for a delicious lunch at around 2:00 PM. We then make our way back to Cusco, arriving at approximately 5:00 PM, where we will drop you off near the Plaza de Armas, marking the end of our services for the day.

visitors to the crystal-clear humantay lagoon

Overnight Stay: Cusco

Meals: Breakfast and lunch on the Humantay lake tour

The Tour Includes:

  • Hotel pick-up
  • Tourist transportation
  • Bilingual guide service (English & Spanish)
  • Entrance tickets to all attractions
  • Breakfast and lunch

 

 

Day 3: RAINBOW MOUNTAIN TOUR

 One of the most spectacular geological formations in the world, the famous Vinicunca Mountain, also known as Rainbow Mountain or Montaña de Siete Colores, displays a breathtaking combination of vibrant colors that captivate travelers and delight the senses.

We depart early from your hotel between 4:00 AM and 4:30 AM, heading toward Cusipata, where we will have breakfast around 7:00 AM. After another 40 minutes of travel, we will begin a two-hour hike to reach the legendary Rainbow Mountain, located at 5,020 meters above sea level.

Once at the summit, you will witness the stunning natural palette created by unique mineral deposits. There will be ample time for photography and a well-deserved break before starting the two-hour descent back to our transportation. We will have lunch before returning to Cusco, arriving at your hotel around 5:30 PM.

visitors to Rainbow Mountain

Overnight Stay: Cusco

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch at Vinicunca Rainbow Mountain

The Tour Includes:

  • Hotel pick-up
  • Tourist transportation
  • Bilingual guide service (English & Spanish)
  • Entrance tickets to all attractions
  • Breakfast & Lunch

 

Day 4: SUPER SACRED VALLEY TOUR

At 6:30 AM, we will pick you up from your hotel to begin our visit to the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Approximately 40 minutes north of Cusco, we will arrive at the archaeological site of Chinchero, a living Inca village that still preserves its original layout. Located in an important agricultural area, its colonial-era church and bell tower were built directly over ancient Inca temples. Local artisans offer handmade textiles crafted using ancestral techniques.

We then continue to Moray, a remarkable set of circular agricultural terraces built by taking advantage of natural depressions in the terrain. These terraces create distinct microclimates that were used for the domestication, acclimatization, and experimentation of crops during the Inca era.

Next, we will visit the Maras Salt Mines, which have been in use since pre-Inca times. With more than 3,000 salt pools, the site is managed by around 380 local families. The saltwater flows naturally from the Qoripukiu mountain spring, meaning "Golden Spring."

We will head to Urubamba to enjoy a buffet lunch prepared with fresh local products from the Sacred Valley. After lunch, we continue for 30 minutes to the archaeological site of Ollantaytambo. This site, successively occupied by different cultures, served as an administrative, military, social, and economic center during the Inca Empire. It also functioned as a strategic control point for access to different ecological zones.

Our final stop will be Pisac, whose name comes from the Quechua word P'ísaca, meaning partridge. Its ingenious system of agricultural terraces with irrigation canals allowed for the cultivation of Parcay Sara, the finest giant white corn in the world. The site encompasses religious, urban, social, and economic areas, as the Incas built in high, secure locations to protect themselves from threats.

During the colonial period, Pisac was originally a traditional market where local communities exchanged agricultural products. Today, it also offers a wide variety of handicrafts, drawing visitors from around the world on a daily basis. We will return to Cusco at approximately 7:00 PM.

view of the maras salt mines in the sacred valley of the incas

Overnight Stay: Machu Picchu Town

Meals: Buffet lunch in the Sacred Valley of the Incas

The Tour Includes:

  • Hotel pick-up
  • Tourist transportation service
  • Bilingual guiding service (English and Spanish)
  • Entrance tickets to all tourist attractions
  • Expedition tourist train to Machu Picchu (or requested category)

Day 5: FULL DAY MACCHU PICCHU WONDER OF THE WORLD

 At the scheduled time, transfer to the train station to begin our journey to the citadel of Machu Picchu. After a 2-hour train ride, we will arrive at Machu Picchu Pueblo (Aguas Calientes), where we will board buses that will take us to the Lost City of the Incas, Machu Picchu.

Machu Picchu, the most famous example of Inca architecture, was discovered in 1911 by Hiram Bingham. We will enjoy a guided tour through its most important structures, such as:

  • The Viewpoint
  • The Temple of the Three Windows
  • The Intihuatana
  • The Main Square, and more.

After the guided tour, we will take the bus back down to Aguas Calientes, where you will have free time to enjoy lunch at your leisure. We will then board the return train to Cusco. Upon arrival, we will transfer you back to your hotel.

panoramic view of one of the 7 wonders of the modern world, Machu Picchu

Overnight Stay: Cusco

Meals: Lunch

The Tour Includes:

  • Hotel pick-up
  • Round-trip tourist transportation to the train station
  • Tourist train in the selected category
  • Consettur bus from Machu Picchu Town to Machu Picchu Inca Citadel
  • Machu Picchu entrance tickets
  • Bilingual guiding service (English and Spanish)

 

Day 6: SOUTH VALLEY CUSCO

This tour begins with a hotel pick-up between 8:00 AM and 8:30 AM. We then head south of Cusco by bus, taking in breathtaking landscapes along the way.

Our first stop will be the Tipón Archaeological Complex, an Inca ceremonial center featuring an impressive network of water channels that once controlled the flow of water from the high peaks of Pachatusan down to the lowlands of the valley.

We then visit Pikillacta, which means "City of Fleas" in Quechua. This is an ancient walled city of the Wari civilization, which served as an important regional center during its expansion towards Cusco.

We continue our journey to the Church of Andahuaylillas, a colonial masterpiece known as the "Sistine Chapel of the Americas." Inside, we will admire a breathtaking collection of paintings in gilded frames, fresco murals, baroque altarpieces, and the famous door of five languages.

We conclude the tour with a visit to Cielo Punku before returning to Cusco at around 3:00 PM.

Punku sky view on the South Valley tour

Overnight Stay: Cusco

Meals: breakfast at selected hotel

The Tour Includes:

  • Hotel pick-up
  • Tourist transportation service
  • Bilingual guided tour (English and Spanish)
  • Entrance tickets to tourist attractions

Day 7: CUSCO BEHIND THE SCENES & RETURN

Cusco Behind the Scenes is one of the optional tours available within the Cusco and Machu Picchu Tour Package. This experience will allow you to discover the city from a more authentic and intimate perspective, exploring not only its most iconic attractions, but also the spaces that form part of the everyday life of its inhabitants.

During the tour, you will visit the Main Plaza of Cusco, the historic heart of the city, where you will learn about its cultural and architectural significance. You will also explore the traditional San Pedro Central Market, a vibrant place full of colors, flavors, and local products that reflect the soul of Cusco. In addition, you will stroll through the historic San Blas neighborhood, known for its cobblestone streets, artisan workshops, and bohemian atmosphere.

This day is designed to be enjoyed at a relaxed pace, appreciating the urban and natural landscapes that surround the city and connecting with the authentic local essence of Cusco. It is a perfect opportunity to discover the history, traditions, and way of life that make this city a truly unique destination in the world.

 7 Borreguitos street in the city of Cusco

Overnight Stay: None (departure)

Meals: Breakfast at the selected hotel

INCLUDES:

  • Hotel transfer to the airport or bus station
  • Tourist transportation

END OF SERVICES

Cusco and Machu Picchu in 7 days Includes:

  • Airport/Bus Terminal - Hotel -  Airport/Bus Terminal transfers
  • 05 nights of accommodation in Cusco
  • 01 night of accommodation in Machu Picchu Town
  • Tours in regular or shared service:
    • Cusco City Tour + Nearby Ruins + Qoricancha
    • Rainbow Mountain Tour (Vinicunca – 7 Colors)
    • Humantay Lake Tour
    • Super Sacred Valley of the Incas Tour with connection to Machu Picchu
    • Sunrise at Machu Picchu Tour with Expedition Train service
    • Southern Valley of Cusco & Cielo Punku Tour
    • Cusco Behind the Scenes Tour (optional / free of charge)
  • Round-trip train to Machu Picchu on Expedition service or upgrade to selected train
  • Round-trip tourist bus to Machu Picchu
  • Shared guided service
  • Entrance tickets to all attractions and Machu Picchu
  • Professional guide in Spanish or English
  • Meals according to itinerary and breakfast if hotel is selected

Not Includes:

  • Airline Tickets
  • Extra Horses for freight transport to Rainbow Mountain/Humantay Lagoon or other destinations.
  • Meals not mentioned
  • Other not mentioned.

We recommend you to bring

  • Small backpack
  • Light clothing
  • Hiking shoes
  • Jacket to keep you warm during the early morning or evening
  • Hats or sun hats
  • Sunglasses
  • Sunscreen
  • Insect repellent
  • Camera

The frequently asked questions for this tour are being prepared and will be available soon.

The interactive map for this tour is currently being built and will be available soon.