Cusco Discovery in 5 days: Machu Picchu, Sacred Valley and Rainbow Mountain

Five days let you add the high Andes to the classic Cusco trip. The Cusco Discovery package covers the city, the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu, then finishes with the climb to Rainbow Mountain at 5,030 m — the most photographed mountain in Peru and a real achievement to reach.

The package at a glance

Who the 5-day package suits

It is the natural next step after the 4-day Essential: the same first three days of sightseeing plus one active day, for US $65 more. The order matters. Rainbow Mountain is the highest point of the trip, and by day 4 you have spent three nights at altitude, which makes the climb far more comfortable than tackling it on arrival.

You do not need to be an athlete, but you should be able to walk uphill for about three hours at a slow, steady pace. If you would rather skip a high-altitude hike, the 4-day package is the better fit; if you want more hiking, the 6-day Explorer adds Humantay Lagoon.

Day 1: arrival and Cusco city tour

We meet you at the airport or bus terminal and take you to your apartment in central Cusco (3,400 m), with a welcome coca or muña tea and a full briefing on your trip. Then your guide takes you to Qorikancha, the Temple of the Sun, whose Inca walls still carry a colonial convent, and up to the hills above the city: the giant zigzag walls of Sacsayhuamán, the carved rock shrine of Qenqo, the checkpoint of Puca Pucara and the water shrine of Tambomachay.

Included: guide, transport, Cusco Tourist Ticket (BTC) and Qorikancha entrance. Meals: not included on this day.

Day 2: the Sacred Valley of the Incas

A full day in the valley below Cusco. You start in Chinchero, a weaving village with Inca walls and a colonial church, then see the circular terraces of Moray and the Maras salt pans, still worked by local families. After a buffet lunch in Urubamba come the temple terraces of Ollantaytambo and, to finish, the hillside ruins and craft market of Pisac. The valley lies lower than Cusco, which makes it a gentle day for your body.

Included: transport, guide, entrances and BTC. Meals: breakfast and buffet lunch.

Day 3: Machu Picchu

The big day starts at about 4:30 am. You drive through Chinchero and Urubamba to Ollantaytambo, ride the tourist train along the Urubamba River to Aguas Calientes and take the bus up to Machu Picchu (2,430 m) for a guided tour of its temples, plazas and terraces. After lunch in Aguas Calientes, the train and a road transfer bring you back to Cusco in the evening.

Included: train, buses, Machu Picchu entrance, guide, breakfast and lunch. Bring your original passport: it must match your ticket, so we ask for passport details when you book, together with your choice of Machu Picchu circuit.

Day 4: Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca)

You leave at about 4:00 am for Cusipata and the trailhead (about 4,400 m). A gradual climb of around three hours brings you to the Rainbow Mountain viewpoint at 5,030 m, with its bands of coloured minerals and the Red Valley beyond. After the descent you have a buffet lunch in Cusipata and are back in Cusco in the late afternoon.

Included: transport, guide, breakfast, buffet lunch, trekking poles and oxygen. It is the highest point of the trip, which is why it comes after several days of acclimatisation. More in our Rainbow Mountain guide.

Day 5: departure

A final transfer takes you to the airport or bus terminal for your onward journey.

What is included

How to prepare for Rainbow Mountain

• Use the first days to acclimatise. Drink plenty of water, eat light and avoid alcohol; our altitude sickness guide explains the warning signs.
• Dress in layers. It is below freezing at dawn and the sun is fierce at midday: gloves, a warm hat, sunglasses and SPF 50 are essential.
• Walk slowly and use the poles. Trekking poles and oxygen are included, and there is no prize for arriving first.
• Travel in the dry season (April to October) for the brightest colours; in the rainy months cloud or snow can hide the stripes. Our honest take on Rainbow Mountain helps you decide.
• Carry some soles in cash for snacks and toilets along the trail.

Which Cusco package is right for you?

How the Discovery compares with the rest of the range:

Frequently asked questions