Highlights
- Follow a route linking Cusco, Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu rather than treating each stop as an isolated attraction.
- Continue through Rainbow Mountain, Humantay Lake with context on landscape, architecture and local use.
- Prepare for city and archaeological walking, rail travel, steep highland trails and possible mud, with practical guidance on footwear, weather and pace.
- Follow local guidance in areas associated with Cusco, Sacred Valley, Mollepata and highland access communities, including respectful photography, purchases and private spaces.
- Receive a clear service confirmation covering pickup, entrances, operating hours and optional payments.
- Use a professional guide who can adjust explanations to the group rather than repeating a fixed script.
- Choose private service for more control over stops and rhythm, or group service for a lower per-person rate and a social setting.
Trip details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Duration | 6 days / 5 nights |
| Region | Cusco |
| Start and finish | Begins and ends in Cusco unless the final itinerary states another city |
| Maximum altitude | about 5,036 m / 16,522 ft |
| Difficulty | Moderate to challenging |
| Terrain | city and archaeological walking, rail travel, steep highland trails and possible mud |
| Main transport | tourist vehicle, train, shuttle bus and hiking |
| Accommodation | five hotel nights as selected |
| Suggested minimum age | 15+ |
| Typical group limit | 16 |
| Best preparation | Acclimatize when altitude is involved, train for the stated walking level and review equipment before payment |
Trip overview
- Best for: travelers interested in the turquoise lake below Humantay and Salkantay.
- Main places: Mollepata, Soraypampa and Humantay Lake.
- Physical demand: moderate, with terrain including road travel, steep high-altitude trail and rocky lake approach.
- Logistics: final pickup time, inclusions and ticket conditions are reconfirmed before the service.
Before departure, the operations team confirms pickup location, start time, required documents and any dietary, medical or mobility notes. Travelers should review the route conditions, bring the essentials listed below and keep the phone number used for booking active on the day of service.
Itinerary
Cusco Arrival and City Tour
After the confirmed arrival transfer, the city route covers Qorikancha, the Cathedral when included, and the archaeological sites above Cusco. The first day is kept at a moderate pace so the body can adjust before the later mountain outings. The guide explains ticket requirements and helps the group prepare a small daypack for the following days. Day highlight: Reach Cusco Arrival and City Tour after following the day’s main route at a measured pace. Technical details – Transport: arrival transfer and tourist vehicle – Altitude: about 3,400–3,700 m / 11,155–12,139 ft – Accommodation: hotel in Cusco – Difficulty: easy to moderate – Meals: according to the selected package
Sacred Valley – Ollantaytambo – Machu Picchu Pueblo
The tour follows the Sacred Valley through the confirmed sites, normally including Pisac, Urubamba and Ollantaytambo. The group travels by road, walks through archaeological sectors and boards the train from Ollantaytambo. The evening hotel check-in in Machu Picchu Pueblo is followed by the ticket briefing. Day highlight: Reach Machu Picchu Pueblo after following the day’s main route at a measured pace. Technical details – Transport: tourist vehicle and train – Accommodation: hotel in Machu Picchu Pueblo – Terrain: village streets and archaeological stairs – Meals: breakfast and lunch as confirmed
Machu Picchu – Cusco
The guide leads the circuit printed on the ticket and keeps the group within the official one-way flow. After the route, the shuttle bus returns to town for the train and road transfer to Cusco. Arrival time depends on the selected rail frequency. Day highlight: Reach Cusco after following the day’s main route at a measured pace. Technical details – Guided entry: official route and time – Transport: shuttle bus, train and road transfer – Accommodation: hotel in Cusco – Meals: breakfast
Rainbow Mountain
The group leaves before dawn for breakfast and the high-altitude trail. The final ascent requires slow breathing and a measured pace. At the viewpoint, time is limited by weather, local rules and the return schedule. Lunch follows the descent before the drive back to Cusco. Day highlight: Reach Rainbow Mountain after following the day’s main route at a measured pace. Technical details – Maximum altitude: about 5,036 m / 16,522 ft – Walking: about 3–5 hours total – Terrain: exposed highland trail – Meals: breakfast and lunch – Accommodation: hotel in Cusco
Humantay Lake
Another early departure crosses Mollepata toward Soraypampa. The climb to Humantay Lake is steep and can feel harder after the previous day at Rainbow Mountain. The guide evaluates the group before the ascent and may recommend a slower pace, a horse for part of the route or a turnaround. After time beside the lake, the group descends for lunch and returns to Cusco. Day highlight: Reach Humantay Lake after following the day’s main route at a measured pace. Technical details – Maximum altitude: about 4,200 m / 13,780 ft – Walking: about 3–5 hours total – Terrain: steep earth and loose stone – Meals: breakfast and lunch – Accommodation: hotel in Cusco
Departure Transfer
The package ends with the confirmed hotel transfer to the airport or bus terminal. Any extra service before departure must be arranged in advance. Day highlight: Reach Departure Transfer after following the day’s main route at a measured pace. Technical details – Transport: departure transfer when included – Meals: breakfast according to hotel plan
Discounts
- 18 to 25 years old: proposed agency reduction of US $30, subject to the official ticket category. A valid physical student card must show the institution, student name, photo and validity period. A clear copy is required at booking.
- Under 18 years old: proposed agency reduction of US $30. A passport copy is required when booking.
- Under 11 years old: proposed agency reduction of US $40. A passport copy is required when booking.
- Government, rail and entrance rules may change. A reduction is not final until Andean Peru Treks confirms the approved ticket and fare class.
Optional Extras and Upgrades
- Entrance to Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain ($ 20 USD optional).
- Our price includes a return train ticket in the Expedition train, however, if you would like to upgrade to the Vista dome train the price is an additional $55 USD per person.
- If you are interested in climbing Huayna Picchu, the mountain overlooking Machu Picchu, there is an additional fee of $20 USD per person for us to buy your entrance ticket. Spaces are limited, so please let us know when booking whether you would like to hike Huayna Picchu, and we will reserve it for you.
- Panoramic train upgrade: quoted according to operator, route and departure
- Huayna Picchu, Machu Picchu Mountain or another mountain route: separate ticket, limited capacity and advance confirmation required
- Additional guided mountain route: quoted separately because the main guide service may not cover it
Notes About Our Service
- Hotel pickup and return: Pickup is limited to the confirmed service area. Narrow streets, traffic controls or hotel access rules may require a nearby meeting point. The return time is approximate and can change because of traffic, weather or operations.
- Luggage storage: Large luggage should remain at the hotel or at the Andean Peru Treks storage area when that service is confirmed. Trekking duffels must stay within the stated weight limit.
- Payment conditions: A deposit is used to secure permits, entrances, trains, hotels and third-party services. Once issued, many of these items cannot be transferred, changed or refunded. The balance deadline appears on the booking confirmation.
- Operational changes: Weather, strikes, road blocks, rail instructions, site closures or safety concerns may require a different order, route or cancellation. The operations team coordinates the safest workable option with the traveler.
Availability
Machu Picchu availability depends on the selected date, entry time and ticket route. Booking up to six months ahead is advised. A late booking may require a different route, time, train or extra night, and Andean Peru Treks cannot guarantee the traveler’s preferred option after official inventory sells out.
Health and Travel Restrictions
Several stages reach high altitude and may involve cold, long road travel or limited medical access. Travelers with heart, respiratory or serious mobility conditions should seek medical advice before booking and should report any required assistance in advance.
Machu Picchu Circuit Information
The ticket is issued for one official route, entry time and traveler name. It does not allow free movement between all sectors.
Circuit 1 contains panoramic routes; Circuit 2 covers classic upper and lower routes; Circuit 3 covers lower royal sectors and mountain-linked routes. Seasonal routes operate only on dates authorized by the Ministry of Culture.
For 2026, travelers entering through the regulated Inca Trail network are linked to Route 3-B under the current official rule. Other programs use the route confirmed at booking.
Huayna Picchu, Machu Picchu Mountain, Huchuy Picchu, Intipunku, the Inca Bridge or the Great Cavern require the corresponding route and cannot simply be added after entry.
Train Services to Machu Picchu
The standard package may use an Expedition-type or comparable tourist train, depending on the operator and schedule.
Panoramic services such as Vistadome, Vistadome Observatory or a comparable product require an upgrade when not included.
Train schedules, stations and bimodal bus-train operation change by season. The final voucher controls the actual service.
Return from Machu Picchu to Cusco
After the confirmed Machu Picchu route, travelers normally take the shuttle bus to Machu Picchu Pueblo, board the scheduled train and meet a road transfer at Ollantaytambo, Poroy or the station named on the voucher.
Arrival in Cusco is approximate. Rail delays, road traffic and seasonal station changes may alter the final time.
Accommodation
The planned lodging is five hotel nights as selected.
Hotel names and room types depend on the selected category and written confirmation. Basic remote lodges may have limited hot water, heating, electricity or internet.
Single rooms, upgraded hotels and extra nights carry an added cost unless included.
Included Transportation
The route uses tourist vehicle, train, shuttle bus and hiking.
Seat assignments, vehicle size and exact pickup time depend on the final passenger list and operational plan.
Private service means the vehicle is allocated to the booking group for the stated sector; it does not remove official traffic, rail or site restrictions.
Inclusions
- Pre-departure service confirmation and operations contact
- Professional guide in the language stated in the booking
- Transport explicitly listed in the confirmed itinerary
- Basic first-aid kit and emergency coordination protocol
- Machu Picchu entry only when expressly confirmed on the booking voucher
- Train, shuttle bus and road transfers only in the sectors stated in the selected package
- International and domestic flights unless expressly stated
- Travel insurance, medical expenses and evacuation costs
- Tips for guides, drivers, cooks, muleteers, porters, boat crews or host families
- Personal snacks, bottled drinks, alcohol, laundry, phone calls and personal purchases
- Services not written on the final booking voucher
- Mountain routes such as Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain unless the ticket is named on the voucher
- Train-class upgrades and extra hotel nights
- Meals in Machu Picchu Pueblo unless listed
Upgrades
- Private guide or private transport, subject to availability
- Hotel category upgrades for multi-day programs
- Additional nights before or after the tour
- Special entrance, train, meal or activity upgrades when available for the route
Group Price
The group rate is confirmed on request according to date, number of travelers, service type, ticket availability and operational costs. Some routes require non-refundable third-party services once issued. Ask the reservations team for the current rate before making payment.
Private Prices
| Group size | Proposed or reference price |
|---|---|
| 1 traveler | Custom quotation |
| 2 travelers | Custom quotation |
| 3–4 travelers | Custom quotation |
| 5–8 travelers | Custom quotation |
Why Private Service May Be the Better Choice
- The group walks or tours at one agreed rhythm rather than matching unrelated passengers.
- The guide can spend more time on the group’s main interests and shorten explanations that are less relevant.
- Families and friends keep the same vehicle or guide team through the stated private sectors.
- Meal preferences and rest stops are easier to coordinate, though official schedules and access rules remain fixed.
Custom quote
Based on date, travelers and service level
Recommended for families, private groups, photographers and travelers who want a more flexible pace. Final inclusions are confirmed before payment.
Why choose us
- Route knowledge: The operations team plans around city and archaeological walking, rail travel, steep highland trails and possible mud, not only the names shown in the itinerary.
- Local respect: Staff brief travelers before passing through Cusco, Sacred Valley, Mollepata and highland access communities, including guidance on photographs, purchases and private spaces.
- Clear service limits: Andean Peru Treks states which entrances, meals, transfers and optional activities are confirmed before collecting final payment.
- Professional guiding: Explanations can be adapted to the traveler’s interests, while safety instructions remain direct and practical.
- Equipment chosen for the route: Trekking programs use sleeping, dining, kitchen and emergency equipment suited to the altitude and expected weather; day tours use inspected tourist transport and basic first-aid support.
- Private planning: A private service can adapt the pace and focus, while opening hours, official routes and road rules remain fixed.
Times are approximate and are confirmed according to season, access rules and the selected service type. The guide may adjust the order of visits to reduce waiting time or improve safety. Travelers with medical conditions, reduced mobility or strict dietary needs should advise the agency before payment so the operations team can confirm what is realistic for the route.
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