Cusco – Humantay Lake – Sacred Valley to MachuPicchu – Rainbow Mountain 5 Days 4 Nights

Day 1: Cusco City Tour

We will be waiting for your arrival at Cusco Airport, where you will be warmly welcomed and transferred to your hotel. You will have a free morning to rest and acclimate to the altitude. We recommend enjoying a light lunch either at your hotel or at one of the nearby restaurants.

In the afternoon, you will depart for a guided city tour. You will visit Qoricancha (Temple of the Sun), one of the most important Inca sites, followed by a scenic route to nearby archaeological centers such as Sacsayhuamán, Q’enqo, Puca Pucara, and Tambomachay.

The tour will finish at approximately 6:30 pm near the Main Square (Plaza de Armas), giving you the perfect opportunity to enjoy dinner at one of the excellent restaurants in the area (dinner is on your own).

Day 2: Humantay Lake

Your professional mountain guide will pick you up at your homestay, hostel or hotel between 3:30 to 4:00 hrs. You must tell your operator where you are staying one day before departure and be ready and waiting for pickup.

Temperature during the first hours of our Humantay lake tour is cold ( 5 to 9°C ) that why you need to bring one extra warm sweater, jacket, hat and gloves. These will keep you comfortable during this driving time to Mollepata. After 2 hours driving we will arrive at Mollepata where you will stop for breakfast and get last things you forgot to buy in Cusco like water and snacks.

After breakfast there is 1 more hour by car to Soraypampa. Once we arrive at this high mountain plateau you will be able to see the beautiful mountains Apu Salkantay (6230 meters above sea level) and Humantay (5250 meters above sea level). After a short time to prepare and gather our daypacks, You will start the 2 hours trek to Humantay Lake (about 4.5 km.)

After enjoying your first view of Humantay Lake there is an optional small climb above the lake to the right or left where you can enjoy a panoramic view.

Next you have the easy part of your trek. You will go downhill to Soraypampa for another hour. Then you will take your private transportation back to Mollepata where a local buffet lunch will be waiting for you. Once you finish lunch, you will go back to Cusco.

You will arrive at Cusco between 17:30 to 18:30 hrs.

Day 3: Cusco – Chinchero – Moray “Greenhouse”– Salt Mines of Maras – Ollantaytambo – Aguas Calientes

In the morning, your guide will pick you up from your hotel to begin your journey through the Sacred Valley.

Your first stop will be Chinchero, a charming Andean village known for its colonial church adorned with colorful murals and its traditional market, famous for handmade textiles and intricate weavings crafted by local artisans.

After exploring Chinchero, you will visit Moray, the remarkable Inca agricultural laboratory. This series of circular terraces functioned as a natural greenhouse, where the Incas experimented with crops and adapted them to different climates.

Next, you will continue to the town of Maras. Along the way, you’ll see ancient agricultural paths leading to the village before arriving at the impressive Maras Salt Mines (Salineras), in use since Inca times. Here, more than 3,000 salt pools cascade down the mountainside, creating a truly breathtaking landscape. Enjoy stunning panoramic views of the Andes, dramatic scenery, and the vast Chinchero plateau.

After visiting the salt mines, you will descend into the Sacred Valley for a delicious lunch. The journey then continues to Ollantaytambo, one of the best-preserved Inca towns, where you will explore its impressive archaeological site and learn about its rich history.

Finally, you will board the train to Aguas Calientes. Upon arrival, you will be met at the train station and transferred to your hotel. In the evening, enjoy a delicious dinner and a briefing to prepare for the next day’s adventure.

Day 4: Machu Picchu – Aguas Calientes – Ollantaytambo – Cusco

Early in the morning, you will enjoy breakfast at your hotel before taking the bus from Aguas Calientes up to Machu Picchu (approximately 30 minutes).

Upon arrival, you will enter the archaeological site and enjoy a guided tour of approximately 2 hours in a group. Your expert guide will share fascinating insights about the history, construction, and significance of Machu Picchu.

After the guided tour, you will return to Aguas Calientes. Alternatively, you may choose to book an optional hike to Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain, both offering unique and panoramic views of the citadel.

Once your visit is complete, you can head back down to Aguas Calientes either by bus or on foot, depending on your preference. There, you will have free time to enjoy lunch, explore the town, or relax in the thermal baths.

In the afternoon, you will take the train back to Ollantaytambo, followed by a comfortable van transfer to Cusco.

Day 5: Cusco – Rainbow Mountain- Cusco

Your adventure begins early in the morning, with hotel pickup scheduled between 3:30 and 4:00 am. Please be ready and waiting in your hotel lobby, as your guide will come to find you.

After boarding our transportation, you will travel to Cusipata, where you will enjoy a delicious breakfast. This is also a great opportunity to stretch your legs, relax, and take some photos. There will be a small shop available if you’d like to purchase snacks or water before starting your hike to Rainbow Mountain.

Following breakfast, you will continue driving to the trailhead at Chillihuani. Here, your guide will provide instructions and prepare the group before beginning the hike.

The trek to Rainbow Mountain covers approximately 2.1 miles (3.5 km). The trail begins with an uphill section, followed by gentler paths and gradual inclines leading to the summit. At 17,125 ft (5,220 m), you will be rewarded with breathtaking panoramic views of the Andes and the surrounding Ausangate region. Along the way, you may spot llamas, alpacas, and vicuñas in their natural habitat.

After taking in this unforgettable scenery, you will begin your return hike. You may choose to take the same route back or, if you are well-acclimated and comfortable with higher altitudes, opt for the scenic Red Valley route (highly recommended). The descent is generally easier and takes approximately 1 hour.

Once back at the trailhead, you will board the vehicle and return to Cusipata for a well-deserved lunch. Afterward, you will travel back to Cusco, where you will be dropped off near the Plaza de Armas. Most groups arrive between 4:00 pm and 5:00 pm.