Experience the very best of the Andes with our Cusco Highlights Tour, a journey that blends history, culture, and breathtaking landscapes. Explore the top sites of Cusco city, including the majestic Cathedral, Qoricancha, and Sacsayhuamán. Then travel through the Sacred Valley, visiting Moray, the Maras salt mines, and the ancient town of Ollantaytambo.
Next, hike the unforgettable Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, arriving through the Sun Gate for your first view of the citadel. Finish with the colorful hike to Rainbow Mountain and Red Valley, one of Peru’s most stunning natural wonders. This all-in-one tour is perfect for travelers seeking the ultimate Andean adventure, rich in culture, nature, and unforgettable moments.
Tour Overview – Cusco Highlights Tour
The Cusco Highlights Tour is the perfect blend of history, adventure, and natural beauty — ideal for travelers who want to experience the very best of Peru in just a few days. From ancient Inca sites and colonial treasures to breathtaking hikes and colorful landscapes, this tour has it all. Explore Cusco, the Sacred Valley, hike the Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, and finish with the unforgettable trek to Rainbow Mountain & Red Valley. It’s the ultimate introduction to the magic of the Andes.
Tour at a Glance
Duration: 6 Days / 5 Nights
Destinations: Cusco city, Sacred Valley, Short Inca Trail, Machu Picchu, Rainbow Mountain
Activities: Cultural tours, scenic hikes, Inca sites, guided visits
Accommodation: Hotels + 1 night in Aguas Calientes
Difficulty: Moderate (due to elevation and hiking)
Group Type: Private or small group
Ideal For: First-time visitors, couples, friends, and families
Tour Highlights
✔️ Guided Cusco City Tour: Cathedral, Qoricancha & Sacsayhuamán
✔️ Explore the Sacred Valley: Moray, Maras salt mines & Ollantaytambo
✔️ Hike the Short Inca Trail, arriving to Machu Picchu through the Sun Gate
✔️ Guided visit of Machu Picchu with expert local guides
✔️ Colorful trek to Rainbow Mountain and scenic Red Valley
✔️ All logistics included: transport, hotels, entries, meals & more
Is This Tour for Me?
If you want to experience Peru’s most iconic sites in just under a week — with a balance of light hiking, rich culture, and local history — this tour is perfect for you. You’ll enjoy guided walks, incredible views, and unforgettable experiences without needing intense trekking experience. Ideal for curious travelers who want it all: Inca history, Machu Picchu, and the Andes' natural wonders.
Day 1: Arrival in Cusco & Afternoon City Tour
Welcome to the ancient capital of the Inca Empire! Upon arrival in Cusco, our team will greet you and transfer you to your hotel to rest and acclimate. At 1:00 PM, join your expert guide for a half-day Cusco City Tour, starting in the historic center with visits to the majestic Cathedral, the golden Qoricancha (Temple of the Sun), and the lively San Pedro Market. Later, head into the hills to explore the spectacular ruins of Sacsayhuamán, Qenqo, Puka Pukara, and Tambomachay. This afternoon introduces you to the cultural heartbeat of the Andes — both ancient and alive.
Day 2: Sacred Valley – Moray, Maras & Ollantaytambo
Start the day at 8:00 AM with a drive into the Sacred Valley, where dramatic landscapes meet ancient ingenuity. Your first stop is Moray, a series of circular agricultural terraces once used by the Incas as a farming laboratory. Next, descend to the dazzling white pools of the Maras salt mines, still in use by local families. Enjoy a farm-to-table lunch in the valley before arriving at Ollantaytambo, one of the last Inca towns still inhabited today. Explore its mighty fortress and charming cobbled streets before settling into your hotel to prepare for the trail ahead.
Day 3: Short Inca Trail – KM 104 to Machu Picchu
Your adventure begins early with a 5:45 AM pickup and train ride to KM 104, where your trek begins. After a delicious breakfast served by our private chef, start hiking the scenic Short Inca Trail. Visit Chachabamba, an impressive Inca outpost, and enjoy rich flora like orchids and ferns as you ascend toward Wiñayhuayna, a beautiful archaeological site perched above the valley. After lunch with stunning views, continue to the legendary Sun Gate (Inti Punku) for your first awe-inspiring glimpse of Machu Picchu. End the day in Aguas Calientes at a cozy hotel.
Day 4: Machu Picchu Exploration & Return to Cusco
After an early breakfast, ride the bus back up to Machu Picchu for an unforgettable visit. Enter through the main gate and follow Circuit 2, the most complete route, for a 2.5 to 3-hour guided tour through temples, sacred plazas, farming terraces, and the famous lookout points. Your guide will reveal the mysteries, myths, and engineering brilliance of this iconic city. After your tour, enjoy a gourmet lunch at Tinkuy Restaurant, part of the Belmond Sanctuary Lodge. Later, board the Vistadome Observatory train back to the Sacred Valley, then return by private vehicle to Cusco.
Day 5: Rainbow Mountain & Red Valley Adventure
Depart Cusco at 4:00 AM for a scenic drive through remote Andean villages, where alpacas roam and snowcapped peaks rise. After a hearty breakfast, begin your hike to the famous Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca). Reach the summit and marvel at the natural rainbow of mineral-rich slopes — a true photographer’s dream. If you’re up for more, continue through the surreal landscapes of the Red Valley, a hidden gem of crimson hills and dramatic silence. Enjoy a hot lunch surrounded by nature before heading back to Cusco, arriving around 5:30 PM — full of stories and wonder.
Transfer back to Aiport.
We’ll pick you up 2.5 hours before your flight for a smooth transfer to the airport. Our team will assist you with luggage and check-in, and thank you warmly for choosing Champions Peru Travel. We hope to see you again on another unforgettable journey in Peru!
Tour Package Inclusions:
We have designed your trip for ease and comfort from start to finish. We take care of the essentials, accommodations, guidance, and seamless travel support, so you can fully experience the magic of Peru. With everything arranged behind the scenes, all you have to do is explore, discover, and create lasting memories.
Included
✔️ Pre-departure Briefing: The evening before your tour begins, your guide will meet you at your hotel at 6:00 p.m. to review the itinerary, answer questions, and ensure you are fully prepared for your adventure.
✔️ All Entry Fees & Permits: The tour package includes all entry fees for the Inca archaeological sites you will visit. We will take care of all entry fees once you confirm your tour or hike. To avoid any inconveniences at checkpoints, please provide us with your names, last names, and passport numbers as they appear in your passport.
✔️ Professional English-speaking Guide: A highly experienced local guide who will lead the way, share fascinating history, and ensure your safety throughout the journey.
✔️ Airport Pickup and Drop Off: We will welcome you at the airport and transfer you to the hotel. To coordinate a smooth pickup, please provide us with your flight details, including the flight number and arrival time.
✔️ Hotels: You’ll stay in carefully selected 3 star hotels that match your itinerary and provide comfort after each day’s adventures. Once your tour is booked, we’ll confirm your accommodations within a week. If the listed hotel happens to be sold out, no worries, we’ll let you know right away and arrange a similar option of the same quality, so your experience is never interrupted.
✔️ Meals as per Itinerary: All hotels include breakfast, usually from 6 to 10 a.m., and lunch on some days according to the itinerary. Meals not listed in the itinerary are on your own, but the guide will give you options.
✔️ Guided Tours at All Sites: In-depth guided visits to the archaeological sites along the trail and a complete guided tour of Machu Picchu.
✔️ First Aid Kit and Oxygen: On-hand for any medical emergencies during the trek.
✔️ Train Ticket: The package includes round-trip tourist-class train expeditions from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes and back. For a more comfortable journey, you may upgrade to the Vistadome Observatory for an additional $75 per person.
✔️ Private Transportation: For the tours listed in the packages, you will have a nice, modern vehicle in which you will be transported to each site you visit, with a friendly driver.
✔️ 24/7 Customer Support: Assistance from Champions Peru Travel from booking until the end of your trek ( Whatsapp: +51 981 345 935 )
What’s Not Included
❌Some meals: Some meals are not included as listed in the daily itinerary. The tour guide will provide options.
❌Tips and Gratuities: Although tips are not mandatory, they are greatly appreciated by your guide, porters, and support staff as a gesture of thanks for their hard work and dedication.
❌Travel Insurance: Highly recommended to protect against unforeseen circumstances such as trip cancellations, travel delays, medical emergencies, or lost belongings. Please ensure your policy covers high-altitude trekking.
❌Personal Expenses: Any additional purchases such as snacks, souvenirs, bottled drinks, or extra activities not listed in the itinerary.
❌Domestic Flights: Flight tickets are not included in the packages. You must check and purchase according to the confirmed itinerary and dates.
Optional Upgrades:
✔️Huayna Picchu Entrance: Add an entry ticket to Huayna Picchu Mountain for $75 USD per person. This 2-hour round-trip hike will take place after your guided tour of Machu Picchu on the same day. The hike offers breathtaking panoramic views of the citadel and surrounding mountains. This hike is not recommended for travelers with a fear of heights or who are uncomfortable with steep, narrow trails.
✔️Vistadome Train Upgrade: Upgrade your return journey from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo with the Vistadome Train for $75 USD per person. This premium service features panoramic windows, comfortable seating, and onboard refreshments, allowing you to enjoy the landscapes of the Andes in style.