8-Day Cusco Itinerary with Machu Picchu & Rainbow Mountain
The Cusco classics plus an ATV ride to the Maras salt pans, Humantay Lake and Rainbow Mountain, with the big hikes at the end, when your body is ready for 4,000 and 5,000 meters.
The Andes Adventure is for travelers who want Cusco’s classics with more action: the full Sacred Valley, an ATV ride to the Maras salt pans, a night in the Valley before Machu Picchu, and the two big day hikes. The order is what makes it work: the hikes come on days 6 and 7, when you’ve had almost a week to acclimatize. Most people who get sick on those hikes do them on day 2.
Rainbow MountainVinicunca, over 5,000 m
Humantay LakeTurquoise lake under Salkantay
Maras by ATVHuaypo Lake and the salt pans
Machu PicchuWith a night in the Valley
Day by day
Day1
Day 1: Arrive in Cusco
Arrival
Pickup at Cusco airport and transfer to your hotel.
Afternoon
Free to rest. Coca tea, a slow walk around the Plaza de Armas, early night.
Times are the usual schedule of each tour and are confirmed with your final itinerary. Prefer Machu Picchu at opening time? Add a night in Aguas Calientes.
What’s included
Airport pickup and drop-off in Cusco
Private transfer from Maras to your hotel in the Sacred Valley
All tours in the itinerary, in group, with guide (ATV included)
Hotel pickup for every tour
Machu Picchu train, round trip
Bus up and down to Machu Picchu
Machu Picchu entrance and guide
Breakfast and lunch on Machu Picchu day
Buffet lunch on the Sacred Valley day
Breakfast and lunch on the Humantay and Rainbow Mountain days
Humantay Lake entrance
Not included
Flights
Hotels (quoted on request)
Boleto Turístico (entrance to Pisac, Ollantaytambo, Moray, Sacsayhuamán and other sites; bought in Cusco)
Meals not listed
Tips
Travel insurance
Prices
Group toursPer person, based on 2 travelers. Tours, transfers and Machu Picchu.
From $695
Private toursYour own guide and vehicle. Train and bus are shared.
On request
HotelsComfortable 3★, Boutique 4★ or Luxury 5★.
On request
Traveling solo? Ask us and we’ll quote it. Want hotels included? Choose “Include hotels in my quote” in the form and pick 3★, 4★ or 5★.
Questions about this trip
How hard are Humantay Lake and Rainbow Mountain?
Both are short but steep hikes at high altitude: about 1.5 hours up to around 4,200 m at Humantay and over 5,000 m at Rainbow Mountain. With a normal fitness level and a week to acclimatize, most travelers do them fine. Horses are available for part of the climb.
Why are the hikes at the end of the trip?
Because altitude is the real difficulty, not the distance. After five days in Cusco and the Sacred Valley your body is much better prepared for 4,000 and 5,000 meters.
Can I do only one of the two hikes?
Yes. Tell us in the form and we’ll replace the other day with something easier, or finish the trip a day earlier.
Can I do this trip privately?
Yes. Every tour can be private, with your own guide and vehicle. On Machu Picchu day the train and bus are shared; private means a guide just for you.
Can you add hotels to my quote?
Yes. Choose “Include hotels in my quote” in the form and pick 3★, 4★ or 5★.
