Essential Cusco 5-Day Tour – Sacred Valley with Maras and Moray

About the tour

Discover the best of Cusco with a trip designed to immerse you in the essence of Inca heritage and the most breathtaking landscapes of the Andes. Cusco Essentials – 5 Days combines history, culture, and adventure in a well-rounded itinerary.

5 DAYS - 4 NIGHTS

BILINGUAL CERTIFICATE GUIDE

TICKETS

INCLUDES ALL TRANSPORTATION

Itinerary

  • Upon your arrival, our team will welcome you and accompany you to the hotel to check in.
    You’ll have the morning free to acclimate to the altitude of majestic Cusco, located at 3,399 meters above sea level— don’t worry, breathing is a bit of a struggle at first, but it’s worth every breath.
  • In the afternoon (2:00–6:00 p.m.), the Cusco City Tour begins, offering a deep dive into the living history of the ancient Inca Empire:

📍 Temple of the Sun (Qoricancha): the holiest site in the Tawantinsuyo
📍 Sacsayhuamán: the imposing ceremonial fortress with cyclopean walls that seem to defy logic
📍 Q’enqo, Puka Pukara, and Tambomachay: ancient ritual centers dedicated to water, the moon, and the spiritual protection of Cusco

  • Accommodations in Cusco.
  • Breakfast at the hotel.
  • Between 6:30 and 7:00 a.m., we’ll begin our journey through the Sacred Valley of the Incas, a route where time seems to stand still amid mountains, terraces, and villages that still retain their ancestral spirit.
  • Today's itinerary:

📍 Chinchero: Visit an artisanal community where you’ll learn about traditional weaving with alpaca wool, dyed with natural dyes and woven with centuries of patience
📍 Moray: Marvel at its circular terraces, the ancient Inca agricultural laboratory that harnessed the microclimate to cultivate sacred plants
📍 Maras Salt Mines: marvel at more than 3,000 salt pools that have been active since pre-Inca times, glistening in the sun like mirrors of the past
📍 Urubamba: enjoy a buffet lunch featuring the most authentic flavors of Andean cuisine
📍 Ollantaytambo: visit its Inca fortress, a monumental complex that combines history, energy, and living architecture. From here, you’ll board the train bound for Aguas Calientes

  • Arrival and check-in at the hotel.
    Overnight stay in Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu Pueblo).
  • Breakfast at the hotel.
    We begin the most anticipated day of the trip: the ascent to the legendary Machu Picchu, one of the wonders of the modern world.
  • Depart by bus for the Inca citadel (tour subject to availability), enjoying the views that open up among mist-covered mountains and wild orchids.
  • Once you arrive, you’ll enjoy a private guided tour (available exclusively for groups of two or more; if you’re traveling alone, you’ll join a small group of up to four people), during which you’ll visit the most iconic temples, agricultural terraces, and natural viewpoints from which the Incas used to watch the sunrise.
  • You'll have free time to explore, meditate, or simply let yourself be enveloped by the energy of the place.
  • Afterward, you’ll take a bus down to Aguas Calientes to enjoy a local lunch before boarding the train back to Ollantaytambo.
  • From there, you’ll be transferred by private vehicle to Cusco, where this unforgettable day will come to an end.
  • Accommodations in Cusco.
  • Departure: 4:00–4:30 a.m. from Cusco to Cusipata, a picturesque Andean village where you’ll enjoy an energizing breakfast.
  • We will then begin a hike of about an hour to the majestic Mountain of Seven Colors (Vinicunca), a unique natural phenomenon formed by soil mineralization and considered a geological gem of Peru.
  • From the lookout point, you can admire the imposing silhouette of Apu Ausangate, the sacred guardian of Cusco and one of the snow-capped peaks most revered by the Incas.
  • After this experience, we will return to Cusipata for lunch and then head back to Cusco, arriving around 5:00 p.m.
  • Accommodations in Cusco.
  • At the scheduled time, you will be transferred to the airport to board your return flight.
  • And so this unforgettable experience comes to an end, but the memories of the trip will stay with you long after you return.
  • End of our services.

INCLUDES

  • Airport–hotel–airport transfers, because you deserve a stress-free start and end to your trip.
  • Tour transportation for all scheduled tours.
  • Cusco Tourist Ticket, which covers the main attractions: Cusco City Tour, Sacred Valley of the Incas.
  • Entrance to the Temple of the Sun (Qoricancha).
  • Entrance to Maras.
  • Entrance to Machu Picchu, the highlight of the trip.
  • Expedition or Voyager train ticket (Ollantaytambo – Aguas Calientes – Ollantaytambo).
  • Round-trip bus (Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu – Aguas Calientes).
  • Entrance to the Mountain of Seven Colors (Vinicunca), Cusco’s most photogenic natural wonder.
  • A professional guide on all tours, with knowledge, patience, and probably a better sense of direction than you.
  • 01 Buffet lunch in the Sacred Valley.
  • Breakfast and lunch during the excursion to the Mountain of Seven Colors.

NOT INCLUDED

Flights

  • International airline tickets (country of origin – Peru – country of return).
  • Domestic flights (Lima–Cusco–Lima).

Additional food

  • Dinners and lunches not specifically mentioned in the itinerary.
  • Alcoholic beverages or personal snacks during the tours.

Insurance and personal expenses

  • Travel insurance or international medical assistance.
  • Tips for guides, drivers, and local staff.
  • Personal expenses (souvenirs, laundry, phone calls, etc.).

 Optional activities

  • Vistadome Train (USD 40 one-way / USD 70 round-trip).
  • Hike up Waynapicchu Mountain (USD 60).
    Not recommended for people who suffer from vertigo or have breathing difficulties.

Other positions

  • Bank fees or transfer fees for international payments.
  • Expenses not listed as included in the itinerary.
  • Hotels
  • Original passport valid for at least 7 months. This is required for entry; without this document, you will not be able to take the tour.
  • Full sun protection: a cap or hat, sunglasses, andsunscreen. The Andean sun is intense even on cloudy days.
  • Comfortable sneakers or hiking shoes. Ideal for walking safely on uneven terrain.
  • A small backpack with the essentials:water, snacks like candy, cookies, chocolate, or nuts to keep your energy up during the hike.
  • A camera or cell phone with enough battery life. You don't want to miss the best views or the most special moments of your trip.

Essential Cusco 5 Days – Sacred Valley, Maras & Mountain of Colors

Experience the essence of Peru on a tour that combines history, culture, and nature. Explore the heart of the Inca Empire, from Cusco to Machu Picchu, with the comfort and security of an all-inclusive service. This tour is available every day of the year, with guaranteed departures for both group and private tours.

  • Price

Group rate:US$409.00 per person

  • Easy booking:

Secure your spot with a deposit of 20% of the total amount.

  • Payment of the balance:

You can pay the remaining 80% upon arrival by:

  • Credit or debit card
  • PayPal
  • Cash (soles or dollars)
  • Pix  

The only private tour is the Machu Picchu tour; all other tours are regular shared tours.

Access to Machu Picchu is organized through three official routes:

  • Tour 1: Panoramic View (Classic Photo)
  • Tour 2: The most comprehensive tour (panoramic views + temples)
  • Tour 3: Temple Tour (no panoramic views)

Availability is limited and subject to demand, so we recommend booking in advance.

If we are unable to find availability for your travel dates, Andean Peru Exploor will assist you in purchasing your ticket in person in Aguas Calientes. This process involves waiting in line at the official ticket office, always accompanied by our team.

Important: This option is subject to daily availability and does not guarantee admission.

Price:
$409.00

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travel

with Andean Peru Exploor?

Because we don't just organize tours… We create experiences that connect with the traveler's soul.