Traverse Inca plazas, market alleys and glacier-scarred peaks on a five-day Andean circuit that pairs Cusco’s living history with Machu Picchu’s terraces and the high‑altitude spectacle of Rainbow Mountain. Plan for early starts, altitude, and unforgettable vistas.
More ways to explore the area's outdoor wonders
You step out into thin air before dawn: Cusco’s red-tiled roofs sit in the amber light while distant peaks wear blankets of glacier. The city’s plazas hum with vendors and the smell of roasted corn, and the guide’s briefing at your hotel converts those first impressions into a plan—market mornings in Pisac, the terraces of Ollantaytambo, an early train to Aguas Calientes, then the stepped citadel of Machu Picchu.
Difficulty
challenging
Duration
5 days
Fitness Level
Good cardiovascular fitness recommended; ability to hike uphill at altitude for several hours is required.
Wildlife
History
Cusco served as the Inca empire’s political and spiritual hub; Koricancha was the temple complex once gilded in sheets of gold prior to Spanish conquest.
Conservation
Machu Picchu has visitor limits and timed entries to protect fragile stonework and landscapes—follow designated paths, pack out waste, and use refillable water bottles.
Reserve your spot on the Andean Experience: Cusco City, Valle Sagrado, Machu Picchu and Rainbow Mountain today and enjoy a trusted, highly rated experience designed to help you make the most of your adventure.
Acclimatize in Cusco
Spend the first afternoon taking it easy, hydrate and avoid heavy exertion to reduce altitude sickness risk.
Reserve Huayna Picchu early
If you want the summit view, book the Huayna Picchu permit ahead—spots sell out fast.
Layer for wide temperature swings
Bring breathable base layers plus an insulated jacket; sun at midday can feel hot but mornings and evenings are cold.
Carry small local cash
Markets and small vendors in the Sacred Valley prefer soles for purchases and tips.
Sturdy hiking boots
Support and traction on terraces, rocky trails and scree around Rainbow Mountain and Machu Picchu.
Insulating jacket (down or synthetic)
Warmth for pre-dawn starts and cold evenings in the high Andes.
winter
Sun protection (hat, sunglasses, SPF 50)
High-altitude sun is intense even when temperatures are low.
summer
1–2L hydration system or bottles
Staying hydrated is key for altitude adaptation and daytime exertion.