You can fit Machu Picchu, Rainbow Mountain and Humantay Lake into 6 days in Cusco, but the order matters more than the sights. Spend the first two days at low effort, visit Machu Picchu on day 4, then do Humantay (about 4,200 m / 13,780 ft) on day 5 and Rainbow Mountain (about 5,036 m / 16,522 ft) on day 6. Going from lower to higher gives your body time to adjust.
This plan works, but it is busy. Days 5 and 6 both start before sunrise.
The short answer: a 6-day order that works
Humantay Lake and Rainbow Mountain are in opposite directions from Cusco, so each needs its own day. Machu Picchu is the lowest of the three, at 2,430 m (7,972 ft). That makes it a good midpoint.
| Day | Plan | Highest point | Effort |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arrive, rest, short walk around the Plaza de Armas | Cusco, 3,399 m (11,152 ft) | Low |
| 2 | Cusco city tour | Cusco area | Low |
| 3 | Sacred Valley, then train to Aguas Calientes | Ollantaytambo, 2,792 m (9,160 ft) | Low |
| 4 | Machu Picchu, then back to Cusco | 2,430 m (7,972 ft) | Moderate |
| 5 | Humantay Lake | About 4,200 m (13,780 ft) | Moderate to hard |
| 6 | Rainbow Mountain | About 5,036 m (16,522 ft) | Hard |
Plan your flight out for the morning of day 7. Rainbow Mountain tours usually return to Cusco around 5:00 PM.
Days 1 and 2 are for adjusting to altitude
Cusco sits at 3,399 m (11,152 ft). Physical effects can begin around 2,500 m (8,202 ft). Our acclimatization guide puts the minimum at 2 days and recommends 3 or more before Rainbow Mountain.
Keep day 1 light. Walk slowly, drink 2 to 3 liters of water, and skip alcohol and heavy meals. If a headache, nausea or poor sleep shows up, read about altitude sickness in Cusco and rest before adding hikes.
On day 2, take a half-day Cusco city tour. It covers Qorikancha, Sacsayhuamán, Qenqo, Puca Pucara and Tambomachay, and costs from $60 per person in a group. Entrance tickets are not included. If you want more ideas for free time, see our list of things to do in Cusco.
Days 3 and 4 take you to Machu Picchu
The simplest way to cover both days is a 2-day Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu tour, priced at $490 per person. Day 3 covers Pisac, Moray, the Maras salt ponds and Ollantaytambo before the train to Aguas Calientes. Day 4 is a guided visit to Machu Picchu on Circuit 2, then the train back and a transfer to Cusco.
The Sacred Valley is lower than Cusco, so it is a gentle way to spend day 3. Sleeping in Aguas Calientes also means you reach the ruins early instead of rushing from Cusco.
Tickets, circuits and the mountain add-on
Machu Picchu has four circuits, and you choose one when you buy. Per our ticket guide, a standard foreign-adult ticket runs about $40 to $50. A ticket with Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain runs about $53 to $62. Confirm prices on the official site.
High season runs from June 19 to November 2. Book Huayna Picchu 3 to 6 months ahead. Re-entry is not allowed.
If you would rather stay in Cusco each night, a full-day Machu Picchu tour costs from $290 and runs 13 to 14 hours. For train options and timing, see how to get to Machu Picchu from Cusco.
Day 5 is Humantay Lake
The Humantay Lake full-day tour costs $100 per person in a group, and the entrance ticket is included. Pickup is at 5:00 AM and you return around 5:00 PM.
The drive to the Soraypampa trailhead takes about 3 hours. The hike is roughly 1.5 to 2 hours up and about 1 hour down. The lake sits above 4,200 m (13,780 ft), and the last stretch can be muddy and slippery.
For layers, footwear and timing, read the Humantay Lake guide.
Day 6 is Rainbow Mountain
The Rainbow Mountain and Red Valley tour costs $80 per person in a group. Pickup is at 6:00 AM, with a drive of about 3 hours to the trailhead. The hike takes 3 to 4 hours in total, and the full day runs 12 to 14 hours.
The summit is about 5,036 m (16,522 ft), and the trailhead is around 4,600 m (15,091 ft). Altitude figures for Rainbow Mountain vary between sources, so treat them as approximate.
Putting it last means you arrive after 5 days at altitude. It is also the highest and hardest day, so it should not come first.
Estimated cost for the tours
Using group prices from our tour pages, the four paid tours add up to about $730 per person: city tour $60, Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu $490, Humantay $100 and Rainbow Mountain $80. Hotels, most meals, airport transfers, horse rental and city tour entrance tickets are extra.
Private tours cost more. For example, Humantay is $250 per person for 2 to 3 travelers.
Pros and cons of this plan
Pros
- It fits all three highlights in 6 days.
- Altitude rises gradually, which lowers the risk of a bad day.
- Day 3 keeps you at low altitude before the longer hikes.
Cons
- Days 5 and 6 are back-to-back early starts, with 3-hour drives each way.
- You will not have a rest day. If you can add a seventh day, put it between Humantay and Rainbow Mountain.
- Cloud or rain can hide the colors at Rainbow Mountain, and you have only one chance to see it.
- A mountain add-on at Machu Picchu may sell out if you book late.
If you want a trek instead of day trips, our 6-day Cusco and Machu Picchu tour with the Short Inca Trail is a different route. It does not include Rainbow Mountain or Humantay.
What to pack and when to go
Bring layers, since the lake and the mountain are cold at dawn. Add sturdy boots, a rain jacket, sun protection and a small daypack. Our trekking equipment guide has the full list.
The dry season, roughly April to October, usually gives the clearest views. Check the best time to visit Machu Picchu before choosing dates.
FAQ
Yes, if you keep the first two days easy and accept two early-start hiking days at the end. A seventh day gives you a rest day.
Humantay, at about 4,200 m (13,780 ft). Rainbow Mountain is about 5,036 m (16,522 ft), so it is better after more time at altitude.
No. They are in opposite directions from Cusco, and each takes a full day.
Yes. Popular circuits and the mountain add-ons sell out months ahead in high season (June 19 to November 2).