Cusco Wonders + Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu 6 Days 5 Nights

For our tour, the experience begins the moment you land. The Ali Perú Treks team will meet you personally at the Cusco airport to provide a warm welcome and transfer you directly to your hotel in our exclusive private transportation.

• Expert Suggestion: We recommend scheduling your flight to arrive in Cusco before 11:00 AM. It is essential to drink plenty of water and traditional coca tea to help your body acclimate to the high altitude (11,151 ft / 3,399 m).

• 1:00 PM  Your expert guide will pick you up at your hotel to begin a walking tour through the city’s historic center. We will admire the majestic Cathedral and the Q’oricancha (Temple of the Sun), where the seamless fusion of Inca stonework and colonial architecture will leave you breathless.
• The 4 Ruins Circuit: Next, we will board our private van for a short drive to the outskirts of the city to explore these monumental Inca sites:
  • Sacsayhuamán: A colossal construction with stones weighing up to 120 tons, offering the best panoramic view of Cusco.
  • Q’enqo: A limestone labyrinth used for ancient sacred rituals.
  • Puca Pucara: The “Red Fortress,” a key military and administrative control point.
  • Tambomachay: The “Temple of Water,” showcasing the Incas’ mastery of hydraulic engineering.

Physical Rating: Walking Difficulty

Difficulty: Easy / Introductory.

Terrain: Short walks on mostly flat surfaces with some original Inca stone steps.

Expert Note: The goal of this first day is active acclimatization. It does not require intense physical effort, allowing your body to adjust to the altitude while walking at a relaxed pace.

• Tour Conclusion: Upon finishing, our transport will take you back to your hotel to rest. If you prefer, we can drop you off at the Plaza de Armas to enjoy the world-class local cuisine. (Lunch and dinner not included).
• Starting Point: Pickup from the airport and transfer to Hotel Tierra Viva.
• Accommodation Included: Hotel Tierra Viva (Cusco).

• Transport: Private van for transfers and tour.
• Meals: Not included (available in the city center).

For our tour, your fabulous journey begins at 7:30 AM with a private pick-up from your hotel in our exclusive van. This day has been meticulously designed to showcase the mastery of Inca engineering and the breathtaking natural beauty of the Andes.

 Our first stop is this interpretive center and living museum where you will get up close with llamas, alpacas, and vicuñas. Here, local weavers will demonstrate ancestral Andean weaving techniques and the fascinating use of natural dyes derived from local plants.

Pisaq Archaeological Site: We continue to the majestic Inca site of Pisaq, world-famous for its massive agricultural terraces that seem to sculpt the mountain itself. You will also explore its ancient cemetery, one of the largest and most significant in the region.

Urubamba (Lunch): We head into the heart of the Sacred Valley to enjoy lunch at a local restaurant—the perfect place to recharge with fresh, regional ingredients.

Maras Salt Mines: We will visit the ancient salt mines, where you will learn about the artisanal salt extraction process that has remained virtually unchanged since the Inca era. It is a stunning visual spectacle featuring over 3,000 sparkling white salt ponds.

Moray Laboratory: Explore this breathtaking agricultural experimentation center. Its unique circular terraces functioned as an acclimatization laboratory, allowing the Incas to grow crops from various climatic regions in a single, localized spot.

Ollantaytambo Fortress: Our final historical stop is Ollantaytambo, a strategic site that served vital administrative and political functions. We will walk through its original cobblestone streets—the only ones in Peru that still preserve the authentic Inca urban layout.

After exploring the imposing Ollantaytambo fortress, your tour guide will personally escort you to your comfortable 3-star hotel, ensuring a smooth and quick check-in process.

In the evening, you will enjoy dinner at a specially selected local restaurant, where you can soak in the peaceful atmosphere of this “Living Inca Town” before starting your Inca Trail adventure the next morning.

• Starting Altitude (Cusco): 11,151 ft / 3,399 m.
• Maximum Altitude (Moray): 11,483 ft / 3,500 m.
• Overnight Altitude (Ollantaytambo): 9,160 ft / 2,792 m.
• Total Distance: Comprehensive scenic journey via private van through the Sacred Valley.
• Activity Duration: Approx. 8 hours of deep cultural and landscape immersion.
• Difficulty Level: Easy to Moderate (The perfect day for progressive altitude acclimatization).
• Accommodation Included: 3-star hotel in Ollantaytambo.
• Meals Included:
• Breakfast:breakfast at your hotel in Cusco before departure.
• Lunch:lunch in the heart of Urubamba.
• Dinner:Dinner at a local restaurant in Ollantaytambo

Today marks the beginning of your pilgrimage along the legendary Inca Trail! Your tour starts with a pickup from your hotel in Ollantaytambo at 5:30 a.m. You will be accompanied by the same expert guide who has led you through the previous days, ensuring personalized and reliable service.

After enjoying a nutritious breakfast included at your hotel, we will head to the station to board the train to KM 104, the starting point of the Short Inca Trail. The train ride takes approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes. Upon arrival, we will cross the bridge over the Urubamba River toward the checkpoint. It is essential that you bring your original passport, as it is mandatory for passing the official control.

Immediately after the checkpoint, we will visit the first archaeological site: Chachabamba (6,890 ft / 2,100 m). Following this visit, we will begin a 4-hour ascent through beautiful landscapes and unique biodiversity until we reach the impressive archaeological site of Wiñay Wayna, an architectural jewel embedded in the mountain with spectacular emerald terraces. At the end of the visit, we will enjoy a nutritious Box Lunch, specially designed by our team to provide you with the energy needed for this stretch.

After lunch, we will continue with an additional 1-hour hike to reach Inti Punku (The Sun Gate). Here, you will witness your first triumphant view of Machu Picchu at sunset. Following the original trail for one more hour, we will finally arrive at the Machu Picchu Citadel to capture the classic photos with the best light of the day and without the crowds.

To conclude the day, we will take the shuttle bus down to the town of Aguas Calientes. We will enjoy dinner at a local restaurant to celebrate the day’s effort and spend the night at the comfortable Hatun Inti Classic Hotel (or similar).

• Transport: Train to KM 104 and Shuttle Bus to Aguas Calientes.
• Total Distance: Approx. 7.5 miles / 12 km.
• Hiking Time: 6 – 7 hours of active trekking.
• Difficulty Level: Moderate.
• Starting Elevation (KM 104): 6,889 ft / 2,100 m.
• Maximum Altitude (Sun Gate): 8,923 ft / 2,720 m.
• Accommodation Included: Hatun Inti Classic Hotel

• Highlights: Chachabamba, Wiñay Wayna, Sun Gate, and Classic Photos at the Citadel.
• Meals Included:
• Breakfast: Included at your hotel before departure.
• Lunch:Box Lunch provided during the trek.
• Dinner:dinner at a local restaurant in Aguas Calientes.

Today will be a wonderful day! The time has finally come to visit the Wonder of the World.

After an early breakfast at your hotel, the most anticipated day begins. We handle the logistics for your comfort: you will only carry your daypack with the essentials. Your hotel in Aguas Calientes will safely store your main luggage until our return.

You will take the Consettur bus for a scenic 25-minute ascent up the mountain, which brings you directly to the entrance gate. Once inside the Inca Citadel of Machu Picchu (7,972 ft / 2,430 m), the magic begins. Your expert Ali Perú Treks guide will lead you on a 2-hour tour. We have secured Circuit 3 for you, a route that offers an intimate look at the lower sector of the sanctuary, including the agricultural and urban heart of the citadel.

Your guide will take you to explore the lower terraces and the sacred constructions that define this sector. You will learn about the history, advanced engineering, and deep spiritual culture of the Inca Empire while visiting the most significant structures of this area. It is a fantastic way to experience the majesty of the site from a unique perspective.

Optional: Huayna Picchu Mountain

If you reserved the extra add-on ticket in advance, after the guided tour you will have time to climb Huayna Picchu Mountain (8,835 ft / 2,693 m). It is a steep but rewarding adventure with unique aerial views of the entire sanctuary.

After the tour, we recommend taking the bus back down to Aguas Calientes at least 2 hours before your train departure. This will give you enough time to find a restaurant and enjoy lunch in town (Note: Lunch in Aguas Calientes is not included, giving you the freedom to choose according to your taste and budget).

Finally, you will board your return train to Ollantaytambo (approx. 2 hours), enjoying the last views of the Sacred Valley. At the station, our Ali Perú Treks staff will be waiting for you with our private transport to take you back to Cusco. We will close this unforgettable 5-day adventure by dropping you off right at your hotel door.

• Main Destination: Machu Picchu Historical Sanctuary.
• Altitude (Machu Picchu): 7,972 ft / 2,430 m.
• Altitude (Huayna Picchu): 8,835 ft / 2,693 m (Optional).
• Circuit Included: Circuit 3 (Royalty Route / Lower Sector).
• Guided Tour: 3 hours.
• Bus (Up/Down): 25 min each way.
• Train (Aguas Calientes ➔ Ollanta): Approx. 2 hours.
• Transport (Ollanta ➔ Cusco): Approx. 2 hours back to your hotel.
• Accommodation Included: Hotel Tierra Viva Centro (Cusco).
• Meals Included:
• Breakfast: Included at your hotel in Aguas Calientes.
• Lunch & Dinner:Not included (giving you the freedom to choose from the local culinary options in Aguas Calientes or Cusco).

After picking you up from the comfort of your hotel at 6:00 a.m., we begin a direct 3-hour journey through the breathtaking landscapes of the South Valley. Our route is specifically designed for your well-being: by departing at a premium hour, we guarantee you a restful night’s sleep, allowing you to enjoy breakfast at your hotel and start the adventure with full vitality. Our destination is the strategic trailhead in Chilliwani (15,091 ft / 4,600 m).

Upon arrival, we begin our famous trek toward Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca) and the majestic Red Valley. Thanks to our optimized departure time, you will start the ascent well-rested and better oxygenated.

During the approximately 1.86-mile (3 km) trek, you will witness high-altitude biodiversity in its purest state. You will hike surrounded by vast meadows home to hundreds of alpacas and llamas, all under the watchful gaze of the ancient glaciers of the Vilcanota mountain range.

Upon reaching the summit of Vinicunca Mountain (16,522 ft / 5,036 m), you will be rewarded with the stunning sight of its multi-colored mineral stripes and the powerful presence of Mount Ausangate, the guardian spirit of the Andes.

To make this experience even more exclusive, we include the detour to the Red Valley. This surreal landscape, with its deep crimson hills contrasting against the bright blue sky, is a hidden gem that very few travelers ever get to see—an experience that will truly take your breath away.

After conquering the peak and capturing unforgettable photographs in the best morning light, we descend back to our transportation to enjoy a well-deserved local buffet lunch in Cusipata. We will return you to your hotel in Cusco at approximately 5:00 p.m.

By choosing Ali Peru Treks, you are not only ensuring high-quality service and respect for your health; you are also directly contributing to the development of our community school in Huayllaccocha, turning your adventure into a positive impact for the children of the Andes.

• Trailhead Altitude: 15,091 ft / 4,600 m.
• Max Altitude (Vinicunca): 16,522 ft / 5,036 m.
• Hiking Distance: Approx. 4.3 miles / 7 km (Round trip + Red Valley).
• Hiking Time: Approx. 3 – 4 hours total.
• Transport: Private Van (Round trip).
• Accommodation Included: Hotel Tierra Viva (Cusco).
• Meals Included:
• Breakfast: Included at your hotel before departure.
• Lunch: Included (Local meal in Cusipata).
• Dinner: Not included.

Our adventure begins with a pickup directly from your hotel (or accommodation such as Airbnb or a centrally located apartment) in Cusco at 5:00 a.m. At Ali Peru Treks, we start our day at this time to allow you a more restful sleep and to ensure a comfortable journey toward our first destination: the picturesque town of Mollepata.

Upon arriving in Mollepata, we will enjoy our first nutritious breakfast at a local restaurant, prepared with regional ingredients to provide the energy needed for the hike ahead. After this refreshing start, we will continue our journey for one more hour until we reach Soraypampa, the starting point of our ascent.

Surrounded by the majesty of the Andes, we will begin the hike toward Humantay Lake. Situated at 13,780 feet (4,200 meters), this turquoise gem rests at the base of the imposing Humantay Mountain. The trek takes approximately two hours along trails offering spectacular views of snow-capped peaks and deep valleys, where you can connect with nature and spot native bird species.

Once at the lake, you will have plenty of time to explore the area, marvel at the intense color of the water, and capture memorable photographs. Your Ali Peru Treks guide will share insights into the spiritual importance of these glaciers in Andean culture. For those who prefer, horse rentals are available through the local community (additional fees apply).

After enjoying this unique scenery, we will begin our descent, hiking back for about an hour to Soraypampa. There, we will board our transportation to return to Mollepata, where a hearty buffet lunch awaits, prepared with fresh, locally sourced products to recharge your strength.

The tour concludes with the drive back to the city, dropping you off right at your hotel door in Cusco around 5:00 p.m., ending an unforgettable day of adventure and natural beauty with the quality and care that defines us.

• Starting Point: Pickup directly from your hotel in Cusco.
• Trailhead Altitude: 12,795 ft / 3,900 m.
• Max Altitude (Humantay Lake): 13,780 ft / 4,200 m.
• Hiking Distance: Approx. 3.1 miles / 5 km (Round trip).
• Hiking Time: Approx. 3 hours total.
• Transport: Private Van (Round trip).
• Accommodation Included: Hotel Tierra Viva (Cusco).
• Meals Included: * Breakfast: Included at a local restaurant in Mollepata.Lunch:Buffet Lunch included at a local restaurant in Mollepata.