06 Day Andean Jewels of Cusco – Private Service

Machu Picchu may be the headline, but the best part of this six-day trip is the variety around it. You’ll see Inca engineering at Moray, salt terraces at Maras, and the colonial-Inca mix at Chinchero before reaching the famous citadel. Then come two demanding mountain days, with turquoise Humantay Lake and the colored ridges of Rainbow Mountain.

I like the thoughtful first day for getting used to Cusco’s altitude, and I like that this is a private trip rather than a fixed group outing. Guides such as Justin, Johan, Eddy, Jonathan, Paul, and Liz have been praised for patience, good explanations, photo help, and keeping everyone included. The catch is the schedule: two pickups between 4 and 5 AM, long drives, and hikes reaching 13,800 to 16,470 feet.

Key points

• Six days with a strong range of sights: You get archaeological sites, mountain lakes, salt terraces, a historic city, and Machu Picchu.
• Private service: Your group travels together, with hotel pickup and private participation rather than a public group tour.
• A useful acclimatization day: Day one is intentionally light, which matters before the high-altitude outings.
• Two serious hiking days: Humantay Lake requires about 2.5 hours uphill, while Rainbow Mountain involves a roughly two-hour ascent.
• Good coverage for the price: Hotels, transport, entrance fees, Machu Picchu bus, train, four breakfasts, and two lunches are included.
• A demanding pace: This suits you if you are comfortable with early starts, long vehicle rides, and moderate physical exertion.

Why this Cusco itinerary works

At $1,024.62 per person, this is not a bargain-basement Cusco package, but it covers a lot. You receive five nights in three-star hotels based on double occupancy, airport or bus-terminal arrival help, daily transportation, entrance fees, a professional guide, the Machu Picchu bus, and a tourist train.

That bundled price also covers four breakfasts and two lunches. You still pay for flights, meals not listed, and tips, so you should budget beyond the headline amount. Even so, the package removes much of the work involved in joining separate day trips, booking transport, and arranging Machu Picchu connections.

The private format matters most on the strenuous days. If someone in your group needs a slower pace or a little extra help, you are not trying to match a large public group. The exact level of flexibility is not specified, so ask before booking if you need changes to the route or walking schedule.

Day one in Cusco: rest before the high country

An Inkayni team member meets you at the Cusco airport or bus terminal and takes you to your hotel. The rest of the day is free for rest and independent time downtown.

This quiet start is more important than it sounds. Cusco sits at high altitude, and the next few days include excursions far higher still. I would resist the urge to cram in museums or a full walking tour after arrival. Use the day to sleep, drink water, eat simply, and take short, easy walks only if you feel well.

The hotel is described as being about 10 minutes from your arrival point. Since the exact property is not named, expect practical three-star lodging rather than a luxury stay. Double occupancy is the basis for the listed price, so solo visitors should confirm how the rate changes.

Moray, Maras, and Chinchero: three different views of Inca country

Day two starts around 8 AM and lasts about eight hours. The drive to Moray takes roughly one hour and 20 minutes, passing wheat fields and villages on the way.

Moray is the day’s most unusual archaeological stop. Its large, circular terraces drop into the earth like an amphitheater. The site is tied to Inca experiments with growing conditions, and your guide can help you understand why the shape matters rather than treating it as a place for quick photographs.

At about 11,500 feet, Moray is already high. You may feel the altitude here even though the walking is not presented as a major hike. Move slowly and keep your water close.

The route continues to Maras, at about 10,892 feet. More than 3,000 salt pools spread across the mountainside, fed by a small stream. The white pools against the red earth make this a very different scene from Moray, and the scale gives you a clear sense of how local production has used the slopes for generations.

Chinchero comes next, at approximately 12,342 feet. Here you see Inca walls, altars, and a colonial church with painted decoration. This stop adds a cultural layer that the more famous sites can miss: Spanish colonial religious buildings and Inca construction occupy the same setting.

The day is a good introduction to the region because it does not reduce Cusco to one famous ruin. You see agriculture, salt production, architecture, and village life in one outing. The drawback is the altitude and road time. If you prefer a slow archaeological visit with long time at each site, eight hours covering three stops may feel brisk.

Machu Picchu by bus and train

Day three begins early. From Aguas Calientes, you take the bus up to Machu Picchu for a guided visit lasting about two hours.

Two hours is enough for an organized introduction, but it is not an all-day archaeological study. Your guide explains the Historical Sanctuary while you move through the citadel, then you return to Aguas Calientes for lunch before taking the tourist train to Ollantaytambo and continuing by vehicle to Cusco.

The train is listed as either the Voyager service with Inca Rail or the Expedition service with Peru Rail. The exact operator depends on the arrangement, so check your final travel documents. The important point is that the train connection is included, as is the round-trip bus between Aguas Calientes and Machu Picchu.

This is the trip’s most logistically complex day. Early waking, bus transfers, a timed citadel visit, lunch, train travel, and the return drive all need to line up. The private format and guide support help, but you should still keep your day organized and follow instructions closely.

You have lunch included on two days of the trip, and the Machu Picchu day is one of them. Other meals are your responsibility. That gives you some freedom, but do not assume every meal is covered.

Humantay Lake at 13,800 feet

The Humantay Lake day starts with pickup between 4 and 5 AM. After about 2.5 hours on the road, you reach Mollepata at roughly 9,200 feet for breakfast.

The drive continues to Soraypampa, at about 12,700 feet. From there, the uphill trek takes around 2.5 hours. The route includes Andean plants, native birds, and broad mountain views, but the main challenge is the altitude. A walk that sounds moderate at lower elevation can feel much harder here.

At the lake, your group has time for snacks, photographs, and rest. Humantay sits at approximately 13,800 feet, with turquoise water surrounded by high peaks. The color is the visual payoff, but the setting also rewards you for taking the ascent slowly.

The return to Soraypampa is by the same general route, followed by transport back toward Cusco. The supplied schedule describes this as an 11-hour day, so plan on being tired. This is not a casual scenic stop with a short path from the vehicle.

Your physical condition matters here. The tour asks for moderate fitness, and that description should be taken seriously. You do not need to be an elite hiker, but you should be comfortable walking uphill for several hours at altitude. If you struggle with high elevation, discuss the plan with a medical professional before booking.

Rainbow Mountain and the long way up

Rainbow Mountain begins just as early, with pickup between 4 and 5 AM. The route heads south for about two hours to Cusipata, at roughly 12,772 feet, where breakfast is served.

A van then takes you to Phuluwasipata, the trailhead. The ascent takes about two hours and passes grazing alpacas and llamas. At the summit, Rainbow Mountain reaches approximately 16,470 feet, higher than the Humantay Lake viewpoint.

The colored mineral bands are the draw, with red, gold, and turquoise tones across the slopes. Photos can make the climb look easier than it is. At this height, a slow pace is sensible, and you should not treat the viewpoint as a quick hop from the vehicle.

Rainbow Mountain is also more exposed to weather than a city visit or museum. The experience requires good conditions, and the trip can be moved to another date or fully refunded if poor weather causes cancellation. The general cancellation rule is strict: the booking is non-refundable and cannot be changed for personal reasons, so read the terms carefully before paying.

The early start has one benefit. You reach the route while the day is still young, and the changing light across the valleys adds to the journey. The cost is sleep. Placing Rainbow Mountain after Humantay Lake means you have two demanding days close together, so the free first day and a sensible pace are valuable.

The final morning and what is included

Day six is intentionally open. You can rest, explore Cusco independently, or prepare for departure. Depending on your flight schedule, the company transfers you to the airport for Lima or your next destination.

Included in the package are:

• Five nights in three-star hotels, based on double occupancy
• Professional tour guide
• Entrance fees
• Round-trip bus to Machu Picchu
• Tourist train in Inca Rail Voyager or Peru Rail Expedition
• Four breakfasts
• Two lunches
• Arrival and departure transfers, according to the schedule

Flights are not included, either international or domestic. Meals not specifically listed and tips are also extra. Pickup is offered, and confirmation is provided at booking.

The start time shown for the experience is 4 AM, but not every day begins at that hour. The detailed schedule places the early pickups on the Humantay Lake and Rainbow Mountain days, while Day two begins around 8 AM. Confirm the exact pickup time for your travel dates.

Guides, drivers, and the private-service difference

The human side of the trip can shape the whole experience. Guide names associated with the service include Justin, Johan, Eddy, Jonathan, Paul, Liz, Franklin, Isaac, and Myriam. Their praised qualities are practical ones: clear explanations, patience, attention to the group, help with photographs, and a steady effort to keep everyone included.

Drivers are also important because several days involve long road journeys. Guido and Ronnie are among the drivers singled out for punctuality, calm driving, and helping people feel secure on the roads.

You should not assume a particular guide or driver will be assigned to your departure. Ask the company if you have a strong preference, but treat any request as subject to availability. The consistent theme is attentive service rather than a single personality carrying the whole trip.

Private participation is useful for couples, families, and small groups who want to stay together. It also gives you one point of contact through the trip. The tradeoff is that private tours can cost more than public departures, and this schedule still follows fixed train, bus, and site arrangements.

Who should book this six-day tour?

I would choose this package if you want the main Cusco sights handled in one coordinated plan and you are happy with active days. It is especially suitable for first-time visitors who want Machu Picchu plus the surrounding mountains without arranging separate hotels, transfers, guides, and entrance tickets.

It also suits families or friends who value private participation and direct support. The guides’ attention to comfort and inclusion is useful when a group has different walking speeds, though the route still requires everyone to manage high-altitude activity.

I would hesitate if you want long, unhurried mornings, luxury hotels, or a gentle sightseeing holiday. The two 4 to 5 AM starts, the eight-hour Sacred Valley day, the 11-hour Humantay day, and the high Rainbow Mountain climb create a full schedule.

Take acclimatization seriously. Cusco is not simply a base for ordinary day trips, and the highest points on this route are far above the city. If you arrive tired or feel unwell, tell the guide rather than trying to prove you can push through.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want a broad Andean sampler with Machu Picchu at its center, and if you value included transport and private coordination more than a low price. The route gives you far more than the famous citadel: Moray, Maras, Chinchero, Humantay Lake, Rainbow Mountain, and free time in Cusco.

Think twice if your main goal is rest, flexible timing, or a deep focus on one archaeological site. At $1,024.62 per person, the value is strongest when you use the included hotels, guides, tickets, trains, buses, breakfasts, lunches, and transfers. For a fit visitor prepared for altitude and early mornings, it is a practical way to see a great deal of the Cusco region in six days.

FAQ

How long is the Andean Jewels of Cusco tour?

The experience lasts approximately six days and includes five nights of accommodation.

Is this a private tour?

Yes. Only your group participates in the private activity.

What places are included?

The route includes Cusco, Moray, Maras, Chinchero, Machu Picchu, Humantay Lake, and Rainbow Mountain.

Are airport or bus-terminal transfers offered?

Yes. A team member meets you at the Cusco airport or bus terminal on arrival, and a transfer to the airport is provided on departure according to your flight schedule.

How difficult is the tour?

A moderate level of physical fitness is required. The Humantay Lake hike takes about 2.5 hours uphill and reaches approximately 13,800 feet. The Rainbow Mountain ascent takes about two hours and reaches approximately 16,470 feet.

What accommodation is included?

Five nights in three-star hotels are included, based on double occupancy.

Are Machu Picchu transport and entrance fees included?

Yes. Entrance fees, the round-trip bus to Machu Picchu, and a tourist train in Inca Rail Voyager or Peru Rail Expedition are included.

What is not included in the price?

International and domestic flights, meals not specifically listed, and tips are not included. The experience is non-refundable and cannot normally be changed, but poor-weather cancellations may result in a new date or a full refund.