06 Day Andean Jewels of Cusco – Private Service

Cusco’s best sights arrive in a brisk six-day sweep, from Inca terraces and salt pools to Machu Picchu, turquoise Humantay Lake, and Rainbow Mountain at 16,470 feet. The route gives you far more than the usual one-day visit to the Lost City.

I like the mix of archaeology and high-country scenery, and I like that airport pickup, hotels, trains, buses, guides, and entrance fees are handled for you. The private format also means your group is not joined by strangers. The catch is the pace: two pre-dawn starts and two demanding high-altitude walks make this a better fit for an active visitor than a slow-moving sightseer.

Key points at a glance

• Moray, Maras, and Chinchero arrive before Machu Picchu: You see the Inca world beyond the famous citadel, including crop terraces, salt pools, stonework, and colonial art.
• Humantay Lake reaches 13,800 feet: The walk takes about two and a half hours uphill from Soraypampa, so altitude matters more than distance.
• Rainbow Mountain tops out at 16,470 feet: The colorful mineral ridges are striking, but the thin air and early start make this the hardest day for many people.
• Private service keeps the trip personal: Only your group participates, with airport and hotel transfers arranged by Inkayni Peru Tours.
• The price covers many expensive pieces: At $1,024.62 per person, you receive five hotel nights, transport, guides, admissions, Machu Picchu buses, and a tourist train.
• Guide care is a strong part of the experience: Justin, Johan, Eddy, Jonathan, Franklin, and other guides receive repeated praise for patience, organization, photos, and encouragement.

A six-day route that shows Cusco beyond the postcard

This trip is built around variety. You are not spending every day at ruins, and you are not treating Machu Picchu as the only reason to come to Peru. One day takes you through the Sacred Valley, another to the citadel, and two more into very high mountain country.

That variety is the main reason I find the plan appealing. You get a useful introduction to Inca engineering at Moray, Maras, and Chinchero before visiting Machu Picchu. Then the focus shifts to dramatic natural scenery at Humantay Lake and Rainbow Mountain.

The tradeoff is that this is a packed schedule. Several days begin between 4:00 and 5:00 AM, and the altitude rises sharply. You should think of this as an active sightseeing trip with transport between major stops, not a restful Cusco holiday.

Day 1: Arrive in Cusco and give your body time

An Inkayni team member meets you at the airport or bus terminal and takes you to your hotel. The rest of the day is free for rest and a gentle look around central Cusco.

That free time is not filler. Cusco sits at high altitude, and the schedule becomes much harder if you try to begin with a major hike. I would keep this first day simple, drink water, eat lightly, and avoid filling every hour with sightseeing.

The hotel plan is based on three-star accommodation and double occupancy. Five nights are included. Exact hotel names are not supplied, so you should confirm them before booking if location or room style matters to you.

Day 2: Moray, Maras, and Chinchero show Inca ingenuity

Pickup is around 8:00 AM for a full day of about eight hours. The first drive takes roughly one hour and 20 minutes through Andean scenery, fields, and villages before reaching Moray at about 11,500 feet.

Moray is memorable because its terraces form huge circular depressions in the earth. The Inca used the different levels to test growing conditions, making the site a useful lesson in agricultural planning rather than just another set of stone walls.

Next comes Maras, at about 10,892 feet. More than 3,000 salt pools cling to the mountainside, fed by a small stream. The white salt pans against reddish soil create one of the route’s clearest visual contrasts, and the site gives you a look at a working tradition tied to the local terrain.

The final major stop is Chinchero, at about 12,342 feet. Here you see Inca walls, altars, and a colonial church with decorated interior art. The pairing matters: you are looking at layers of Andean and Spanish culture in one place, not at an isolated archaeological site.

This day is a good reason to choose the six-day program over a Machu Picchu-only package. You get a fuller sense of the area around Cusco, though the high altitude may leave you tired by the end.

Day 3: Machu Picchu gets the spotlight

The Machu Picchu day starts early. From Aguas Calientes, also called Machu Picchu Pueblo, you take a bus up to the citadel. A guide leads a two-hour tour through the Historic Sanctuary, then you return to Aguas Calientes for lunch.

The guided portion is long enough to give the site structure without turning the visit into an all-day lecture. You should still expect plenty of walking and standing, and the experience depends partly on how much time your train schedule allows around the visit.

After lunch, you take a tourist train back to Ollantaytambo, then continue by road to Cusco for hotel drop-off that night. The train is listed as either Inca Rail Voyager or Peru Rail Expedition, so the exact operator is not fixed in advance.

Machu Picchu is the centerpiece, but the logistics are worth understanding. This is not a relaxed overnight stay near the citadel. You make the visit, return to Aguas Calientes, board the train, and travel back to Cusco on the same day. The advantage is efficiency. The drawback is a long day with little spare time.

Day 4: Humantay Lake requires legs and lungs

Pickup comes between 4:00 and 5:00 AM, followed by a scenic drive of about two and a half hours to Mollepata, at roughly 9,200 feet. Breakfast is provided there before you continue to Soraypampa at around 12,700 feet.

The trek from Soraypampa to Humantay Lake takes about two and a half hours uphill. At the lake, around 13,800 feet, you have time for snacks, photographs, and a rest before returning to Soraypampa by the same general route.

The payoff is a turquoise lake beneath steep Andean peaks. You will also have a chance to notice native plants and birds during the walk, though the altitude may demand more attention than the scenery at first.

This is where the tour’s moderate physical fitness requirement becomes important. The walk is not described as technical, but the high elevation can make a steady climb feel far harder than its length suggests. Poles are not listed as included, so ask the operator if you want to know what hiking equipment is available.

The early departure has one benefit: you reach the area before the day becomes too far advanced. The cost is a short night and a demanding return drive after the hike.

Day 5: Rainbow Mountain reaches 16,470 feet

Another pickup between 4:00 and 5:00 AM begins the journey south. After about two hours, you reach Cusipata at 12,772 feet for breakfast.

A van then takes you to Phuluwasipata, where the trek begins. The ascent takes about two hours, with alpacas and llamas grazing nearby. At the summit, Rainbow Mountain rises to approximately 16,470 feet, higher than Humantay Lake and high enough to make the thin air the central challenge.

The ridges show layers of red, gold, turquoise, and other mineral colors. Conditions and light affect how strong those colors look, so you should treat photographs as part of the experience, not a guarantee of a particular shade.

This is likely the toughest day of the program. The route description calls for moderate fitness, but the altitude adds a serious second test. If you struggled at Humantay Lake, Rainbow Mountain may feel much harder. The tour is a good match for someone eager to see extreme Andean scenery, but less suited to anyone who wants easy walks and long mornings in bed.

The included breakfast is useful because you start before dawn. The tour also includes the Rainbow Mountain entrance fee, which removes one common extra cost.

Day 6: A quiet morning before departure

The final morning is free for rest and independent time in Cusco. Depending on your flight schedule, the team transfers you to the airport for a flight to Lima or your next destination.

This is a sensible ending after the two high-altitude days. You can use the morning to recover rather than rushing from one last attraction to another. Airport pickup and departure transfer are part of the arranged service, but you should give the operator your exact flight details.

What the $1,024.62 price really covers

The listed price is $1,024.62 per person, based on two people sharing a room. That is a substantial sum, but it covers many costly components:

• Five nights in three-star hotels
• Professional tour guide service
• Entrance fees
• Round-trip bus between Aguas Calientes and Machu Picchu
• Tourist train in Inca Rail Voyager or Peru Rail Expedition service
• Four breakfasts
• Two lunches
• Airport and hotel transfers connected with the itinerary

Flights are not included, and neither are meals outside those stated, tips, or international and domestic airfare. You should budget for those separately.

The value here is convenience. You do not need to arrange separate tickets for Machu Picchu, the train, Rainbow Mountain, or the other sites. Private service also gives you a more controlled experience than a large shared departure.

Still, the price does not buy luxury. The hotels are three-star, and the schedule is built for coverage rather than leisurely downtime. I would choose this package for its bundled transport and planning, not for high-end accommodation.

The guides can shape the whole trip

The strongest personal element is the guide service. Names praised across the supplied comments include Justin, Johan, Eddy, Jonathan, Franklin, Liz, Isaac, Myriam, Paul, and others. Assignments can vary, so you should not assume one named guide will lead every day.

The qualities repeatedly highlighted are practical: patient explanations, encouragement on difficult walks, careful attention to the group, good timing, and help with photographs. Johan is specifically praised for knowing the area and taking photos and videos. Paul is noted for keeping people included and maintaining positive energy. Eddy is repeatedly described as attentive and helpful with photo locations.

Drivers also matter on this route because several days involve long mountain roads. Guido and Ronnie receive particular praise for safe, timely transport and for making people feel looked after. That is important when you are leaving before dawn and returning after a strenuous hike.

Private service, but not a private pace

Only your own group participates, which gives the tour a personal feel and avoids the uncertainty of a large coach group. A private format may also make it easier to pause, ask questions, or receive extra encouragement when the altitude becomes difficult.

It does not mean the itinerary is flexible in every detail. Machu Picchu entry times, trains, buses, and site schedules impose limits. You should expect a planned route with set departure times, not an entirely custom trip.

The biggest issue is stamina. The program includes a full Sacred Valley day, Machu Picchu with return travel to Cusco, Humantay Lake, and Rainbow Mountain. Two early mornings begin before sunrise. You need to be comfortable with long drives, high elevations, and several hours of walking.

Who should book this Cusco itinerary?

I would recommend it to an active first-time visitor who wants the major Cusco-area highlights in one organized package. It suits you especially well if you value included transport, a private group, and local guides more than luxury hotels or a slow schedule.

It is also a strong choice if Machu Picchu is important but you want more context. Moray, Maras, and Chinchero make the trip feel connected to the wider Cusco region, while Humantay Lake and Rainbow Mountain add two very different mountain days.

I would hesitate if you dislike pre-dawn departures, have trouble with high altitude, or want long free periods in Cusco. The tour requires good planning and a willingness to adjust your pace on the uphill walks.

The experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed after booking. Poor weather may lead to a different date or a full refund, but you should treat the booking as firm and make sure your schedule is settled first.

Should you book the Andean Jewels of Cusco?

Book it if you want a well-organized, active overview of Cusco with Machu Picchu, Humantay Lake, and Rainbow Mountain all included. The price is reasonable for the number of nights, admissions, transfers, train arrangements, and guided visits covered.

Think twice if you want a restful holiday or prefer to arrange each day independently. This is a demanding route, but it delivers a wide view of the region in only six days. With sensible pacing and respect for the altitude, it can give you a much fuller Peru experience than a Machu Picchu-only trip.

FAQ

How long does the Andean Jewels of Cusco tour last?

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

Is airport pickup included?

Yes. An Inkayni team member meets you at the Cusco airport or bus terminal on arrival and takes you to your hotel. A departure transfer to the airport is also arranged according to your flight schedule.

Is this a private tour?

Yes. Only your group participates in the private activity.

What physical fitness level is required?

A moderate physical fitness level is recommended. The Humantay Lake and Rainbow Mountain days include uphill walks at high altitude.

How high is Rainbow Mountain?

Rainbow Mountain reaches approximately 16,470 feet, or 5,020 meters.

How high is Humantay Lake?

Humantay Lake is located at approximately 13,800 feet. The trek begins at Soraypampa, around 12,700 feet.

Is the Machu Picchu train included?

Yes. A tourist train is included, using either Inca Rail Voyager or Peru Rail Expedition service.

Are meals included?

Four breakfasts and two lunches are included. Other meals are not included unless specifically stated.

Are flights included in the price?

No. International and local flights are excluded, as are meals not listed and tips.