06 Day Andean Jewels of Cusco – Small Groups

Cusco packs a lot into six days. This Andean Jewels tour gives you a broad look at southern Peru, from Inca sites and salt terraces to turquoise water and Rainbow Mountain’s high ridges. I like the small maximum group of eight, which should make guides, transfers, and early starts easier to manage.

I also like the practical setup: five hotel nights, train travel to Machu Picchu, entrance fees, buses, guides, five breakfasts, and two lunches are included. The main caution is the pace. Four mornings begin very early, and the Humantay Lake and Rainbow Mountain hikes reach high altitudes, so you need decent fitness and a sensible approach to acclimatization.

The strongest praise goes to the organization and guiding. Saúl, who guides visits at Chinchero and Machu Picchu, is described as friendly, patient, and full of useful historical detail. The tour company also handles airport or bus-station arrival, hotel transfers, trains, vans, and departure transfers, which removes much of the planning work from a complicated region.

Key points before you book

• Maximum eight people: A small group makes long transfers and guided visits more manageable than a large coach tour.
• Machu Picchu by train: You travel from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes, then return by train and private van to Cusco.
• Two demanding mountain days: Humantay Lake reaches 13,800 feet, while Rainbow Mountain reaches about 16,470 feet.
• One free acclimatization day: Your first day is intentionally light, giving you time to rest in Cusco before the active outings.
• Five nights in three-star hotels: Accommodation is based on double rooms, with breakfast included each morning.
• $739 value: The price covers major transport, admissions, guides, hotels, and selected meals, but not flights, unspecified meals, or tips.

What the $739 price really covers

At $739 per person, this is not simply a collection of day trips. You are paying for a six-day package that connects Cusco, the Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, Humantay Lake, and Rainbow Mountain without requiring you to arrange each transfer separately.

The package includes five nights in three-star hotels based on double occupancy. It also includes all entrance fees, round-trip buses at Machu Picchu, professional guides for the tours, and a tourist train in either the Inca Rail Voyager or Peru Rail Expedition service. Five breakfasts and two lunches are included as well.

That matters in Peru, where the price of getting from one mountain area to another can add up quickly. You also avoid the trouble of coordinating a hotel pickup, a Sacred Valley van, an Ollantaytambo train, a Machu Picchu bus, a return train, and transfers back to Cusco.

The price does not include international or domestic flights, meals not specifically listed, or tips. You should also check your room arrangement carefully, since the stated rate is based on a double room. Solo occupancy may require a different price, but that detail is not provided here.

The package is best viewed as a well-organized sightseeing and hiking circuit, not a slow cultural holiday. You get a lot for the money, but you pay with early alarms and long days.

Day 1: A soft landing in Cusco

Your first day is deliberately simple. A member of the Inkayni team 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 in the downtown area.

This is a smart first step. Cusco sits at high altitude, and the tour does not throw you directly into a strenuous hike after arrival. Use the day to sleep, drink water, eat lightly, and walk only as much as feels comfortable.

You can also use this free time to check your clothing and daypack before the busy schedule begins. The next four days involve mountain roads, early departures, trains, and walking at altitude. A quiet first afternoon can make a real difference.

The arrival transfer is particularly useful if you have just flown in or are arriving by bus with luggage. You do not need to find your own way through the city before you have adjusted to the altitude or located your hotel.

Day 2: Moray, Maras, Chinchero, and the train to Aguas Calientes

The first full touring day begins around 8:00 AM with a drive through the Sacred Valley. The route to Moray takes about 1 hour and 20 minutes, passing wheat fields and Andean villages along the way.

Moray is one of the more unusual Inca sites in the region. Its broad terraces form an amphitheater-like pattern cut into the earth. The terraces are associated with experiments in growing crops under different conditions, and their shape gives you something more than another set of stone walls to photograph.

At about 11,500 feet, Moray is already high. You may notice the altitude here, even before the more demanding hikes later in the trip. Take the walking slowly and keep your attention on footing as well as the view.

The next stop is Maras, at approximately 10,892 feet. More than 3,000 salt pools cover the mountainside, supplied by a small stream. The white pools against the red earth create one of the most striking sights in the Sacred Valley.

Maras also gives the day a useful change of subject. Instead of seeing only temples and stonework, you see a working tradition tied to the local terrain. The terraces are a reminder that Andean travel is not just about the Inca past. It is also about farming, salt production, weaving, and village life that continue around these famous sites.

At Chinchero, the focus shifts again. You see Inca walls and altars, then a colonial church decorated with murals. The pairing shows how Spanish religious buildings were placed within an older Andean setting.

You also have the chance to see Andean weaving, a craft with roots reaching back before the Inca period. This is one of the more human parts of the day. The stone sites are impressive, but watching a traditional skill helps connect the ruins with living culture.

The final part of the route takes you to Ollantaytambo, at roughly 9,160 feet, where you board the train to Aguas Calientes. As the train descends, the air becomes warmer and the scenery turns greener. You spend the night in Aguas Calientes, the town used as the gateway to Machu Picchu.

This day is listed at about six hours, but the train and overnight stay mean it also begins the next stage of the trip. You should keep your overnight items accessible rather than burying everything in your main luggage.

Day 3: Machu Picchu and the return to Cusco

You start early with breakfast, then take one of the morning buses up to Machu Picchu. The citadel sits at about 7,972 feet, lower than Cusco and much lower than Rainbow Mountain, though the walking still involves uneven ground and stairs.

Inside Machu Picchu, your guide leads a detailed visit through temples, ceremonial spaces, terraces, and storage structures. This guided time is important. Without context, the site can become a series of beautiful stone views. With a good guide, you gain a clearer sense of how the buildings, terraces, and sacred areas fit together.

Saúl receives special praise for his work at Chinchero and Machu Picchu. His friendly manner and strong command of the site’s history are useful qualities on a day when many visitors are trying to absorb a great deal in a limited period.

An extra mountain ticket may allow you to climb either Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain. That ticket must be secured in advance, and it is not part of the basic description of the package. If you want one of these additional climbs, confirm availability and cost before booking.

After the main visit, you return to Aguas Calientes for a short rest and lunch. In the afternoon, the train takes you back to Ollantaytambo, where a private van continues to Cusco.

This is a long day, listed at about 12 hours. The benefit is efficiency: you see Machu Picchu without adding another hotel night. The drawback is that you may feel tired by the time you reach Cusco, particularly after an early start and several hours of transport.

Day 4: The climb to Humantay Lake

The Humantay Lake day begins between 4:00 and 5:00 AM. After about 2.5 hours on the road, you stop in Mollepata at roughly 9,200 feet for breakfast.

From there, the van continues to Soraypampa, at about 12,700 feet. The hike to Humantay Lake takes around 2.5 hours uphill. The route gives you views of Andean scenery and the chance to spot native birds and plants, but the altitude makes this a serious walk even if you are accustomed to hiking at home.

Humantay Lake sits at approximately 13,800 feet. Its turquoise water is the reward at the top, along with views of the surrounding peaks and slopes. You have time for snacks, rest, and photographs before returning by the same trail.

The return walk takes you back to Soraypampa, followed by lunch and the drive to Cusco. The full day runs about 12 hours.

This is where the tour’s fitness warning becomes important. You need a moderate physical fitness level, but the altitude can affect people who are otherwise fit. Your free first day in Cusco is not wasted time. It is part of the preparation for this outing.

The early start is another consideration. You will not get a leisurely breakfast or a relaxed morning. I would treat this as a mountain excursion first and a sightseeing stop second. Wear suitable walking shoes, carry only what you need, and keep your pace steady.

Day 5: Rainbow Mountain at 16,470 feet

Rainbow Mountain requires another pickup between 4:00 and 5:00 AM. The drive south takes about two hours to Cusipata, where breakfast is served at approximately 12,772 feet.

From Cusipata, the van continues to Phuluwasipata. That is the trailhead for the climb. The uphill walk takes about two hours and reaches roughly 16,470 feet at the summit.

This is the highest and most physically demanding day of the itinerary. The route passes grazing alpacas and llamas, with broad views across the Andes. At the top, the colored ridges show shades of red, gold, and turquoise, with high peaks and valleys beyond.

The colors are the reason Rainbow Mountain is famous, but you should keep expectations sensible. The appearance of the ridges can depend on light and weather. The altitude is not negotiable, however. Even a relatively short hike can feel hard at more than 16,000 feet.

You descend for about 1.5 hours to Phuluwasipata, then return to Cusipata for lunch. The van reaches central Cusco between 4:30 and 5:30 PM, making this an approximately 11-hour day.

I like the way the trip places Rainbow Mountain after the acclimatization day and other excursions, but the schedule is still demanding. You have Humantay Lake the day before, so your legs may be tired. If you are choosing between this tour and a slower itinerary, this is the day that should guide your decision.

Day 6: A free morning and departure transfer

The final morning is free. You can rest, take a short walk downtown, or use the time to prepare for your flight or onward journey.

Depending on your departure schedule, Inkayni transfers you to the airport for a flight to Lima or to your next destination. The free morning is useful after the previous day’s high-altitude outing, though the amount of time available depends on your flight.

The tour ends with transport rather than another major attraction. That is a practical choice. You finish the trip with some breathing room instead of being rushed directly from a final excursion to the airport.

Small-group organization and transportation

A maximum of eight people is one of the tour’s best features. You are not dealing with a large coach group, and a small party usually makes it easier for a guide to explain sites, answer questions, and keep pickup times clear.

The experience includes air-conditioned transportation for the road portions, as well as a private van from Ollantaytambo to Cusco after Machu Picchu. Train service is provided in the Inca Rail Voyager or Peru Rail Expedition category.

The organization receives strong praise. Pickups, briefings, guides, and drop-offs are handled promptly, which matters in a trip with several moving parts. A missed connection between a van and a train could ruin an entire day, so dependable coordination has real value here.

Still, the trip is not leisurely. The small group improves logistics, but it does not shorten the drives or change the early departures. You should choose it because you want broad coverage and convenience, not because you expect long, unplanned afternoons.

Who should book this six-day Andean tour?

I would recommend it to you if you want to see the major highlights around Cusco in a short period and prefer having the transport, hotels, admissions, and guides arranged in advance.

It suits an active first-time visitor who wants Machu Picchu plus two famous high-altitude hikes. It is also a good match if you value a small group and want a guide for the main archaeological visits.

I would think twice if you dislike early mornings, struggle with altitude, or want time for slow meals and independent exploration. The itinerary gives you only one free day before the touring begins and one free morning at the end.

The no-change, non-refundable cancellation policy is important. Once you pay, the amount is not returned if you cancel or request an amendment. If poor weather forces the operator to cancel, you are offered another date or a full refund. Make sure your flights and health are settled before committing.

FAQ

How long is the Andean Jewels of Cusco tour?

The experience lasts approximately six days, with five nights of accommodation and a free morning on the final day.

What is the maximum group size?

The group is limited to a maximum of eight people.

What type of accommodation is included?

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

Is Machu Picchu transportation included?

Yes. The package includes round-trip buses between Aguas Calientes and Machu Picchu, as well as tourist train service in Inca Rail Voyager or Peru Rail Expedition.

Are meals included?

Five breakfasts and two lunches are included. Meals not specifically stated are not included.

Do I need good fitness for this tour?

You should have a moderate physical fitness level. The Humantay Lake hike reaches about 13,800 feet, and the Rainbow Mountain hike reaches about 16,470 feet.

Are flights included?

No. International and local flights are not included. The tour does provide a transfer to the airport at the end, depending on your flight schedule.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want a high-value, tightly organized introduction to the Andes and are comfortable with long days at altitude. The combination of Machu Picchu, Sacred Valley sites, Humantay Lake, and Rainbow Mountain is impressive for six days, and the $739 price covers many costly details.

Skip it if you want a relaxed Cusco holiday or need flexibility. The early pickups, demanding hikes, and strict cancellation terms require commitment. For the right person, though, this is an efficient way to see a remarkable amount of Peru with a small group and strong logistical support.