06 Day Andean Jewels of Cusco – Private Service

Cusco changes how you see the Andes. This private six-day route strings together Inca farming experiments, salt terraces, and two high-altitude hikes, before closing with Machu Picchu guided on-site.

I especially like two things: first, the way the mornings are planned so you’re not just showing up, you’re actually catching the best light and staying ahead of the chaos. Second, the guides and drivers get praised for calm, patient pacing and for keeping everyone included—names like Justin, Johan, Jonathan, Eddy, Franklin, and Guido come up again and again.

One thing to consider: you start early and you’ll hike at serious altitude (including days with long drives and several hours on your feet). If you want slow sightseeing and late starts, this schedule may feel a bit intense.

Key Highlights You’ll Actually Feel

• Day 1 acclimation time so your body has a fighting chance before the big altitude work
• Sacred Valley with purpose: Moray, Maras salt pools, then Chinchero’s mix of Inca and colonial layers
• Machu Picchu with a real timed plan: morning bus, about two hours of guided time, then train back
• Humantay Lake trek after sunrise with a breakfast stop that helps you start strong
• Rainbow Mountain to 16,470 ft with an early start, alpaca views, and that huge color payoff
• Guides praised for patience and inclusion, plus photo help that saves you from awkward posing

First, The Big Picture: What Makes This Cusco Circuit Different

This is a Cusco trip for people who think Machu Picchu is only the beginning. You get the famous finale, sure—but you also get the stuff most one-week plans skip or rush: the Inca engineering around Moray and Maras, the high views near Humantay Lake, and the color bands of Rainbow Mountain.

Price-wise, it’s not cheap at $1,024.62 per person, but the math starts to make sense when you see what’s included: hotel nights, guide time, entrance fees, Machu Picchu transport, plus a roundtrip train and bus logistics. If you were trying to piece that together yourself, you’d spend time bargaining with schedules and vendors at high altitude, which is exactly where plans can go sideways.

Day 1 in Cusco: Your Acclimation Buffer (Use It)

Instead of throwing you straight into a 12-hour day, you’re met when you arrive in Cusco—by someone from the Inkayni Peru Tours team—then guided to your hotel. You get a free day to acclimatize and explore on your own.

This free time matters because Cusco altitude hits most people before their mind catches up. I like that you can get your bearings fast: walk a little, hydrate, and take it easy near the main areas without forcing your body into a long trek immediately.

If you can, plan a short wander, buy water, and keep dinner light. The tour starts with real early mornings later, and Day 1 is your chance to not pay for it with a headache.

Sacred Valley the Inca-Way: Moray, Maras, Chinchero

On Day 2, you’re picked up around 8:00 am and driven into the Sacred Valley region. The pacing is the right kind of busy: enough time to understand what you’re seeing, without turning it into a checklist that leaves you cold.

Moray: The Inca Amphitheater Experiment

You’ll first head to Moray at about 11,500 ft. Think amphitheater-like terraces cut into the earth, used by the Inca to test crop conditions. The cool part here is that it’s not a monument you’re supposed to photograph and move on from. You’re looking at how people thought about temperature, soil, and growing conditions—science disguised as architecture.

A practical tip: terraces can feel windy. Bring a layer you can stash, because the weather can shift quickly.

Maras Salt Pools: 3,000+ Tiny White Squares

Next up is Maras at about 10,892 ft, a mountain-side salt center with over 3,000 pools fed by a constant stream. The contrast of white salt against red earth is the kind of visual that makes your camera work overtime.

But there’s more going on than pretty views. You’re seeing a landscape built around daily extraction—work that has continued for generations. I like that the tour doesn’t only point and move; it frames the place as living industry, not just scenery.

Chinchero: Inca Walls and a Colonial Church

You finish in Chinchero at around 12,342 ft, where you can see Inca stonework along with a colonial church. That mix is one of Cusco’s defining themes: new faith and old foundations stacked in the same footprint.

This stop can be a great time to slow down and look closer at stone joins and building edges. If your legs feel heavy from the altitude, this is also the day where you can take brief breaks without feeling like you’re falling behind.

Machu Picchu Day: Morning Bus, Guided Time, Train Back

Day 3 is built around a classic pattern that actually works: get up early, reach Machu Picchu first, spend about two hours on a guided tour, then handle the return with less stress.

You’ll take a bus from Aguas Calientes to the citadel, then your guide walks you through the site’s key ideas and history. That guided portion is the difference between seeing ruins and understanding why they were arranged the way they were.

I also like that lunch is planned back in Aguas Calientes. It means you’re not hunting for food while your energy drops. After that, you ride the train back to Ollantaytambo, and you’re dropped back in Cusco at night.

A recurring theme in the praise for this trip: guides like Jonathan and Eddy are known for professionalism and for making sure everyone feels comfortable and accounted for. If you’re the kind of person who likes clear instructions and a smooth, no-drama return, this structure helps.

Humantay Lake Trek: Early Pickup and Turquoise Payoff

On Day 4, the day begins between 4:00 and 5:00 am. You drive about 2.5 hours to Mollepata (around 9,200 ft) for breakfast. That early food stop is smart—it’s easy to underestimate how much energy a trek demands when you’re already dealing with altitude.

Then you head to Soraypampa at about 12,700 ft, starting a 2.5-hour trek. Along the way, you’ll pass changing vegetation and get chances to spot local birds. The tour frames the climb as more than exercise: it’s a way to read the altitude changes as you move upward.

At Humantay Lagoon (around 13,800 ft), you pause for snacks and photos. The big draw is the turquoise water under towering peaks. But the real value is that you’re not just staring from a distance—you hike to reach the viewpoint on your own legs.

On the return, your timing stays organized, and that matters because going downhill can be harder on your knees than you expect. Bring trekking poles if you use them. And if you feel wiped out, take slower steps than you think you need.

Rainbow Mountain: Sunrise Color at 16,470 ft

Day 5 starts the same way—pickup between 4:00 and 5:00 am—because Rainbow Mountain is at 16,470 ft. The ride south gives you a rare advantage: Cusco’s valleys aren’t yet full of day-trippers, so the mood stays calm.

You stop around two hours in at Cusipata (about 12,772 ft) for breakfast. Then you move by van to Phuluwasipata, where the trek begins with about a two-hour ascent. The guide-led pace helps, and you may see herds of alpacas and llamas grazing nearby.

When you reach the summit, that’s when the mineral layers create the “how is this real?” effect—reds, golds, and turquoise tones across the rock. The tour is designed so you’re prepared for the climb, not dropped into it cold.

One thing to be honest about: this is the hardest day for many people—not because it’s technical, but because altitude compresses everything. Your breathing becomes the limiting factor, and your legs do the rest.

Guides mentioned in the experience’s praise—like Paul and Isaac—are noted for energy, patience, and keeping the group included. That kind of support really matters on a steep day when you’re tempted to compare yourself to others.

Hotels, Guides, and the Included Extras That Make This Worth It

The tour includes five nights in three-star hotels on double occupancy, plus a professional tour guide. You also get entrance fees and the transport pieces that usually take the longest to coordinate on your own.

Here’s what’s included that saves you time:

• Bus to Machu Picchu roundtrip
• A train between Voyager/Expedition categories via Inca Rail or Peru Rail (the specific train depends on availability)
• Breakfasts (4) and lunches (2)
• Mobile ticket

This is where value shows up for most people. The price is high enough that you’ll want reassurance, and the reassurance is the logistics. If you’ve ever tried to line up buses, train times, and entry windows while altitude is draining your decision-making energy, you’ll appreciate being handed a plan.

For meals: breakfast and two lunches are included. Everything else is not, so you’ll likely buy snacks or extra meals on your own. That can be a plus: you get local food without paying only “tour menu” prices.

The Final Day: A Free Morning in Cusco

Day 6 gives you a free morning to explore Cusco at your own pace. Depending on your flight, you’ll transfer to the airport to Lima or your next destination.

I like this ending because you’re not forced into one more long drive after five days of altitude and early starts. Use that time for a final meal, a souvenir stop, or just a walk where you can breathe without a tight schedule.

Who This Tour Fits Best (And Who Might Want to Skip It)

This private Cusco circuit fits best if you want:

• A structured plan with early starts (you’ll see more and deal with fewer headaches)
• A guided approach to Machu Picchu so you understand what you’re looking at
• Two real high-altitude treks: Humantay Lake and Rainbow Mountain
• A calmer experience where your guide and driver team keep things moving and safe

It might be less ideal if you:

• Don’t like waking up before dawn
• Want a mostly flat, slow sightseeing trip
• Get altitude symptoms easily and aren’t comfortable with a moderate fitness level requirement

One more thing to know: the experience requires good weather, and if it can’t run due to poor conditions you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund. Also, it’s non-refundable and can’t be changed, so read your own schedule carefully before you book.

Should You Book Andean Jewels of Cusco?

If your dream is Cusco beyond a single postcard, I think you should book this. The biggest reason is balance: you get iconic sites like Machu Picchu, but you also get the Inca logic behind Moray and the ongoing salt work at Maras, plus the two “wow, wow” hikes that make people talk about Cusco for years.

If you do book, go in prepared. Train a little before you arrive, pack for cold early mornings, and treat Day 1 as real acclimation time, not a casual extra. Then let the guide do what they do best—set the pace, point out details you’d miss alone, and keep your group moving with confidence.

This tour shines when you meet it halfway: you show up ready to hike, and you’ll get a Cusco experience that feels more like learning than just photographing.

FAQ

How many days is the private service?

It runs for 6 days (approx.).

What time do they start pick-ups?

The meeting start time listed is 4:00 am.

Does the tour include pickup in Cusco?

Yes. You get help on arrival in Cusco (airport or bus terminal) and hotel pickup for the active days.

Are entrance fees included?

Yes. All entrance fees are included.

Is Machu Picchu transport included?

Yes. The tour includes the bus to Machu Picchu (roundtrip) and a train back and forth as part of the Machu Picchu day.

What meals are included?

The tour includes breakfasts (4) and lunches (2). Meals not stated are not included.

What train options are used for Machu Picchu?

The train is listed as Voyager (Inca Rail) or Expedition (Peru Rail).

What if the weather is bad?

The experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.