5-Day: ||All Included|| Excursion to Cusco, MachuPichu & Humantay Lake

Cusco rewards early mornings and sturdy shoes. This five-day trip packs the city’s Inca sites, the Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, and Humantay Lake into one organized package, with airport transfers, hotels, trains, guides, and several meals handled for you. I like the maximum group size of 15, which should keep pickups and guided visits more manageable than a large coach tour. I also like the practical route, since you see major highlights without arranging each bus, train, and hotel yourself.

The main catch is important: Machu Picchu admission is not included in the stated price of $589.50. Tickets depend on availability through Peru’s Ministry of Culture, and another circuit could cost extra. You should confirm the ticket situation before relying on this package as a truly all-inclusive deal.

I also like the built-in acclimatization morning on Day 1. That said, the schedule becomes demanding quickly, with a full Sacred Valley day, an early Machu Picchu visit, and a 4:00 am departure for Humantay Lake. This is a good fit if you value efficiency and support more than free time.

Key points to know before booking

• A five-day route covers four major Peru highlights: Cusco, the Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, and Humantay Lake.
• The group is capped at 15 people, a useful balance between shared-tour pricing and a less crowded vehicle.
• Seven meals are listed, made up of four breakfasts and three lunches.
• Machu Picchu entry is separate, subject to official ticket availability and possible circuit surcharges.
• Humantay Lake reaches 4,250 meters, and the walk requires a moderate level of fitness.
• The pace is brisk, with a 4:00 am start on Day 4 and long touring days on Days 2 and 4.

What the $589.50 price really covers

At $589.50 per person, this package offers solid value if you want one company to coordinate the moving parts. The price includes an air-conditioned vehicle, airport pickup, hotel-to-airport transportation, three-star accommodation, train tickets, guides, four breakfasts, and three lunches.

That list matters in Cusco. The trip uses several types of transport, including airport transfers, road vehicles, buses around Machu Picchu, and the train between the Sacred Valley and Aguas Calientes. Handling those connections independently can take time and create room for mistakes, especially when your train follows a long Sacred Valley visit.

The phrase all included needs a careful reading. You still pay for Machu Picchu admission, and meals not specifically listed are also extra. The package highlights seven complimentary meals, but you should ask exactly which breakfasts and lunches are covered and whether the Day 3 lunch in Aguas Calientes is part of that allowance.

Three-star lodging is included, but the hotel names are not provided. You spend one night in Aguas Calientes and the other nights in Cusco according to the route, though you should confirm the exact hotel plan before booking if room location or hotel facilities matter to you.

Day 1: Koricancha and Cusco’s four hilltop ruins

Your first day begins with airport pickup and a hotel transfer arranged by Chullos Travel Peru. The morning is free, which is useful after a flight and gives you time to get your bearings in Cusco before the afternoon sightseeing begins.

At 2:00 pm, the city tour starts with Koricancha, also called the Temple of the Sun. You receive about 45 minutes of guided time here. Koricancha is an excellent first stop because it brings you close to the Inca religious center before the tour moves to the larger stone sites outside the city.

After about 30 minutes in the vehicle, you reach Sacsayhuaman. The enormous stonework and high position make this one of the most impressive stops on the route. The name comes from Quechua terms connected with a place where the falcon is satisfied, a small detail that helps connect the site to the region’s older language and culture.

The next stop is Qenqo, a ritual center built around a rocky outcrop. The tour description emphasizes the site’s mystical quality, and the rock setting gives it a different feel from the broad terraces and walls at Sacsayhuaman.

A 15-minute drive brings you to Puca Pucara, known as the Red Fortress. This military construction is smaller and more compact, so the stop works well as part of a sequence rather than as a destination requiring a long visit.

The final site is Tambomachay, known for its water features and association with water worship. You return to Cusco around 7:00 pm, making this roughly a five-hour afternoon and evening outing.

The useful part of this schedule is its gentle start. The drawback is that Cusco sits at high altitude, and even a relatively short city tour can feel tiring on arrival day. Use the free morning for rest rather than trying to squeeze in extra sightseeing.

Day 2: Pisac, Urubamba, Ollantaytambo, and the train south

Pickup begins at 8:00 am for a full Sacred Valley day. After about an hour and a half by vehicle, you reach the archaeological site at Pisac for a guided visit of approximately one hour.

Pisac gives you an early look at the valley’s Inca construction and mountain setting. The visit is not just a quick roadside photo stop, since the schedule allows a full hour with a guide. Still, the overall day is long, so you should expect a set route rather than unlimited time to explore.

The vehicle then follows the Willka Mayu, or Sacred River, toward Urubamba. Here you have a buffet lunch featuring typical Andean food. A buffet can be useful on a tightly timed day because you can eat without waiting through a long restaurant service.

After lunch, the group travels about 30 minutes to Ollantaytambo. The guided visit lasts about an hour and includes the Temple of the Sun, the Intihuatana, the Princess Baths, and Andean terraces. Ollantaytambo is one of the most meaningful stops on the route because it combines a living town setting with major Inca remains.

From Ollantaytambo, you go to the train station for the ride to Aguas Calientes, the gateway town for Machu Picchu. You spend the night there, which is much more practical than trying to return to Cusco after visiting the Sacred Valley.

The guide is scheduled to pass by your hotel that evening to explain the Machu Picchu arrangements. Pay close attention at this meeting. Confirm your bus timing, entry time, circuit, meeting point, and return train details. This is also the right moment to ask about any ticket supplement.

Day 3: Machu Picchu, the trip’s key uncertainty

The morning begins with the bus to Machu Picchu. At the entrance, you present your ticket, then spend about two hours with a guide inside the site.

Two hours is enough for a structured introduction, but it is not a leisurely day on the mountain. Your experience depends heavily on the assigned circuit and entry time. The package is intended to use Circuits 1 or 2 when available, while other circuits may be offered for an additional price difference.

The admission issue deserves special attention. Machu Picchu tickets are sold only through Peru’s Ministry of Culture, and availability can change. The tour company says it will purchase tickets according to what is available. If no type of Machu Picchu ticket is available, the full tour package is refunded. If a different circuit is offered, you may need to pay the price difference.

The stated tour price does not include the Machu Picchu ticket itself. Contact your agent before finalizing plans and ask for written confirmation of the ticket status and circuit. Do not assume that the words all included cover the park entrance.

After the visit, you return by bus to Aguas Calientes for lunch. You then board the train back to Ollantaytambo and continue by bus to your Cusco hotel. The listed touring time is about seven hours, but this is a day of fixed departures and transfers, so keep your attention on the clock.

This arrangement is efficient, not flexible. You get the major experience with a guide and organized transport, but you do not have much room to linger, change your circuit, or explore Aguas Calientes at your own speed.

Day 4: The high-altitude walk to Humantay Lake

The most demanding day starts at 4:00 am. You travel by vehicle to Mollepata, where breakfast is provided, then continue to Soraypampa.

From Soraypampa, you walk for about an hour and a half to Humantay Lake. The lagoon sits at 4,250 meters above sea level, so altitude is the main concern, not simply the length of the walk. The route includes views of local plants and wildlife, but the thin air can make the climb feel much harder than the distance suggests.

You descend to Soraypampa, rejoin the vehicle, and return to Mollepata for lunch. The group then drives back to Cusco, with arrival expected around 6:00 pm. The full day lasts about 12 hours.

This outing adds a very different setting to the cultural sites. Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley focus on archaeology and settlement patterns, while Humantay Lake gives you a demanding mountain excursion.

I would not treat the moderate fitness rating casually. You need to be comfortable with a high-altitude walk and a very early start. The schedule gives you no easy recovery day afterward, since Day 5 depends on your flight time.

Day 5: A quiet morning before the airport

The final morning is free for rest, depending on your flight schedule. Airport transportation to the hotel is included in the package, so confirm the pickup time rather than leaving the departure transfer until the last minute.

There is also an optional gastronomy activity involving Peruvian cooking and pisco sour preparation. It costs extra, and the supplied details do not give a price or exact schedule. With an early flight, skip it. With a later departure, it could add a relaxed local touch after several busy days.

This open morning is welcome. You may want to use it for a slow breakfast, a final walk around Cusco, or simply extra sleep after the Humantay Lake day.

Transport, group size, and daily pace

The air-conditioned vehicle and organized transfers are major practical benefits. You move between Cusco, the Sacred Valley, Mollepata, Soraypampa, Ollantaytambo, and Aguas Calientes without having to coordinate every road connection yourself.

A group limit of 15 is another plus. It does not guarantee a quiet tour, but it should make hotel pickups, meals, and guide explanations easier to manage than on a large bus. A smaller group can also help keep the schedule moving, which matters on train and entry-ticket days.

The tradeoff is a packed itinerary. Day 2 lasts about 12 hours, Day 3 includes several transport changes, and Day 4 runs from 4:00 am until roughly 6:00 pm. You should choose this trip for coverage and convenience, not for a slow, open-ended holiday.

The one published rating is excellent, with a 5.0 score from 22 reviews and a 100 percent recommendation rate. The specific praise centers on friendly staff, attractive sites, responsible guides, and punctual hotel pickups. That is useful evidence about the service style, though it does not remove the need to confirm your Machu Picchu ticket arrangements.

Who should book this five-day route?

I would choose this tour if you want the main Cusco sights in a short window and prefer shared transport with one company coordinating the route. It suits people who appreciate clear pickup times, included train tickets, guided visits, and a small group cap.

It is also a good choice if you are comfortable with early mornings and moderate physical effort. The Humantay Lake day is the clearest test. If you dislike high-altitude walks or four-hour departures, this package may feel more like a challenge than a holiday.

Families and older adults should consider the pace carefully, since no accessibility details are provided and the fitness requirement is listed as moderate. The company confirms bookings at the time of reservation, and free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the experience begins. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund.

Should you book it?

Book it if you want a well-organized highlight reel of the Cusco region at a moderate package price. The small group, airport transfers, three-star hotels, train tickets, guides, and seven listed meals create useful value.

Before paying, ask one direct question: Has my Machu Picchu ticket been secured, and which circuit is included? If the answer is clear, this is a practical choice for a five-day visit. If the answer is vague, remember that the headline price does not include the park admission and that the trip’s most important day depends on official ticket availability.

FAQ

How long does the tour last?

The experience lasts approximately five days.

Where does the tour take place?

The tour is based in Cusco, Peru, and includes Cusco, the Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, Aguas Calientes, and Humantay Lake.

What is the price per person?

The stated price is $589.50 per person.

What is included in the tour?

The package includes an air-conditioned vehicle, airport pickup, three-star accommodation, hotel-to-airport transportation, train tickets, tour guides, four breakfasts, and three lunches.

Is Machu Picchu admission included?

No. Machu Picchu admission for Circuits 1 or 2 is not included and depends on ticket availability.

Who sells Machu Picchu tickets?

The Ministry of Culture of Peru is the only authorized entity to sell Machu Picchu tickets.

What happens if no Machu Picchu tickets are available?

If no type of Machu Picchu ticket is available, the tour information states that you will receive a full refund of the tour package.

How large is the tour group?

The group has a maximum of 15 people.

How difficult is the Humantay Lake excursion?

The tour requires a moderate level of physical fitness. The walk begins at Soraypampa, lasts about one and a half hours to the lagoon, and reaches an altitude of 4,250 meters.

Is airport transportation included?

Yes. Pickup from the airport to the hotel and transportation from the hotel to the airport are included.

Is cancellation free?

Yes, you can cancel up to 24 hours before the experience starts for a full refund. Cancellations and changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted.