Cusco, Machu Picchu and Puno – Lake Titicaca 6D / 5N

Trip Overview

This tour will give you the opportunity to visit Cusco, the Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu one day on the floating islands of Urus in Puno. This tour is ideal for people who want to visit Cusco and Lake titica in Puno and do not have much time. We will include the income and the transfer from the airport

New Regulations for Visiting Machu Picchu

In June 1st 2024, a new regulation has been implemented with the aim of protecting and preserving the Machu Picchu citadel. Access to Machu Picchu has been reorganized into three distinct circuits, which are further divided into ten types of tickets.

To explore the entire citadel of Machu Picchu, visitors must purchase two different tickets, each allowing entry to a separate circuit. Additionally, each circuit has specific schedules and a limited number of available spots, making it essential to plan your visit to Machu Picchu 3 to 4 months in advance. If you wish to combine different tickets for a more comprehensive experience, it is recommended to check the compatibility of the schedules. A minimum interval of two hours between entries is suggested, and at least four hours if choosing the Machu Picchu Mountain or Huayna Picchu routes.

With this new entry system, visitors must board the bus to Machu Picchu 40 minutes to 1 hour before the visit time printed on their ticket. This measure helps prevent unnecessary lines in Machu Picchu Pueblo and avoids crowding at the entrance gates to the Inca city.

For detailed information regarding the circuits and schedules, you can refer to our “Schedules and New Circuits for Visiting Machu Picchu” link or contact us for further assistance. We are here to ensure you have an unforgettable experience at Machu Picchu.

Places to visit on this tour:

  • Cusco City Tour
  • Salt Mines of Maras and Moray at night bus from Cusco to Puno
  • Tour Uros Island _ Taquile Island and that same day at night bus back from Puno to Cusco
  • Tour of the Sacred Valley and the Connection to Aguas Calientes
  • Guided tour in Machu Picchu and Return to Cusco

Cusco, Machu Picchu and Puno – Lake Titicaca 6D / 5N

What the tour includes:

  • Transfers Airport / Hotel / Airport.
  • Tourist ticket (income to visit City Tour, Sacred Valley,)
  • Excursion: City Tour (Transportation, guide and income to the archaeological complexes visited on this tour)
  • Excursion: Salinas de Maras and Moray (Transportation, guide and income to the archaeological complexes visited on this tour)
  • Night Bus from Cusco to Puno (Bus tickets with bed type seats)
  • One day tour in Puno (Pick up from the terminal, boat to tour the Uros fleet island and Taquile island, lunch)
  • Night Bus from Puno to Cusco (Bus tickets with bed type seats)
  • Excursion: Sacred Valley (Transportation, guide and income to the archaeological complexes visited on this tour, buffet lunch and dinner in Aguas Calientes)
  • Tour in Machu Picchu (Round-trip transportation to the train station, Round-trip tourist train tickets from Ollantaytambo -Aguas Calientes, Bus tickets up and down Aguas Calientes-
  • Machu Picchu, Entrance to Machupicchu, Guided tour in Machu Picchu
  • 1 night in a basic hotel in  Aguas Calientes
  • 2 nights in a  basic hotel in Cusco
  • Transfer from the hotel to the airport

Does not include:

  • Meals that are not mentioned in the itinerary
  • Income to Cusco Cathedral that is part of the City tour
  • Entrance to the Qoricancha or Temple of the Sun that is also part of the City tour
  • Income to the Salineras de Maras


Price

$950per person

Get in touch with our travel advisor to use this itinerary as a base to design together your perfect Machupicchu adventure!

Enquire Private Now

Get a Custom Response by
WhatsApp: +51 940 110 208

TripAdvisor

Itinerary

Day 01.- Reception in Cusco – Excursion of the City Tour

We will wait for you at the airport to welcome you and transfer you to the selected hotel in Cusco, where an aromatic coca tea will be served that is stimulating for the height of the city, and then you can rest and have lunch before the start of the city tour. .

1:30 Tour of the City Tour: Where you will visit the Temple of the Sun or Qoricancha, then you will go by bus to the 04 ruins surrounding the city, The Fortress of Sacsayhuamán, Qenqo, Puka Pukara and finally “Tambomachay. Finished approximately at 6:00 pm Then we will transfer you to your hotel where you will spend the night.

  • Tour modality: Adventure, cultural and archaeological
  • Degree of difficulty: None
  • Tour Departure Times: 1:30pm,
  • Period: All year round, recommended April – November
  • Language: English, Spanish
  • Group size: City Tour: 20 people
  • City tour duration: 6 hours
  • Average height: 3,330 m.s.n.m /10,989.f.t.

Day 02.- Salt Mines of Maras and Moray at night bus from Cusco to Puno

We pick you up from your hotel. The tour will start at 8:30 a.m. about. The first stop will be at the Salineras de Maras, which are made up of more than 5,740 small wells which are filled with salt water that emanates from a natural spring. From there you can see the Urubamba mountain range and the snow-capped peaks of “Apu Verónica” (5,682 meters above sea level) and “Chikón” (5,530 meters above sea level). Its important occupation began when the nobles of the Inca Empire were stripped of their palaces in Qosqo and had to go out and settle in other small towns such as Maras. It has a church made of adobe, typical of small-town religious architecture, inside the church canvases from the Cusqueña School are kept.

Then you will visit the Archaeological Complex of Moray. Inca agricultural research center located at 3500 meters above sea level. After making these 2 visits we will return to Cusco, where you will have the afternoon to enjoy the city of Cusco. In the evening at 10:00 p.m. You will board the bus to the city of Puno from the terminal.

  • Tour modality: Cultural and archaeological
  • Degree of difficulty: None
  • Departure time: 8:00 to 8:30 a.m
  • End of the tour: 2:30 p.m.
  • Language: English, Spanish
  • Departure time to Puno: 10:00 p.m. at night

Day 03 .- Tour Uros Island _ Taquile Island and that same day at night bus back from Puno to Cusco

Arriving in Puno 5.30 a.m. We will pick you up from the Puno bus terminal upon arrival. The tour will start at approximately 7:00 a.m. From the city of Puno we will go to the port, where we will board a speedboat which will go to the floating island of Los Uros, after visiting the Island of Los Uros. You will visit Taquile Island where we will stop for approximately 4 hours. On this Island you can have lunch. Once both tours have been completed, you will be transferred to the port of the city of Puno. And finally, from the Puno terminal, you will board the bus at 10:00 p.m. back to the city of Cusco. Arriving approximately 5:30 to 6:00 a.m.

  • Departure times of the tour and end of the tour: 7:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
  • Language: English, Spanish
  • Group size: Urus Island and Taquile Island: 16 to 30 people
  • Average height: (3,800 m.s.n.m)
  • Departure time from Puno to Cuso: 10:00 p.m. at night

Day 04.- Tour of the Sacred Valley and the Connection to Aguas Calientes

We will pick you up at your hotel at 08:10 a.m. to start our trip to the impressive Sacred Valley of the Incas, on the way we will have views of beautiful landscapes and small towns, we will also make some stops at the Qorao and Taray viewpoints from where we will observe the peaks of the mountains and the Vilcanota River that passes through this valley, we will have time to visit the typical Pisaq market where we can observe and buy some handcrafted souvenirs made by the inhabitants with ancestral traditions, after the respective explanation we will go to the PISAQ Archaeological Complex, it is located at 30 minutes from the City of Cusco, where we will find Inca constructions and terraces of great importance since these served as an adaptation area for some products of the Inca region, in addition to serving as a surveillance point for entering the Sacred Valley. Here we will have a guided tour for approximately 2 hours where our guide will give us extensive information about the Archaeological Complex.
Then we will go to the town of Urubamba where we will have a delicious buffet lunch with typical food of the region in a tourist restaurant, then we will continue our journey until we reach the town of Ollantaytambo, the famous Living Inca Town, where we will have the guided visit to the Archaeological Complex , from where we will also see the impressive face that stands out on the hill, of the famous God Tunupa.

We will board the train at the Ollantaytambo station at approximately 4:30 p.m. or 7:00 p.m. towards the town of Aguas Calientes, where the hotel staff awaits us to take us to the hotel, where we will spend the night. (Optionally we can enjoy the hot springs of this place)

  • Tour modality: Adventure, cultural and archaeological
  • Places to visit on this tour: Pisaq, Urubamba and Ollantaytambo
  • Tour departure times: 08:10 a.m. to 8:30 a.m.
  • Language: English, Spanish
  • Group size: In the Sacred Valley 20 people on the bus
  • Train schedule from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes: We will board the train at the Ollantaytambo station at approximately 4:30 p.m. or 7:00 p.m. towards the town of Aguas Calientes.
  • Hotel in Aguas Calientes: Tambo Machu Picchu, or similar

Day 5.-Guided tour in Machu Picchu and Return to Cusco

Visiting Machu Picchu
There are two ways to reach Machu Picchu from Aguas Calientes:

Hike: For a more active experience, you can hike from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu, which takes approximately 1.5 hours.

Bus: The fastest and easiest option. Buses take you directly to the entrance of the site. Each journey lasts 25 minutes, and the ticket is included in the tour package

New Entry Regulations
Your entry time will depend on how early you booked the tour and the circuit you’re assigned

Inside Machu Picchu
Once inside the Inca citadel, you’ll enjoy a guided tour lasting approximately two hours. You’ll explore the most important sectors of this ancient wonder, including temples, houses, terraces, and agricultural areas. The ingenuity of Inca engineering—far ahead of its time—continues to inspire awe and curiosity to this day.

After the Tour
Once your visit to Machu Picchu is over, you’ll take a bus back down to Aguas Calientes. In town, you’ll find plenty of great spots to relax and enjoy lunch. After your meal, make your way to the train station in time for your return departure

Can I Still Climb Huayna Picchu?
Yes, you may still have the chance to climb Huayna Picchu Mountain, but please note:

The climb is only allowed in the morning and is split into two entry groups:

Group 1: 7:00 AM – 8:00 AM
Group 2: 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM

You can choose to climb either before or after your scheduled visit to Machu Picchu, depending on availability and your ticket.

Note: Machu Picchu Inca site is different from Machu Picchu Mountain. When most people refer to Machu Picchu, they are referring to the archeological site. Machu Picchu Mountain requires a separate permit to climb. Please notify us if you are interested and we can book this for you. It must be done in advance and is a part of your entry into the site

Day 6.- Goodbye Cusco and transfer to the airport

You will tell us the time your flight leaves and we will pick you up from your hotel and transfer to the airport and thus conclude our services.

Price

Price: $ 950.00 USD per person



Additional Upgrades for Cusco, Machu Picchu and Puno – Lake Titicaca 6D:

  • Huayna Picchu Mountain: $70 USD (subject to availability)
  • Machu Picchu Mountain: $70 USD (subject to availability)
  • Upgrade your Expedition train  to Vistadome Train – Panoramic Train (if you choose the train return option):

Train schedule

The schedule for the return train at the end of the Tour/Trek is the Expedition Train, departing at 6:20 p.m. or 7:00 p.m., depending on availability.

If you prefer an earlier train for the return journey, we can arrange it for an additional cost of $35 per person. The available times are 2:55 p.m. or 4:35 p.m. We also offer the option to book the Vistadome train at 3:40 p.m. for an additional cost of $65 per person. Please let us know in advance which train schedule you prefer. Please note that none of the reserved trains go directly to Cusco; they only go to the Ollantaytambo or Poroy stations. In any case, we will ensure that transportation will be arranged to pick you up and bring you back to Cusco.

Can I change my return train ticket to an earlier one at the Aguas Calientes station?

Yes, you can make this change in person at the Aguas Calientes train station. However, they will ask you to pay an additional fee for changing the ticket, and the change will be subject to availability of space and train schedules.

How long does the return trip to Cusco take?

The return journey to Cusco takes approximately 3 hours. First, you will board a train in Aguas Calientes, which will take you to the Ollantaytambo train station for 1 hour and 30 minutes. Then, a transfer from our office will be waiting for you at the train station exit with a sign bearing your name to drive you back to Cusco in a car or van for approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes. Finally, they will drop you off at your hotel or hostel. You will receive your train tickets once your Machu Picchu tour has concluded.

What to bring

What you need to bring:

  • A light backpack or briefcase (there is a weight limit between 5 to 6 kilos maximum).
  • Original passport and migration card (TAM).
  • A canteen with water is mandatory. The authorities will not allow the use or/or entry of plastic bottles in Machu Picchu.
  • Wear sneakers or light shoes or tennis.
  • Drink plenty of fluids on your excursions.
  • Raincoat (long poncho) in the rainy season.
  • Long sleeve shirts.
  • Long pants.
  • Insect repellent.
  • Sunscreen, wide-brimmed hat for sunny days.
  • Sunglasses, plastic bags.
  • Medicine and/or items for personal use
  • Camera or camcorder and films.
  • Have on hand checks and coins in small denominations soles or dollars.
    Bathing clothes for the thermal baths (optional).

Why Us

Why does Inka Trail Backpacker charge less than other Inca Trail operators?

At Inka Trail Backpacker, we offer you the basic and essential version of the popular treks in the region and because we are a 100% local company we know the real cost of operations and everything you will need. That is why our slogan is “Fun. Not Fancy Trip.”

Are you a certified company?

Inka Trail Backpacker has been a Licensed Inca Trail Tour Operator since 2014. All companies managing the Inca Trail must be certified and have an Inca Trail operators license. This license is issued annually each December; Inka Trail Backpacker is licensed through the year of  2030.

Our license as an Official Travel Agency is under the name Inka Trail Backpacker E.I.R.L. Our License as an Inca Trail Operator is under the name of INKA TRAIL BACKPACKER E.I.R.L

Travel with like-minded travelers

As a traveler, you know that one of the most rewarding and memorable experiences of going to new places is the people you meet along the way. By booking a trek or tour with us, you can be sure that your group will have travelers looking for adventure similar to yours in the Peruvian Andes. Our groups offer a great opportunity to meet new people and network in a friendly environment. You never know who you’ll meet!

Our work with local Communities

We are really proud of the work we do for our local communities. This is the main focus of our company. We have worked directly with the villages to help them meet their needs. All the products we buy for food on our walks come from local farmers and markets, so we guarantee that our food has fresh and organic ingredients.

100% guaranteed departures

At Inka Trail Backpacker, we like to think that we trek a little differently than our competitors. We stand by our clients and guarantee that we meet 100% of our departure dates on our trips, even if you are a solo traveler, you will always find a place within our groups that you can join.

Travel Info

Visa for Peru

In general, if you are Latin American, North American or European, you will not need it. If you are a citizen of Mercosur, all members can enter Peru just by carrying your DNI or with a valid passport. If you are from a non-Mercosur country then you will need a valid passport and in some exceptional cases depending on your country of origin, a visa. Here the complete relationship.

If you are a minor you will need to pass in the company of your parents. If you are a father and you are traveling with children, you will need a marriage certificate, birth certificate of the child.

Vaccines

No vaccine is mandatory, but the Peruvian Ministry of Health “recommends” getting vaccinated against Yellow Fever to go to certain regions of the jungle. Normally nobody does, so it’s up to you if it’s worth the risk or not. In several countries this vaccine is free and when it costs, it is not expensive.

Climate and environment in Cusco

If you are Argentine, Ecuadorian, Chilean, Colombian or you come from a place where it is hot in summer as much as possible, in Cusco it is the opposite. Do not think that your summer is replicated in this region. The periods of intense and cold rain are between December and April, while in the capital it is very hot. Be it summer or winter, in Cusco at some point of the day it is cold. Always wear a coat. It is typical that in sunny places you feel hot and in shady places cold. The sun is radiant, and with the climate of the place it can damage your skin. Bring sunscreen and/or buy cocoa paste pills at pharmacies, which are very cheap and useful.

Machu Picchu, unlike the city of Cusco, is located on the edge of the jungle, that is, at a hybrid point where the mountains meet the jungle and the vegetation changes, showing characteristics of both regions at times. The best season to visit is usually between July and October (high season) when there is not much rain and always blue skies, however this place is visited all year round and it never disappoints.

Altitude Sickness

Perhaps you have never experienced a lack of oxygen. This is commonly felt in Cusco due to the height and makes everything cost triple the effort so you do not have your usual physical resistance which will be diminished. Your digestion will be a little slower and your sleep dense and deep. The ideal is to stay calm the first day to acclimatise. It is very normal that all pharmacies sell pills for altitude sickness. Coca tea also helps as well as candies.

Health and safety

The city of Cusco is safe in the places where you see yourself surrounded by tourists, the center, the Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu. Avoid walking alone in the night markets or too far from the center with things of value and tourist appearance. Be aware of your pockets at fairs or areas where you are very close to people. In one of the most touristic cities in the world, petty theft and scams are predictable. To avoid this, simply do not leave your valuables alone or trust free things. Do not trust the excesses of unjustified kindness of strangers who will usually always want something from you.

Hygiene is very important to maintain health. Try whenever possible to see how the food served to you is treated. It is common for tourists to get sick to their stomachs from trying everything. To avoid this, be careful, and avoid things that are sold on buses and street vendors, especially fried foods and artisanal cheeses that can be carriers of dangerous bacteria. Boiled, freshly cooked, or well-washed food will almost always be fine. Long walks on rocky terrain can make you easy prey to dislocations or similar injuries. Wear good shoes. Cusco has good health care places that cater specifically to tourists. To access them do not forget to have travel insurance. You can buy them here so you can choose the cheapest travel insurance.

Lodging

Peru is one of the cheapest countries in South America so you can get rooms at ridiculously low prices. However, what you get is directly related to what you pay. You can review lodgings, see the photos and compare all the lodgings at http://hospedaje.mochileros.org so you will have a clearer idea.

Faqs

How long does it take to get to the city of Puno from Cusco and vice versa?

Approximately 8 hours of travel.

Where to store your things:

You can leave or store the things that you will not take to the Inca Trail in the hotel or hostel where you are staying. Most of these establishments have warehouses where they will store your things. If you do not trust the place where you are staying, we will gladly store your belongings in our office.

Health and Safety: All our participants must inform us if they have or have had any illness that may affect their personal or group progress during the walk. They will also need to bring their own medications. We recommend that you visit your doctor before making your reservation (if you have any health problems).

Other trips you might like

This trip comes in different shapes and sizes. For more options, check out these itineraries

Chat Inka Trail Backpacker