6-Day Private Cusco Tour: Machu Picchu, Sacred Valley & Rainbow Mountain

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What’s the experience like?

Landing in Cusco always hits different—the air’s thin and crisp, and you can smell eucalyptus from the nearby hills. Someone from Chullos Travel Peru met us right at the airport with a big smile and a sign (easy to spot). The first morning’s free; honestly, I just napped and drank coca tea to help with the altitude. By 2pm we were off—Koricancha first, where sunlight bounces off old stone walls. Our guide, Rosa, knew every story behind those golden temples. Sacsayhuaman was next. It’s massive—those stones are wild—and if you listen close you’ll hear falcons overhead. We squeezed through the tight passageways at Qenqo (it’s colder inside than you’d think), then checked out PucaPucara and Tambomachay before heading back to town around 7pm. The city lights looked pretty cool from the bus window.

The next day started early—8am pickup for the Sacred Valley. Pisaq’s terraces are greener than any photo shows, and there was this old guy selling fresh corn by the entrance (try it if you get a chance). Lunch in Urubamba was buffet-style: lots of quinoa dishes and roasted veggies. Ollantaytambo felt like stepping into another time; our guide pointed out the Princess Baths and explained how the Sun Temple lines up with mountain peaks during solstice. After that we caught the train to Aguas Calientes—windows down low so you can see river rapids flash by. That night our Machu Picchu guide stopped by our hotel to go over details for tomorrow (super helpful).

Machu Picchu day means waking up before sunrise—there’s a buzz in town as everyone lines up for buses. The mist hangs low over the ruins at first; it clears as you walk through ancient paths with your guide explaining what each corner meant to the Incas. We had about two hours exploring circuits 1 or 2 (depends on ticket availability), then grabbed lunch back in Aguas Calientes before catching trains and buses all the way back to Cusco.

Rainbow Mountain is an early one—pickup at 4am! Breakfast in Cusipata is simple but filling (lots of bread and eggs). The trek up Winicunca isn’t easy but totally worth it; colors really do pop when sunlight hits just right. Locals rent horses if you need them, and there’s usually someone selling hot coca tea near the top (I needed it). Back down for lunch before returning to Cusco by late afternoon.

The Inca bridge at Q’eswachaka surprised me—it’s made entirely of grass ropes woven by local communities every year. Crossing it feels wobbly but safe enough if you go slow (don’t look down too long!). We also stopped at four lagoons along the way—quiet spots where you mostly hear birds—and saw an old volcano near Yanaoca. On the way back we visited Checacupe bridge for comparison; seeing both bridges side by side makes history feel real.

Last day was relaxed—a slow morning unless you want to join a cooking class or learn how to make pisco sour downtown near Plaza de Armas. Transfers are smooth; they’ll get you to your flight or bus on time.