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

A trip like this is interesting because you stack big-name Peru in a smart order, Cusco first, then the Sacred Valley, then Machu Picchu, and finally Humantay Lake up high. I love the small group size (maximum 15 people), because you spend less time waiting and more time actually seeing. I also like the all-inclusive transportation and seven included meals, so you are not constantly doing math with your next meal.

One real consideration is the physical demand tied to altitude, especially on Day 4 when Humantay Lake sits around 4,250 meters and you start very early. If you are fine with a steep, early hike day, this route can feel like a smooth, well-paced adventure.

Key things that make this tour work

• Max 15 people keeps it manageable, with less crowding on long travel days
• Chullos Travel Peru handles the handoffs with airport pickup, on-time transfers, and guided stops
• City tour hits major Cusco landmarks in one go, including Koricancha and Sacsayhuaman
• Sacred Valley day is structured around Pisaq, Urubamba lunch, and Ollantaytambo before the train
• Machu Picchu includes a guided two-hour visit plus an organized start with bus and train timing
• Humantay Lake is a real hike with a 1 hour 30 minute walk toward the lagoon, at high altitude

The smart flow: Cusco, Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, then Humantay Lake

This is a classic route for a reason. You start in Cusco with time to settle in before you go hard. Then you move outward into the Sacred Valley, so the pace gradually rises. By the time you reach Machu Picchu, you have already seen how the Incas shaped mountain towns, terraces, and sacred spaces.

What makes this tour practical is how much is handled for you. You are not piecing together buses, trains, and tickets day after day. You get guided sightseeing, scheduled transport, and a clear sequence, which matters because Peru travel can get hectic fast if you are improvising.

Also, the group size helps. With a maximum of 15 people, your guide can actually keep track of everyone. That matters when timing is everything, like catching buses up to Machu Picchu.

Day 1 in Cusco: Koricancha, Sacsayhuaman, and the Inca water places

You start with a simple arrival plan. A representative from Chullos Travel Peru meets you at the airport and helps with the transfer to your hotel. Then you get a free morning to rest and acclimatize. That breathing room on Day 1 is underrated. Cusco altitude is no joke, and a calm start can make the next days feel easier.

At around 2:00 pm, the city tour begins with a pickup from your hotel. You first visit Koricancha (Temple of the Sun) with about 45 minutes of guided time. This stop gives you a foundation. You see how Cusco’s sacred center connected religion, power, and everyday life.

Next, you ride by van to Sacsayhuaman, with about 30 minutes of travel. The visit includes the story behind the name, tied to Quechua meaning, and the vibe here is more open air than Koricancha. You then continue to Qenqo, described as a ritual center on a rocky outcrop. You do not just walk through. The setting is dramatic enough that you naturally feel why people treated these places as spiritual.

After that, the tour continues to Puca Pucara (Red Fortress), a military construction. Then you finish at Tambomachay, often called the Inca Baths, connected with water rituals.

You return to Cusco by around 7:00 pm. You will feel tired after this day, but it is a good tired. It is guided, it is efficient, and it avoids that common problem of spending all your first day wrestling with directions.

Day 2 Sacred Valley: Pisaq to Ollantaytambo, plus the train to Aguas Calientes

This day starts early at 8:00 am pickup. You travel about 1.5 hours by mobility to Pisaq, where you get about 1 hour of guided time. Pisaq is one of those stops where the ruins and the views make sense together. You can think of it as a place where the land itself was part of the design.

From there, you travel along the Sacred Valley corridor toward Willka Mayu, then you reach Urubamba for a buffet lunch with typical Andean food. I like that lunch is handled in the plan, because Sacred Valley traffic and meal stops can turn into time traps. Here, you get a scheduled reset.

After lunch, the van ride is about 30 minutes to Ollantaytambo. You get roughly 1 hour of guided sightseeing at the archaeological site, including the Temple of the Sun, the Intihuatana, the Princess Baths, and Andean terraces. This is where the engineering becomes obvious. Even if you are not a ruins nerd, you will see why people stayed and built here.

Then comes the shift from sightseeing to the main event logistics. You head to the train station and board the train to Aguas Calientes, where you stay overnight. This matters. Machu Picchu morning is not the time to be learning the system.

Day 3 Machu Picchu: bus up, a guided two-hour walk, and back by train

Machu Picchu day is built around one goal: get you there smoothly and make sure you understand what you are looking at. You take the bus to Machu Picchu and then show your entrance ticket at the entrance. The guide then leads the experience for about two hours, covering the key areas and helping you read the site instead of just walking through it.

One useful detail: the guide provides visit details at the hotel the night before, so you are not guessing about timing when it is dark and early. That is a small thing that can save stress.

After the guided portion, you go back to Aguas Calientes for lunch, then you return to the railway system. You board the train to Ollantaytambo, and then you go by bus back to your Cusco hotel.

Machu Picchu tickets: what you need to know

The official Machu Picchu entry is subject to availability. The tour notes that the only authorized sellers are the Ministry of Culture of Peru, and tickets are requested for the available circuits 1 and 2.

If no tickets are available for any official type, you receive a full refund of your tour package. Translation: you should still plan as if you will go, but you should understand this is not a guaranteed paper ticket in hand from the start.

Day 4 Humantay Lake: the 4:00 am start, the 4,250 m hike, and the payoff

This is the day that makes the tour feel like more than just a box-check to Machu Picchu. The pickup happens at 4:00 am. You ride to Mollepata, where you have breakfast. Then you travel on to Soraypampa and begin the walk toward Humantay Lagoon.

You walk for about 1 hour 30 minutes up to the lagoon, and the altitude is listed as 4,250 meters. Along the way, you are encouraged to watch for the fauna and flora of the area. It is not just a slog. The guide’s job is to keep you oriented and moving at a pace that works.

After reaching the lagoon, you descend back to Soraypampa, take the mobility again to Mollepata, and enjoy lunch. The day wraps with a return to Cusco around 6:00 pm.

Practical advice: pace yourself early. At that altitude, rushing is the wrong move. Bring whatever helps you stay comfortable, like layers you can add or remove. And if you feel nausea or a headache, tell your guide right away so you can adjust.

This hike is exactly why the tour earns its name. It gives you a second Peru highlight that feels calmer than Machu Picchu, even though it is still high and demanding.

Meals, hotels, and transportation: what all-inclusive really means here

The value of this package is not just that you get a train to Machu Picchu. It is that the tour includes a lot of the stuff that usually turns into extra costs and extra planning.

Here is what the included meals add up to:

• Breakfasts: 4
• Lunches: 3

That totals seven complimentary meals during the tour. If you have ever traveled in Peru and lost time hunting for food between long rides, you will appreciate being fed on schedule.

For lodging, you get three-star accommodation. The tour specifically sets up an overnight in Aguas Calientes so you can do Machu Picchu the next day without chaos.

Transportation is also covered in a useful way. You have air-conditioned vehicle service, airport transfers, and day-to-day mobility between sites. Train tickets are included, which is a major piece of the logistics puzzle for this part of Peru.

Finally, a tone note from real-world experience: the tour team is known for being nice and responsible, and they keep pickups on time. That matters more than people think, because the schedule is tight on both Machu Picchu day and Humantay day.

Price and logistics: $589.50 and the fine print that can matter

At $589.50 per person, this package positions itself as a “let someone else do the scheduling” kind of trip. You are paying for organized transport, a guide, train tickets, and a solid amount of included meals, plus three-star hotels.

What is not included is important: Machu Picchu admission is listed as not included, then immediately explained as being purchased according to availability for the appropriate circuits. So in practice, you are not fully in charge of the ticket, but you also are not fully left out. The package describes a process and a refund if tickets cannot be secured.

So how should you think about value? If you would otherwise spend time researching transport and figuring out Machu Picchu circuit options, this price can feel reasonable. If you are very flexible and want total control over circuit selection and timing, you might prefer a more DIY approach. But that is less convenient, and you risk losing time when systems change.

Also, note that other meals are not listed as included beyond the seven meals. Plan on paying for dinner and any extra snacks yourself.

Day 5 in Cusco: Plaza de Armas free time, plus an optional pisco sour add-on

You end with a free morning, starting back in the area of Plaza de Armas. This is ideal for two reasons. First, you can relax after the big physical and travel days. Second, you can adapt based on your flight time.

If you want something planned, there is an option for an additional Peruvian gastronomy and pisco sour tour that runs about two hours. If you want the trip to end with a taste of Peru instead of a rush to the airport, this is a decent way to do it.

Who should book this, and who might pass

This tour is a strong match if:

• You want a guided route with major sites covered in a logical order
• You prefer a small group and clear daily timing
• You are okay with moderate physical fitness, including a hike at high altitude

It may not be the best match if:

• You hate early mornings, because Day 4 starts at 4:00 am
• You are looking for maximum flexibility. This package follows a schedule for transport, train rides, and timed site visits

One more thought. If you are traveling for the first time in this region, this route can be a confidence-builder. Cusco can feel like a lot, but having a guide and transport reduces decision fatigue.

Should you book this Cusco, Machu Picchu, and Humantay Lake package?

I would book it if you want a well-run plan that pairs the big two, Machu Picchu and Cusco, with a third highlight that feels different, Humantay Lake. The max 15 group size, the punctual, friendly team, and the mix of included transport plus seven meals make it feel practical.

I would think twice if you know you struggle with altitude or you cannot manage a long early hike day. In that case, the schedule might feel too demanding.

Also, if Machu Picchu tickets are your absolute top priority, read the ticket condition carefully: entry is subject to availability, with tickets requested for circuits 1 or 2, and a full refund of the package if no tickets are secured. That is the one moving part to be aware of.

If those points fit your style, this tour is a good bet.

FAQ

How many people are in the group?

The tour has a maximum group size of 15 travelers.

What meals are included during the 5 days?

You get seven included meals total: 4 breakfasts and 3 lunches. Meals not mentioned are not included.

Are Machu Picchu tickets included?

Machu Picchu admission is described as subject to availability. Tickets are arranged for circuits 1 and 2 when available. If no tickets of any type are available, you receive a full refund of your tour package.

What is the Humantay Lake hike like?

You pick up at 4:00 am, then hike about 1 hour 30 minutes to Humantay Lagoon, which is listed at about 4,250 meters. The tour asks for moderate physical fitness.

What kind of hotel is included?

The tour includes three-star accommodation.

Can I cancel and get a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. If you cancel less than 24 hours before the start time, the amount you paid is not refunded.