Peru · Trip plan
6 days in Cusco & Machu Picchu
The Inca capital, the Sacred Valley and the lost city in the clouds.
- Best time
- Apr – Nov
- Ideal length
- 6 days
- A day, mid-range
- $160 per person
- Trip for two
- about $1,920
Planning a 6-day trip to Cusco & Machu Picchu? Here's a day-by-day Cusco & Machu Picchu itinerary with what it costs, where to stay and how to get there, ready to follow or make your own.
Why go now
October and November are shoulder months: fewer crowds than summer and still mostly dry before the rains.
Cusco was the heart of the Inca Empire; today it's a gateway to the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu.
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr: a good time to go
- May: a good time to go
- Jun: a good time to go
- Jul: a good time to go
- Aug: a good time to go
- Sep: a good time to go
- Oct: a good time to go
- Nov: a good time to go
- Dec
October to November: 5–20°C.
Don't miss
Best things to do in Cusco & Machu Picchu
- 01
Machu Picchu
The Inca citadel on a mountain ridge.
- 02
Cusco
Inca walls and colonial churches.
- 03
Sacred Valley
Pisac, Ollantaytambo and Moray.
- 04
Rainbow Mountain
Striped peaks at 5,000 m.
Day by day
Cusco & Machu Picchu itinerary for 6 days
- D1
Day 1: Arrive in Cusco
- Morning
- Fly into Cusco (3,400 m) and rest; altitude hits most people on day one.
- Afternoon
- A gentle walk around the Plaza de Armas and the cathedral.
- Evening
- Early dinner and coca tea.
Drink plenty of water and avoid alcohol the first night.
- D2
Day 2: Inca Cusco
- Morning
- Visit Qorikancha, the Inca sun temple with a Spanish convent built on top.
- Afternoon
- Explore the zig-zag walls of Sacsayhuamán above the city.
- Evening
- Browse San Pedro market, then dinner in the San Blas quarter.
Buy the Cusco tourist ticket for many sites.
- D3
Day 3: Sacred Valley
- Morning
- Visit Pisac's market and hilltop terraces.
- Afternoon
- Continue to Ollantaytambo, a living Inca town with a temple fortress.
- Evening
- Stay overnight in the Sacred Valley.
The valley is lower than Cusco and easier on altitude.
- D4
Day 4: Machu Picchu
- Morning
- Take the train to Aguas Calientes and the bus up to Machu Picchu.
- Afternoon
- Explore the citadel with a licensed guide.
- Evening
- Overnight in Aguas Calientes.
Guides and timed tickets are required.
- D5
Day 5: Huayna Picchu
- Morning
- Hike Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain for the classic view from above.
- Afternoon
- Train back to Cusco.
- Evening
- Dinner of lomo saltado.
Book mountain permits weeks ahead.
- D6
Day 6: Home
- Morning
- Morning coffee in Cusco.
- Afternoon
- Fly to Lima.
- Evening
- Connect home.
Allow time for connections in Lima.
Shorter or longer
Cusco & Machu Picchu in 5, 6 or 8 days
5 days in Cusco & Machu Picchu
Follow days 1 to 5 above and leave out “Home”. Start early each day and book the main sights ahead.
8 days in Cusco & Machu Picchu
Slow down with a free day for a spa, a cooking class or simply wandering.
What it costs
Cusco & Machu Picchu trip budget
| Style | Per person, a day | 6 days for two |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | $70 | $840 |
| Mid-range | $160 | $1,920 |
| Luxury | $450+ | $5,400 |
Stay, food, local transport and entry fees; travel to Cusco & Machu Picchu is extra. Rough guides from recent prices, so check before you book.
Where to stay
Best hotels in Cusco & Machu Picchu for every budget
What to eat
Food to try in Cusco & Machu Picchu
Ceviche
Peru's national dish.
Lomo saltado
Stir-fried beef with fries.
Coca tea
Helps with altitude.
Getting there
How to reach Cusco & Machu Picchu
- Travel
- Fly from Lima to Cusco (1 hour).
- Getting around
- Taxis, tours and the PeruRail or Inca Rail trains.
- Book Machu Picchu tickets and trains weeks ahead.
- Acclimatise for a day; Cusco is 3,400 m.
Before you go
What to pack for Cusco & Machu Picchu
- Power bank and charging cables
- Passport and visa printouts
- Clothes that cover shoulders and knees for temples
- A small first-aid kit
- A reusable water bottle
- A forex card or some local cash
- Travel insurance
Good questions
Cusco & Machu Picchu trip FAQs
How many days are enough for Cusco & Machu Picchu?
6 days are enough to see the highlights: Machu Picchu, Cusco, Sacred Valley. Add a day or two if you like a slower pace.
How much does a 6-day Cusco & Machu Picchu trip cost?
Roughly $70 a day per person on a budget, $160 mid-range and $450+ for luxury, not counting travel to get there. For two people mid-range, that's about $1,920 for 6 days.
What is the best time to visit Cusco & Machu Picchu?
Apr – Nov. October and November are shoulder months: fewer crowds than summer and still mostly dry before the rains.
Where should I stay in Cusco & Machu Picchu?
Budget: Hostels in San Blas (Cusco), from about $30 a night. Mid-range: Hotels near Plaza de Armas (Cusco), from about $150 a night. Luxury: Belmond Hotel Monasterio (Cusco), from about $600 a night.
How do I reach Cusco & Machu Picchu?
Fly from Lima to Cusco (1 hour).
Is 5 days enough for Cusco & Machu Picchu?
Yes, if you focus: follow days 1 to 5 of the itinerary above and skip "Home". 6 days is the comfortable length.
What is the weather like in Cusco & Machu Picchu?
October to November: 5–20°C.
What food should I try in Cusco & Machu Picchu?
Ceviche: Peru's national dish. Lomo saltado: Stir-fried beef with fries. Coca tea: Helps with altitude.
How do I get around Cusco & Machu Picchu?
Taxis, tours and the PeruRail or Inca Rail trains.
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