Cusco Express 4 days – 3 nights
- Duration
- 4 Days / 3 Nights
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Group
- Private or group
- Language
- Spanish
- Max altitude
- 5,036 m.s.n.m
About this tour
Looking for a quick yet beautiful visit to the city of Cusco?
This is your best option.
The “Cusco Express” (4 days/3 nights) is an experience designed to let you discover the best of the “Navel of the World.” Explore the magic of Cusco and its living history on the City Tour, be awestruck by the majesty of Machu Picchu, and take in the vibrant landscapes of the Rainbow Mountain. Four days filled with culture, adventure, and Andean energy.
Itinerary
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We will meet you upon your arrival at the Cusco airport and transfer you to your hotel so you can get some well-deserved rest.
We will begin the afternoon with a city tour through the impressive streets of Cusco.
We will start at the Cathedral and then head to the Qoricancha—also known as the Temple of the Sun. Both sites are located just steps away from Cusco’s Plaza de Armas; however, the four archaeological sites are situated about 20 km away.
We will visit Sacsayhuamán, Qenqo, Pukapukara, and Tambomachay. -
We will start the day by heading to the bus terminal to board the bus that will take us to the train station in Ollantaytambo, where we will catch the tourist train to the town of Aguas Calientes. Upon arrival, we will take the tourist bus to the citadel's entrance and begin a guided tour of its main archaeological sites, including its various districts and plazas. There, we will have the opportunity to take the classic photo of Machu Picchu.
In the afternoon, we will return to the city of Cusco on the tourist train. -
We will depart very early for the beautiful Mountain of Seven Colors, also known as Vinicunca. En route, we will make a few stops—including the village of Cusipata for a buffet breakfast—before continuing to the checkpoint to begin our hike, ascending to an altitude of over 5,020 meters. At the summit, you can take in the stunning scenery of Vinicunca and get a close-up view of the sacred Apu Ausangate, as well as a magnificent vista of the Red Valley surrounding the mountain. On the return journey, we will stop in the community of Cusipata for lunch before arriving back in the city of Cusco.
Return to Cusco
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Early in the day, we will check out of the hotel and transfer to the airport, where our adventure will come to an end.
Included
- Accommodation: 3 nights in a 3-star hotel with daily buffet breakfasts.
- Private transfers: Arrival (Airport – Hotel) and departure (Hotel – Airport) transfers.
- Ground and rail transport:
- Shared transport for the City Tour and Rainbow Mountain excursions.
- Round-trip transfer between the hotel and the Ollantaytambo train station.
- Tourist train: Ollantaytambo – Aguas Calientes – Ollantaytambo.
- Shuttle bus (up and down) between Aguas Calientes and Machu Picchu (Consettur).
- Tour guide:
- Professional guide (shared service) for the City Tour and Rainbow Mountain.
- Professional guide (private service) for the Machu Picchu citadel tour.
- Admission tickets: Entrance fees for all scheduled tourist attractions (City Tour, Machu Picchu, and Rainbow Mountain).
- Meals included: Daily buffet breakfast at the hotel, plus buffet breakfast and buffet lunch during the Rainbow Mountain excursion.
Not included
- Airfare: Domestic or international flights.
- Unspecified meals: Lunches on days 1 and 2, and dinners on all days.
- Optional Machu Picchu access: Tickets to climb Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain.
- Extra mountain services: Rental of horses or trekking poles for Rainbow Mountain.
- Insurance: Travel medical, accident, or baggage insurance.
- Personal expenses: Tips, additional drinks, souvenirs, or local purchases.
Information and recommendations
- Rapid acclimatization: Since this is a short, demanding 4-day itinerary, use the afternoon of Day 1—following the city tour—to get plenty of rest, eat light meals, and drink plenty of coca tea before the high-altitude hike.
- Luggage for Machu Picchu: Bring only a small backpack (maximum 5 kg) for the Machu Picchu excursion. Your main suitcase will be stored securely at your hotel in Cusco.
- Preparing for Rainbow Mountain (5,200 m a.s.l.): Wear hiking shoes with good traction and dress in thermal layers; bring a windbreaker, gloves, and a hat to protect yourself against the intense cold and wind at the summit.
- Essential original documents: Carry your original passport or a valid physical national ID card at all times; these are required for boarding trains and entering the citadel.
Frequently asked questions
Is it a very exhausting itinerary to do in just four days?
It is an intensive yet entirely feasible itinerary. By scheduling Machu Picchu for Day 2 and the Rainbow Mountain for Day 3, you make the most of your time, although good physical fitness is required for the mountain ascent on the penultimate day.
Can I hire a horse for the ascent of the 7-Color Mountain?
Yes. Local community members offer a horse rental service for a large part of the ascent. This service is arranged directly at the start of the hike and paid for in cash (Soles).
What do I do with my large suitcase during the trip to Machu Picchu?
It remains in your hotel's complimentary luggage storage in Cusco. For the train journey to Machu Picchu, you only need to bring a carry-on bag or a light backpack with the essentials for the day.
Are the flights to Cusco included in the package price?
No. Travelers must purchase their own flights to and from the city of Cusco, ensuring they coordinate their arrival times for Day 1 and departure times for Day 4.
Before you travel
Important information about Machu Picchu
Limited-capacity tickets
Entry to the citadel has a daily capacity set by the Ministry of Culture. In high season (May to September) tickets sell out weeks or months ahead. We book your entrance as soon as you confirm.
Original passport
Bring the same document used to buy the tickets: it is checked on the train, the bus and at the Machu Picchu gate. Students: valid university ID.
Circuits and entry time
Visits follow signposted circuits at the time printed on your ticket. Arrive at the gate 30 minutes early. There are no restrooms inside the citadel: they are next to the entrance.
What to bring (and what not)
Small backpack, rain poncho, sunscreen, insect repellent, hat and water in a reusable bottle. Single-use plastics, food, drones, tripods and walking poles without rubber tips are not allowed.
Altitude and weather
Machu Picchu sits at 2,430 m (7,970 ft), lower than Cusco (3,399 m). The climate is subtropical: strong morning sun and sudden showers, especially from November to March.
Train and bus
You travel by train to Aguas Calientes (from Ollantaytambo or Cusco station) and then take a 25-minute bus up to the entrance. We coordinate schedules, tickets and transfers.
Conservation rules
Touching or climbing the walls, leaving the trails, smoking and feeding animals are not allowed. You will visit the citadel with an official licensed guide.
Inca Trail
Inca Trail permits are limited and issued by name (non-transferable). The trail closes every February for maintenance; during that month we offer alternatives such as Salkantay or the train tour.
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