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Cusco & the Sacred Valley: 6-Day Plan You Can Actually Do Last updated : 2026-08-17
The 6-day version for May: every day fits real transit, opening hours and daylight. Prefer more or fewer days? 5-day plan · 6-day plan · best time to go .
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💡 Good to know for this plan Dry season: crisp blue days, freezing nights, and peak Inca Trail demand — permits and Machu Picchu slots sell out months out. Day 1 Cusco 4 curated stops
Transit 0h29
Finish ~15:20
Temperature 2.6°C–13.2°C
Rainy days ~1
Daylight 11.4h 09:00
Stand in awe at the massive stonework of an Inca fortress.
90 min · Cusco
10:40
Behold elaborate colonial-era religious paintings in a grand cathedral.
50 min · Cusco · S/40; morning mass free
open: Daily 06:00–20:00
11:40
Stand in the sacred Inca temple now entwined with a colonial church.
50 min · Cusco · S/20
12:50
Admire intricate stonework and a mysterious ornamental fountain.
90 min · Cusco
14:20
Relish generous portions of flavorful Chifa dishes.
60 min · Cusco
open: M–Sa 13:00–16:00 and 18:00–21:00
Overnight here e.g. Hospedaje Amanecer · Hostal El Arcano
Day 2 Around Cusco 4 curated stops
Transit 0h18
Finish ~14:30
Temperature 2.6°C–13.2°C
Rainy days ~1
Daylight 11.4h 09:00
Marvel at zigzag rock carvings and sacred Inca archaeological site.
90 min · Cusco
10:40
Gaze at the impossibly precise twelve-sided Inca stone.
50 min · Cusco
11:40
View the world's largest collection of Machu Picchu artifacts.
50 min · Cusco · Foreigners S/20, international students and Peruvians with ID S/10, Peruvian students S/5
open: M–F 09:00–16:00, closed Sa–Su
12:40
Discover intricate paintings and Inca history in a scholar's home.
50 min · Cusco · Included in boleto turistico
open: Daily 08:00–17:00
13:30
Enjoy generous vegetarian meals with free salads and soy options.
60 min · Cusco · S/20
open: M-Sa 08:00 - 22:00, closed Su
Overnight here e.g. Hospedaje Amanecer · Hostal El Arcano
Day 3 Pisac 4 curated stops
Transit 1h15
Finish ~15:55
Temperature 2.6°C–13.2°C
Rainy days ~1
Daylight 11.4h 09:40
Walk among Inca terraces and ceremonial structures high above the Sacred Valley.
120 min · Pisac · Tourist-ticket admission; verify current ticket conditions
open: Mo-Su 07:00-16:30
11:55
You will smell lush blooms and hear rustling leaves in a serene garden.
50 min · Pisac · S/8
open: 08:00-16:30
13:00
Iglesia San Pedro Apóstolo
search You will see colonial arches rising from ancient Inca stone foundations.
50 min · Pisac · Free entry
14:05
You will see vibrant textiles and ancient ceramic techniques on display.
50 min · Pisac
open: Su-F 08:00-13:00, 14:00-17:00
14:55
You will taste fresh, tangy vegan juices and hearty Andean stews.
60 min · Pisac
open: M Tu Th F Su 09:30 to 16:30, closed W and Sa
Overnight here e.g. ChaskaWasi · Hospedaje Inti
Day 4 Urubamba 4 curated stops
Transit 1h41
Finish ~15:45
Temperature 2.6°C–13.2°C
Rainy days ~1
Daylight 11.4h 09:55
Look into Moray’s immense concentric Inca terraces and their changing levels.
75 min · Urubamba · Tourist-ticket admission; verify current ticket conditions
open: Mo-Su 07:00-17:00
11:30
See thousands of working salt ponds step down a steep Andean ravine.
60 min · Urubamba · Paid community-managed visitor access; verify current conditions
12:50
You will feel the pulse of the town in a lively central square.
50 min · Urubamba
13:55
You will witness traditional Andean farming life and customs firsthand.
50 min · Urubamba
14:45
You will savor home-cooked flavors in a warm, intimate dining room.
60 min · Urubamba · Mains US$8–11
Overnight here e.g. Aranwa Sacred Valley · Sol y Luna Lodge & Spa
Day 5 Ollantaytambo 3 curated stops
Transit 0h46
Finish ~15:25
Temperature 3.2°C–13.0°C
Rainy days ~2
Daylight 11.4h 09:30
See sweeping valley views from this hilltop dotted with Incan storehouses.
90 min · Ollantaytambo
open: 07:00–16:30
11:10
Feel the ancient stone beneath you as you explore grand Incan ruins.
90 min · Ollantaytambo
12:55
Watch skilled artisans weave vibrant textiles and learn their traditions.
90 min · Ollantaytambo
14:25
Nourish with vegetarian Peruvian and international meals in a peaceful space.
60 min · Ollantaytambo · S/25–35
open: 12:30–21:00
Overnight here e.g. Tunupa Lodge · Hotel Munay T'ika
Day 6 Machu Picchu 1 curated stops
Transit 4h14
Finish ~17:05
Temperature 8.5°C–17.8°C
Rainy days ~2
Daylight 11.4h Travel connections Indicative times · check before travel Transport is not booked. Confirm departures, local transfers and vehicle pickup before travel.
09:00–12:02
Public transport
Ollantaytambo → Machu Picchu Pueblo PeruRail regular service to Machu Picchu Pueblo
Departs 10:32 · At the gate by 10:02
Check source 12:02–13:02
Transfer
Machu Picchu Pueblo → Machu Picchu Transfer from Machu Picchu Pueblo to the archaeological entrance by authorised shuttle or the signed walking route; match this with the timed admission slot.
Planning allowance: 60 min
Check source 13:05
You'll stand in awe before the perfectly preserved stone terraces and temples of this ancient Incan citadel.
180 min · Machu Picchu
16:05
You will find basic meals served in a bustling atmosphere near the entrance.
60 min · Machu Picchu
Huayna Picchu Machu Picchu
Timed mountain route — reserve separately Choose the matching official circuit and entry time before travel. Capacity, season and route rules vary; this option is not inserted as another stop inside the default Machu Picchu visit.
details Great Cave route Machu Picchu
Timed mountain route — reserve separately Choose the matching official circuit and entry time before travel. Capacity, season and route rules vary; this option is not inserted as another stop inside the default Machu Picchu visit.
details Machu Picchu Mountain Machu Picchu
Timed mountain route — reserve separately Choose the matching official circuit and entry time before travel. Capacity, season and route rules vary; this option is not inserted as another stop inside the default Machu Picchu visit.
details Inca Bridge route Machu Picchu
Timed mountain route — reserve separately Choose the matching official circuit and entry time before travel. Capacity, season and route rules vary; this option is not inserted as another stop inside the default Machu Picchu visit.
details 🔍 Check before you book Every stop is a real, sourced place, but opening hours change, roads close and businesses move. Check anything you're paying for before you book.
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