Self-Launched Cusco: Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu & Rainbow Mountain (6 Days)
6 days · Cusco & Sacred Valley, Peru
Kantu Peru Tours charges £545
No-markup version: ~£470 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
A solo-friendly, self-launched version of Kantu Peru Tours' 6-day Cusco package — same headline sights (Cusco city and Inca ruins, Pisac, Ollantaytambo, Machu Picchu, Chinchero, Moray, the Maras salt pans and Rainbow Mountain) but booked piece by piece yourself. Instead of a 4-star hotel group tour with a different guide each day, you stay in well-located Cusco guesthouses and hostels, use shared tourist shuttles and colectivos around the Sacred Valley, ride the PeruRail/Inca Rail Expedition train to Aguas Calientes on a self-bought ticket, and join low-cost small-group day tours (GetYourGuide/Klook or direct with local Cusco agencies) only where a guide or transport genuinely adds value. Crucially, this version builds in proper acclimatisation: Cusco city first, then gentler Sacred Valley days, Machu Picchu mid-trip and Rainbow Mountain (5,000 m+) last. Book Machu Picchu entry (circuito 2 or 3) and train seats on the official sites as early as possible — they sell out months ahead. All costs are approximate backpacker/budget-traveller estimates in GBP, excluding international flights.
Day-by-day
Arrive Cusco — ease in, city walk & Qoricancha
Cusco
Land at Alejandro Velasco Astete (CUZ) and take a taxi or shared shuttle to your guesthouse in the historic centre (~£3-5; the airport is only 15 minutes out). Resist the urge to do much: at 3,400 m, day one is for hydrating, coca tea and slow walking. In the afternoon stroll Plaza de Armas, visit Qoricancha (Temple of the Sun, ~£3 entry, buy at the gate) and the Cathedral (~£5), then wander San Blas for cheap set lunches (menu del día ~£3-4). If you want the full Inca-ruins loop (Sacsayhuaman, Q'enqo, Puca Pucara, Tambomachay) you can either buy the Boleto Turístico General (~£16, covers 16 sites over 10 days) and take a colectivo/taxi up to Sacsayhuaman, or simply join a cheap afternoon city tour (~£15-20) booked the day before via GetYourGuide. Skip anything strenuous today.
🚌Airport taxi ~£4; walking + short taxi to Sacsayhuaman ~£3
🛏Guesthouse/hostel private or dorm room, Cusco historic centre (~£15-18)
- →Plaza de Armas & Cusco Cathedral
- →Qoricancha (Temple of the Sun)
- →Optional: Sacsayhuaman & Inca ruins loop with Boleto Turístico (~£16)
- →Optional: budget Cusco city tour (~£15-20)
Sacred Valley — Pisac, Urubamba & Ollantaytambo (overnight Ollantaytambo)
Cusco → Pisac → Urubamba → Ollantaytambo
Take an early shared tourist shuttle or colectivo from Cusco towards Pisac (~£2-3, 1hr). Spend the morning at the Pisac ruins (entry via Boleto Turístico or ~£5 local ticket) and, if it's a market day, the crafts market. Continue by colectivo to Urubamba (~£1.50) for a cheap buffet or market lunch (~£4-5), then another colectivo to Ollantaytambo (~£1.50). In the afternoon climb the Ollantaytambo Temple of the Sun terraces (~£5 entry) and watch the valley from the Inca town above. Overnight in Ollantaytambo — this shortens tomorrow's start and helps with altitude. Alternative: a small-group Sacred Valley day tour (~£25-35) if you'd rather not juggle colectivos.
🚌Colectivos/shared shuttles Cusco–Pisac–Urubamba–Ollantaytambo ~£5 total
🛏Budget guesthouse/hostel in Ollantaytambo (~£15)
- →Pisac Inca site & market
- →Urubamba market lunch
- →Ollantaytambo Temple of the Sun
- →Optional: small-group Sacred Valley tour (~£25-35)
Train to Aguas Calientes & Machu Picchu
Ollantaytambo → Aguas Calientes → Machu Picchu → Cusco
Pre-book the PeruRail or Inca Rail Expedition service from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes (~£55-70 one way, book online 4-8 weeks ahead). Catch an early departure, drop your small bag at your Aguas Calientes hotel, then take the Consettur shuttle bus up to the Machu Picchu gate (~£10 return, buy on site). Your Machu Picchu entry must be bought in advance on the official Ministerio de Cultura site (~£38; circuit 2 is the classic route, circuit 3B covers the citadel areas, 1B is the panoramic viewpoint only). A licensed guide meets you at the gate — you can hire one on the spot (~£15-20 split between 3-4 people) or pre-book a small-group guided entry via GetYourGuide (~£25-30). Spend 2-3 hours inside, then shuttle back down, collect your bag and take the afternoon/evening train back to Ollantaytambo or Poroy, followed by a colectivo/bus or shared van to Cusco (~£3). If you want Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain, book that add-on ticket months ahead (~£55).
🚌Train Ollantaytambo–Aguas Calientes return ~£60-70; Consettur bus ~£10; return transfer to Cusco ~£3
🛏Guesthouse/hostel in Cusco historic centre (~£17)
- →PeruRail/Inca Rail Expedition train through the Urubamba gorge
- →Machu Picchu entry & guided visit
- →Optional: Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain add-on (~£55, book far ahead)
Chinchero, Moray & the Maras salt pans
Cusco → Chinchero → Moray → Maras → Cusco
A gentler acclimatisation day in the highlands. Join a small-group or shared tour (~£18-25 via GetYourGuide/Klook or a local agency on Plaza de Armas — they'll also cover transport that colectivos make awkward). Start at Chinchero for the colonial church built on Inca walls and a weaving cooperative demonstration, continue to the concentric terraces of Moray (~£5 entry) and finish at the Maras salt pans (~£3 entry), where you can buy salt direct from the cooperatives. Back in Cusco by late afternoon — good time for the San Pedro market, a £4-5 dinner and an early night before Rainbow Mountain.
🚌Small-group tour transport included in tour price
🛏Guesthouse/hostel in Cusco historic centre (~£17)
- →Chinchero church & Inca terraces
- →Chinchero weaving demonstration
- →Moray circular terraces
- →Maras salt pans
Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca) at 5,036 m — only after acclimatising
Cusco → Cusipata → Rainbow Mountain → Cusco
Deliberately placed last so you've had four days at altitude — tour reviews repeatedly warn that doing this early ruins people. Book a small-group Rainbow Mountain day trip (~£25-35 including breakfast, buffet lunch at Cusipata and transport; GetYourGuide, Klook or a Cusco agency). The pickup is brutally early (~4:30am). From the trailhead the walk is roughly 45-60 minutes uphill to the viewpoint (plus the same back) — or hire a local motorbike/horse to cut most of the climb (~£8-12). Bring layers, rain shell, sunscreen and water; the pass is over 5,000 m and weather turns fast. Back in Cusco late afternoon for a relaxed dinner.
🚌Small-group tour minibus included in tour price
🛏Guesthouse/hostel in Cusco historic centre (~£17)
- →Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca) hike
- →Ausangate glacier views
- →Cusipata community breakfast & buffet lunch
- →Optional: motorbike/horse assist to the viewpoint (~£8-12)
San Pedro market, last sights & departure
Cusco
A final slow morning: coffee and fresh juice at San Pedro market, pick up last souvenirs (textiles, coca chocolate) around San Blas, and if you missed Qoricancha or the Cathedral do it now. Take a taxi to the airport (~£4) for your onward flight — allow 2 hours before departure and keep your Machu Picchu and Boleto Turístico stubs if you're continuing elsewhere in Peru.
🚌Taxi to Cusco airport ~£4
🛏—
- →San Pedro market breakfast
- →San Blas souvenir shopping
- →Optional: any missed Cusco city sights
Self-launched vs. Kantu Peru Tours
| This itinerary (self-launched) | Kantu Peru Tours | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£470 | £545 |
| Duration | 6 days | 6 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £75 per person (14%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more Kantu Peru Tours-style trips? Check them out here.~£470
estimated per person
You never pay Travel Crew for this — you pay hostels, transport, and activity providers directly, the same as if you'd booked it all yourself.
This publishes your dates so other travellers can find and join you — no tour operator needed.
Customise with Tour BusterCreated by
Travel Crew
0 trips
Frequently asked questions
How much does Self-Launched Cusco: Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu & Rainbow Mountain (6 Days) cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £470 per person for 6 days in Cusco & Sacred Valley, Peru. This is an AI-generated estimate based on typical budget-traveller prices — actual costs will vary by season and how you book.
Is this cheaper than booking with Kantu Peru Tours?+
Yes — Kantu Peru Tours charges around £545 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £470 — a saving of roughly £75 (14%) per person.
How long is the Cusco & Sacred Valley, Peru trip?+
This itinerary runs 6 days, covering 6 day-by-day stops through Cusco & Sacred Valley, Peru.
How do I join this trip?+
You can join an existing open departure using this itinerary if one is scheduled, or launch your own departure with your own dates and invite other travellers to join you — no tour operator required.
Isn't it easier to just use a tour operator?+
Well, yes, a tour operator will book all the individual parts of your travel for you and provide a guide. That's obvious, but doing this has the potential to save the group thousands, which can in turn improve your itinerary substantially or save you huge amounts of money. Also, when you launch a departure, Travel Crew has tools in place to help you book the individual sections of the trip or make it easier for you to do this as a group. Really, you do not need a middle man. If you are more comfortable paying more and using a middle man, then you should certainly do this.
Is it safer to book through a tour operator?+
Arguably, there isn't much difference. A self-launched trip runs on the same principle as a group travel crew: collective responsibility, everyone looking out for each other, the same way it would if a group of friends organised the trip themselves — because that's exactly what's happening. You should always take out travel insurance before you go, self-launched or not; that doesn't change either way. Every open departure is published publicly with real dates and a real trip organiser, so it's never an anonymous arrangement, and our support team is reachable any time you need help, including in an emergency while you're away. Longer-term, we're building direct relationships with ground DMCs in popular destinations, offered as an optional paid add-on for extra on-the-ground support. Ultimately, though, the group is responsible for its own conduct and safety on a self-launched trip, same as on any trip you plan yourself.
What kind of trip is this?+
This is a adventure, culture, hiking trip through Cusco & Sacred Valley, Peru, self-launched rather than run by a tour operator — you organise it with a group you find or bring yourself.
Would you like to name the operator, name the trip, or have any suggestions about how to improve this itinerary?
Drop your comment below — if you've done a similar route, tell us what worked, what you'd add, or what you'd skip.
No comments yet — be the first to share your take.
Sign in to leave a comment.