Self-Launched: Short Inca Trail, Machu Picchu & Rainbow Mountain (6 Days from Cusco)

Fly or bus into Cusco (3,400m) and check into a hostel in San Blas or the historic centre. Take it easy — altitude is real. In the afternoon, walk the compact old town yourself: Plaza de Armas, Qoricancha (Temple of the Sun, ~S/15 entry), then take a taxi or local bus up to Sacsayhuaman (~S/70 combined Boleto Turístico covers Sacsayhuaman, Qenqo, Puca Pucara and Tambomachay) and walk between the four sites on foot — they're strung along a 2km ridge. Finish with sunset from the Cristo Blanco viewpoint, then an early dinner (quinoa soup and lomo saltado, ~S/25). Drink coca tea, avoid alcohol, and buy your bottled water for tomorrow.

🚌Taxi from Cusco airport to centre ~S/25-35 (£6-8); local combi up to Sacsayhuaman ~S/2-3

🛏Budget hostel dorm in central Cusco (e.g. around San Blas or Calle Suecia), ~£10-14/night

• →Plaza de Armas and Cusco Cathedral exterior
• →Qoricancha Temple of the Sun (S/15)
• →Sacsayhuaman, Qenqo, Puca Pucara, Tambomachay on the Boleto Turístico (S/70)
• →Cristo Blanco viewpoint at sunset

Do the Sacred Valley independently by collectivo. Early bus from Cusco's Puputi street terminal to Pisac (~S/5, 45 min). Climb to the Pisac ruins and terraces (included on the Boleto Turístico) and wander the market. Then take a collectivo to Urubamba (~S/8) and pick up a shared taxi or mototaxi up to Moray's circular terraces (S/70 entry, ~S/15-20 shared ride), walking or hitching the short distance onward to the Maras salt mines (S/10, bring cash). Alpaca and weaving stops can be arranged ad hoc at roadside farms near Pisac for a few soles. Continue by collectivo to Ollantaytambo (~S/5-8), where you can see the Inca fortress town and its terraces, then eat at a local menú del día (~S/15). Return to Cusco by bus (~S/10-15, 2 hrs) — or pre-book the evening PeruRail Vistadome/Expedition train from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes if you'd rather break the journey there. Pack light: for the trail you'll need to leave your main bag in Cusco and only carry a daypack plus small bag to Aguas Calientes.

🚌Collectivos Cusco–Pisac ~S/5, Pisac–Urubamba ~S/8, Ollantaytambo–Cusco ~S/12; return bus/train

🛏Budget hostel in Cusco (second night), ~£10-14/night

• →Pisac archaeological site, terraces and cliffside tombs
• →Pisac artisan market
• →Moray circular terraces (S/70)
• →Maras salt mines (S/10)
• →Ollantaytambo Inca town and fortress
• →Optional roadside alpaca/weaving farm stop

This is the day the tour charges the most for — book it yourself as a 'Short Inca Trail 2-day' permit package with an authorised Cusco agency (required, as the Inca Trail permit must be tied to a licensed guide; permits are limited and sell out months ahead). Alternatively book the permit + guiding through GetYourGuide. Take the early PeruRail Expedition train from Ollantaytambo or Cusco (Poroy) to Km 104 (~£65-90 return depending on class and timing — book at least a month ahead). Enter the checkpoint at Km 104, hike past the Chachabamba ruins and up the stone staircase to Wiñay Wayna (~4-5 hrs total, moderate). Continue to the Sun Gate (Intipunku) for the classic first panorama of Machu Picchu in the late afternoon, then descend to the site and the bus down to Aguas Calientes (S/24 return). Overnight in a cheap guesthouse in Aguas Calientes and eat at a riverside restaurant — expect prices to double versus Cusco (menú ~S/30-40). Bring 2+ litres of water; none is provided on the trail.

🚌PeruRail Exposition from Cusco/Ollantaytambo to Km 104 ~£65-90 return; Consettur bus Aguas Calientes–Machu Picchu S/24 return

🛏Budget guesthouse in Aguas Calientes, ~£18-25/night

• →Short Inca Trail hike from Km 104 (permit ~£55-70 + mandatory agency booking)
• →Chachabamba ruins
• →Wiñay Wayna ruins
• →Sun Gate (Intipunku) panoramic view of Machu Picchu

Buy your Machu Picchu entry ticket online in advance (Circuit 2 or 3, ~S/152, or add Huayna Picchu/Machu Picchu Mountain for ~S/200+ — book those separately and early, they sell out). Take the 5am bus up for sunrise, or hike the 1,700 steps if you're feeling brave. Join a shared licensed guide at the gate (~S/40-60 per person shared, arranged at the entrance or pre-booked via GetYourGuide) for the temples, terraces, plazas and sundial. The Huayna Picchu scramble takes 1.5 hrs extra and is a highlight if you've booked it. Afternoon train back to Cusco/Ollantaytambo (~£55-80), bus or shared van into town, and a well-earned dinner in San Blas.

🚌Consettur bus up/down S/24 return; PeruRail/Inca Rail train Aguas Calientes–Cusco ~£55-80

🛏Budget hostel in Cusco, ~£10-14/night

• →Machu Picchu entry and shared licensed guide (~S/152 + S/50)
• →Optional Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain hike (separate ticket)
• →Evening in San Blas, Cusco

Book a shared Rainbow Mountain + Red Valley day tour on GetYourGuide or with any Cusco tour office (typically £25-35, hotel pickup ~4am, includes transport, breakfast and lunch). Skip the horses unless you want one (S/80-100 extra). The hike is 1.5-2 hrs up at 5,000m — go slow, drink water, and chew coca leaves. The Red Valley extension is worth the extra 45 minutes and far quieter than the rainbow ridge itself. Back in Cusco by ~5-6pm.

🚌Shared minibus with day tour operator (included)

🛏Budget hostel in Cusco, ~£10-14/night

• →Sunrise pickup and drive to Quesiuno trailhead
• →Hike to Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca) viewpoint at 5,036m
• →Red Valley extension
• →Entry fees ~S/10-30 paid locally

Last morning: browse San Pedro Market for cheap breakfast and textiles (better prices than the centre), maybe a chocolate or coffee stop, then a taxi to the airport. If your flight is late, swap days 5 and 6 or add a free walking tour of the centre. Keep a buffer of at least 3 hrs before your flight.

🚌Taxi to Cusco airport ~S/25-35 (£6-8)

🛏None (checkout)

• →San Pedro Market and breakfast
• →Last-minute souvenir shopping