5-Day Cusco Tour: Machu Picchu + Vinicunca
Awakening in the Navel of the World
Landing in Cusco isn't just arriving at a destination; it's about feeling the air grow thinner and the sense of history grow stronger. Our five-day, four-night adventure in Cusco began with the mixture of vertigo and awe that only 3,400 metres above sea level can provoke.
Traditional guides recommend sleeping immediately, but we decided to walk at the locals' pace instead. The imperial city does not hide itself away. The Inca stone walls that form the foundations of colonial mansions tell its story. On our first afternoon, we lost ourselves in the San Blas neighbourhood, where artisans carve wood as if time had stood still. We ended the day with a cup of coca tea in front of the imposing cathedral in the Plaza de Armas, beneath an almost surreal blue sky.
Day 2: The Whisper of the Urubamba River and the Sacred Valley
On the second day, we escaped the hustle and bustle of the city and travelled to the Sacred Valley of the Incas. This fertile region was the breadbasket of the Inca Empire and is said to be a corridor of ancient winds.
We visited Pisac. As well as its famous artisan market, the most impressive feature is the agricultural terraces that climb the mountainside like stairs to the sky. Inca engineering does not fight nature, but works with it.
Following the Vilcanota River, we reached Ollantaytambo. Often called 'the living Inca city', the stone streets here have remained unchanged for centuries. Climbing up to the fortress was the hardest part of the tour. It was windy at the top, but the view of the valley surrounded by snow-capped mountains made it worthwhile. We then took the train to Aguas Calientes, falling asleep to the sound of the rails.
Day 3: Encounter with the Lost Citadel
There are some moments that cannot be captured in photos, such as the sunrise at Machu Picchu. We woke up before sunrise. The bus ride along the Hiram Bingham Highway was foggy, with jungle on all sides.
As we crossed the checkpoint and headed towards the Guardian's House, the fog began to clear. There it was, the Inca llaqta, perfect and silent. Exploring its temples, the Intihuatana and the Sacred Rock was like immersing ourselves in history and absorbing the energy of the place. You don't need to be an expert to sense this; the precision with which the stones were fitted together without mortar shows that the Incas understood geology better than we do. Machu Picchu does not disappoint — it changes you.
We returned to Cusco in silence. The train back was full of people still talking about what they had just seen.
Day 4: The Vinicunca Challenge, the Mountain of Seven Colors
While Machu Picchu is the historical jewel, the Mountain of Seven Colors is the geological marvel. On the fourth day, I left at dawn to travel south from Cusco. The landscape changed dramatically, evolving from green jungle to golden ichu grassland dotted with wild alpacas and vicunas.
Reaching an altitude of 5,200 metres is challenging. The air is thin and your heart beats fast, but the trail offers beautiful views. As I climbed higher, I saw that the earth was filled with colours such as reds, ochres, turquoises and lavenders due to the minerals it had contained for millions of years.
Reaching the summit of Vinicunca is a personal achievement. The colourful ground and the snow-capped mountain behind create a 360-degree panorama that looks like something from another planet. It is a very cold but beautiful place. This is the final test of endurance on the itinerary.
Day 5: Farewell and the Promise to Return
Our last day in Cusco was bittersweet. With tired legs and full hearts, we visited the San Pedro market. The smell of freshly baked bread, Andean cheeses and local fruits made us realise that five days is long enough to fall in love with a place, but not long enough to see everything.
This five-day trip was not just tourism; it was an immersion in a culture that refuses to disappear. Cusco offers the perfect balance of history and adventure, from the sophisticated architecture of Machu Picchu to the raw beauty of the Mountain of Seven Colors.
As I boarded the plane and watched the city of red roofs shrink in the distance, I knew I would always come back to the Andes.
Key Tips for this Itinerary:
- Acclimatization: Don't underestimate the altitude. Drink plenty of water and eat light meals on the first day.
- Luggage: The weather is unpredictable. Bring layers (thermal for Vinicunca, light for Machu Picchu) and a good rain poncho.
- Reservations: Tickets for Machu Picchu sell out months in advance. Plan your trip well in advance.
