A Genuine Look at the 2025 ‘5-Day All Included Excursion to Cusco, MachuPichu & Maras Moray’

So, you’ve probably seen pictures of Peru that honestly stay with you for a long time. Well, the idea of a pre-planned, all-inclusive tour can seem, you know, kind of perfect for making that dream a reality without a ton of headaches. I actually had a look at the five-day excursion that covers Cusco, the magnificent Machu Picchu, and the unique sites of Maras and Moray for 2025, and you might want to know more about it. Basically, it promises to handle all the logistics, which is, at the end of the day, a massive relief when you’re dealing with high altitudes and multiple locations. You just want to soak in the experience, right? This review gives you a straightforward rundown of what a trip like this actually feels like, day by day, so you can decide if it’s the right fit for you. As a matter of fact, knowing the flow of the trip can really help set your expectations correctly.

Day 1: Landing in Cusco and Adjusting to the Altitude

Okay, so your first day almost always begins with arriving at the Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport in Cusco. Clearly, the very first thing you feel is the air, which is noticeably thinner at around 11,152 feet (3,399 meters) up. It’s definitely a real change for your body. The great part about an all-inclusive package is that someone is, more or less, waiting for you right there at the airport. This is, you know, a huge comfort and it removes that “what do I do now?” feeling you can sometimes get in a new country. From there, it’s typically a direct transfer to your hotel, which is probably located somewhere near the city’s historic center, you know, to make things convenient. The guides on these tours usually give you some really practical advice for the first day, for example, just take it easy. They seriously suggest drinking plenty of water and maybe trying some coca tea, which the locals use to help with the altitude; honestly, it seems to help. You will likely just have the rest of the day to yourself to slowly wander, get a light dinner, and just let your body acclimate, which is pretty much the most important thing you can do.

Your hotel will probably be quite comfortable, and they’re obviously used to international visitors. I mean, the rooms are usually clean and have everything you need for a good night’s sleep. Frankly, spending that first afternoon exploring the Plaza de Armas at your own pace is a pretty amazing introduction to Cusco. The blend of old Incan walls and Spanish colonial buildings is really something you have to see in person. As a matter of fact, you can find charming little cafes and shops everywhere. For dinner, it’s a good idea to eat something light, you know, to not overwhelm your system. Many local spots offer simple soups or grilled chicken, which are, to be honest, both safe and delicious options. This first day is basically all about setting you up for the adventures ahead, so relaxing is genuinely your main objective. It’s almost a quiet start before the bigger activities kick off.

Day 2: A Deep Look into Historic Cusco and Sacsayhuamán

Alright, after letting your body adjust, the second day is usually when the guided exploring really begins. I mean, you’ll likely start with a tour of Cusco itself, a city that just feels layered with history. First, a guide will often take you to the Qorikancha, once the Incan Empire’s richest temple, dedicated to the sun. Now, it’s sort of a mix with the Santo Domingo convent built on top, and that contrast is actually pretty stunning. Then, you typically head over to the Cusco Cathedral in the Plaza de Armas. You know, it’s just enormous, and inside you can see an amazing collection of colonial art, including a really famous painting of the Last Supper where they’re eating a guinea pig. It’s little details like that which make the history feel more real, to be honest.

Later in the day, the tour usually moves just outside the city to a few archaeological sites, and Sacsayhuamán is obviously the main event. You can’t really prepare yourself for the size of the stones they used to build it; it’s honestly incredible. Your guide will likely explain how the Incas fit these massive rocks together so perfectly without any mortar, and it just sort of boggles the mind. The view over Cusco from up there is, you know, completely worth the short trip. Other stops on a typical day two might include Q’enqo, Puka Pukara, and Tambomachay, each offering a slightly different look into Incan ceremonial life and military strategy. Basically, this day is designed to give you a really solid grounding in the local history and culture before you head out to even bigger sites. You come back to your hotel in the evening feeling like you’ve learned a lot, and it’s a little bit tiring but in a really good way.

Day 3: Through the Beautiful Sacred Valley

So, on the third day, you get to explore the Sacred Valley of the Incas, and honestly, the landscape here is just beautiful. The day usually starts with a drive to the town of Pisac. Here, you get to see two cool things: the lively artisan market in the modern town and the incredible Incan ruins perched on the mountain above it. The market is pretty much a kaleidoscope of colorful textiles, ceramics, and jewelry, and it’s a great spot to pick up some authentic souvenirs. The ruins themselves are quite extensive, with agricultural terraces and ceremonial centers that offer really amazing views of the valley. Actually, the hike around Pisac’s ruins gives you a real appreciation for the Incan’s farming skills.

“Walking through the Sacred Valley feels like stepping into a living postcard. The mountains, the river, and the ancient stones all seem to tell a story. It’s really a peaceful yet powerful place.”

Next, you’ll likely stop for lunch at a restaurant somewhere in the valley, often in a town like Urubamba, where you can, you know, try a buffet of Peruvian dishes. In the afternoon, the tour typically continues to Ollantaytambo, which is a really unique place because it’s a town that has been continuously inhabited since Incan times. The fortress there is just massive, with steep stone terraces climbing up the mountainside. Your guide will probably share stories about the temple, the battles fought there, and its strategic importance, and frankly, it’s fascinating. After exploring Ollantaytambo, most of these tours will then take you to the train station. From here, you’ll take a scenic train ride to Aguas Calientes, the town at the foot of Machu Picchu. The train ride itself is an experience, like, with big windows so you can see the landscape changing as you follow the Urubamba River deeper into the mountains. You check into your hotel in Aguas Calientes and pretty much get ready for the big day tomorrow.

Day 4: The Unique Sights of Maras Salt Mines and Moray’s Circles

Alright, so day four often takes you to a couple of places that are a little bit different from the other ruins. First up is usually the Maras Salt Mines, or Salineras de Maras. As a matter of fact, this place is visually stunning and unlike anything else you’ll see in the region. It’s essentially a patchwork of thousands of shallow, terraced ponds that have been used for harvesting salt since before the Incas. A warm, salty spring flows from the mountain, and local families channel the water into their own ponds where it evaporates, leaving the salt behind. Honestly, seeing the sunlight reflect off all those white and pink pools is a pretty incredible sight. You can often walk along the paths above the pools and even buy some of the locally harvested pink salt, which is, you know, kind of a cool thing to bring home.

After the salt mines, the next stop is typically Moray. This archaeological site is sort of an enigma and it’s really interesting to see. It’s made up of several enormous circular depressions in the ground, formed by concentric stone terraces that look a bit like a giant amphitheater. The general theory is that the Incas used Moray as a kind of agricultural research station. You see, the temperature at the top terrace is very different from the temperature at the bottom one, so they could, more or less, experiment with growing different crops at various altitudes. Just standing at the edge and looking down into the circles, you can really appreciate the ingenuity of their design. This day provides a fascinating look into the everyday economy and science of the ancient Andean people, which is actually a great complement to the military and religious sites you see on other days. It feels a bit off the beaten path, you know, in a really good way.

Day 5: The Unforgettable View of Machu Picchu

So, the final day is basically what the whole trip has been building towards. You will wake up really early in Aguas Calientes to catch one of the first buses up the winding road to Machu Picchu. I mean, the goal is to get there early to see the citadel in the soft morning light, hopefully before the biggest crowds arrive. And honestly, nothing quite prepares you for that first moment you walk through the entrance and see the entire lost city spread out before you. It’s one of those views that is just as amazing in real life as it is in photos, you know, perhaps even more so. The feeling is absolutely surreal. Your guide will then take you on a comprehensive two-to-three-hour tour through the main parts of the site. You will definitely walk through the main plaza, see the famous Intihuatana stone that might have been an astronomical clock, and explore the Temple of the Three Windows.

Your guide will likely share theories about why Machu Picchu was built and why it was abandoned, which is all still sort of a mystery. After the guided tour, you often have a bit of free time to explore on your own. You could, for instance, just find a quiet spot to sit and absorb the atmosphere, or maybe take that classic photo with Huayna Picchu in the background. It’s pretty important to just take your time here. In the afternoon, you’ll take the bus back down to Aguas Calientes for lunch, and then board the train for the return trip to Cusco. From the Cusco station, the tour company typically handles your transfer back to your hotel or directly to the airport for your flight home. It’s a very long and exciting day, a seriously fitting end to a really incredible five-day adventure. You leave feeling completely in awe of what you’ve just experienced. At the end of the day, that’s what it’s all about.

Key Takeaways from the 5-Day Tour

• All-Inclusive is a Time-Saver: Frankly, having all your transport, tickets, and hotels arranged for you removes a huge amount of stress.
• Acclimatization is Serious: Taking the first day easy in Cusco is really important for enjoying the rest of the trip.
• Go with a Guide: You know, the stories and context a local guide provides at sites like Sacsayhuamán and Machu Picchu are invaluable.
• The Variety is Great: The tour isn’t just about Machu Picchu; seeing Cusco, the Sacred Valley, Maras, and Moray provides a much richer picture of the Incan world.
• Be Prepared for Early Mornings: Especially on the day you visit Machu Picchu, you will be starting very early to beat the crowds, but it’s definitely worth it.

Read our full review: [2025 Cusco & Machu Picchu Excursion Full Review and Details]
See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now ([2025 Cusco Tour Package])