My Unfiltered Review: The 2025 5 Days Tour Package in Cusco

So you’re thinking about a trip to Cusco, right? Honestly, that first breath of thin, crisp mountain air is something you will not soon forget. Stepping off the plane is, you know, sort of like entering a completely different world where history feels incredibly close. We just did one of those five-day tour packages that you see all over the place, and I wanted to give you the real story on what it’s actually like. At the end of the day, it was a pretty interesting way to see a lot in a short amount of time. You just need to know what you are getting into, I mean, before you book it. This is more or less my experience, giving you some personal thoughts on what to expect for a similar 2025 trip.

Day 1: Getting Used to the Altitude and a Soft Look at Cusco

The first day with these tour packages is, frankly, more about getting you settled than anything else. You are pretty high up here, at around 11,152 feet, and that altitude is really no joke. Anyway, our package had a person waiting at the airport, which was, to be honest, a huge relief. They just took us right to our hotel, which saved us from figuring out a taxi by ourselves. The plan for the rest of the day was pretty much to do nothing, which I strongly suggest you stick to. You could just feel the air was thinner and walking up a small incline felt like a little bit of work.

We, of course, did not just stay in the room all day. We actually went for a slow stroll around the Plaza de Armas, the city’s main square, later in the afternoon. It is an area that is, like, incredibly alive, with these massive cathedrals and pretty wooden balconies all around. We just sat on a bench for a while, you know, watching the world go by. For lunch, we followed our guide’s tip and had some coca tea, which the locals say helps with the altitude, and a light quinoa soup, that was just what we needed. Clearly, that evening, the tour guide gave us a briefing about the days ahead, so we knew exactly what was going on. Basically, this first day is really all about taking it easy.

Day 2: A Deep Dive into the Sacred Valley’s History

So, the second day is usually when the real exploring begins. Our tour van, which was pretty comfortable, picked us up early in the morning, which was fine by me. The drive out of Cusco and into the Sacred Valley is, in itself, really something special. You see the city give way to these green and gold fields that stretch out under a really big sky. Our guide, a local fellow named Marco, was literally a walking history book and told us all these stories as we drove.

Our first major stop was Pisac, which is sort of famous for two things. There are some really impressive Inca ruins up on the hill, and a very popular market down in the town. We explored the ruins first, and Marco explained how the terraces were used for farming, which was quite interesting. It’s almost a little overwhelming to think about how they built all this without modern tools. Afterwards, we had some time at the market, which is a very colorful explosion of textiles, pottery, and stuff. You will probably find yourself wanting to buy a little something. The afternoon stop was Ollantaytambo, a huge Inca fortress that is just built into the side of a steep mountain. Climbing those stone steps was definitely a workout, yet the view from the top was absolutely worth the effort.

Day 3: The Moment Everyone Waits For – Machu Picchu

Alright, today was absolutely the main event. Most packages, like ours, often include an overnight stay in Aguas Calientes, the town at the bottom of Machu Picchu. This is a very good idea, as it means you are not rushing back to Cusco the same day. Anyway, we took a train from Ollantaytambo, and the ride itself is an adventure. We were on the Vistadome train, which has these big panoramic windows on the sides and the ceiling, so you really feel like you’re inside the landscape. The train tracks follow the Urubamba River through this very dramatic canyon.

After we got to Aguas Calientes, we took a short but very winding bus ride up the mountain. And then, you know, you see it. Frankly, no picture you’ve ever seen can prepare you for that first look at Machu Picchu. It is just so much bigger and more awe-inspiring in person. The way the stone buildings cling to the green peaks with clouds swirling around is just unreal. Marco gave us a guided tour that lasted about two hours, pointing out things like the Temple of the Sun and the Intihuatana stone, which was pretty amazing. After that, we actually had a little bit of free time to just wander and absorb the feeling of the place. It’s a kind of magical location, seriously.

Day 4: Salt Pans and Crop Circles, or a Day for Yourself

Our tour package, which was pretty cool, actually offered two choices for this day after we came back from Aguas Calientes. One choice was another guided trip to see the salt pans of Maras and the circular terraces of Moray. On the other hand, the second choice was a free day in Cusco to just do your own thing. We picked the Maras and Moray trip because, honestly, the pictures looked too strange to miss. The salt pans are basically thousands of little pools terraced down a hillside, and they have been harvested for salt since before the Incas, apparently. It’s a very weird and beautiful sight.

Then we went to Moray, which, in a way, looks like some sort of alien landing site. It’s made up of several enormous circular depressions in the ground, each with its own set of terraces. Our guide suggested that it was some kind of agricultural laboratory for the Incas to test crops at different altitudes and temperatures, which just shows how incredibly advanced they were. For those who might pick the free day, some people from our group explored the artsy neighborhood of San Blas, which has lots of little studios and cafes. Some others went to the big San Pedro Market to try some local foods, you know, just to have a different sort of experience.

Day 5: A Last Look at Inca Ingenuity and Heading Home

On our last morning, the tour had one more stop for us before taking us to the airport, which was pretty convenient. We visited Sacsayhuaman, a massive Inca site that sits on a hill just overlooking Cusco. You have probably seen pictures of the huge stone walls there. What is really incredible is how these giant stones, some weighing over 100 tons, are fitted together so perfectly without any mortar. You literally can’t even slide a piece of paper between them. Walking around that place really gives you a final sense of the incredible skill of the people who built it.

You’ll be really glad you brought good, broken-in walking shoes. Cobblestone streets and ancient stone steps are pretty much everywhere, so your feet will definitely thank you.

After that, it was more or less time to go. The tour company handled the transfer back to the airport, which made the whole departure process very stress-free. As we sat waiting for our flight, we sort of looked through our photos and talked about the week. Having a package tour just took a lot of the logistical stress out of the trip, especially with things like Machu Picchu tickets, which can be hard to get. It’s a very efficient way to experience the highlights if you’re short on time.

So What’s Actually Included in a Tour Package?

I think it’s pretty useful to know exactly what you’re paying for. Most of these five-day deals are pretty similar in what they offer. You just want to read the fine print before you book, obviously. Generally, you can expect a package to handle the big stuff so you can focus on the experience itself. It’s basically a trade-off between freedom and convenience, you know?

Accommodations: Usually, the package includes your hotel for four nights, typically in decent, clean three-star hotels.
Transportation: This is a big one. It nearly always includes airport transfers and all the bus or van travel for the tours.
Guides: You will almost always have a professional, English-speaking guide for all the planned excursions.
Entrance Fees: Tickets to all the sites on the itinerary, like the Sacred Valley ruins and, most critically, Machu Picchu, are usually covered.
Select Meals: Typically, your daily breakfast is included, and maybe one or two lunches on the full-day tour days. Dinners are often on your own.

Here are some final thoughts before you go. This sort of trip is fast-paced. You see a lot, which is great, but you do not get to linger for hours in any one spot. So, at the end of the day, it’s a fantastic option if your vacation time is limited.

Take altitude seriously. Arrive a day or two early if you can, just to get used to it.
Bring layers of clothing. Mornings can be quite cold, but it can get warm and sunny by the afternoon.
Carry cash in the local currency (Peruvian Sol) for small purchases, snacks, and tipping.
Be open to the experience. Sometimes the best moments are the unplanned ones, even on a structured tour.

Read our full review: [2025 5 Days Tour Package In Cusco Full Review and Details]
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