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Machu Picchu

From the airport to the citadel and back: city tour, Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu with private guides throughout.

This private 4 day tour of Cusco, the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu begins the moment you land. We meet you at the airport, take you to your hotel and keep the first hours quiet, because Cusco sits at 3,399 m and a gentle start pays off.

From there the trip builds day by day: the old Inca capital and the sites above it at sunset, a full day in the Sacred Valley with a picnic prepared by our chef, and a private visit of Machu Picchu before the Vistadome Observatory train back. Hotels, transfers and tickets are all arranged.

The trip at a glance

  1. Day 1. Arrival and Cusco city tour

    Airport pickup, rest at the hotel and a private afternoon tour: Cathedral, Qorikancha, Sacsayhuaman, Qenqo, Puca Pucara, Tambomachay and sunset at Cristo Blanco.

  2. Day 2. The Sacred Valley

    Chinchero and its weavers, Moray, the Maras salt pans, a chef prepared picnic, Ollantaytambo and the train to Aguas Calientes.

  3. Day 3. Machu Picchu

    Private guided visit, lunch beside the citadel, the Vistadome Observatory train and a private transfer to your hotel in Cusco.

  4. Day 4. Departure

    Breakfast at the hotel and a private transfer to the airport or the bus station.

Highlights

  • Private throughout

    Private guides, private vehicles and one team looking after every connection.

  • Cusco at sunset

    The historic center and four Inca sites above the city, ending with the view from Cristo Blanco.

  • The upper Sacred Valley

    Chinchero, Moray, the Maras salt pans and Ollantaytambo with a local expert.

  • Weavers of Chinchero

    Time with a women's cooperative that keeps traditional weaving alive.

  • A picnic by our chef

    Fresh local food served outdoors in the valley.

  • Private visit of Machu Picchu

    With your own guide, on Circuit 2 when available.

  • Vistadome Observatory train

    Panoramic windows, an open air car, music, dance, snacks and drinks.

From our guides

The order of the days works with the altitude. You start in Cusco with an easy afternoon, then go down into the valley and on to Machu Picchu, the lowest point of the trip, when your body has had time to adjust.

Day by day itinerary

Day 1Arrival in Cusco and private city tour

  1. Airport pickup

    We meet you at Cusco airport and drive you to your hotel. The rest of the morning is free so you can settle in and get used to the altitude.

  2. The historic center

    In the afternoon your guide walks you through the Plaza de Armas, the Cathedral, the street of the twelve angled stone, Loreto street and Qorikancha, the Inca Temple of the Sun.

  3. Sacsayhuaman, Qenqo, Puca Pucara and Tambomachay

    A private vehicle takes you to the four Inca sites on the hills above the city, from the giant walls of Sacsayhuaman to the water shrine of Tambomachay.

  4. Sunset at Cristo Blanco

    On the way back you stop at the lookout of Cristo Blanco for the view of Cusco as the lights come on.

Duration
Half day
Highest point
3,765 m (12,352 ft) at Tambomachay
Meals
Not included
Lodging
Hotel in Cusco
Difficulty
Easy, with light walking and some steps
Day 2Sacred Valley and train to Aguas Calientes

  1. 7:00 a.m. pickup

    After breakfast your guide and driver collect you from the hotel and head for the Sacred Valley.

  2. Chinchero and the weavers

    You visit the Inca site and the colonial church, then a cooperative of women weavers who explain natural dyes, alpaca wool and patterns passed down in their families.

  3. Moray and the Maras salt pans

    First the circular terraces of Moray, then the thousands of salt pools at Maras, one of the most unusual landscapes in the valley.

  4. Chef prepared picnic

    At midday you slow down for a lunch of fresh local ingredients, served outdoors.

  5. Ollantaytambo

    You explore one of the most important Inca towns in the valley and climb its temple terraces.

  6. Train, hotel and dinner

    The train takes you to Aguas Calientes, where you check in and have dinner before the big day.

Duration
Full day
Meals
Breakfast, picnic lunch and dinner
Transport
Private vehicle and train
Lodging
Hotel in Aguas Calientes
Difficulty
Easy, with short walks at the sites
Day 3Machu Picchu and return to Cusco

  1. Breakfast and bus

    Your guide goes with you to the bus for the ride up the mountain. Keep your original passport at hand for the entrance.

  2. Private guided visit

    Two to three hours among terraces, temples, royal enclosures and water channels, with the story of the site told at your pace.

  3. Free time or optional mountain

    There is time for photos, or for Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain if you reserved one in advance.

  4. Lunch beside the citadel

    You have lunch near the entrance and then go down to Aguas Calientes.

  5. Vistadome Observatory and transfer

    The train has panoramic windows, an open air car, music and dance on board. A private vehicle meets you in Ollantaytambo and takes you to your hotel in Cusco.

Main visit
Machu Picchu, 2 to 3 hours with your guide
Altitude
2,430 m (7,972 ft)
Meals
Breakfast and lunch
Lodging
Hotel in Cusco
Difficulty
Easy to moderate, with uneven stone steps

We request Circuit 2 because it is the most complete classic visit. If it is sold out for your date, we secure the best official alternative, usually Circuit 1 or Circuit 3.

Day 4Private departure transfer

  1. Breakfast at the hotel

    A relaxed last morning in Cusco.

  2. Transfer to the airport or bus station

    We collect you at the time that suits your flight or bus and see you off.

Meals
Breakfast
Transport
Private transfer

What is included

Private service

  • Airport transfers. Private pickup on arrival and drop off on departure in Cusco.

  • Private transport. For every visit and transfer in the program.

  • Private guides. Professional bilingual guides (English and Spanish).

  • Assistance. Full coordination by our team, with taxes included.

Cusco and the Sacred Valley

  • Private city tour. Plaza de Armas, Cathedral, Qorikancha, Sacsayhuaman, Qenqo, Puca Pucara, Tambomachay and Cristo Blanco.

  • Sacred Valley day. Chinchero, Moray, the Maras salt pans and Ollantaytambo.

  • Weaving cooperative. A visit to a women's cooperative in Chinchero.

  • Entry tickets. For every site named in the itinerary.

Hotels and meals

  • Hotel in Cusco. 2 nights.

  • Hotel in Aguas Calientes. 1 night.

  • Breakfasts. 3 breakfasts at the hotels.

  • Day 2. Chef prepared picnic lunch in the valley and dinner in Aguas Calientes.

  • Day 3. Lunch near Machu Picchu.

Trains and Machu Picchu

  • Outbound train. From Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes.

  • Return train. Vistadome Observatory from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo.

  • Bus. Round trip between Aguas Calientes and the citadel.

  • Entry ticket. The best official circuit available when you book, Circuit 2 by preference.

  • Private guided visit. With your own guide.

Not included

  • Meals not listed. Lunch and dinner on Day 1, dinner on Day 3.

  • Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain. Extra ticket, on request and subject to availability.

  • Hotel upgrades. Boutique or 5 star hotels and special rooms, unless requested and confirmed.

  • Hiram Bingham train. Available as an upgrade on request.

  • Travel insurance. Strongly recommended.

  • Tips. Optional, at your discretion.

Luxury Cusco, Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu 4 Days prices 2026

A private tour that can start on any available date, even for one traveler. The price per person depends on the size of your party.

Private luxury tour, price per person
1 traveler$2,250
2 travelers$1,450
3 travelers$1,250
4 travelers$1,150
5 travelers$1,090
6 travelers$1,030
7 travelers$990
8 travelers$950

Good to know before booking

  • For 9 travelers or more, write to us for a quote.
  • Travelers under 17 and university students under 25 with a valid card get $30 off. ISIC cards are not accepted.
  • Prices can vary with the hotel, the room type and the train time available on your date.
  • The passport number you give us must match your Machu Picchu ticket and your train reservation.

Optional extras

  • Huayna PicchuSubject to permits, book ahead
    $60
  • Machu Picchu MountainSubject to permits, book ahead
    $60

What to pack

Documents and essentials

  • Original passport
  • Small daypack
  • Water bottle
  • Cash in soles
  • Plug adapter

Sun and personal care

  • Sunscreen
  • Sunglasses
  • Sun hat
  • Insect repellent
  • Toiletries
  • Personal medication

Clothing and footwear

  • Quick dry t-shirts
  • Fleece jacket
  • Down jacket
  • Change of clothes
  • Rain poncho
  • Walking shoes
  • Trekking socks

Good to know

Who this trip is for

Travelers who want the essentials of Cusco in one well paced package, with nothing to organize: couples, families and anyone on a first visit to Peru. Everything from the airport pickup to the last transfer is private.

If you already have a hotel in Cusco and only need the valley and the citadel, look at the Luxury Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu 2 Days.

Hotels and upgrades

We book selected hotels in Cusco and Aguas Calientes and confirm their names when you reserve. Boutique and 5 star properties are available on request, as is the Hiram Bingham train for a more exclusive return.

Altitude on your first day

Cusco is at 3,399 m. On arrival, rest, drink water or coca tea and eat lightly. The city tour starts in the afternoon for exactly this reason, and it involves only short, easy walks.

Machu Picchu is much lower, at 2,430 m (7,972 ft), and most travelers feel at their best there.

Frequently asked questions

What time should my flight arrive on Day 1?

A morning arrival is best, so you can rest before the city tour in the afternoon. If you land later, we move the tour or shorten it to fit.

Is the whole tour private?

The guides, the vehicles and the visits are private. The trains and the bus up to Machu Picchu are shared services, as they are for every visitor.

Which hotels do you use?

Selected hotels in Cusco and Aguas Calientes, confirmed at the time of booking. You can ask for a higher category and we will quote the difference.

Which Machu Picchu circuit is included?

We request Circuit 2. If it is sold out for your date, we book the best official alternative and tell you which one before confirming.

Can I add more days?

Yes. Rainbow Mountain, Humantay Lake or extra nights in the Sacred Valley fit well before or after this program. Tell us what interests you.

Are special diets possible?

Yes. Tell us about vegetarian, vegan or gluten free diets and any allergy when you book.

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