Cusco and Machu Picchu tour highlights and cost
A comprehensive 5-day Cusco and Machu Picchu tour starts from US$ 995 per person.
- The tour includes two visits to the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu; Optional Huayna Picchu climb.
- Private airport transfers – with a driver and bilingual guide
- Enjoy the main sites of imperial Cusco and the Sacred Valley of the Incas.
- Choose from a wide range of hotels, train services, and tour options.
- Flexible dates, go and come back any day you like.
- Add other destinations easily – Lake Titicaca, the Amazon, Colca Canyon, the Nazca Lines, etc.
Remember: We arrange the tour to suit your dates and requirements: Finding long-haul international flights at good prices today can be a challenge, but when you have done that, we will design the tour around those dates.
Bullet-point Overview of Daily Activities:
- Arrival, private transfer to your hotel and Cusco City tour
- Sacred Valley tour with buffet lunch – overnight in the valley
- Train to Machu Picchu – guided tour, overnight in Aguas Calientes
- Second visit to Machu Picchu – unguided. Travel back to Cusco
- Free time in Cusco – private transfer to airport for departure
What is included in the Cusco City Tour?
Your guided half-day Cusco city tour includes an exploration of the Sacsayhuaman fortress, Cusco Cathedral, and Coricancha (the Inca Temple of the Sun). This will be your first activity, and the tour starts either mid-morning or afternoon, depending on your flight arrival time.
After settling in and grabbing a quick snack maybe (don’t eat too much when you first arrive), you will then enjoy a Cusco city tour, visiting the Inca fortress of Sacsayhuaman, plus the three other smaller Inca ruins close to Cusco; Cusco Cathedral in the main square; and the most important temple of the Inca Empire, Coricancha, the Inca Temple of the Sun. Cusco is a lovely city to wander around, and you should take time to do this when not being guided.
The Sacred Valley of the Incas
The Sacred Valley will be visited on your second day. A classic Sacred Valley tour is a must-do day trip from Cusco. This tour takes you through the fertile valley of the Urubamba River, showcasing amazing Inca engineering, vibrant local markets, and breathtaking Andean landscapes.
Mirador de Taray (The Taray Viewpoint)
- The Experience: A spectacular photo stop at a viewpoint as you descend from Cusco into the valley. You will get your first panoramic look at the sweeping cornfields, the winding Urubamba River, and the snow-capped Andean peaks framing the valley.
Pisac (Archaeological Site & Artisan Market)
- The Ruins: For many, Pisac is almost as impressive as Machu Picchu. Perched high on a mountain ridge above the town, the Pisac archaeological site is massive. It features sweeping semicircular agricultural terraces, ancient military fortresses, and the largest known pre-Hispanic cemetery in the Americas.
- The Market: Afterwards, you’ll head down to the town of Pisac to explore its famous traditional handicraft market. It’s an excellent spot to shop for alpaca sweaters, hand-woven blankets, silver jewellery, and ceramics.
Urubamba (Buffet Lunch)
- The Experience: The capital city of the valley, Urubamba is the usual location for lunch.
- Highlight: Our tours include a traditional Peruvian buffet, maybe at Tunupa shown above. At lunch you can sample local delicacies like choclo (giant Andean corn) with cheese, fresh trout, quinoa dishes, and wood-fired meats.
Ollantaytambo (The Living Inca Town & Fortress)
- The Experience: Ollantaytambo is often called a “living Inca town” because its street layouts, stone channels, and buildings still rest directly on original Incan foundations. The ruins are very impressive and dominate the town.
- The Fortress: You will climb up massive, steep stone terraces to reach the Temple of the Sun at the top. The site served as a formidable stronghold where the Incas successfully fought off Spanish invaders.
Note: Overnighting in the valley after this tour means you avoid a very early departure for Machu Picchu.
Machu Picchu Circuits: Which Route is Best?
Planning a trip to Peru’s most famous icon can be confusing. To protect the historic sanctuary, Peru’s Ministry of Culture strictly regulates all foot traffic using different Machu Picchu circuits and routes. Your Machu Picchu ticket dictates exactly where you can walk, whether you can get the legendary “classic postcard photo,” visit lesser-visited zones, or if you are authorised to climb Huayna Picchu.
Click here to learn more about the different Machu Picchu circuits and route options
Travelling from the Sacred Valley to Machu Picchu
A transfer guide will pick you up from your hotel in the Sacred Valley and deliver you to the train station for the 90-minute scenic train journey from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes. The best locations to stay in the Sacred Valley are Urubamba, Yanahuara and Ollantaytambo, and you have plenty of choice of accommodations in those places.
After dropping your bags at your Aguas Calientes hotel, you will take the shuttle bus up to the ruins for your first guided exploration. This first visit will be routed along your selected circuit, with a local, expert guide. After the visit, you will take the shuttle bus back down to Aguas Calientes town and check into your hotel for the evening.
Second Machu Picchu Entry Day
On day 4, you will be able to revisit Machu Picchu and enjoy this fabulous site again, but this time without being guided. You may choose to climb Huayna Picchu, the peak that overlooks Machu Picchu (make sure you ask us to secure the correct permit), which affords fantastic views and numerous photo opportunities.
You may choose to grab something to eat near the site or down in the village below. Then in the late afternoon, you will board the train for your trip back to Cusco. You will leave the train at Ollantaytambo where you boarded, as you know this is a station before Cusco in the Sacred Valley, to then have a faster transfer by road back to your hotel in Cusco.
Depart Cusco, home or onward in South/Central America?
Sadly, it is time to bid farewell to South America, or is it? We will transfer you to Cusco airport, where you will fly to Lima to connect with your international flight home, but perhaps you will want to continue exploring in Lake Titicaca, the Amazon Jungle, or even by adding a Galapagos tour:
Included:
Hotels: We work with a wide range of hotels and lodges from 3-star, mid-range, through 4-star, to high-end 5-star, luxury establishments. You choose, and we quote; we custom design each tour to your budget. We deal with all transport from when you enter Latin America until you leave; transfers, trains, boats, buses, etc. See the note about flights below though. Our “from” website prices are based on 3-star, twin-share arrangements, and in the lowest season. Single supplements will vary by tour and season.
Guided Tours: You can choose private tours for just you and your travelling companions or take a tour with other people you don’t know. You can, of course, mix tour styles up during the same tour to suit your wishes, some private and some group.
Support & Backup: You will have 24 / 7 backup while on tour with us. We provide you with all the information and contacts you need, and you will feel safe and very well taken care of.
Meals: This very much depends on the type of tour you choose; some places such as the Amazon jungle or Galapagos cruises are nearly always full board. Breakfasts are generally included, plus some lunches and evening meals in accordance with your specific schedule. More often than not, we like to leave people to choose where to eat in the evenings as there is a wide range of great places to try.
Entrance Fees & Tickets: Where a particular tour is included in your Cusco and Machu Picchu tour itinerary, the necessary entrance tickets or fees will also be included (unless local conditions dictate otherwise). Such tickets will be held by your local guide and presented to you at the correct time.
Not Included:
Flights: We are not generally including flights in our Cusco and Machu Picchu tour packages in recent times as most clients like to book with loyalty points and specific credit card miles. If needed, we can of course include flights.
Travel Insurance & Expenses: Personal expenses are not included, and we advise that clients bring some cash and a credit/debit card to take funds from ATMs / pay directly. Travel insurance is considered mandatory under our terms and conditions; please ask your travel consultant for details.
Tips: Ask us for our advice regarding tipping as it varies by country and service.
