Must See Machu Picchu Tour 5d/4n

Meals

• Filtered water (*bring your refillable water bottle!), herbal teas, and fresh fruit snacks provided in the vehicle during Sacred Valley tour
• 4 breakfasts (provided by hotel); 3 lunches; 1 dinner

Accommodation

• 4 nights’ accommodation in Standard hotels (2 nights in Cusco, 1 night in the Sacred Valley and 1 night in Aguas Calientes)

Entry Fees

• Entry to Cusco Cathedral
• Entry to Q’oricancha
• Boleto Turistico 
• Entry to the Maras salineras
• Entry to Machu Picchu

Transportation

• Private transport as described in the itinerary
• Expedition train to/from Aguas Calientes
• Bus up/down to Machu Picchu

Other

• English/Quechua/Spanish speaking professional guide

• Meals on the first day
• Tips for the guide and driver
• Flights 
• Entrance to the Aguas Calientes hot springs
• Entrance to Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain. Note that these require separate permits which must be reserved at the time of booking.

We offer you the opportunity to personalize your Machu Picchu tours trip and make your experience more comfortable through our Optional Extras and Upgrades. All options are available during the reservation process; please ask your sales consultant for more information.

• • Light-weight aluminium walking stick. Two sticks are recommended for tough hikes.
  • If you’d like to hike Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain, let us know at the time of booking as it requires a separate permit.
  • If you’d like more flexibility in your return travel to Cusco, consider upgrading to the Vistadome train (Executive Class). This upgrade must be requested at time of booking.

Important!

• • When calculating the cost of renting equipment, calculate using the length of the entire trip, not just the number of trekking days.
  • Please be careful with rented equipment! You are responsible for the cost of replacement if something is damaged or broken.
  • Any upgrades or trip extensions must be requested at time of booking.

Cusco can experience every season in a single day, so you should be prepared for sun and rain, cold and hot weather on your Machu Picchu tours! We recommend a hat, sunscreen, sunglasses, sweater, rain gear or plastic poncho, winter hat or toque and gloves. In addition, you should bring:

• • • A light day pack to carry your things
    • Water bottle and snacks
    • Money for snacks, souvenirs and tips

You can also see What To Bring for our comprehensive recommendations on what to pack for a trek in the Andes. For more great suggestions, check out our blog about How to Prepare for a Trek in Peru.

• • 5% off a day tour listed price when you also book a 3-day or longer trek operated by Apus Peru
  • Students: USD $30 off, in certain circumstances. Please enquire for details about eligibility.
  • Youth 12-17: 5% off. A valid passport must be presented upon booking.
  • Children 5-11 years: 15% off. A valid passport must be presented upon booking.
  • Children 0-4 years: 75% off. A valid passport must be presented upon booking. Children under 4 will not count towards the total number of guests in a group, but will be charged 25% of the per person price based on final group size. For example, a group of 4 adults and one child under 4: adults will be charged the full price per person based on a group size of 4 and the child will be charged 25% of the per person price for a group of 4. Children under 3 will not be considered to occupy a seat on any train or bus, and instead must ride on a parent’s lap. Car seats, cribs and other baby needs may not be included and must be discussed in advance. For more information about travelling with infants and toddlers, please see this blog as well as the Age Requirements section of our Booking Conditions.

Remember that scans of the student card (for students) or passports (for children) need to accompany the booking in order to be eligible for the discount.

Want to join a trek? Ready to confirm a departure date of your own, but interested in having others join you? Then Trekkers Wanted is for you! Our innovative Trekkers Wanted system matches people up who are interested in hiking the same trek, bringing costs down and multiplying the fun for everyone! Read More about Trekkers Wanted, post your trek or search for confirmed departures!

General Information about our Machu Picchu tours

• • Each guide has their own preferred route and so the route you take on your Machu Picchu tours might not correspond exactly to the route described here.
  • The times cited in this Machu Picchu tours itinerary are approximate. Walking times depend on the group, and the guide may make changes depending on the progress of the group.
  • The Machu Picchu tours program is subject to change, due to weather and other unexpected circumstances

  Information about hiking the Inca Trail on your Machu Picchu tours

  • A scanned copy of your passport and a non-refundable deposit must be provided upon booking an Inca Trail trek. This is due to government regulations which require complete passport details and full payment of the Machu Picchu entrance fee in order to issue a permit. Your reservation will only be confirmed when we have your entrance ticket in our hands.
  • If your passport number changes after you book, you must tell us immediately or you will lose your booking. If the name or number on your passport is different from the name or number on your Inca Trail permit, you will not be allowed to start the trek and you will not be entitled to a refund.
  • You must carry your original passport with you on the trail.
  • If you booked the Inca Trail at a student rate, you must bring your valid student card on the trail with you. If you do not present your student card, you will not be allowed to start the trek and you will not be entitled to a refund, nor given an opportunity to pay the full rate.

  Visiting Machu Picchu & Riding the Train on your Machu Picchu tours

  • If you’d like to hike Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain, let us know at the time of booking as it requires a separate permit.
  • This trek includes transportation by train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo on the Expedition service (Tourist Class), followed by bus transport from Ollantaytambo to Cusco. Train times are variable and according to availability.  If you’d like more flexibility in your return travel to Cusco, consider upgrading to the Vistadome train (Executive Class) for an extra $30 per person. This upgrade must be requested at time of booking.

• Does this trek sound like just what you were looking for? If you’re ready to book or just want to find out a bit more information, fill out the Inquiry Form in the top right-hand corner of this page to get the ball rolling. You’ll be connected with one of our amazing sales people who will be able to turn your dream of hiking in the Andes into a reality. For more information on the entire booking process, please see our How To Book page.
• Travel insurance is a must! World Nomads offers travel insurance for adventure activities.

Upon your arrival to Cusco, we will meet you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel. We recommend a morning flight in order to get the most out of the day. If a later flight can’t be avoided, talk to your Travel Consultant about how the day’s itinerary can be adjusted.

After settling in for a bit and lunch on your own, we will set out to explore this fascinating city on foot! Cusco (originally “Qosqo”) means “Navel of the World”, and was once the heart of the Inca Empire. 

During our walking tour we will wander the city’s enchanting narrow streets, visiting the Plaza de Armas, Santo Domingo Monastery (atop the legendary Q’oricancha Temple), the artisan quarter of San Blas and the lively San Pedro market. 

At the end of the tour, your guide will either leave you in the Plaza de Armas to continue exploring on your own, or accompany you back to your hotel.

Meals: None.
Accommodation: Tierra Viva San Blas, or similar (Cusco)

Today we take a picturesque drive through the mountains to the Sacred Valley of the Incas, which held great significance in Inca culture. The Valley has a milder climate than Cusco and we will see a succession of quaint villages, agricultural terraces, and many archaeological sites.

On the way, we will stop at Awanacancha to see llamas, alpacas and vicuñas before continuing on to Pisac where we will visit its extensive and beautiful ruins, followed by its lively tourist market.

We will have lunch in the village before heading towards Urubamba where we can visit a traditional ceramics factory where we can purchase beautiful earthenware. 

If you prefer, you could also make a stop at the Inkariy Museum, a newly built museum with a fascinating overview of pre-Columbian art and artifacts. Please note: this museum visit will incur an additional charge (approximately $15 per person).

Finally, we arrive at our hotel, nestled in the beautiful landscape alongside the Urubamba river. Enjoy a tranquil evening relaxing in your room or strolling the gorgeous grounds, and enjoying a delicious dinner at the hotel’s on-site restaurant (not included).

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Tierra Viva Valle, or similar (Yanahuara)

Today we have two options, depending on your interests and Inca Trail permit availability.

OPTION A – The Short Inca Trail 

Km 104 – Wiñay Wayna – Machu Picchu

• Total Walking Distance: 13km (8.1 mi)
• Total Walking Time: 6-7 h
• Minimum Altitude: 2050m (6,726 ft) 
• Maximum Altitude: 2730m (8,792 ft)

You will be picked up at your hotel around 6:30-6:45 AM and transferred to the Ollantaytambo train station. It’s a short, 20-minute drive to the quaint village of Ollantaytambo and we’ll head straight to the station in order to catch our 7:45 AM train. 

We travel by train on a very picturesque route for an hour and 45 minutes until we reach kilometre 104 – the start of the Inca Trail for us. Shortly after crossing the bridge over the Rio Urubamba we visit the site of Chachabamba (2050m / 6726 ft) which is a lovely site with its water channels and fountains.

From here, we will hike upwards for about 8km (approximately 4 hours). The trail is well established, but there are many stairs and the hike is mostly upwards! While this is one of the shortest treks around the Cusco region, you still need to have a reasonable level of fitness to complete it.

After our upwards climb, we arrive at the Inca site of Wiñay Wayna (‘Forever Young’) (2680m / 8792 ft). Here we will have our boxed lunch. This is an impressive complex made up of an agricultural centre with numerous terraces, a religious sector and an urban sector. Many consider this the most impressive site on the whole Inca Trail!

After lunch, we continue for about one hour further until we reach Inti Punku, the famous Sun Gate (2730m / 8792 ft) from where you will have your first dramatic view of Machu Picchu (2400m / 7873 ft). As you are arriving late in the day you may be lucky enough to enjoy the view by yourself!

After getting those classic photos, we will walk down the last part of the trail towards the ancient city itself. Before entering the ruins themselves, we will take a side path off the trail to go down to Aguas Calientes, saving the culmination of our Machu Picchu tour for tomorrow. 

Instead, we take the bus down to Aguas Calientes where we will check into our accommodations and enjoy a celebratory dinner before getting to bed early in preparation for the next day’s early start.

OPTION B – Train to Machu Picchu

If you choose Option B, then today we travel to Maras & Moray for a half-day tour of the archaeological site and the salt flats, plus lunch in a local community. After this tour, we return to Ollantaytambo in time to catch an afternoon train to Aguas Calientes. 

Arriving in Aguas Calientes, we check into our hotel and prepare for tomorrow’s visit to Machu Picchu – the highlight of our Must-See Machu Picchu tour!

Important Notes:

• You must be at the train station 30 minutes prior to the train’s departure or you may be denied boarding.
• You will need to pack a small overnight bag for each person for your time in Aguas Calientes. Your driver will take the rest of your luggage to a safe storage (either in our office or your hotel) in Cusco.
• Peru Rail luggage restrictions: Carry-on luggage only (bag or backpack) with a maximum weight of 5kg/11lbs, and measuring no more than 157cm (height + length + width). Any luggage that does not meet these limits cannot be carried aboard the train.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Tierra Viva, or similar (Aguas Calientes)

After an early breakfast, we take one of the first buses up to Machu Picchu. Upon arrival at this ancient Incan citadel, your guide will give you a 2h walking tour of the ruins.

Exiting the site, we head over to the nearby Belmond Sanctuary Lodge for a delicious buffet lunch at the Tinkuy Restaurant. After lunch, we then catch the bus back down to Aguas Calientes. 

From there, you will travel back to Ollantaytambo by the Expedition train. We then continue to Cusco by car, where you will be dropped off at your hotel. Total travel time is about 4 hours, and you can expect to arrive at your hotel between 7 and 8 PM.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Tierra Viva San Blas, or similar (Cusco)

After a jam-packed few days on our Must-See Machu Picchu tour, today you have a bit of time to relax. Enjoy some last-minute souvenir shopping or a stroll around Cusco’s atmospheric streets before getting ready for the journey home. We will then transfer you to the Cusco airport and assist you with your departure flight.

If you are flying to Lima and have an international connection, please make sure you allow enough time between your local flight arriving and your international flight’s departure. It is recommended to be at the airport at least an hour and a half prior to domestic flights, and three hours prior to international flights.

Meals: Breakfast