Private Guided Cusco and Machu Picchu Tour – 5 Days in the Heart of the Inca Empire

Classic Cusco – 5 Days / 4 Nights

A High-Altitude Journey to the Heart of the Inca Empire

Private Tour | Highlight: Machu Picchu

This five-day private tour is the perfect way to explore the heart of the ancient Inca Empire. You will walk through historic streets in Cusco, discover the beautiful Sacred Valley, and end your journey at the world-famous UNESCO World Heritage Site, the citadel of Machu Picchu, voted one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. The tour includes private guided visits, all ground transportation, and train travel.

This is a flexible and personalised experience designed for travellers who want to explore Peru’s most iconic sites at their own pace.

You can either book your own hotels, giving you the freedom to choose your preferred level of comfort, or we can assist with hotel bookings on request.

Your Itinerary

Day 1 – Arrival in Cusco

Altitude: 3,400 m / 11,150 ft

Your journey begins with a flight to Cusco, which you will book and pay for on your own. We recommend arriving by mid-morning. Upon arrival, our driver will be waiting to take you to your hotel. The drive from the airport to the historic centre takes about 20 minutes.

Today is a light day. Cusco, the ancient capital of the Incas, with a population of about half a million people today, is set high in the Peruvian Andes. Your body will need time to adjust to the altitude. Many visitors have never experienced a city at this elevation before.

After checking in, take some time to rest. Later, if you feel up to it, take a short walk near the hotel. You will see cobblestone streets, small plazas, and Spanish-era buildings with Inca foundations beneath them. Try a cup of warm coca tea; it helps with the altitude.

• Meals included: None
• Overnight: Hotel in Cusco (not included; we can assist with bookings)

Day 2 – Walking Tour of Cusco

Altitude: 3,400 m / 11,150 ft | Walking: 5 km / 3 miles | Difficulty: Easy

Your guide will meet you at your hotel at 9:00 AM. Today you will explore Cusco on foot, a beautiful city with a mix of Inca and colonial Spanish architecture.

You will begin at San Pedro Market, where local people shop for fruits, herbs, bread, and flowers. It is full of colour and energy, and a good place to learn about local life and try some traditional snacks.

Next, you will walk to the Plaza de Armas, the city’s main square, surrounded by churches and colonial buildings. From here, you will visit Qorikancha, the most important Inca temple of its time. When the Spanish arrived, they built a church on top of it; much of the original stonework remains. Your guide will explain the history of the site and how the Inca worldview shaped its design.

The tour finishes around 12:30 PM. The afternoon is yours to explore at your own pace. You might visit a museum, have a relaxed lunch, or browse the local shops.

• Meals included: None
• Overnight: Hotel in Cusco (not included; we can assist with bookings)

Day 3 – Sacred Valley: Pisac and Ollantaytambo | Train to Aguas Calientes

Altitude: Pisac – 2,972 m / 9,776 ft | Ollantaytambo – 2,792 m / 9,160 ft | Difficulty: Moderate

Today begins with a pickup at your hotel at 9:00 AM. You will travel by private car through the Sacred Valley of the Incas, a fertile valley of farms, rivers, and mountain peaks.

Your first stop is Pisac, known for its large archaeological site and craft market. The ruins sit above the town and offer sweeping views of the valley. You will walk through farming terraces, ceremonial areas, and stone-built paths. After the visit, you will have time to explore the Pisac market, where locals sell textiles, pottery, and jewellery.

Next, you will continue to Ollantaytambo, an ancient town that still retains its original Inca street layout. Here you will climb the steps of the Ollantaytambo Fortress, both a religious centre and a military stronghold. The stonework is remarkable, and the views are rewarding.

After lunch at a local restaurant, you will have free time in the town before boarding the Expedition train to Aguas Calientes. The train departs at 7:04 PM and travels through a scenic canyon alongside the Urubamba River, arriving around 8:45 PM. A hotel representative will be waiting to guide you to your accommodation.

• Meals included: Lunch
• Overnight: Hotel in Aguas Calientes (not included; we can assist with bookings)

Day 4 – Explore Machu Picchu | Return to Cusco

Altitude: 2,430 m / 7,972 ft | Difficulty: Moderate

This is the highlight of your journey.

After breakfast, your guide will meet you at your hotel at 8:00 AM. You will take a 30-minute bus ride up the mountain to the entrance of Machu Picchu.

Your guided tour will follow Circuit 2B, the most complete and popular route designated by the Peruvian Tourism Authority. This circuit includes the main temples, ceremonial areas, and scenic viewpoints. If you would prefer a different route, such as one with less walking or with access to Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain, please let us know at the time of booking. Availability is limited and all circuit selections must be made in advance.

You will explore the site for about 2.5 hours with your guide, walking along terraces and stone paths, visiting temples, fountains, and plazas. Your guide will explain the history, culture, and construction of this remarkable city, hidden from the world for centuries.

Machu Picchu is, for most people, a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

After the tour, take the bus back down to Aguas Calientes. You will enjoy lunch at a local restaurant, then have free time to relax or visit the local artisan market.

In the afternoon, you will board the return train to Poroy Station at 4:43 PM. This journey takes about four hours. When you arrive at 8:23 PM, our driver will be waiting to take you back to your hotel in Cusco.

• Meals included: Lunch
• Overnight: Hotel in Cusco (not included; we can assist with bookings)

Day 5 – Departure from Cusco

This morning, we will arrange your private transfer to the airport. Say goodbye to the Andes and take your flight to your next destination. We hope you leave with wonderful memories of your journey through Peru.

• Meals included: None

Machu Picchu Route Options

The Peruvian Ministry of Culture has updated the circuits at Machu Picchu. Effective June 2024, routes now total 10 circuits, structured as 3 main patterns divided into sub-sections. The following are the options most relevant to this tour.

Further Reading

• Cusco, Peru – Wikipedia
• Ollantaytambo – Wikipedia
• Aguas Calientes, Peru – Wikipedia
• Machu Picchu – Wikipedia