An introduction to the Sacred Valley.
This itinerary begins in the Sacred Valley, about 9,000 ft (2,750 m), with a visit to Ollantaytambo before the train to Machu Picchu.
5 days / 4 nights · A private journey
Sacred Valley · Machu Picchu · Cusco
Five days for the Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu and Cusco, with private guided visits and two nights in Aguas Calientes. Essential Peru keeps the focus on the places you most want to see when your time is limited.
From $3,295 pp
Per person, two sharing, USD. Includes hotels, Machu Picchu entry, trains, guided visits, private transfers and meals as listed. Flights, insurance and gratuities excluded. Your written proposal confirms the total.
Night 1
Sacred Valley
Nights 2–3
Machu Picchu Pueblo
Night 4
Cusco
Day 5
Departure from Cusco
Tell us about mobility needs when planning, and get personal medical advice about altitude before you travel.
This itinerary begins in the Sacred Valley, about 9,000 ft (2,750 m), with a visit to Ollantaytambo before the train to Machu Picchu.
Arrive the day before, visit Machu Picchu with your private guide at your confirmed entry time and enjoy a second night in Aguas Calientes, so the visit does not share a day with the return journey.
Finish with a private city tour and a night at Inkaterra La Casona. This itinerary includes one night in Cusco and no full free day there; choose a longer trip or add a night for more time in the city.
Your days in Peru
This is a sample itinerary. We can adapt the route, hotels and experiences before booking to suit your dates and interests.
Day 1
Your guide meets you at Cusco airport for the drive to Inkaterra Hacienda Urubamba. Check in and spend the rest of the day settling into the valley, with dinner at the hotel. We keep the arrival day light.
Day 2
Explore Ollantaytambo with your private guide before lunch and the train to Aguas Calientes. On arrival, we’ll take you to Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo and talk through the plan for your visit the next day.
Day 3
Visit Machu Picchu with your private guide at the confirmed entry time, following your reserved circuit. After lunch at Belmond Sanctuary Lodge, return to your hotel for the afternoon and a second night in Aguas Calientes. Huayna Picchu or Montaña can be requested with the appropriate permit; we confirm availability and cost before booking.
Day 4
Travel back by train and private transfer to Cusco. After checking in at Inkaterra La Casona, explore Sacsayhuamán, Qoricancha and the Plaza de Armas with your guide, with the schedule arranged around your train arrival. Add a night here if you would like a full free day.
Day 5
Private transfer to the Cusco airport for your flight onward.
Your proposed hotels
These are the hotels featured in this itinerary. We’ll confirm room categories and availability in your proposal, and discuss any alternatives with you before booking.
Sacred Valley · 1 night
Casitas on 100 acres with views across the valley.
Aguas Calientes · 2 nights
Cloud-forest casitas five minutes from the bus to the site.
Cusco · 1 night
Eleven suites in a 16th-century house off the Plaza Nazarenas.
Prefer a different hotel or room category? We’ll explain the options and the difference in price.
The details, clearly
We check Machu Picchu availability before charging the deposit; if entry cannot be secured afterwards, our terms provide new dates or a full deposit refund. Otherwise deposits are non-refundable once permits and trains are bought, so we ask every guest to carry travel insurance. Destination Peru E.I.R.L. operates your journey in Peru; Inca Trek LLC, a Utah company, is the contracting company and merchant of record. Read the booking terms.
Questions
Altitude can affect any traveler, and the order of this itinerary does not remove that risk. Cusco sits at about 11,200 ft (3,400 m); the Sacred Valley is about 9,000 ft (2,750 m) and Machu Picchu about 7,900 ft (2,400 m). Please get personal medical advice before you travel, and tell your guide promptly if you feel unwell. Oxygen is available in our hotels and vehicles and we work with a clinic in Cusco; these are support arrangements, not a guarantee of how you will feel.
Essential Peru starts at $3,295 per person, based on two guests sharing a room, in U.S. dollars. That includes hotels, Machu Picchu entry, trains, private guided visits, private transfers and most meals. Flights, insurance and gratuities are extra, as are Belmond upgrades and the Hiram Bingham train. Your proposal confirms the total for your dates.
Start planning as early as you can, especially for fixed dates, school holidays or an Inca Trail trek, which has a daily permit cap. Machu Picchu entry is limited by circuit and time slot and sells out for popular dates. We check availability before asking you to confirm; a $500-per-person deposit then lets us buy your entry and train seats.
Tell us your dates, who is coming and what matters to you. We reply within 24 hours and confirm when you can expect a proposed itinerary with hotels and a per-person price. We refine it with you, then a $500-per-person deposit secures entry and trains. The balance is due 60 days before arrival.
Your listed guided visits and road transfers are arranged for your party. Scheduled trains are shared with other passengers, and Machu Picchu is open to other ticket holders. Your proposal identifies any other shared services.
The hotels shown are the ones featured in this itinerary. Your dates, room category and availability set the final quote; your proposal names the hotels you are confirming and any agreed alternatives.
Destination Peru E.I.R.L. operates your journey in Peru; our terms name Inca Trek LLC, a Utah company, as contracting company and merchant of record. A $500-per-person deposit secures the trip; the balance is due 60 days before arrival. Pay by major credit card (no card fee) or by bank transfer (no fee). If Machu Picchu entry cannot be secured after your deposit, our terms provide new dates or a full deposit refund. Read the booking terms before paying.
Make it yours
Hike a section of the Inca Trail with our own licensed operation. We’ll adapt the itinerary around the trekking days and required permits.
A demanding high-altitude excursion, best considered later in your trip. We’ll discuss the conditions, the early start and whether it suits you, including personal medical advice where appropriate.
Add time for a longer valley stay, an additional experience or more time at your hotel.
Add time for Lima’s food, art and coastal neighborhoods. We’ll plan a city stay rather than just an airport connection.
Quoted for your dates.
Quoted for your dates.
Plan this journey
Tell us your dates and who’s coming. Our team replies within 24 hours and confirms when you can expect a proposed itinerary and price. Nothing is booked and no payment is taken with your inquiry.
“We loved the itinerary and the knowledge & helpfulness of the team.”
drbeth1 · TripAdvisor · 5.0 · 41 reviews