A Luxury Machu Picchu Adventure

Days

6+

Activity Level

Moderate

Host City

Cusco, Peru

From

$3,995 USD

A Journey Beyond Machu Picchu

Join The Explorer’s Passage (TEP) on a luxurious journey through Peru, where the Andes, Cusco, and Machu Picchu come together in one unforgettable adventure. Explore Cusco’s iconic landmarks, including the majestic Sacsayhuaman fortress and sacred Qorikancha temple, while staying in some of Peru’s most exclusive hotels celebrated for their elegance, service, and cuisine. Experience an in-depth exploration of Machu Picchu, the legendary citadel. Conclude your journey aboard the Belmond Hiram Bingham, savoring gourmet dining, live music, and breathtaking Andean views on one of the world’s most iconic luxury trains.


Explore Machu Picchu with TEP

Trip Highlights

Explore Cusco, the enchanting highland city that once served as the vibrant capital of the Inca Empire. Alive with history, artistry, and timeless tradition, it has been hailed by Travel & Leisure as “a living monument to Inca history.”

Experience a full-day private tour through the Sacred Valley, discovering Moray’s ingenious circular terraces, the shimmering salt pools of Maras, and the majestic Inca stronghold of Ollantaytambo.

Journey along the Inca Trail Express, uncovering the sacred sites of Chachabamba and Wiñay Wayna before arriving at Inti Punku, the Sun Gate, for your first breathtaking view of Machu Picchu.

Design your perfect journey through Peru. Dreaming of hiking Rainbow Mountain, tasting Lima’s world-renowned cuisine, or lingering longer in the Sacred Valley? Whatever inspires you, we’ll tailor every moment to match your passions and schedule. Our expert team will seamlessly customize your itinerary so your Peruvian adventure is truly your own. Scroll down to explore the many ways we can personalize your experience.

Let’s Plan Your Trip Today:

TRIP COST

From $3,995 USD per person
Our Peru trips are all-inclusive, crafted with the intent of providing you with an unforgettable adventure travel experience.

More info. on pricing

More questions? Read more about pricing here

Start dates

Custom dates are available every month

To inquire about a custom date,
please contact us!

Duration

Starts at 6 Days / 5 Nights  

Accommodations

Relax in comfort & luxury

max. group size

No minimum or maximum

All Private Groups

ACTIVITY LEVEL

Moderate

6 Day / 5 Night Trip Daily Overview

Sample Trip Itinerary

Custom trip itineraries are available for any size group. Please contact us for a complete detailed itinerary.

Want more information? Download a detailed itinerary.

Itineraries include detailed descriptions of each day, tips on travel arrangements, regional highlights, and more. It’s the perfect resource to help you choose!

Request Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Cusco, Peru

Bienvenidos a Perú! Upon your arrival at Cusco International Airport, a member of our private concierge team will welcome you and escort you through the breathtaking landscapes of the Andes to your luxurious hotel in the heart of Cusco. After settling in, take the afternoon to unwind or stroll the city’s cobblestone streets, where Inca heritage and colonial elegance meet at every turn. As evening falls, enjoy an exquisite dinner at one of Cusco’s most celebrated restaurants in the company of a distinguished local guest, offering a rare glimpse into Peruvian culture and cuisine.

Accommodations: Palacio del Inka or Belmond Palacio Nazarenas

Day 2: Cusco

After a gourmet breakfast, set out on a private half-day exploration of Cusco, an enchanting UNESCO World Heritage city where Inca legacy meets colonial splendor. Travel in comfort by private vehicle and on foot as your expert guide unveils the grandeur of Sacsayhuaman, Tambomachay, Pukapukara, and Q’enqo, along with the majestic Cusco Cathedral and the revered Qorikancha Temple of the Sun. Immerse yourself in the city’s refined rhythm, where timeless traditions blend seamlessly with contemporary sophistication. The afternoon is yours to wander charming boutiques, relax at your hotel spa, or indulge in Cusco’s world-class culinary scene at your leisure.

Accommodations: Palacio del Inka or Belmond Palacio Nazarenas

Day 3: Sacred Valley Tour

After breakfast, embark on a private full-day exploration of Moray, Maras, and Ollantaytambo. Begin at Moray, where circular Inca terraces once created unique microclimates for cultivating diverse crops, then continue to a scenic overlook above Maras for an elegant gourmet picnic prepared by your private chef, paired with Andean wines and sweeping mountain views. Visit the shimmering Maras salt terraces to learn about traditional harvesting methods still used by local families, before ending the day in Ollantaytambo, a living Inca town of stone streets and grand terraces. Climb the fortress for panoramic views, then return to your luxurious accommodations to relax and prepare for tomorrow’s Inca Trail Express.

Accommodations: Tambo del Inka or Sol y Luna

Day 4: Pisac & Aguas Calientes

Begin your morning with a private drive through the Sacred Valley to the charming town of Pisac, renowned for its lively artisan market and deep-rooted Andean heritage. Wander the cobblestone streets as you browse handwoven textiles, silver jewelry, and locally crafted treasures, connecting with Quechua artisans and their timeless traditions. Continue to the Pisac archaeological site, dramatically set above the valley, where ancient terraces and temples overlook the Urubamba River. After a leisurely lunch, board your train to Aguas Calientes, relaxing in elegant surroundings as you sip Andean cocktails and watch the mountains unfold on your way to the gateway of Machu Picchu.

Accommodations: Machu Picchu Pueblo or Sanctuary Lodge

Day 5: Machu Picchu

Wake up in Aguas Calientes, nestled at the foothills of Machu Picchu, and begin your morning with a guided hike up Huayna Picchu, where breathtaking panoramic views reveal the grandeur of the Inca citadel below. After a leisurely lunch, embark on a two-hour exploration of Machu Picchu (7,972 feet / 2,430 meters) along the Circuit 2 route, the most comprehensive path through its temples, terraces, and sacred plazas. This immersive experience offers a profound sense of connection to the ingenuity and spirit of the Inca civilization. In the afternoon, board either a scenic train or the luxurious Belmond Hiram Bingham, where fine dining and attentive service accompany your return to Ollantaytambo, followed by a private transfer to your hotel in Cusco.

Accommodations: Palacio del Inka or Belmond Palacio Nazarenas

Day 6: Final Day in Peru

Today you will enjoy your last morning in Peru before being transferred by private vehicle from your hotel to Cusco International Airport for your flight home.

Accommodations: N/A

Create your OWN Unique Experience

Customizing Your Peru Adventure

Are you interested in another activity or destination in Peru? Planning to spend extra time in the region, or interested in specific travel dates? Want to visit Lake Titicaca, or experience the culinary delights of Lima? Perhaps you would like to spend more time in the Scared Valley? No problem. As experts in tailored trip planning, we can weave your interests and your timeframe into our customizable itineraries so that every detail of your extraordinary trip unfolds precisely the way you want it to. Click the options below to learn more:

While in/around Sacred Valley, you can choose to add on one or several of the following activities:

  • Maras Salt Mines
  • Urubamba
  • Pisac
  • Moray
  • Huchuy Cusco
  • Ollantaytambo
  • Classic Inca Trail
  • Chinchero
  • Salkantay Trail
  • Lamay Community
  • Amaru Community

In addition to their time in Peru, many travelers choose to add in other nearby destinations to their trips, including (but not limited to) some of the following:

  • Lima
  • Amazon Jungle
  • Lake Titicaca
  • Paracas
  • Arequipa
  • Huacachina
  • Nazca

With The Explorer’s Passage, you can choose between a wide variety of trips all throughout South America and Antarctica as noted below:

  • Argentina 
  • Galápagos Islands
  • Chile
  • Bolivia
  • Brazil
  • Uruguay
  • Paraguay
  • Antarctica
  • Columbia

Contact us today to get started customizing your dream trip to Peru!

Hear what travelers are saying:

5-Star Review Average on TripAdvisor! Read More >
  • “Our family of six worked with Jeff and Sarah at The Explorers Passage to plan our visit to Machu Picchu, specifically the Inca Trail Express. TEP is an invaluable partner in handling all logistics including permits, transportation, entry passes, accommodations, itinerary and most importantly a local guide. Our guide, Neptali, was the absolute BEST and we thoroughly enjoyed our time with him. He made all the difference. Jeff and Sarah provided all the pre-trip support and guidance to ensure our trip was a success, and on-the-ground support if needed. They went above and beyond to make recommendations for our time in Cusco too. Our trip was flawless thanks to their organization. Our experience with TEP exceeded all expectations. We highly recommend using them for your next adventure!”
    – Caroline C.
  • “We cannot praise The Explorer’s Passage enuf! We had a trip/experience of a lifetime on their Machu Picchu and Inca Trail adventure. The planning process was a breeze, the pre-hike necessary conditioning was well explained, arriving in Cusco and finding our guide and driver was easy, the Cusco City tours were fabulous and the trek was utterly AMAZING! Our Guide Neptali was the BEST. He is very knowledgeable, he’s kind, he’s funny, and he is calm and takes charge in a crisis. The porters and the chefs were wonderful. It was all around a 5 star experience. Definitely recommend this adventure!”
    – Angie P.
  • “From the moment we contacted Explorer’s Passage to discuss our Inca Trail Adventure, we knew we were working with an exemplary company, we had a fabulous experience with everyone involved, particularly the owner Jeff Bonaldi. There was not one thing I would change about this trip…..the accommodations, the transportation, the drivers, the restaurants, the porters, the guides (Wilbur was the kindest, smartest, most interesting guide and his Quechuan heritage and pride contributed so much to our experience of this amazing culture)…I could go on and on. Book with Explorer’s Passage…you will receive top-notch attention and advice and be in excellent hands throughout your adventure. We hope to book further adventures with Explorer’s Passage.”
    – Cindy M.
relax in comfort and luxury

Trip Accommodations

Each night you can relax in the comfort and luxury of 5 or 5+ Star premium accommodations – featuring some of the finest resorts in Peru.

5+ Star Accommodations

Belmond Palacio Nazarenas | Cusco, Peru

Bedding down in a former convent isn’t necessarily what you might expect. Lovingly restored, 17th-century architecture gives each artistic room and suite a distinctly colonial feel. Recline on a four-poster bed splashed with hand-embroidered silk coverlets. Bathe beneath hand-painted frescos using soap perfumed by the Palacio’s own flowers. Some suites feature original Inca stonework; others boast balconies with hypnotic views of Cusco’s distant, mist-wrapped mountains. 

Belmond Palacio Nazarenas website

Belmond Sanctuary Lodge | Aguas Calientes, Peru

Sitting in the shadows of the Lost City, our lodge is an oasis of calm before or after a day exploring Machu Picchu. Unwind with a yoga session, take part in a traditional shaman ceremony in the garden, or sip muña tea in the Tampu Bar. Tranquility, wonder and beauty are at the heart of our unique experience. Cool botanical fabrics are offset by cherry-colored woods. King-sized beds provide space to unwind. Outside your windows, the mountains ripple into the distance.Signature dishes like a Jungle Landscape salad or Sacred Valley grilled trout evoke the Andean setting. Take a seat and let our authentic menu kickstart your Peruvian adventure.

Belmond Sanctuary Lodge website

Sol y Luna | Urubamba, Peru

Each of their forty-three casitas is surrounded by gardens filled with flora native to the Sacred Valley and all face the Andes Mountains where the Incas believed their gods dwelled. Within each sanctuary, an outdoor terrace leads into the high ceilinged living space with terra cotta tile floors and some of our favorite Sacred Valley artifacts, Spanish colonial style furniture, a king size bed or two double beds made with goose feather duvets and Peruvian pima cotton sheets, and a spacious marble bathroom with deep soak bathtub.

Sol y Luna website

5 Star Accommodations

Palacio del Inka | Cusco, Peru

Located in the heart of Cusco, Palacio del Inka is walking distance to shopping, restaurants, and museums. It is also located across from the Koricancha, the most sacred temple in the Inca Empire. The spacious rooms are exquisitely appointed, combining Peruvian art, handcrafted furnishings, as well as state-of-the-art technology. The on-site restaurant, Inti Raymi, serves particularly authentic Andean specialties, with ingredients organically grown in the Sacred Valley. Take advantage of the full service spa that draws on the ancient healing mysticism of the Andes.

One of the finest hotels in Peru and part of Starwood Resorts’ Luxury Collection, the Palacio del Inka is a 16th century mansion once occupied by Gonzalo Pizarro, half-brother of Francisco Pizarro (the Spanish conquistador who conquered Peru).

Palacio del Inka website

Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo | Aguas Calientes, Peru

Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel is an intimate Andean village with terraced hills, waterfalls, stone pathways and 83 whitewashed adobe casitas tucked away in the cloud forest. The property has 12 acres of exquisite natural beauty, where 214 bird species – such as the golden-headed quetzal and the iconic Andean cock-of-the-rock – as well as the world’s largest native orchid collection (372 species) have been registered. The hotel also features an on-site restaurant overlooking the river, as well as a relaxing spa and sauna.

Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo website

Tambo del Inka | Urubamba, Peru

Escape to a luxurious and mystical journey at Tambo del Inka, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa. This hotel in Peru is nestled in the heart of the Sacred Valley and stands as a doorway to the vast cultural richness of this region. You’ll love lingering in your elegantly designed hotel room or suite with mesmerizing views of the Andes and the Vilcanota River from a private balcony. Savor the dining options available, with on-site restaurants featuring organic ingredients and local products.

Tambo del Inka website

we’re always happy to help

Frequently Asked Questions

You’ll stay each night in the region’s most refined boutique or five-star hotels, chosen for exceptional comfort, service and location. Expect private transfers, assisted check-ins, and top-tier amenities to complement your luxury journey.

All transfers are private, whether you’re driving through the Sacred Valley or boarding the luxury train to Aguas Calientes. Your guide and concierge handle the logistics so you can relax and truly focus on the experience.

Absolutely. From selecting your preferred train class to spending extra time exploring certain ruins or upgrading dining experiences, we’ll tailor your itinerary so every element aligns with your interests, schedule and comfort level.

Although much of this trip is relaxed and guided in luxury, you’ll still be in high-altitude terrain. We recommend arriving with at least a day of acclimation, staying well-hydrated, and informing us of any health concerns so we can ensure appropriate support and pace.

Given the remote terrain and altitude, occasional delays are possible. As part of the luxury experience, we arrange flexible backup tour options, alternative scenic routes, premium lodging adjustments and our team will manage any changes so your journey remains seamless and elevated.

Cusco offers a captivating blend of Inca heritage, colonial charm, and modern luxury, with world-class dining, artisan markets, and remarkable archaeological sites to explore. From the grandeur of Sacsayhuaman and Qorikancha to boutique shopping and spa indulgence, every corner of the city invites discovery and refinement.

we’re Here every step of the way

Trip Support

MACHU PICCHU TRIP Support

There is no other operator in the travel industry that will provide the same level of personal attention to your travel experience.

We look forward to helping you plan your next big adventure!