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Cusco Tours 2026: Machu Picchu, Sacred Valley and the Andes

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Cusco Tours 2026: Machu Picchu, Sacred Valley and the Andes

Cusco tours are private day trips and short journeys from the former Inca capital, at 3,400 m in the Peruvian Andes: Machu Picchu in one day by train, the Sacred Valley, the salt pans of Maras, Rainbow Mountain, Humantay Lake and the city itself. Prices from US$ 135 per person, with hotel pickup and an English-speaking guide.

Altitude
Cusco 3,400 m · Machu Picchu 2,430 m · Rainbow Mountain 5,036 m
Machu Picchu in one day
Train from Ollantaytambo, 1 h 45 to Aguas Calientes
Price
From US$ 135 (city tour) · from US$ 395 (Machu Picchu)
Best months
May to September (dry season)
Languages
Guides in English and Spanish; other languages on request

Cusco tours by destination

Machu Picchu

The citadel in one day by train, or with more time in Aguas Calientes. Entrance ticket, train and guide included.

Cusco and the Sacred Valley

The city, Sacsayhuamán, Pisac, Ollantaytambo, the salt pans of Maras and the terraces of Moray.

Mountains and lakes

Rainbow Mountain and Humantay Lake: early departures, high altitude, unforgettable views.

From Cusco to the coast

The Nazca Lines in two days from Cusco, with the scenic flight.

Cusco tour prices 2026

Prices per person in US dollars for private tours with hotel pickup. Machu Picchu tours include the train and the entrance ticket; book at least two weeks ahead, tickets are limited per day.

TourDurationPrice fromNotes
Machu Picchu full day by trainAbout 16 hoursUS$ 395Train, bus, ticket and guide
Machu Picchu tour by train1 dayUS$ 465Panoramic train option
Cusco city tourHalf dayUS$ 135Cathedral, Qorikancha, Sacsayhuamán
Sacred Valley tourFull dayUS$ 185Pisac, Ollantaytambo, lunch
Maras and MorayHalf dayUS$ 185Salt pans and circular terraces
Rainbow MountainFull dayUS$ 185Departure around 4:00, hike at 5,000 m
Humantay LakeFull dayUS$ 185Turquoise lake at 4,200 m
Nazca Lines from Cusco2 daysUS$ 235Transfers, night in Nazca, flight

Entrance tickets to Machu Picchu are personal and non-transferable: we need your passport details to buy them.

Machu Picchu in one day or with the Sacred Valley?

The same citadel, two ways to get there. What changes is the time you spend and how you handle the altitude.

OptionTime from CuscoHow you get thereAltitudeBest for
Machu Picchu in one dayAbout 16 hours door to doorCar to Ollantaytambo, train, bus up to the citadel2,430 m, lower than CuscoShort stays; travellers already acclimatised
Machu Picchu in two days2 days, night in Aguas CalientesSacred Valley by car, train in the afternoon, citadel next morning2,430 mSeeing the citadel early with fewer people
Rainbow MountainAbout 12 hoursCar 3 h, hike 1 h 30 each way5,036 mFit travellers after 2 days in Cusco
Humantay LakeAbout 10 hoursCar 2 h 30, hike 1 h each way4,200 mA gentler high-mountain day

Altitude: who should take it slowly

  • Everyone arriving by air from sea level: spend the first day in Cusco walking slowly, drinking water and coca tea, and leave Rainbow Mountain and Humantay for day three or later.
  • People with heart or lung conditions and pregnant women: ask your doctor before booking anything above 4,000 m.
  • Children under 8 and older travellers: Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley are fine; the high hikes are demanding.
  • If you feel headache, nausea or shortness of breath, tell your guide: descending is the remedy and every tour has a vehicle nearby.

What you see on a Cusco tour

  • Machu Picchu: the Intihuatana, the Temple of the Sun, the terraces and the view from the Guardian's House
  • The Sacred Valley: the Pisac market and ruins, the fortress of Ollantaytambo, Chinchero
  • Maras: 3,000 salt pans in use since Inca times; Moray: circular agricultural terraces
  • Cusco: the Cathedral, Qorikancha, the Inca walls of Hatunrumiyoc and the fortress of Sacsayhuamán
  • Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca) and the Red Valley; Humantay Lake beneath the Salkantay glacier

Best time to visit Cusco and Machu Picchu

May to September is the dry season: clear skies, cold nights, the busiest months. Book Machu Picchu tickets and trains 3 to 4 weeks ahead.

October to April brings afternoon rain; mornings are usually clear and the valley is green. The Inca Trail closes in February, Machu Picchu stays open.

June has Inti Raymi (24 June) and Corpus Christi: Cusco is at its liveliest and hotels fill up.

For Rainbow Mountain the best light is between May and October; in the rainy months the colours are muted and the trail can be snowy.

Tickets, trains and practical details

Machu Picchu tickets are sold per circuit and time slot with a daily limit; we buy them with your passport details as soon as you book. Bring the same passport on the day.

Trains leave from Ollantaytambo (1 h 45 to Aguas Calientes) or Poroy; the shuttle bus from Aguas Calientes climbs to the citadel in 25 minutes.

Private transport from your hotel, licensed guide and entrance tickets are included in every tour; lunch is included where the itinerary says so.

Cusco tours: frequently asked questions

How much does a Machu Picchu tour from Cusco cost?

A private full-day tour with train, bus, entrance ticket and guide costs from US$ 395 per person. Cusco city tours start at US$ 135 and Sacred Valley, Rainbow Mountain and Humantay from US$ 185.

Can you visit Machu Picchu in one day from Cusco?

Yes. You leave Cusco around 4:30, take the train from Ollantaytambo, visit the citadel late morning and return to Cusco in the evening, about 16 hours in total.

How do I get to Machu Picchu from Cusco?

By car to Ollantaytambo (1 h 45), train to Aguas Calientes (1 h 45) and shuttle bus up to the citadel (25 min). There is no road to Machu Picchu.

How many days do I need in Cusco?

Three days minimum: one to acclimatise with the city tour, one for the Sacred Valley and one for Machu Picchu. Add a day each for Rainbow Mountain or Humantay.

Is altitude sickness a problem in Cusco?

Cusco is at 3,400 m and most visitors feel it the first day. Rest, water, light meals and coca tea help. Machu Picchu is lower (2,430 m); Rainbow Mountain (5,036 m) should wait until day three.

When should I book Machu Picchu tickets?

At least two weeks ahead, and three to four weeks in the dry season. Tickets are limited per day and sold by circuit and time slot.

Can I combine Cusco with the Nazca Lines?

Yes. Our two-day tour from Cusco includes transfers, a night in Nazca and the scenic flight, and returns to Cusco or continues to Lima.

Can I book Cusco tours online?

Yes. Choose the tour, select your date and passengers and pay by card. You receive instant confirmation and a local contact in Cusco.

Learn more before you travel

Ready to explore Cusco?

Choose your tour, pick a date and pay online. Our team in Cusco confirms the train and the Machu Picchu tickets for you.

See Machu Picchu in one day