Exclusive Machu Picchu Luxury Tour | 8D/7N
Lima – Cusco – The Sacred Valley – Machu Picchu – Moray – Maras – Cusco – Lima
Masters of farming, engineering geniuses, and creators of a religion that combined features of animism and nature worship, the Incas are without a doubt one of the world’s most interesting and mysterious ancient civilizations.
This Machu Picchu luxury tour allows you to learn about Incan accomplishments, from the triumphal constructions of Machu Picchu and the intricate stonework of the old Inca capital Cusco, to the ingenious agricultural terraces that dot the stunningly serene Sacred Valley.
Discover what this fascinating civilization embodied during its glorious heyday with this customized tour centered on Peru’s Incan heritage.
Highlights
Visit an ancient hacienda dedicated to agriculture surrounding giant Peruvian corn and delight in a one-of-a-kind culinary experience. Immerse yourself in local life with visits to remote Andean villages that are, for most travelers, uncharted territory.
Embark on a private city tour of Cusco, whose fascinating streets feature a unique concoction of Inca ruins and colonial constructions.
Scale the ancient stone stairway up Machu Picchu’s neighboring peak, Huayna Picchu.
Relish a Machu Picchu luxury tour with your very own expert guide to explain the history, architecture, and theories surrounding the site.
Discover the delights of Peruvian cuisine at the country’s finest dining establishments. Enjoy enriching experiences with local artists at their workshops.
Relax in hand-picked luxury accommodations throughout your personalized trip of Peru.
DAY 1: ARRIVE AT YOUR HOTEL IN LIMA AFTER YOUR INTERNATIONAL FLIGHT TO PERU!
When your international flight arrives in Lima, look for your Samextoursperu host holding a sign with your name on it! We know you’ll most likely be a little tired after your long flight, so we’ll save you the stress of trying to navigate and bring you straight to your hotel adjacent to the airport where you can shake off that icky flight feeling with a shower and a sleep. Relax into the evening and enjoy a good night’s rest before your flight to Cusco in the morning!
DAY 2: FLY TO CUSCO TO TOUR AN ANCIENT LOCAL HACIENDA, THE PISAC MARKET, AND THE PERUVIAN COUNTRYSIDE.
This morning we’ll escort you back to the airport for your morning flight to Cusco. Watch the windows as the desert coast rises into the snow-capped peaks of the Andes! Just 15 minutes outside of Cusco, true Peruvian countryside will stretch away on either side of you, sheep grazing tranquilly road-side. Impossibly steep peaks rise in the distance. Your journey will take you to an ancient hacienda, nestled in the fertile valley next to the pueblo of Pisac. Step onto the family-owned hacienda grounds and step into centuries past while your hosts expound upon the growing process of Giant White Corn and its profound cultural significance in the Andes Mountains. This hacienda dates back generations, and you’ll immediately be immersed in local customs steeped in the spirits and mysticism of the Andes, and embraced by the warmth of local Peruvians. Relish your time on the farm with a delicious multi-course lunch with sample dishes featuring none other than the “white gold” giant-kernelled corn, and make sure to visit the on-site stables housing the renowned Peruvian Paso horses. Watch the horses dance with their human counterparts in a “marinera” demonstration, and even go for a quick trot yourself if you feel up to the task! From there, your exclusive tour of Peru will take you to another valley town – Pisac – where you’ll have the chance to rub shoulders with locals as you survey the artisan offerings of the market. Vegetables, textiles and silver jewelry are just some of the items that are sold here. Later, return to the hotel of your choice.
DAY 3: HIKE TO OLLANTAYTAMBO & EXPLORE THE ARTS OF THE SACRED VALLEY
Today’s journey through the Sacred Valley of the Incas will start with a drive through the breathtaking Patacancha Valley. At the ruins of Pumamarca we’ll begin our hike down a pre-Columbian trail, following irrigation canals that line terraced fields still in use today. After approximately two hours of easy hiking, we’ll find ourselves in the Incan town of Ollantaytambo, where the centuries-old influence of the Incas is still very much visible: water from the mountains trickles down to the Inca-built street canals, while original Inca walls and trapezoidal doors are still found here. With your guide by your side, ascend beyond the stepped, slope-side terraces to the ruins of a centuries-old fortress above town, where the Incas secured an important victory over the Spanish conquistadors. Inspect the intricately hewn stone constructions and have your guide show you the distant quarries from where the Incas sourced these huge stone blocks. This site also afford fabulous views of the valley and the Urubamba River that meanders through it. Following a lunch featuring local flavors, hop back in the car. This time, we’ll take you to our favorite artist’s workshop, famous throughout Peru for handcrafted ceramics. Spend the afternoon laughing, learning, and creating hand-made souvenirs with a Peruvian flair to bring home with you! Upon completion of your tour, we will bring you back to your hotel for an evening spent at leisure.
DAY 4: ENJOY A MORNING TRAIN THROUGH THE CLOUD FOREST AND VISIT THE MACHU PICCHU CITADEL!
Prepare for a climactic day! In the morning, we will board the train in Ollantaytambo for our journey to Machu Picchu. Watch the cloud jungle pass by through the large glass windows! Upon arrival to Aguas Calientes, we’ll tuck in to an early lunch in order to refuel before ascending to Peru’s lost citadel. After a bus ride to the gates of this wonder of the world, you will pass through the main gates with your private guide to finally emerge at the top of the world – Machu Picchu. The incredible Inca stone construction will be spread below, alternately hidden and revealed by clouds. Your expert guide will give you a private tour of the ancient city. Upon conclusion of your tour, return for an evening in Aguas Calientes. Enjoy an excellent dinner on-site at your hotel and fall into bed, lulled to sleep by the sound of the cloud forest around you.
DAY 5: HIKE ONE OF THE COVETED, LIMITED-ENTRY HIKES, HUAYNA PICCHU!
Today you have the option to hike two different trails – Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain, so it’s completely up to you on how you would like to culminate your Machu Picchu luxury tour. Consider hiking the steep slope of neighboring Huayna Picchu, which offers unrivalled views over Machu Picchu. Please note that only a limited amount of hikers are allowed to climb Huayna Picchu each day and tickets will need to be purchased in advance along with your Machu Picchu entrance. In the afternoon, reconvene in Aguas Calientes and board the return train to Ollantaytambo. Your Samextoursperu host will meet you at the station and bring you to your hotel for a well-deserved good night’s rest.
DAY 6: VISIT THE AGRICULTURAL LABORATORY OF THE INCAS- MARAS AND MORAY AND OUR FRIENDS IN A LOCAL COMMUNITY!
After breakfast, you’ll be taken to see the ancient agricultural site of Moray. Experts today believe these grassy amphitheaters served as a farming laboratory, with the varying temperatures and soils of the ascending terraces providing different growing environments. We’ll pass through the town of Maras – known for its beautiful colonial doorways – before arriving at the town’s still-in-use salt pans. The small white evaporation pools that cover the hillside are still harvested by locals in a traditional manner. We’ll pause for a delicious local lunch, where you’ll be able to sample some regional fare. Post lunch you’ll have a chance to mingle with the locals during a visit to an off-the-beaten-track highland village on the shore of the icy blue Lake Piuray. This rural community subsists on agriculture and many of the women are master weavers, creating exquisite textiles using generations-old techniques. You will have the opportunity to communicate with the residents, visit their houses and fields, and experience what day-to-day life is like in the Andean highlands. You might also get to meet some of the local children who attend Samextoursperu after-school program (Monday to Friday) – they love sharing their art with visitors. Later, you’ll return to your comfortable hotel of choice.
DAY 7: EXPLORE THE HIDDEN COBBLESTONE STREETS OF HISTORICAL CUSCO ON A PRIVATE CITY TOUR!
It’s time to get acquainted with Cusco, a gorgeous city that wins the heart of most every traveler that passes through it. Get to know the real Cusco during a private tour. After breakfast, meet your guide and wander among the archaeological remains of Sacsayhuaman, where the Incas staged a great battle against the conquistadors. Return to the city and roam the atmospheric streets of the bohemian neighborhood of San Blas, which is known for its free-spirited scene. Explore Qoricancha and the Santo Domingo monastery (a colonial structure built on top of the ancient Inca temple of the sun); see where the locals make their grocery runs at the open-air San Pedro market and pass the famous 12-angled stone, whose image appears on the bottle of the local Cusqueña beer. At the end of the tour, your guide will suggest places to visit for lunch
DAY 8: DINE AT THE PRE-COLUMBIAN DESERT RUINS OF HUACA PUCLLANA AND BID FAREWELL TO PERU!
First, we’ll bring you to Cusco airport for your return flight to Lima. In Lima, a Samextoursperu host will meet you and take you to the sacred site of Huaca Puccllana. Enjoy a first-class gourmet meal featuring world-renowned Peruvian flavors in the middle of Miraflores before returning to the airport for your journey home! Good bye Amigos!
What is Included:
Personalized itinerary planning: Work with a Samextoursperu Designer to create the Machu Picchu luxury tour of your dreams.
Samextoursperu hosts take the hassle out of traveling. They’ll be there to assist you – whether with luggage, check in, transport or translating – at every destination during your private tour of Peru.
Got a question or query? Samextoursperu operate a 24-hour, seven day a week customer service operation and can provide updates and assistance whenever you need it.
With Samextoursperu, you’ll never be bundled in with big groups; each visit, activity, tour and experience will be completely private and conducted by your very own expert, English-speaking guide.
Our private tours of Peru are fully flexible, which means we can modify them to suit your travel mood. So if you want to cut an activity or add on a new one, just say the word!
All necessary adventure and trekking equipment will be provided so all you need bring is yourself.
Receive a customized Samextoursperu kit upon arrival.
RECOMMENDED ACCOMMODATIONS
Our staff handpicks the best hotels in the country to ensure you get comfort and character. Take a look to our recommendations and let us know if you’d like to incorporate one or a few in to your Exclusive Machu Picchu luxury tour.
Inka Terra Hacienda Urubamba
Hotel Paqariqtampu Ollantaytambo
Inka Terra la Casona
Tierra Viva Yanahuara Urubamba
PRICE IN REFERENCE
This example tour has costs beginning at US $ 7,693 per person, based on two sharing accommodations. If more will travel in your private party, it will benefit you as the cost “per person” will reduce. Prices are based on final accommodation choices, travel dates and other details within your tour, which are flexible to your individual interests and desires. Feel free to reach us via email at info@samextoursperu.com or by calling us directly at +51942926118
Frequently Asked Questions About Peru
South American Exclusive Tours Peru present you the list of Frequently Asked Questions about your travel in Peru, together with the detailed answers. We hope it will provide you with the solid knowledge about the country and let you enjoy your stay to the fullest. We wish you all the best while preparing for your journey! Let it be a beautiful preparation period before the unforgettable experience in Peru and Cusco.
A valid U.S. passport is required to enter and depart Peru. Tourists must also provide evidence of return or onward travel. U.S. citizens do not need a visa for a tourist stay of 90 days or less. U.S.
citizens remaining in Peru more than 90 days must pay a monthly fee to extend their visa for up to three additional months, for a total of six months. U.S. citizens, including children, who remain in Peru over six months without obtaining a residence visa will have to pay a fine in order to depart Peru.
Visitors for other than tourist or family visit purposes must obtain a Peruvian visa in advance. Business visitors should ascertain the tax and exit regulations that apply to the specific visa that they are granted. U.S.
citizens whose passports are lost or stolen in Peru must obtain a new passport and present it, together with a police report of the loss or theft, to the main immigration office in the capital city of Lima to obtain permission to depart.
An airport tax of $25 per person must be paid in U.S. currency when departing Peru. There is also a small airport fee for domestic flights.
For further information regarding entry requirements, travelers should contact the Peruvian Embassy at 1625 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Suite 605, Washington, DC 20036; telephone (202) 462-1084 or 462-1085; Internet http://www.peruemb.org; or the Peruvian Consulate in Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Patterson (NJ), San Francisco, or San Juan.
It is another book-size topic. In fact, it mostly depends on our behavior and attitude while travelling in Peru. Personally, I think that whenever you decide on travelling, it is always worth taking special precautions. Especially, when travelling to countries we have little knowledge about or the ones with different culture or language. In Peru, attitudes towards many issues or behaviour in particular situations in Peru might be way different that the one we are familiar with in Europe. Sometimes, even for me, it is really difficult to understand particular customs. One might find it hard to accept some things in Peru that in one’s country of origin are forbidden or viewed discourteous. What are the rules that you should get familiar with before coming to Peru? Please find all the necessary information in our article: “ Frequently Asked Questions”.
Spanish is the main official language, and is spoken by about 80% of the population. Quechua, Aymara and other indigenous languages are also official, Quechua is commonly spoken in many areas of the country, including Cuzco.
The Nuevo Sol (meaning ‘’new sun’’ in English) is the official currency. U.S. Dollars can be used in many stores, restaurants and other places, but it is best to have soles.
There is a variety of food from many different influences. The food is different in different regions of the country. There is indigenous influence in the food, in addition to influence from the various immigrant groups that arrived in Peru over the centuries. Ceviche, Pollo a la Brasa, Lomo Saltado, and Cuy are just a few of the many foods that are popular in Peru. Many international foods are also popular.
It is not that straightforward to choose the one and only best month for traveling to Peru. Why is it so, that there is no clear answer to that question? In Peru, you can find three completely distinctive parts when it comes to weather and climate, namely the coast (la costa), the mountains (la sierra) and the jungle (la selva). Each part is characterized by completely different climate and, what is more, you can find distinctive microclimates within each of them. Consequently, there is no such a month that could be considered the best one when it comes to travelling to Peru. In order to fix this problem, you need to simply ask yourself one question: “What do I want to do in Peru”? As long as you are able to answer this question, you are safe and ready to choose the best time of the year to visit Peru! If you seek to find the detailed answer to this question, please read our article: “What are the best months for visiting Peru”? Remember that there is nothing worse than spending your ideal vacation at the time when your favourite activities are impossible to undertake.
Peru is a varied and diverse country due to the climatic, natural and cultural diversity of its regions. It is 1,554 miles (2,500 km) long, and has 3 natural regions: Coast, Mountains (sierra) and Jungle. The Mountains (Machu Picchu, Cusco, Puno, Titicaca Lake) Mid April – October. This period is the dry season, with hot, dry days (20-25°C) and cold, dry nights, often hovering just above freezing, particularly in June and July. May is perhaps the best month with the countryside exceptionally lush, yet with superb views and fine weather. You’ll find the flowers in full bloom, the grass green and the streams full. Peru’s peak season is from June to September. You’ll find Cusco a pretty cosmopolitan city with tourists from all over the globe converging on Machu Picchu. The famous Inti Raymi, the festival of the Sun (24 June) draws thousands of visitors to Cusco, so its best to arrive early or make hotel reservations in advance. November – Mid April This is the wet season with most rain in January and February. It’s usually clear and dry most mornings with outbursts of heavy rain in the afternoons. The daily temperatures are typically 18°C with only a small drop at night, 15°C.The Inca Trail is much less crowded during this period and there’s a more abundant fresh water supply, but of course be well equipped for the rain. You’ll also find some roads may become impassable particularly when trying to visit villages off the beaten track. Many of Peru’s major festivals such as Carnival and Easter Week take place during this period. The Coast. ( Lima, Trujillo, Nazca ) December – April This is summertime on the coast where the weather is hot and dry and ideal for swimming and getting a tan. Temperatures on average range from 25 – 35°C. May – November From May to November the temperature drops a bit and you’ll find blankets of sea mist engulfing the coast from the south right up to about 200 km north of Lima. At this time of year only the northern beaches near Tumbes are warm enough to provide pleasant swimming.
Before coming to Peru I advise you to check the information on the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of your country of origin. It might also be useful to check the website of the Embassy of your country in Peru in order to seek for additional information. Currently, there are no obligatory injections for tourists coming to Peru. There exist recommended injections in case of visiting the jungle. The decision on whether to take an injection is the personal one and unfortunately, I cannot give you any final advices when it comes to this decision. The ultimate advice I can give you, is to visit your doctor and seek the professional advice depending on your health and preferences.
On reaching heights above 3000m, heart pounding and shortness of breath are a normal response to the lack of oxygen in the air. However, for some visitors these symptoms can deteriorate into a conditions known as Soroche (or acute mountain sickness) when you can start to experience headaches, loss of appetite, extreme tiredness, sleeplessness and often nausea. Symptoms usually develop within the first day at altitude, but may be delayed by up to 2 weeks. To prevent Soroche, try to take things easy as soon as you arrive. Once settled in your hotel room have a lie down for a while and drink plenty of fluids. Don’t plan any strenuous treks until you’ve acclimatized for a few days. Avoid alcohol, cigarettes and heavy food. Drinking mate de coca (an infusion of coca leaves – and perfectly legal in Peru ) may help. If symptoms become more severe and prolonged it is best to quickly seek medical attention and make arrangements to descend to a lower altitude. On recovery one can re-ascend slowly or in stages.
The currency in Peru is Nuevo Sol. You can exchange one dollar for around 3.2 – 3.45 soles depending on the time of the year. It is very difficult to buy soles in Europe and that is why it is best to bring dollars or euros to Peru and exchange them on the spot. You can exchange your money basically in every Peruvian city, most often around the main squares (Plazas de Armas). Keep in mind that the banknotes you bring with yourself (euros or dollars) need to be in very good condition, so that you can exchange them without any problems. In case they are crushed or broken, you may find it difficult to get a good exchange rate or it might be impossible to exchange the money at all.
Firstly, try to exchange as little money as possible at the airports, as the exchange rate is not very favorable. Then, it is best to search for the exchange offices in the city centers of Lima or Cusco. Keep in mind, that you may find it difficult to encounter exchange offices in smaller cities. However, there is no reason for panic! You can easily pay for various services or products directly in euros or dollars – expect the slightly higher exchange rate when paying directly with dollars or euros.
The easiest way to get to from Cusco to Machu Picchu is to take the train to Aguas Calientes (the town located a few miles from the site). It’s a scenic 3.5-hour trip each way along tracks that run right along the Urubamba River in the Sacred Valley, with dramatic canyon walls on either side. Some train tips: The so-called Cusco train station is actually in the nearby town of Poroy. It’s a cheap taxi ride, but give yourself at least an hour to get from central Cusco to the train station. Traffic in Cusco can be brutal and seemingly never-ending road work makes things even more congested. There are three train companies to choose from: Inca Rail, Peru Rail, and the Belmond Hiram Bingham train. The Hiram Bingham service is on a gorgeous train gleaming with brass and polished wood and includes a white tablecloth meal with wine during your journey. It’s also much more expensive than Inca Rail or Peru Rail, both of which offer comfortable passage on different types of trains—including ones designed with extra windows for an additional fee. Whichever train you choose, book as far in advance as possible. Tickets sell out weeks ahead in some months. If train tickets from Cusco are sold out, all is not lost. Try to buy a ticket to Aguas Calientes that departs from the town of Ollantaytambo in the Sacred Valley, or vice versa. Taxis and mini vans between Ollantaytambo and Cusco (just over an hour each way) are plentiful. If you have the time, plan an overnight in Ollantaytambo to check out the town, which still features many Incan-built streets and buildings, as well as the archaeological site of the same name. Arrive as early as possible to the site to enjoy sunrise light and beat the tour buses.
Unless you’re visiting Peru as part of a tour and your tickets will be bought for you, the short answer is YES! And starting last year (2018), the Peruvian government instituted major new changes for visiting Machu Picchu. Entrance tickets to the famed Inca site are now split into two times-a morning time (6AM-12PM) and an afternoon time (12-5:30PM). I’ve read that you need to adhere to the time on your ticket because otherwise you will be escorted to the exit by the authorities (and I don’t doubt this). The other major change is that now all visitors entering Machu Picchu need to be accompanied by a guide!
Machu Picchu opens every day of the year from 6 am to 5 pm To stay all day, the tourist needs to purchase 3 entrance tickets: from 6 am to 10 am; from 10 am to 2 pm and from 2 pm to 5 pm The Machu Picchu ticket allows you to stay a maximum of 4 hours from the moment of admission.
Accordion Content
Machu Picchu can be visited by people of all ages. If you plan to climb the Huayna Picchu mountain, remember that only people over 12 years old can travel it.
There’s a train that goes right to Machu Picchu?
No! All of the trains let you off in Aguas Calientes, a small (tourist) town that’s located right at the foot of Machu Picchu. Once in Aguas Calientes, you will need to purchase bus tickets, as a bus will then take you right to the entrance. (There’s no other way to get there save for walking.) Keep in mind the following-as the day progresses, more and more people will be descending on Aguas Calientes, making the line to purchase bus tickets incredibly long. Some people stay overnight in Aguas the night before they visit Machu Picchu for this reason, so they can be on the first bus of the day to Machu Picchu which starts running at 5:30AM. There are no set departure times, the buses simply depart when they are full. During peak times, the buses are said to depart every 10 minutes. However, if you’re in Cusco, you can purchase bus tickets there in advance. Something to consider to save on time.
Since 2009 there are 2 train companies to Machu Picchu: Peru Rail and Inca Rail. Both companies have different services from economic to private luxury services. Peru Rail – You can buy tickets online through their website: www.perurail.com. Payment is made with credit or debit cards. If you prefer, you can purchase tickets at their offices at the following addresses: Lima Office: Malecon de la Reserva 610 (Larcomar Shopping Center). Cusco Office: Portal de Carnes 214 (Plaza de Armas de Cusco). Wanchaq Office: Pachacutec Avenue s / n (Wanchaq District). Inca Rail – Its website is www.incarail.com. You can buy tickets through it and you can pay with Visa or MasterCard. You can also do in person at the following offices: Lima Office: Pérez Aranibar Avenue 1874, San Isidro, Lima. Cusco Office: Portal de Panes Street 105 (Plaza de Armas de Cusco).
Trains to Machu Picchu will only allow you to climb with your hand luggage and this should not exceed 5 kilos (11 pounds). That is why it is recommended to take Machu Picchu only what is absolutely necessary.
Travel insurance is not obligatory, but in my opinion, it is extremely important to have one. In case of any emergency it may turn out to be very useful and allow for lowering the medical costs. From my experience, many people tend to make serious mistakes when choosing their insurance option. Most often the cheapest options do not cover all the medical costs, like transportation to your country of origin or insurance in case of an accident in high mountains. In order for the insurance to be sufficient for Peruvian realities it must amount to minimum 100 000 USD. What is more, the insurance must cover the accidents that may happen on the heights above 2000 m above the sea level. Whenever you suffer from chronic diseases, make sure your insurance include the additional clause taking into account your special conditions
If you have a question, you can contact us at info@samextoursperu.com. You can also enter our ‘Tips’ section, where you will find everything you need to know about the trip to Machu Picchu.
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