Machu Picchu tickets, good train schedules, and popular hotels can sell out, especially in busy months. Booking early usually gives you better entry times, better circuit options, and smoother travel plans.

By booking early, we can often secure the best Machu Picchu circuit, such as Circuit 2, which is one of the most complete. If it is sold out, we may need to book Circuit 1 + 3, which is a combined ticket that can give you an even fuller visit, but at a higher cost.

The best train schedules and hotel options also sell out fast, so we recommend booking this tour 4 to 6 months in advance.

Machu Picchu uses timed entry and one-way routes inside the site. Your guide will plan your visit based on your ticket, so it is important to arrive on time and follow the circuit shown on your pass.

Machu Picchu is divided into 3 circuits: 1, 2, and 3. Circuit 1 gives you access to the main upper viewpoint and upper terraces, where you get wide views of Machu Picchu. 

Circuit 2 gives you access to both the upper and lower terraces, great viewpoints, and the central area of Machu Picchu. This is where you can enjoy the classic views and explore the main temples and palaces. 

Circuit 3 gives you access to some of the most important buildings in the lower part of Machu Picchu, including the Temple of the Sun, water fountains, and the King’s Palace. 

Each circuit has its own route and entry time. The rules are strict, there is very little time flexibility, and you cannot change your circuit or route after it is booked. 

Your Machu Picchu ticket must match your passport exactly. Please book with your full legal name and bring the original passport you used for the reservation. Usually, only the passport number can be updated. Names and last names cannot be changed. 

Please make sure you enter the correct details when booking. Do not use nicknames or short names. Your details must be exactly the same as they appear in your passport. One common mistake is using a different family name after marriage or entering a shortened name, which can cause problems at entry. 

Also, make sure your passport is valid for at least 6 months after your travel dates. Please check Peru’s passport validity rules before you travel. 

Trains to Aguas Calientes are carry-on only, so it is best to travel with a small bag or overnight bag. Leave large luggage at your Cusco hotel or in safe storage to make the train trip much easier.

Train companies such as PeruRail and Inca Rail may charge extra if you arrive with a large backpack or suitcase. Since you will spend only 1 night in Aguas Calientes, bring only a small backpack or carry-on. You are allowed one carry-on bag or backpack with a maximum weight of 8 kg (17.64 lbs) and dimensions not exceeding 115 cm (45 inches) in total size (height + length + width).

Cusco is over 3,000 m / 10,000 ft, so it is normal to feel a little tired when you first arrive. Drink water, rest, and take it easy on Day 1. Many travelers feel better as the tour continues into the lower Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu.

This package is designed to help you adjust slowly. On the first day, you do gentle activities in Cusco. On the second day, you travel into the Sacred Valley, and by Day 3 many travelers feel more ready. If this is your first time at high altitude, we suggest asking your doctor about altitude medicine before arriving in Cusco. 

Weather can change quickly between Cusco, the Sacred Valley, and Machu Picchu. Bring layers so you can adjust easily, and always carry a light rain jacket. No matter when you travel, you should be ready for sun, rain, wind, and cold weather. 

During the City Tour, it can be warm and sunny at midday, then windy and cold later in the afternoon. Temperatures can drop close to 0°C, so always pack warm clothes and rain gear in your daypack. 

This is not a trekking tour, but there is regular walking at ruins and viewpoints, plus stairs and uneven stone paths. Comfortable shoes and a steady pace are the best way to enjoy the trip.

On the first day, you will do a walking tour in town. Then you will visit Sacsayhuaman and nearby sites, where you will walk at an easy pace. Make sure you bring proper clothing, snacks, and water.

Bring your passport, water, sunscreen, insect repellent, and a light layer or rain jacket. Keep your daypack light, since you only need the basics for the guided visit. To enter Machu Picchu, your backpack must not exceed 40 cm x 35 cm x 20 cm (16 x 14 x 8 inches). 

Backpack size is not only about capacity. It is also about how large or bulky the bag looks. We recommend leaving most of your things at the hotel and bringing only the essentials to Machu Picchu, such as snacks, water, sun protection, rain gear, and a little space for extra clothes when the weather changes. 

Exact pick-up times, train schedules, and Machu Picchu entry times are confirmed when your tickets are issued. Some times may change slightly depending on availability, but your team will organize everything for you.

Times can change depending on your hotel location, train schedule, and final Machu Picchu entry time, circuit, and route. Please stay in contact with your travel advisor to confirm the final details after booking.

Huayna Picchu and Machu Picchu Mountain must be booked in advance and depend on availability. You can choose only one of these hikes, and train upgrades may also be available on some dates.

If you want to add an extra hike after your Machu Picchu tour, please remember that these tickets are non-refundable, and once booked, they cannot be canceled or changed. We also recommend asking our travel advisor for help instead of booking on your own, because the hike time and train schedule must match the rest of your Machu Picchu itinerary.

Yes. This tour is designed as a private experience, with private guides and private transportation, so the trip feels smooth and personal from start to finish. You can book this tour for 1 person, 2 travelers, or a larger group, as long as there is availability.

Prices also depend on the number of travelers. For example, the price for 1 person is higher because some services, such as transportation and the tour guide, are private. When your group is bigger, the price per person goes down because these services are shared.

No. We take care of the main logistics for you, including Machu Picchu tickets, train tickets, and the timing of the trip. If you want, we can also upgrade your hotels, trains, and meals. We can upgrade the hotels to 5-star properties and the train to the luxury Hiram Bingham. 

You will stay in a 4-star hotel in Aguas Calientes, such as Tierra Viva or similar. The final hotel depends on availability, but the comfort level stays the same. If you prefer, you can book the hotel on your own and we will deduct the hotel cost, or we can upgrade you to a 5-star hotel. Contact us if you would like to customize the tour.

The tour includes hotel breakfasts, a picnic lunch in the Sacred Valley on Day 2, dinner at your hotel in Aguas Calientes, and lunch near Machu Picchu on Day 3. Meals not listed in the program are not included.

Meals on Day 1 are not included, and dinner on Day 3 is not included either. If you want to eat at a specific restaurant, we can add it to your itinerary. Contact us to check prices. 

Yes. Many families enjoy this trip. It is not a trekking tour, but children should be comfortable with some walking, stairs, and full sightseeing days. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Yes, if permits are available for your date. These extra hikes must be booked in advance, and you can choose only one of them. Please check with your travel advisor if you want to add Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain. Please do not book it on your own without telling us, because train and entry times are arranged around the activities included in your Machu Picchu visit.

Yes. This tour can be arranged for solo travelers, and we can start on any available date. Just keep in mind that the price per person is higher when there is only one traveler.

If you would like to travel in a small group, contact us and we can check if there is a group you can join. 

Yes, in most cases. Please tell us about any dietary needs when you book so we can plan your meals properly.

We usually return in the evening, around 7:30 p.m., but the exact time depends on your train schedule. If you are planning to take a flight or bus out of Cusco that same night, we strongly recommend not doing so. Sometimes trains are delayed, and there is no other way out. In that case, you could miss your connection. It is better to book your flight, bus, or hotel for the following day, as suggested in the itinerary.