Short on time, not on wonder. This 5-day Peru tour takes you from the Pacific cliffs of Lima to the Inca streets of Cusco, through the Sacred Valley and, on one of the first buses of the morning, into Machu Picchu with your own guide. Five days, four nights in named hotels, and the three places most people come to Peru for.
Airport pickups, hotels, the train, your Machu Picchu ticket and local guides are handled by one 100% Peruvian team based in Cusco. You arrive; we take care of the rest.
Tour Type Group / Private
Starts/Ends Lima - Cusco
Destinations Lima - Cusco - Sacred Valley - Machu PicchuEssential Peru 5 Days: Lima, Cusco, Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu - Overview
Essential Peru 5 Days is built for first-time visitors with a week or less: a colonial capital by the sea, the Inca capital in the Andes, and Machu Picchu on the day the whole trip builds toward. Each day has one clear purpose, so you see the main sights without the feeling of being rushed from bus to bus. You walk Lima’s historic center, explore Cusco on foot, cross the Sacred Valley by road, ride the train into the cloud forest and enter Machu Picchu while the morning is still quiet.
Hotels are named, the Machu Picchu ticket is issued in your name, and we tell you which circuit you have before you pay the balance. TreXperience is a 100% Peruvian tour operator based in Cusco: the people who plan this trip are the same ones waiting at arrivals.
Tour Highlights:
- Lima in one afternoon: the Miraflores cliffs, the Huaca Pucllana pyramid, the historic center and the catacombs of San Francisco, with a pisco tasting on the way.
- Cusco on foot: the Plaza de Armas, the Twelve-Angled Stone, Qoricancha and the giant walls of Sacsayhuaman.
- The Sacred Valley: Pisac and its market, the circular terraces of Moray, the Maras salt pans and Ollantaytambo.
- The train to Machu Picchu: the Expedition train along the Urubamba River, and a night in Aguas Calientes at the foot of the citadel.
- Machu Picchu early: one of the first buses up, 2 to 3 hours with your guide, and Circuit 2 requested whenever it is available.
- One team from start to finish: every pickup, hotel, train and ticket arranged for you, with a local guide at each stage.
The Tour Day by Day
Day 1: Arrival in Lima - Afternoon City Tour
Airport pickup and your hotel in Miraflores. In the afternoon: Parque del Amor, Huaca Pucllana, Plaza San Martín, Plaza Mayor and the catacombs of San Francisco, with a pisco tasting.
Day 2: Flight to Cusco - Afternoon City Tour
Morning flight to Cusco and time to rest at altitude. In the afternoon: the Plaza de Armas, the Twelve-Angled Stone, Qoricancha, Sacsayhuaman, Qenqo, Puca Pucara and Tambomachay.
Day 3: Sacred Valley - Pisac, Moray and Maras - Train to Aguas Calientes
A camelid center, the valley viewpoint, Pisac and its market, lunch in Urubamba, Moray, the Maras Salt Mines and Ollantaytambo, then dinner and the Expedition train to Aguas Calientes.
Day 4: Machu Picchu Guided Tour - Return to Cusco
One of the first buses up, 2 to 3 hours inside the citadel with your guide, then the train to Ollantaytambo and a private transfer to your Cusco hotel.
Day 5: Departure from Cusco
Breakfast, free time if your flight allows, and a transfer to Cusco airport, where the TreXperience service ends.
Included
- Pre-trip assistance and local support in Lima and Cusco
- Lima airport pickup (Day 1) and transfer to Lima airport (Day 2)
- One-way economy flight from Lima to Cusco (Day 2) [TO CONFIRM]
- Cusco airport pickup (Day 2) and drop-off (Day 5)
- 1 night at Casa Andina Standard, Miraflores, Lima, or similar
- 2 nights at San Agustín Internacional, Cusco, or similar
- 1 night at Ferré Machu Picchu, Aguas Calientes, or similar
- Breakfast every day from Day 2 to Day 5
- Lunch and dinner on Day 3
- Lima City Tour with entrance tickets and pisco tasting
- Cusco City Tour and Sacred Valley tour with all entrance tickets
- Expedition train from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes and back
- Buses between Aguas Calientes and Machu Picchu (Day 4)
- Machu Picchu entrance and 2 to 3-hour guided tour (Day 4)
- Private transfer from Ollantaytambo to your Cusco hotel (Day 4)
- Professional English-speaking guides on all tours
Not Included
- International flights and your flight out of Cusco (Day 5)
- Meals not listed: all meals on Day 1, lunch and dinner on Days 2 and 4, and lunch on Day 5
- Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain tickets (US$75 each)
- Early check-in in Lima on Day 1, unless confirmed separately
- Train and hotel upgrades
- Travel insurance (highly recommended)
- Personal expenses and tips
Machu Picchu Tickets and Circuits
Your Machu Picchu ticket is issued in your name for a specific entry time and circuit. We request Circuit 2, the classic route with the postcard view and the heart of the citadel, whenever it is available for your date; if it is sold out, we book the best circuit on sale and tell you before you pay the balance. See our Machu Picchu circuits guide or the official circuits and routes.
Extra Hikes at Machu Picchu
- Huayna Picchu Mountain - US$75 per person, about 2 hours round trip, on Day 4 after the tour.
- Machu Picchu Mountain - US$75 per person, about 3 hours round trip, on Day 4 after the tour.
One mountain only. Separate ticket, booked in advance, and the time slot must fit your entry time and your train.
Optional Upgrades
Private service: your own guide and vehicle on the Lima, Cusco, Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu days. Trains and the Machu Picchu buses are shared services.
Also on request: the Vistadome panoramic train instead of the Expedition, 4-star or 5-star hotels, and extra days for Rainbow Mountain, Humantay Lake, Lake Titicaca, the Short Inca Trail or the Amazon.
Full Itinerary of the Essential Peru 5 Days
Five days from the coast to the Andes and into Machu Picchu. Here is each day with times, meals and hotels: no surprises in the logistics, only on the road.
Day 1: Arrival in Lima - Afternoon City Tour
Welcome to Peru. We meet you at Lima airport and drive you to Casa Andina Standard in Miraflores, or similar, a few blocks from the ocean. Settle in, have lunch on your own and catch your breath before the afternoon.
Around 2:00 p.m., your guide picks you up. First the ocean side: Parque del Amor on the Miraflores cliffs, with its mosaic walls and the sculpture El Beso, and a view of Huaca Pucllana, a pre-Inca adobe pyramid in the middle of the city. Then the old center: Plaza San Martín, Plaza Mayor with the Government Palace and the Cathedral, and the Convent of San Francisco with its library, cloisters and underground catacombs. There is a pisco tasting along the way. Back in Miraflores around 6:00 p.m. Rest early: tomorrow you fly to the Andes.
- Meals: not included
- Tour: half day, about 2:00 to 6:00 p.m.
- Hotel: Casa Andina Standard, Lima, or similar 3-star hotel
- Difficulty: easy
Tips: Arrive in Lima in the morning to join the tour; if you land later, ask us about a night before the tour. Walking shoes, a light jacket, sunscreen and some cash. More in our Lima travel guide.
Day 2: Flight to Cusco - Afternoon City Tour
After breakfast, we take you to Lima airport for the flight to Cusco, about 1 hour 20 minutes. Our Cusco team meets you at arrivals and drives you to San Agustín Internacional, or similar, a short walk from the main square. You are now at 3,400 m / 11,155 ft: use the late morning to rest, drink water and eat light. Walking slowly today makes a real difference.
Around 1:00 p.m., your guide picks you up. On foot: the Plaza de Armas, the old Inca streets, the Twelve-Angled Stone and Qoricancha, the Temple of the Sun, where Inca walls stand inside a colonial convent. Then by vehicle to the sites above the city: Sacsayhuaman and its huge zigzag walls, Qenqo, Puca Pucara and Tambomachay, with its still-running fountains, and a stop at Cristo Blanco for the view when time allows. Tomorrow’s chapter: the Sacred Valley.
- Meals: breakfast at the hotel
- Tour: half day
- Hotel: San Agustín Internacional, Cusco, or similar 3-star hotel
- Maximum altitude: about 3,700 m / 12,139 ft
- Difficulty: easy, with walking and stairs at altitude
Tips: Walk slowly, drink water, skip alcohol today and tell your guide if you feel unwell. Bring a warm layer, rain protection and sunscreen. The next two days are lower than Cusco, and most people find them easier. See our guide to altitude in Cusco.
Day 3: Sacred Valley - Pisac, Moray and Maras - Train to Aguas Calientes
Pickup around 7:00 a.m. for the most scenic day of the trip. First a camelid center to see llamas, alpacas, vicuñas and guanacos up close, then a viewpoint over the Sacred Valley and the Urubamba River. Next, Pisac: terraces and temples above the valley, then time at the market, known for textiles, ceramics and silver. Lunch at a local restaurant in Urubamba.
In the afternoon, the circular terraces of Moray and the Maras Salt Mines, thousands of pools still worked by local families. Last stop, Ollantaytambo, a living Inca town with water channels running down its streets. Dinner is included tonight, in Ollantaytambo or Aguas Calientes depending on your train time. Then the Expedition train follows the river into the cloud forest, and you check in at Ferré Machu Picchu, or similar. Rest well: tomorrow you are on one of the first buses up.
- Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner
- Transport: tourist vehicle and Expedition train
- Hotel: Ferré Machu Picchu, Aguas Calientes, or similar 3-star hotel
- Altitude: Aguas Calientes, 2,040 m / 6,693 ft
- Difficulty: easy to moderate, with walking and stairs at the sites
Tips: Bring a small overnight bag of about 5 kg / 11 lb; train luggage is limited. Leave your main suitcase at your Cusco hotel or in our free storage. More in our Sacred Valley guide.
Day 4: Machu Picchu Guided Tour - Return to Cusco
The day the whole trip builds toward. After an early breakfast, you take one of the first buses up the switchbacks to Machu Picchu; the early light and the quiet of the first hour are worth the alarm. Show your original passport and ticket at the gate, and enter on the route your ticket allows; we request Circuit 2 whenever it is available. For 2 to 3 hours, your guide walks you through the terraces, temples, houses and water channels and explains how and why a city was built up here. There is time for photos. If you booked Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain, the hike comes after the tour, according to your ticket time and train.
Bus back down, lunch on your own in Aguas Calientes, then the Expedition train to Ollantaytambo, where our private vehicle takes you to your Cusco hotel. Arrival is usually around 7:30 p.m., depending on the train.
- Meals: breakfast at the hotel
- Guided tour: 2 to 3 hours
- Altitude: 2,430 m / 7,972 ft
- Return: bus, Expedition train and private transfer to Cusco
- Hotel: San Agustín Internacional, Cusco, or similar 3-star hotel
- Difficulty: easy to moderate, with stairs and uneven stone paths
Tips: Original passport, small daypack, rain protection, sunscreen, hat, water and some cash. Large bags, drones, tripods and food are not allowed inside. See our Machu Picchu rules guide.
Day 5: Departure from Cusco
Breakfast at your hotel and, depending on your flight, some free time: a last walk around the Plaza de Armas or souvenirs at San Pedro market. Then we drive you to Cusco airport, where the TreXperience service ends. Five days ago you landed on the coast; you leave having walked two capitals and stood inside Machu Picchu with the morning mist still lifting.
- Meals: breakfast at the hotel
- Transfer: hotel to Cusco airport, according to your flight
- Not included: flight out of Cusco
Want to keep going? Add Rainbow Mountain, Humantay Lake, Lake Titicaca, the Short Inca Trail or the Amazon. Write to us and we suggest the best order for your dates.
Essential Peru 5 Days Price and Booking
Prices are per person in US dollars. They include all hotels, the Lima to Cusco flight [TO CONFIRM], the Expedition train, the Machu Picchu entrance and guided tour, the Lima, Cusco and Sacred Valley tours with all listed tickets, local guides and ground transport. International flights and the flight out of Cusco are not included.
Small-Group Tour Price
| Traveler Type | Price Per Person |
|---|---|
| Adults | US$[TO CONFIRM] |
| Students under 25 with a valid university ID | US$30 off the adult price |
| Children under 17 | US$[TO CONFIRM] |
Private Tour Price
Your own guide and vehicle, at your pace, on the Lima, Cusco, Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu days. Prices depend on group size and availability.
| Number of Travelers | Adults (Per Person) | Students and Children (Per Person) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 traveler | US$[TO CONFIRM] | US$[TO CONFIRM] |
| 2 travelers | US$[TO CONFIRM] | US$[TO CONFIRM] |
| 3 travelers | US$[TO CONFIRM] | US$[TO CONFIRM] |
| 4 travelers | US$[TO CONFIRM] | US$[TO CONFIRM] |
| 5 travelers | US$[TO CONFIRM] | US$[TO CONFIRM] |
| 6 travelers | US$[TO CONFIRM] | US$[TO CONFIRM] |
| 7 travelers | US$[TO CONFIRM] | US$[TO CONFIRM] |
| 8 to 16 travelers | US$[TO CONFIRM] | US$[TO CONFIRM] |
| 17 or more travelers | Contact us for a group rate | |
Note: Private service covers the guided tours and transfers. Trains and the Machu Picchu buses are shared.
Booking and Payment
- Deposit: US$600 per person to secure your Machu Picchu ticket, train seats and hotels. Balance online or at our Cusco office by card, PayPal or wire transfer.
- Send each traveler’s full name, passport number, date of birth, passport expiry and nationality. Machu Picchu tickets and train seats are issued in your name and can’t be changed or transferred.
- For May to September, book at least two months ahead; Machu Picchu tickets are limited per day and per circuit. See our Terms and Conditions.
- Tell us about dietary needs, pregnancy or any heart, lung, knee or mobility concern, and why you’re traveling. It helps us prepare.
Student and Child Discount
Students under 25 with a valid university ID (name, photo, university and expiry date) get US$30 off the adult price. ISIC cards are not accepted. Children under 17 may qualify for lower official Machu Picchu rates; send the ID or date of birth when booking and we confirm the discount.
Customization and Upgrades
- Private service on all guided days.
- Vistadome panoramic train instead of the Expedition, one way or both ways.
- Hotel upgrades to 4-star or 5-star in Lima, Cusco and Aguas Calientes.
- Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain on Day 4, US$75 per person.
- Extra days for Rainbow Mountain, Humantay Lake, Lake Titicaca, the Short Inca Trail, Nazca or the Amazon.
Changes depend on availability and may change the price. Contact us for a quote.
Packing List for the Essential Peru 5 Days
Three climates in five days: the mild, often gray coast of Lima, the cool, bright altitude of Cusco with cold nights, and the warm cloud forest around Machu Picchu, where a shower can come any afternoon. Light layers cover all three. More in our Peru Packing List.
Essentials
Original passport (checked at the airports, the train and Machu Picchu), medication, documents, insurance details and some cash in soles for meals on your own and small purchases.
What to Wear?
Comfortable walking shoes with grip, breathable layers, a warm jacket for Cusco evenings and a light rain jacket for the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu.
What to Put in the Daypack?
Water, snacks, sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, lip balm, a rain poncho and a warm layer. The Andean sun is strong even on cool days.
What to Pack for the Night in Aguas Calientes?
A small bag of about 5 kg / 11 lb with a change of clothes, toiletries and a charger; train luggage is limited, and your suitcase waits at your Cusco hotel or in our free storage. See our Machu Picchu packing list.
What We Provide
Hotels, the Expedition train, the Machu Picchu entrance and buses, all listed tickets, local guides and private transfers between the airports, hotels and tours.
Optional Gear and Extra Items
A power bank, a small umbrella for Lima, insect repellent for Aguas Calientes, motion-sickness remedies for the mountain roads, and anything your doctor recommends for altitude.
Travel Information for the Essential Peru 5 Days
What to know before you book: flights, altitude, how much walking to expect, Machu Picchu tickets, hotels and trains, luggage, booking times and weather.
Which flights do I need, and when should I arrive in Lima?
Your international flights and your flight out of Cusco on Day 5 are not included. The Lima to Cusco flight on Day 2 is included [TO CONFIRM]. Day 1 works best with a morning arrival in Lima so you can join the afternoon city tour; early check-in is not included unless confirmed separately. Landing in the evening? Tell us and we add a night before the tour or move the city tour. Wait for our recommended times before buying your flight out of Cusco.
How should I prepare for the altitude?
Lima is at sea level. You fly to Cusco, 3,400 m / 11,155 ft, on Day 2 and spend the first hours resting before an easy afternoon tour. Days 3 and 4 are lower: the Sacred Valley, Aguas Calientes at 2,040 m / 6,693 ft and Machu Picchu at 2,430 m / 7,972 ft, which is why this order works well for first-timers. Walk slowly, drink water, eat light, skip alcohol on the first day and tell your guide if you feel unwell. See our guide to altitude in Cusco.
How much walking is there, and how hard is it?
There is no trekking on this tour. The city tours are a few hours of walking with stairs, the Sacred Valley sites have terraces and steps, and Machu Picchu is 2 to 3 hours on stone paths and stairs at 2,430 m / 7,972 ft. Anyone in reasonable health who can walk a couple of hours with breaks can do it; your guide sets the pace. Tell us before booking about any knee, heart or lung concern, or if you prefer a slower private tour.
How do Machu Picchu tickets, circuits and rules work?
Your ticket is issued in your name for a set entry time and circuit. We request Circuit 2, the classic route with the postcard view, whenever it is available for your date, and we tell you which circuit you have before the balance is due. Bring the original passport used for your booking. No large bags, drones, tripods or food inside. See our circuits guide and rules guide.
Which hotels and trains are included?
Casa Andina Standard in Miraflores, Lima, San Agustín Internacional in Cusco (two nights) and Ferré Machu Picchu in Aguas Calientes, or similar 3-star hotels, all with private bathroom and breakfast. Trains: the Expedition from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes and back, with the Vistadome panoramic train available as an upgrade. Hotel upgrades to 4-star or 5-star are available in all three cities.
What happens with my luggage on the train days?
Train luggage is limited to a small bag of about 5 kg / 11 lb per person, so pack an overnight bag for the one night in Aguas Calientes. Your main suitcase stays at your Cusco hotel or in our free storage and is waiting for you on Day 4 when you return. On the flight from Lima, standard airline baggage rules apply; check your fare before you pack.
How far ahead should I book?
Machu Picchu tickets are limited per day and per circuit, and the trains have limited seats, so for May to September book at least two months ahead, and as early as you can for any date. We request your ticket and train seats once we have your passport details and the US$600 deposit. If your preferred circuit is sold out, we tell you right away and book the best option available.
What is the weather like, and when is the best time to go?
Cusco and Machu Picchu are drier from April to October and wetter from November to March, with showers possible at Machu Picchu in any month. Lima is gray and mild from May to October and sunny from December to March. No season guarantees clear skies, so bring layers and a rain shell whenever you travel. See our Best Time to Visit Machu Picchu guide.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Essential Peru 5 Days
Quick answers about who this tour is for, flights, late arrivals, Machu Picchu, extra days, meals and private travel.
Is five days enough to see Lima, Cusco and Machu Picchu?
Yes, if the days are planned well. This tour gives each place its own time: an afternoon in Lima, an afternoon in Cusco after resting at altitude, a full day in the Sacred Valley and a morning inside Machu Picchu before the train back. You will not see everything, but you will see the main sights with a guide and without rushing between them. Want more? Add days before or after, or look at our Best of Peru 10 Days.
Are flights included?
The Lima to Cusco flight on Day 2 is included [TO CONFIRM]. International flights and your flight out of Cusco on Day 5 are not; buy them once we confirm the recommended times. For Day 5, a late-morning or afternoon flight leaves time for a last walk in Cusco, and we confirm your pickup time when you send us your flight.
What if my flight lands in Lima in the evening?
Many flights from North America and Europe arrive at night. In that case, we add a night in Lima before the tour and move the city tour to the next afternoon, or we start directly with the flight to Cusco on the following morning and leave Lima for the end of your trip. Tell us your flight details and we suggest the best order for your dates.
Which circuit will I get at Machu Picchu, and can I add a mountain?
We request Circuit 2, the classic panoramic route, whenever it is available for your date, and confirm your circuit before the balance is due. You can add Huayna Picchu (about 2 hours round trip) or Machu Picchu Mountain (about 3 hours) on Day 4 for US$75 per person; both sell out fast and must fit your entry time and your train, so tell us when you book.
Can I add Rainbow Mountain, the Inca Trail or the Nazca Lines?
Yes. Rainbow Mountain or Humantay Lake fits as an extra day after Machu Picchu, once you are used to the altitude. Prefer to walk into Machu Picchu? The Short Inca Trail replaces the train day with a one-day hike through the Sun Gate. For the coast, see our Peru Tour 7 Days, which adds the Ballestas Islands, Huacachina and the Nazca Lines.
Is this tour suitable for families and older travelers?
Yes. There is no trekking, every night is in a hotel, and the pace is set by your guide. The main demands are stairs at Machu Picchu and the altitude in Cusco, which is why the itinerary rests you first and moves lower the next day. Children under 17 may qualify for reduced Machu Picchu rates, and a private tour lets you go at exactly the speed your group needs.
What meals are included, and can you handle special diets?
Breakfast at every hotel from Day 2, plus lunch and dinner on the Sacred Valley day. Other meals are on your own, with plenty of restaurants near each hotel and in Aguas Calientes; your guide can recommend a few. Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and allergy requests can usually be arranged if you tell us in advance.
Can I travel solo or book the tour private?
Yes. Solo travelers can join a small-group departure or book the private rate for one. Couples, families and friends can book the whole tour private, with your own guide and vehicle on every guided day, your own pace at the sites, and hotel or train upgrades if you want them. Ask us for a private quote.