Photo gallery
Machu Picchu tour from Lima photos
Tour overview
Machu Picchu tour from Lima at a glance
Only have a few days in Peru? Fly from Lima to Cusco in the morning and go straight down to the lower Sacred Valley and Aguas Calientes, which is easier on the body than staying in Cusco. Visit Machu Picchu the next morning, or take 4 days to add Cusco and the Sacred Valley. | Fact | 2 days / 1 night | 4 days / 3 nights | | --- | --- | --- | | Group from | US$ 449 per person + flights | US$ 840 per person + flights | | Private from | US$ 649 per person (2 travelers) + flights | US$ 1,140 per person (2 travelers) + flights | | Flights | Quoted separately at the current fare | Quoted separately at the current fare | | Hotels | 1 night in Aguas Calientes | Cusco, Sacred Valley, Aguas Calientes | | Difficulty | Easy | Easy |
Our Cusco team checks the services, timings and availability for your dates and sends the options in a written quote.
Journey highlights
Highlights of the Machu Picchu tour from Lima
- Lima to Machu Picchu in 2 or 4 days
- Lower-altitude route through the Sacred Valley
- Hotels, trains, guides and tickets included
- Flights quoted separately at the best current fare
Detailed itinerary
Machu Picchu tour from Lima itinerary: day by day
Times and services are indicative. Your final schedule is confirmed in your written quote.
Day 1 — Lima to Aguas Calientes
An early transfer takes you to Lima airport for a morning flight over the Andes to Cusco (about 1 h 20). Our team meets you on arrival and, instead of staying at Cusco's 3,400 m, drives you straight down to the Sacred Valley, which is lower and easier on the body. On the way you stop at a viewpoint over the valley and the snow peaks of the Urubamba range, and you have time for lunch (not included) in Ollantaytambo, an Inca town with its original stone streets and a fortress above it. The afternoon train follows the Urubamba River from farmland into the cloud forest to Aguas Calientes, at the foot of Machu Picchu. Your guide meets you at your hotel in the evening to hand over your tickets and explain the next day's visit.
Day 2 — Machu Picchu and back to Lima
After an early breakfast you take one of the first buses up the zigzag road to Machu Picchu (25 minutes). Your guide leads you along your circuit for 2–2.5 hours, from the classic view over the citadel to its temples, plazas and terraces, explaining how the Incas built it and why it was abandoned. Afterwards you have free time for lunch in town before the afternoon train back to Ollantaytambo. Our driver takes you to Cusco airport for your evening flight to Lima, booked with a safe margin after the train. In Lima we take you back to your hotel.
Day 1 — Lima to Cusco and the city tour
An early transfer takes you to Lima airport for a morning flight over the Andes to Cusco. Our team meets you on arrival and takes you to your hotel to rest and drink coca tea. In the afternoon your guide shows you the Inca capital: the Qoricancha, the Temple of the Sun, the Cathedral on the Plaza de Armas, and the giant zigzag walls of Sacsayhuamán above the city, ending with Q'enqo, Puka Pukara and Tambomachay.
Day 2 — Chinchero, Moray and the Maras salt mines
You leave Cusco over the high plain of Chinchero for a weaving demonstration with a family cooperative. Then come the circular Inca terraces of Moray and the thousands of salt pools of Maras, worked by local families since before the Incas. After lunch in the valley you check in at your Sacred Valley hotel, lower and warmer than Cusco, for a restful night.
Day 3 — Pisac or Ollantaytambo, then the train to Aguas Calientes
In the morning you visit the terraces and market of Pisac or the Inca fortress and town of Ollantaytambo, depending on your train time. In the afternoon the train follows the Urubamba River into the cloud forest to Aguas Calientes, where your guide meets you to hand over your tickets and explain the visit.
Day 4 — Machu Picchu and back to Lima
An early bus takes you up to Machu Picchu for your guided tour of the citadel, its temples, terraces and plazas. After free time for lunch in town, the afternoon train takes you back to Ollantaytambo and our driver to Cusco airport for your evening flight, booked with a safe margin. In Lima we take you back to your hotel.
What's included
What's included in the Machu Picchu tour from Lima
Included
- transfers in Lima and Cusco
- hotels with breakfast
- trains
- bus
- Machu Picchu ticket and every other entrance fee
- guides
Not included
- Lima–Cusco–Lima flights (fares change daily, so we quote them separately and add them to your final quote)
- international flights
- checked luggage over the airline allowance
- meals not listed
- tips
Plan with confidence
Duration, difficulty and price
Good to know
Good to know before you go
Entrance route
This tour uses the Machu Picchu circuit available for your date, confirmed in your quote. See Machu Picchu circuits explained.
Planning guides
Planning guides
What to bring
What to pack
- Original passport (the one used for your bookings) and student ID if applicable
- Small overnight bag or backpack within the train allowance (8 kg backpack or 12 kg carry-on); main luggage stays at your hotel
- Daypack of about 20 liters for the visits
- Layers: warm jacket for Cusco evenings, light clothes for Machu Picchu
- Rain jacket or poncho (essential from November to March), sun hat, sunglasses and sunscreen
- Comfortable walking shoes with good grip
- Insect repellent and a refillable water bottle
- Cash in soles for meals, small purchases and tips
- Your flight confirmation and a copy of your passport for domestic flights
Carry the original passport used to book. Check your confirmed ticket and operator instructions for current baggage and site rules.
Frequently asked questions
Machu Picchu tour from Lima FAQs
Is 2 days from Lima enough?
It is enough to see Machu Picchu well. If you have more time, the 4-day option is more relaxed and includes Cusco and the Sacred Valley.
What about the altitude?
Cusco is at 3,400 m, but this tour goes straight down to the valley and Aguas Calientes (2,040 m), which most travelers handle well.
How much does it cost?
From US$ 449 per person for 2 days or US$ 840 for 4 days (shared), or US$ 649 / US$ 1,140 private, plus flights. Prices are per person for 2 travelers.
Are the Lima–Cusco flights included?
No. Fares change daily, so we quote them separately and add them to your final quote. We book the return flight with a safety margin after your train.
What time does it start?
Pickup at your Lima hotel is around 4:00 am for a morning flight to Cusco (about 1 h 20).
Do we stay in Cusco on the first night?
No. On the 2-day tour we drive straight down to the Sacred Valley and take the train to Aguas Calientes, which is lower and easier on the body than Cusco.
What should I do with my luggage?
Bring only a small bag. The train allows one backpack of up to 8 kg or one carry-on of up to 12 kg, and your main luggage can stay at your Lima hotel.
Tripadvisor reviews
What travelers say about our team
Reviews of Traveleez Peru SAC, the operator of Machu-Picchu.tours, on our Tripadvisor profile Machu Picchu by Traveleez.
★★★★★
Once in a lifetime experience, curated by kind professionals.
“All this mess of mine was treated with kind understanding, prompt replies, and genuine friendliness.”
★★★★★
Professional attention and impeccable support
“Always responding quickly, clearly, and professionally.”
Translated from Spanish
★★★★★
Highschool’s travel buddies to Machu Picchu
“Traveleez team are so helpful in assisting our needs with their prompt response.”
