2026 itineraries now open · Inca Trail permits selling fast for May–Sept
Cusco · 2026 Departures

The Sacred Path,
Reimagined for the Discerning Traveler.

Carefully designed multi-day journeys to Machu Picchu — from two-day discoveries to eight-day expeditions. Curated by Cusco locals, operated with quiet excellence.

10+ Years in Cusco
7K+ Travelers Hosted
4.9 Average Rating
Est.2014Cusco · Peru
Featured Itinerary · 2026

Where every dawn over the citadel feels like a private invitation.

5 Days · Cusco, Sacred Valley & Machu Picchu — from $730 per traveler.

Licensed by MINCETUR
SafeTravels Certified
AATC Member
No Booking Platforms
Direct Operator
The Difference

Not another booking platform.
A team you can actually call.

We're not Viator. We're not GetYourGuide. We're the people who pick you up at your hotel, guide you through the citadel, and answer your WhatsApp at 9pm the night before.

— 01

Cusco Locals

Our office is on Avenida El Sol, not in Lima or abroad. Every guide grew up here and speaks fluent English.

— 02

Real Prices

Published rates that match what you pay. No "from $X" tricks, no surprise upsells at check-in.

— 03

2026 Expertise

New circuits, new caps, new ticket structure. We track every Ministry of Culture update — so you don't have to.

— 04

No Middlemen

You book directly. The 20–25% you'd pay to a platform stays in your pocket — or buys you a better guide.

Our 2026 Collection

Ten curated journeys.
One unforgettable destination.

From a single sunrise visit to an eight-day Andean expedition. Every package operated end-to-end by our Cusco team.

View All Packages →
01 Day i.
FROM CUSCO · DAY TRIP

Machu Picchu Full Day

The classic. Train from Ollantaytambo, expert guide on Circuit 2, back to Cusco the same night.

TrainGuideEntryTransfers
FROM USD$180
VIEW →
Best Seller ii.
2 DAYS · 1 NIGHT

Machu Picchu Sunrise

Overnight in Aguas Calientes. First to the gate at 6 AM, when the mist still clings to Huayna Picchu.

HotelTrainGuideEntry
FROM USD$320
VIEW →
3 Days · 2 Nights iii.
SACRED VALLEY + MP

Sacred Valley & Machu Picchu

Pisac market, Ollantaytambo fortress, and a paced day at the citadel. The most balanced short package.

2 HotelsTrain2 GuidesAll Meals
FROM USD$480
VIEW →
Trekking · 2D iv.
2 DAYS · 1 NIGHT

Short Inca Trail

The Inca Trail for travelers without 4 days. Train to KM 104, hike the final 12 km, enter through the Sun Gate.

PermitTrainGuideHotel
FROM USD$560
VIEW →
Trekking · 5D v.
PERMIT-FREE ALTERNATIVE

Salkantay Trek

No permits needed. Cross a 4,650m pass, sleep under glass sky-domes, finish at Machu Picchu.

CampingAll MealsGuideEntry
FROM USD$620
VIEW →
Best Seller vi.
5 DAYS · 4 NIGHTS · FAMILY FAVORITE

Classic Machu Picchu

Cusco city tour, Sacred Valley, and a full guided day at the citadel. Paced for discovery, not rush.

4 HotelsTrainGuidesBreakfast
FROM USD$730
VIEW →
6 Days · 5 Nights vii.
HUMANTAY + MACHU PICCHU

Lakes & Citadel

Turquoise glacial waters at 4,200m and the sacred citadel below — for travelers who want nature and history equally.

5 HotelsTrainHikeBreakfast
FROM USD$819
VIEW →
Iconic Trek viii.
4 DAYS · 3 NIGHTS

Classic Inca Trail

The original. 42 km of ancient Inca path, three campsites under the stars, the Sun Gate at dawn.

PermitCampingPortersAll Meals
FROM USD$890
VIEW →
7 Days · 6 Nights ix.
COMPLETE EXPERIENCE

Machu Picchu Experience

Cusco, Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, Rainbow Mountain, and Humantay Lake. The full immersion package.

6 HotelsTrain4 GuidesBreakfast
FROM USD$920
VIEW →
Maximum Package x.
8 DAYS · 7 NIGHTS

Machu Picchu Challenge

City, Sacred Valley, Inca Trail trek with Sun Gate finish, Rainbow Mountain, Humantay. Every Cusco icon in eight days.

Trek5 GuidesPermits7 Hotels
FROM USD$1,009
VIEW →
Why Cusco-Based Matters

"Most platforms selling Machu Picchu tours have never set foot on the trail. We pick up our travelers at their hotel, walk with them through the citadel, and check on them by WhatsApp the day they fly home. That's the difference."

The Founding Team — Machu Picchu Tours, Cusco
2026 Regulations

The rules shifted.
Here's what changed.

Most travel info you'll find online is from 2022 or 2023. The Peruvian Ministry of Culture has updated circuits, capacity caps, and ticket structures significantly. We track all of it.

Read the full 2026 guide →
  • i

    New circuit system in effect

    10 distinct routes across 3 circuits. You pick at purchase — no free roaming. Circuit 2 remains the classic postcard route.

  • ii

    Daily capacity: 4,500 / 5,600

    4,500 visitors per day in standard season, 5,600 on high-season dates (June 19–Nov 2, plus key holidays).

  • iii

    Ticket price increase, May 2026

    Standard adult entry rises from S/152 (~$48) to S/163 (~$52). Plan accordingly if traveling after May.

  • iv

    Strict hourly entry windows

    Timed entry with a 30-minute grace period only. Miss your slot and access is denied — no refunds, no exceptions.

How It Works

Four steps. No accounts. No surprises.

i

Send a Message

WhatsApp or email us with your dates, group size, and the package you're considering.

ii

Get a Real Quote

We check live availability and send a written quote within hours. Spots held tentatively for 48 hours.

iii

Confirm with Deposit

30% deposit via Wise, PayPal, or international card. Balance settled in Cusco — cash or card.

iv

Show Up & Enjoy

We pick you up from your hotel. Bring a passport, camera, and good shoes. We handle the rest.

Common Questions

What travelers ask before booking.

How far in advance should I book a 2026 package? +
For day tours and short packages, 1–2 months ahead is safe. For the Classic Inca Trail, book 4–6 months in advance — permits are capped at roughly 500 people per day (including porters and guides) and high-season dates sell out within weeks of release. Salkantay and Lares treks have no permit cap, so 2–3 weeks ahead works in low season.
Are your 2026 prices final or will they go up? +
The Peruvian Ministry of Culture raised the standard Machu Picchu entry ticket from S/152 (~$48) to S/163 (~$52) starting May 2026. Our package prices reflect 2026 official rates, and we honor every quoted price for 48 hours so you have time to decide without pressure.
Why aren't your prices the cheapest I'll find online? +
Because we don't cut corners on guides, transport, or food. If you see a Machu Picchu day tour for $90 USD, it's not real — the entry ticket alone is $48. Cheap tours typically mean unlicensed guides, public transport instead of private, or last-minute upsells. Our pricing is transparent and reflects what an excellent experience actually costs to run well.
Do I book directly with you or through a platform? +
Directly with us via WhatsApp or email. We are the operator, not a reseller. This means no 20–25% platform commission, no automated chatbot, and you talk to the actual team running your tour. We're a registered Peruvian tour agency with full RUC and operating licenses available on request.
Do I need to be very fit for the Inca Trail or Salkantay? +
You should be reasonably fit and able to walk 6–8 hours per day with elevation. The Salkantay Pass at 4,650 m is the toughest single moment of either trek. We strongly recommend spending 2–3 full days in Cusco (3,400 m) before any trek to acclimatize. If you have asthma, heart conditions, or are over 65, talk to us first — we can recommend gentler alternatives.
What happens if I get sick or have to cancel? +
For day tours and standard packages: cancellation up to 7 days before refunds 80%; up to 48 hours before refunds 50%. For Classic Inca Trail: permits are non-transferable to other dates and non-refundable by government rule — but we can sometimes resell your spot if there's a waitlist. For Salkantay and Lares: full refund up to 14 days before. We always recommend travel insurance.
Ready to begin?

Tell us your dates.
We'll check real availability.

No forms, no accounts, no spam. Just a direct WhatsApp or email to the team running the tour. We usually reply within a few hours, Cusco time.

💬