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Machupicchu Private Tour from Cusco

Cusco - Aguas Calientes - Machu Picchu - Cusco
(75)
Service Level:
Premium
Activity type:
  • Archaeology
  • Family
  • Train journeys
  • Scenic Vistas
Physical Rating:
Trip Type:
Private Tour
Trip Length
Full Day
Starting from
$ 350
per person

Best Machu Picchu Tours from Cusco with a Private Local Guide

Machu Picchu tour from Cusco – Experience a once-in-a-lifetime journey and uncover the hidden Incan temples of Machu Picchu on a private day tour from Cusco. Receive full attention from your personal local guide as you learn the history of ancient temples, terraced hills, and sacred sites. Capture great photos from the best viewpoints, meet the local residents – the llamas; and absorb spectacular views of this iconic UNESCO–listed site.

This Machu Picchu Guided Tour from Cusco is a full-day experience that includes transportation to and from the hotel, a train Journey from Cusco to Machu Picchu, transfer to and from the park, and on-site admission tickets. Enjoy a leisurely and fully supported tour led by a private local guide with all tickets included, allowing you to fully immerse yourself in the experience without feeling rushed.

Board the Scenic Train to the Town of Aguas Calientes and learn about the Incas on a complete Guided Tour of Machu Picchu with a Local Guide. Spend the day exploring the Inca Citadel of Machu Picchu on an all-inclusive day trip from Cusco. Explore this famous Inca hilltop city with your own private guide, and learn about its architecture, history, and daily life of residents. To enhance your experiences, we offer three different train ride options that you can choose from below. 

You are staying in Urubamba or the Sacred Valley area? Check out our Machu Picchu Day Tour from Urubamba, this trip is perfect for those staying in hotels and accommodations in Urubamba and the Ollantaytambo area

Why you will love this tour

  • Explore the amazing Machu Picchu on a full-day trip from Cusco. This is an ideal trip for those staying at Hotels in Cusco City and have a limited time in the area
  • This is perfect for those who love to travel independently but are still willing to absorb the history of Machu Picchu on a day trip from Cusco
  • Enjoy a longer journey train ride experience to Machu Picchu with amazing scenic views along the way
  • Explore Machu Picchu, a UNESCO-listed site on a private tour with a friendly local tour guide
  • Admire the magnificent landscape, temples, prayer houses, Andean terraces and the amazing architecture
  • Capture photos from prime vantage points and meet the local residents – the Llamas
  • This is a private guided tour so you enjoy a personal experience, go at your own pace, you will be able to talk to your guide and ask questions and be involved during the tour.

Trip Details

  • Departure Point: Customer’s Hotel in Cusco. 
  • Ending Point: The Same Hotel or a Different Hotel in Cusco city and Urubamba
  • Pick-up Time: Early Morning time – To be Confirmed based on the Tour option you choose
  • Trip Duration: 13 – 14 Hours approx. 
  • Mode: Train, private car, walking as well as the Public shuttle bus
  • Difficulty: EASY TO MODERATE, you don’t need to be super-fit, although there is quite a lot of walking, there will be uphills with many stairs (Inca steps).
  • Machu Picchu is located at 2400 meters above sea level (7,900 feet). Travel time to Aguas Calientes by train is 3hrs 30min
  • Group Size: This is a private tour so the guided tour at Machu Picchu will be only for you.
  • Customizable? Yes! Private, custom, add-ons are all available. Please contact us at: info@cuscolocalfriend.com

ITINERARY

Hotel in Cusco - Aguas Calientes - Machu Picchu

In the morning (exact pick-up time TBC) our driver will meet you at your hotel lobby and you will be transferred to the Train Station in Poroy or Ollantaytambo. Board the Train to Machupicchu Town (A.K.A Aguas Calientes), the town located at the base of Machu Picchu. Travel time to Aguas Calientes by train is 3hrs 30min approx,

Upon arrival, your Guide will meet you at the train station then, hop aboard your bus and take the short 25 min. journey up the hillside to the UNESCO World Heritage-listed site of Machu Picchu. Once there, head inside along with your Guide to explore the Inka Citadel on foot and enjoy a fully guided tour of this amazing site (Guided Tour is about 3 hours approx)

At the end of the tour, you return to Aguas Calientes Town and have time for lunch. After lunch, board the train back to Ollantaytambo, your driver will be there to drive back to your Hotel in the Sacred Valley or Cusco City.

Price Options

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Classic Experience

Private Tour with Tourist Train

Start at
$ 350 /pp
  • Professional Tour Guide
  • Inbound Expedition Train
  • Outbound Expedition Train
  • Private Transport to/from the Train station
  • Admission Tickets to Machu Picchu
  • Shuttle Bus to/from Machu Picchu park
* IMPORTANT! We require a minimum of 2 participants to book this tour
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Premium Experience

Private Tour with First-class Train

Start at
$ 430 /pp
  • Professional Tour Guide
  • Inbound glass-roof Vistadome train
  • Outbound glass-roof Vistadome train 
  • Private Transport to/from the Train station
  • Admission Tickets to Machu Picchu
  • Shuttle Bus to/from Machu Picchu park
  • Lunch in Aguas Calientes
* IMPORTANT! We require a minimum of 2 participants to book this tour
item

Luxury Experience

All-inclusive by Belmond train

Start at
$ 1100 /pp
  • Professional Tour Guide
  • Inbound Luxury Belmond train 
  • Outbound Luxury Belmond train
  • Private Transport to/from the Train station
  • Admission Tickets to Machu Picchu
  • Shuttle Bus to/from Machu Picchu park
  • Complimentary water and Snack
  • Gourmet Lunch and Dinner on board

Frequently Asked Questions

What is not included in the tour price ?
  • Travel Insurance
  • Anything not mentioned above
  • Huaynapicchu OR Machupicchu Montaña Ticket (Need to be booked in advance as spaces are LIMITED) – $ 70 USD per person.
* The Machu Picchu and Huayna Picchu tickets are non-refundable nor transferable to third parties and cannot be rescheduled, this is one of the regulations of the Peruvian Ministry of Culture since these places are under the management of this government institution.
  • Minimum fees (Machu Picchu Classic Experience fees): $110 per person
  • Minimum fees (Machu Picchu Premium Experience fees): $150 per person
  • For cancellations made with more than 7 days’ minimum notice, we will refund your deposit minus the minimum fee described above.
  • If cancellation is made within 7 days’ notice, no refund can be given.
We may cancel any tour or service at any time prior to departure, due to social or political instability, strikes, natural disasters, or any other events beyond our control, that compromise the planned tour or the safety of our clients.
  • Important! Original passports, please bring the ones you used when booking the tour. If you renovate it then bring both the old and the new one.
  • Camera(s) and extra battery if you have one
  • SUNBLOCK, the sun is very strong up here, even when it is cloudy, you may get burnt.
  • Sun hat and sunglasses
  • Mosquitos Repellent (They can be purchased locally)
  • Rain jacket/ poncho. At Machu Picchu, rain is always expected as it is located in the cloud forest area so please be prepared (Plastic rain cover or poncho can also be purchased locally)
  • Footwear: Running Shoes OR hiking shoes are recommended, those that are best for walking through the Inca sites; the archaeological sites will often involve some walking/climbing on uneven ground and please be prepared for many stairs. There will be many stairs up and down.
  • A Daypack where you can carry your own belongings (water, snacks, camera, etc)
  • Nalgene or Aluminium reusable bottles are recommended if possible
  • Small first aid kit.
  • Hand sanitizer

The best time to go to Machu Picchu depends basically on two factors such as weather and crowds:

So, the best time to visit Machu Picchu is the shoulder months, April, May, September, October, and November. The chances of rain are few during these months, and the temperature is pleasant as it is away from the cold winter nights of the peak season. During these months, there will be fewer crowds too.

The rainy season in Cusco and Machu Picchu is from November to March. While the crowds are smaller during this time, making it a more peaceful and enjoyable experience. The weather can be unpredictable, and there is a higher chance of rain and cloudy skies. However, the rainy season can also offer beautiful views of the misty mountains and lush vegetation.

The peak tourist season in Machu Picchu is from mid-June to Mid-Septemer, which coincides with the summer break in the northern hemisphere. During this time, the weather is generally clear and dry, making it a popular time to visit. However, the crowds can be quite large, and it can be difficult to get tickets and accommodations so we recommend booking way in advance for these months.

So what to expect on a regular day at Machu Picchu? – Breathtaking views, mild to hot temperatures although kind of windy at some places in the afternoons; mostly sunny days during the months of May, June, July, and August, although some mornings would be a little foggy (some days very foggy especially in the rainy season)

Yes! There are restrooms located outside the entrance to Machu Picchu and the entry costs 2 soles (toilet paper included). There are no restroom facilities inside the archaeological site. Make sure you use the bathroom before you enter the site. It is right in front of the entrance.

  • Smoking
  • Food is not allowed (The ticket says that eating inside the site is not allowed, but you can bring a small snack with you, only try not to eat too openly, and it comes without saying that you should not litter) There is a restaurant at the gate of Machu Picchu and many more down in Aguas Calientes town
  • Fly drones over Machupicchu or any other Inka ruins
  • Walking Sticks unless the visitor really needs them (Then, sticker should have rubber tips)
  • Climb the Inka walls and/or structures.
  • Enter with professional tripods, selfie sticks, or other professional photography/film stabilization accessories. (This restriction is for Machupicchu Only, do not apply to other sites)

The train company allows any luggage not exceeding 5 kg / 11 lb or a small carry-on. Big baggage can block the exits so it is recommended to leave at your Cusco hotel o sacred Valley Hotel and pick them up after Machu Picchu.

Why Travel with us

Local Knowledge & Expertise

It's great to travel with professional experts from the same destination you are going, that's how you get first-hand information. With deep in-country knowledge, We know the ins and outs of all the logistics, we will ensure you can make the most of your time away.

Personalized Experiences

Your time is precious - we know that. Your experience is our top priority. No big bus groups, No flags to follow! Traveling with a private guide and driver you’ll do what you want, when you want with the freedom to change your plans on the fly.

Friendly Local Guides

Great sights don’t make an amazing tour. Great guides do! Our guides don’t read from a script, we give them the freedom to make each tour their own, and your experience unique. We love what we do and it shows. From the moment you arrive, you'll feel the buzz and excitement that Cusco Local Friend to offer.

Exclusive Itineraries

It’s not all about the destination, it’s also about the journey. We offer only the best itineraries and tours. As local experts, we know first-hand what tours or experiences are the ones that most travelers enjoy and request. Escape the crowds! Never waste any minute, never miss any highlight!

Trip Reviews

Cusco Local Friend has been awarded the TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence due to the most consistent 5-star reviews in Cusco, the Sacred Valley & Machu Picchu for exceptional levels of service and care.

Ammar B
Ammar B
September 4, 2023.
Tour with Abraham! People of Peru :) Highly recommend Abraham! Was one of the highlights for our trip for sure and we enjoyed it thoroughly, definitely book and request him. He was so funny and we got to joke a lot throughout the whole trip. Peru is known for the people and Abraham is one of them for sure!
Romil B
Romil B
September 2, 2023.
Amazing Experience - Highly recommended We booked full day sacred valley tour with Cusco Local Friend and our experience was amazing. Let me start by mentioning the ease of booking the tour by chatting with Percy via Watsapp. Percy provided us complete guide on the tour in details and booking was done with in minutes. On the day the tour, we met our guide Juan Pablo. He was awesome. Throughout the whole tour from Pisac Ruins, Salt Mines, Moray to Tempe del sol - Juan Pablo provided us intricate details of the history of Peru and kept us engaged. Since we are vegetarians, Juan Pablo took extra precautions of finding a nice restaurant which catered to our dietary restrictions. I would highly recommend Cusco Local Friend for Sacred Valley Tours !!!
Getaway40980607404
Getaway40980607404
August 30, 2023.
Perfect Experience! Cusco Local Friend put together the perfect vacation package for my mother (77) and I. It included Ollantaytambo, The Sacred Valley, and Machu Picchu. Our entire experience with the company was an absolute pleasure. Abraham, our guide had a passion for sharing his knowledge of Inkan culture, and was a joy to be around. Each of our drivers (Romulo and Edgar) were skillful and made us feel safe and in good hands. Percy and Hugo were both available at any time to answer questions via instant message, and made sure that we knew what to expect on each leg of the journey, and made sure we have any necessary documents well in advance. I would book through Cusco Local Friend again in an instant.
Diana T
Diana T
August 29, 2023.
Interesting tour of Sacred Valley sites This tour was so informative and interesting! Our guide, Pablo, knew so much about the history of the sites we visited, we learned so much. He and the driver were friendly and nice. The sites we visited were some of our favorites on the trip. Would definitely recommend!
Shilesh J
Shilesh J
August 9, 2023.
Great Tours and Team My family of 3 found Cusco Local Friends (CLF) during online research. We were going to Peru for a wedding in Arequipa and decided to make an extended vacation out of the trip. Our private trip with CLF included a full day in Sacred Valley, late afternoon followed by early morning entrances to Machu Picchu, horse-back ride up to Humantay Lake, followed by Rainbow Mountain. The team I worked with these arrangements was Hugo primarily and Percy in the background paperwork. I worked extensively with Hugo via WhatsApp, email, and on the phone to plan the tour. Hugo gave great advice on the sequence to make sure we were properly acclimatized to high altitude prior to Humantay and Rainbow portions of the tour. Our guide was Ferdinand, and the driver was Edgar. Everyone in this team was just fantastic. I have the highest recommendation for CLF as tour operator. We were met at CUZ airport by Hugo and driver Edgar. The minivan was spacious, clean, and comfortable. During the drive into town, Hugo spent a lot of time explaining everything to us, went over the plans, and most importantly gave us great advice on what to eat, what to avoid, and how best to gradually acclimatize. He helped us change USD to PEN at a great rate, provided us with bottles of water before exiting the van as he left us in the capable hands of Edgar to drive us to Ollantaytambo. Hugo had advised us to visit a free site in Ollantaytambo adjacent to the actual ruins. We did that in the later afternoon. Our tour started the next day when we were met by Edgar and guide Ferdinand. Ferdinand spoke perfect English and was a pleasure company for entirety of our tours. He is knowledgeable of the history of all the sites we visited. He had the foresight of bringing us walking sticks for our downhill walks from Humantay Lake, which was a challenging walk for us. He helped in every possible way during the tours. The team even planned our trip schedule to Humantay to account for a road closure, to make sure we had the least amount of waiting time for the road to reopen. I cannot emphasize enough how this was slick planning. Peru is a great country to visit, the people are very friendly and there is so much more to explore. We barely covered a small portion in capable hands of CLF team. My family thanks Hugo, Ferdinand, Edgar, and Percy for a great, safe, informative introduction to a small portion of Peru. I recommend CLF without any reservations. PS: I forgot to add that Hugo gave a complimentary ride from hotel to CUZ airport day after our final trip. See my review in google for pictures
MFerraro
MFerraro
August 4, 2023.
Absolutely perfect & wonderful friends Hugo, Abraham & their team were beyond incredible. They became friends from the moment we met them. It was such a pleasure having them w our group throughout our stay as they made everything effortless on our end. They have every piece of information you need and/or want & were incredibly knowledgeable & passionate about sharing their knowledge w us. They were able to answer every question we had about the history of Peru & all the wonderful sights we saw on our adventure together. Thank you Hugo for your incredible team. Can’t wait to come back & see you again.
Francesca B
Francesca B
August 3, 2023.
Good views, great experiences, excellent staff! This tour was worth every dollar spent! Our group was able to see so much of the Sacred Valley while traveling comfortably and having lots of fun. Our tour guides Hugo and Abraham were very kind, knowledgeable, efficient and had a trip packed full of adventures for us. We experienced Machupicchu while our guides passionately explained the history. They truly thought of everything and we hardly waited in any lines since they knew the most efficient times to visit. I would absolutely do this tour again if I ever visit Peru again! Will recommend to anyone visiting the Sacred Valley.
Lily Z
Lily Z
August 3, 2023.
Amazing experience These guys are pros! They have a wealth of history knowledge and were so attentive to our groups needs. They made our trip more full filling and they treated us like family!
Katie S
Katie S
August 3, 2023.
Amazing experience and awesome guides! Hugo and Abraham were excellent guides. They were knowledgeable, caring, and friendly. Couldn’t have asked for a better experience in Cusco! Highly recommend!!
Marissa L
Marissa L
August 2, 2023.
Amazing experience with the best guides! Hugo and Abraham are the best guides ever! They welcomed and guided us through Cusco for a week with Kula Adventures. We had the best experiences and quickly became family by the end of the trip. Hugo and Abraham are so warm, welcoming, and passionate which made our trip so memorable and powerful!

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