Question 1

What makes a Machu Picchu tour luxury?

Accepted Answer

Luxury travel to Machu Picchu is measured by where you sleep and how much you carry. Instead of tents or a chain of city hotels, you stay in small mountain lodges with private rooms, hot showers, goose-down bedding, and an outdoor hot tub. Pack animals or porters move your duffel, so you walk with a daypack. On high-end Machu Picchu tours like these, almost everything is included: full board, house drinks at the lodges, a bilingual guide from the Cusco briefing to the citadel, trains, site entrances, and tips for lodge and field staff. Flights, Cusco hotels, massages, premium wines, and Huayna Picchu permits cost extra.

Question 2

Which luxury Machu Picchu tour is right for me?

Accepted Answer

Start with how much you want to walk. If the answer is little, the 7-day Sacred Valley and Lares route gives you a cultural option every day. If you want real mountain days, choose the 7-day Salkantay trek, a Machu Picchu luxury trek over a 4,636 m pass. The 10-day route combines both, with three flexible days first. All three leave Cusco as small groups, guaranteed from 2 guests, and end with a guided tour of Machu Picchu. Many packages cover the citadel in a day from Cusco; the best Machu Picchu tours for you may be the ones that spend 6 to 9 nights in the Andes first.

Question 3

Do I have to hike on a luxury Machu Picchu tour?

Accepted Answer

Not necessarily. Hiking is optional on the Sacred Valley and Lares route, where you can choose daily between guided walks or cultural activities like market visits and cooking classes. However, group excursions require walking on uneven, high-altitude terrain, so supportive footwear and a steady pace are essential. Still, even luxury Machu Picchu hiking tours involve authentic mountain trekking. While vehicle transport is available for certain segments on the 10-day and Salkantay routes, and horses can be hired at an additional charge to assist halfway up the pass, the majority of the trail is completed on foot. To prepare properly, start cardio training three months prior to departure.

Question 4

Are luxury Machu Picchu tours suitable for seniors?

Accepted Answer

Yes, for travelers in good health. All luxury routes are designed to offer optimal Machu Picchu tours for seniors by providing comfortable beds each night, full luggage transport, and a comfortable, shared pace. There is no upper age limit and no senior discount. Choose by fitness, not by age. The cultural Sacred Valley route suits most active travelers, while the treks need good fitness for nights near 3,900 m. Check with your doctor before any high-altitude travel.

Question 5

Can I join as a solo traveler or with children?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Solo travelers join the same small-group departures. If you agree to share, we pair you with a roommate at no extra cost; if no match is found, a single supplement applies. A private room costs more. Families are welcome. The minimum age is 6 on the Sacred Valley and Lares route and 12 on the treks. Children aged 12 to 16 who share a room with two adults get a discount. Tell us the ages in your group, and we will suggest the right luxury Machu Picchu route.

Question 6

Can I book a private departure?

Accepted Answer

The standard trips are small-group departures, guaranteed from 2 guests, with up to 12–16 people, depending on the route. You can add a private English-speaking guide for your group at extra cost, while guides in other languages are available on request. For fully private dates, please contact us. A private guide suits families with teenagers or slower walkers, who can then set their own pace. Nights in Cusco and extensions to Lake Titicaca, the Colca Canyon, or the Peruvian Amazon can be added.

Question 7

Where do you sleep: mountain lodges or Machu Picchu luxury hotels?

Accepted Answer

Mountain lodges, all designed using Andean techniques and featuring elegant facilities and premium services. On the 10-day trek and the Upper Sacred Valley & Lares route, accommodation is also available at partner hotels in the towns of Ollantaytambo and Aguas Calientes, at the foot of Machu Picchu, with breakfast and dinner included.

Question 8

When is the best time for a luxury Machu Picchu tour?

Accepted Answer

The dry season (April to October) brings daytime averages of 17°C to 20°C around Cusco and the clearest skies. Mornings and nights in the high Andes are cold all year, while the cloud forest near Machu Picchu stays warm and humid. The rainy season (November to March) averages 13°C, with the heaviest rain in January and February. Our departures run from March 1 to December 31, with none in January and February. In March, November, and December, pack full rain gear.

Question 9

How do I handle the altitude?

Accepted Answer

Cusco sits at about 3,400 m, the lodges go up to 3,906 m, and the treks cross the Salkantay Pass at 4,636 m. Altitude sickness is common above about 1,900 m, with headaches, nausea, and light-headedness as main symptoms. To acclimatize, it’s recommended to arrive in Cusco at least two days before the beginning of your tour. During the tour, drink at least 2 liters of water a day, eat light, and go easy at first. The itineraries are designed to allow the body to acclimatize to the environment. The experience begins at a lower elevation in the Sacred Valley or includes two nights at a lodge before the trek starts. Additionally, every guide holds Wilderness First Aid certification.

Question 10

Can I hike the Inca Trail on a luxury tour?

Accepted Answer

Yes, as an option on the Sacred Valley and Lares route. The one-day Inca Trail from KM 104 follows the classic path via Wiñay Wayna to the Sun Gate: 9.1 km in about 6 hours, arriving above Machu Picchu in the afternoon. It replaces the Day 6 program and costs extra. Permits are limited, so book at least 60 days ahead; groups have up to 16 hikers, one guide per 8. Prefer a longer luxury Inca Trail tour without tents? The Salkantay routes finish on original Inca steps at Llactapata, with a view of Machu Picchu from the southeast.

Question 11

Can I climb Huayna Picchu during a Machu Picchu tour?

Accepted Answer

A climb up Huayna Picchu (2,720 m) can be added to your itinerary. This challenging 4.1 km round-trip trek involves 255 m of elevation gain and takes roughly 3 hours. Because permits are required and availability is limited, please request this option when making your reservation. Alternatively, you can hike Machu Picchu Mountain (3,082 m) or extend your stay by adding an additional day at the citadel.

Question 12

How do I get to Cusco? When should I arrive?

Accepted Answer

International travelers embarking on a Machu Picchu trip will first arrive in Lima at Jorge Chávez International Airport (LIM) to pass through immigration. From there, multiple airlines operate connecting flights to Cusco (CUZ). Because flight schedules can fluctuate, be sure to verify active routes prior to booking. To allow time for acclimatization, plan to arrive two days ahead of Day 1, keeping in mind that your trip briefing takes place the evening before departure. Since all itineraries conclude at your Cusco hotel around 7 PM on the final day—well after most departing flights—you should schedule your return flight for the following morning.

Question 13

Can I combine Machu Picchu with Brazil?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Many travelers pair Peru with Brazil in one South America trip, connecting through Lima. After the Andes, a luxury jaguar safari in the Pantanal or a luxury lodge in the Brazilian Amazon keeps the same level of comfort. Allow at least one travel day between the two countries. Share your preferred travel dates, and our team will design connections to integrate your luxury Machu Picchu tour with excursions in Brazil.

Luxury Peru & Machu Picchu Tours

4-Day Delfin Amazon Cruise in Peru’s Pacaya-Samiria Reserve

4-Day Aria Amazon Cruise in Peru from Iquitos

Ausangate Lodge to Lodge Trek: 5 Days via Rainbow Mountain

3-Day Salkantay Hike: Lodge Stay and Humantay Lake

10-Day Andes Trek and Cultural Immersion in Peru

Machu Picchu Adventure Tour: An Exclusive Cultural Journey

7-Day Luxury Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu

What our travelers say

Luxury Machu Picchu tours: culture, adventure, and comfort through the Peruvian Andes

Luxury Tours in Brazil: Comfort, Nature, and Wildlife

10 Luxury Ecolodges in Brazil: Sustainable Tourism and Premium Services

What’s the Best Time of the Year for Amazon River Cruises in Brazil?

Frequently asked questions