Tours Staying in Machu Picchu Town

This 5-day trip spends 4 days hiking the Inca Trail then visits Machu Picchu for a full day exploring the ruins. Hike with expert guides and enjoy deluxe camping to assure the best possible experience. We require that travelers spend a minimum of two nights at high altitude before the trek, usually in Cusco, Sacred Valley, or Lake Titicaca.

Salkantay & Classic Inca Trail Trek

12 Days from $3,756

This extension of the Inca Trail brings you up close with sacred Andean glaciated peaks such as Mt. Salkantay. After exploring colonial Cusco and the Sacred Valley we begin our 6 day trek combining a scenic backcountry hike with the classic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu.

Salkantay Trek with One Day Inca Trail Hike

Cusco to Cusco
9 Days from $3,057

Enjoy the alternative Salkantay trail combined with the famous One Day Inca Trail for the ultimate trekking experience. Marvel at the different surroundings around the two trails and be mesmerized with the archaeological sites leading to the lost city of the Incas: Machu Picchu. This trip requires a One Day Inca Trail Pass

Classic Salkantay Trek

Via Hidroelectrica
9 Days from $2,625

This tour is a great alternative to the popular Inca Trail if you want to experience a different route that ends at Machu Picchu. Enjoy the magnificent view of Mount Salkantay and head towards the mystical Lost City of Incas. Inca Trail passes are NOT required with this trip.

Machu Picchu by Train

7 Days from $1,580

On this 7-day excursion through the Sacred Valley starting in Lima, you'll visit impressive Inca ruins such as Sacsayhuamán near Cusco, then Pisac, and Ollantaytambo. Finally, you'll take the train to Machu Picchu and spend two days exploring the most impressive Inca ruins.

Hiking to Machu Picchu on the Inca Trail

Short Inca Trail Hike To Machu Picchu

7 Days from $1,628

This 7-day tour culminates in a one day hike on the Inca Trail arriving to Machu Picchu with a full day and a half to explore the ruins. Explore the Inca capital of Cusco, the Sacsayhuamán Ruins, and Sacred Valley before taking the train to marker 104 km and hike the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu (no traditional 4-day trail permit required!).

Sacred Valley and Lares Adventure

8 Days from $2,367

The Sacred Valley and Lares Adventure to Machu Picchu offers the perfect combination of traditional adventure travel and cultural immersion. This lodge-to-lodge journey will alternate between an exploration of the astounding natural scenery of the Sacred Valley and an intimate look at Andean culture, both in busy towns and in remote of mountain hamlets.

Flavors of Peru

8 Days from $2,895

Join our 8 day trip that visits Lima, Cusco, the Sacred Valley, and the citadel of Machu Picchu, tasting both the traditional and Novoandina dishes of Peru along the way. This is a relaxed, cultural focused trip with an emphasis on the flavors and gastronomy of Peru.

Machu Picchu by Train

4 Days from $972

This extension allows our travelers to explore Cusco and Machu Picchu. Spend two nights in Cusco and one night in Machu Picchu Pueblo (formerly called Aquas Calientes). The days in Cusco are free to explore on your own, and a guide will accompany our travelers to Machu Picchu. There is one free day at Machu Picchu without a guide.

Lodge to Lodge Salkantay Trek

11 Days from $3,521

Take a journey along the Salkanty trail through varied terrain both challenging and awe-inspiring. Up-close views of glacier mountain peaks, mysterious mist surrounding fields of boulders, and cattle drives through the most remote of mountain areas. Meet locals living in true Andean heritage giving you a glimpse into their rarely seen world.

Our Favorite Hotels in Aguas Calientes

Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo

In a private mountainside refuge deep in the lush Andean cloud forest, in the heart of the Machu Picchu Historical Sanctuary, lies the intimate Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel. From the hotel you are only minutes away from this premier archeological adventure of the Inca Empire.

Sanctuary Lodge

Machu Picchu Sanctuary Lodge is one of the world's most important heritage sites; the ancient Inca citadel of Machu Picchu is a magical place of unforgettable sunrises and shimmering, moonlit nights. Set in its own gardens and the only hotel in such close proximity to the magical ruins, the Machu Picchu Sanctuary Lodge offers twenty-nine well-appointed rooms and two suites.

El MaPi Inn

Situated in the heart of stunning Machu Picchu town, only 3 hours by train from Cusco. The stylish El MaPi offers organic gastronomy and contemporary rooms. Enjoy the unique charm of the hotel while you discover an archaeological wonder.

Inti Inn

Inti Inn is located at a privileged and very safe, clean zone and very near Machupicchu's Parade Ground. Within two blocks blocks of the craft market, it brings together all craftsmen of the region.

Machu Picchu Travel Guide

Hiking the Inca Trail

Get a better idea of the adventure ahead with this day-by-day description of the Inca Trail hike to Machu Picchu. The history, ancient sites, wildlife, and culture experienced along the Inca Trail make it popular among travelers. With so much to see along the way, this active method of exploring Peru provides a travel experience of a lifetime!

Highlights of Machu Picchu

Watch the sunrise over the peaks of the Sacred Valley of the Andes. This is one of the most popular ways to experience the true majesty of Machu Picchu and why the Inca chose this site as one of their most important cities.
Explore the ruins of Machu Picchu: On a guided tour or on your own, you can see the foundations of temples and houses, markets, and storage areas, and the iconic terraces that made this a self-sustaining mountain sanctuary.
Hike Huayna Picchu, the neighboring peak that overlooks Machu Picchu (permit required); here, you can also check out the Temple of the Moon!
Hike to the Sun Gate (Inti Punku) overlooking the ruins: Originally the gate of Machu Picchu, it is now an alternative and somewhat challenging way to get to the "lost city."

How to Get to Aguas Calientes & Machu Picchu
There are just two ways to get to the town of Aguas Calientes at the base of iconic Machu Picchu: by train or by foot. Deep in the heart of the Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu was an Inca sanctuary.

By foot: The most immersive way to experience Machu Picchu is by hiking the Inca Trail to the town of Aguas Calientes and then rising bright and early to hike up to Machu Picchu. The treks are generally very active and take anywhere from 4-8 days.

By train: There is also a scenic train that goes from Cusco straight to Aguas Calientes with several trips daily which take from 2-3 hours. This train also has destinations in Urubamba and Ollantaytambo.

Getting to the top of Machu Picchu: You can either hike up to the top, in which case we recommend waking very early to hike before the crowds overwhelm the ruins, or you can take a bus up, which is a much less physically taxing option. Buses leave regularly throughout the day.

Inca Trail Frequently Asked Questions

Learn about the Machu Picchu region's history, landscape, & people. We have answered many of the questions you might have about this journey of a lifetime.

Best Time of Year to Visit Peru and Machu Picchu

Find the best months of the year to visit Peru including Machu Picchu, Cusco & the Sacred Valley of the Incas by Adventure Life's Peru experts. Whether you're heading to the Amazon or the Andes, then the cool dry season from May to November is the most popular time. Shoulder months are more humid but can be a fair alternative as well.

Where to Stay in Machu Picchu/ Aguas Calientes
No matter which itinerary you choose- even if you are doing a trek on which you will be camping most nights - you have the option to stay in one of these comfortable hotels in "Pueblo Machu Picchu" to give you prime access to the mountain & ruins.