Explore the Machu Picchu Tours
Experience the sunrise behind this New Seven Wonder
Machu Picchu is one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, and it’s no surprise why. It’s a fascinating and incredible ancient site built upon a hillside in the Andes. There aren’t many other places on this planet that can conjure up the feelings you’ll experience when you step inside and witness its sights for the first time.
After the fall of the Incan Empire, the site was all but forgotten until it was rediscovered around 400 years later. There is still a lot regarding the amazing site that remains a mystery and a lot of secrets yet to be uncovered. But there’s no doubt that it will amaze any visitor with its sheer size and structure placed where it is.
Machu Picchu is one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, and it’s no surprise why. It’s a fascinating and incredible ancient site built upon a hillside in the Andes. There aren’t many other places on this planet that can conjure up the feelings you’ll experience when you step inside and witness its sights for the first time.
Locally Owned & Operated
We are the operators! We are a licensed Tour Company. There is no middleman on a trip with us!
Expert Local Guides
Chosen for great knowledge of their country, and a passion to make your trip extraordinary.
Fantastic Meals
Our owner and all of our staff are local to Peru and care about its environment, people and culture.
Eco-Friendly Tours
Education and conservation are our passion. We aim to create lifelong ambassadors for the protection of all wilderness areas.
Small Groups
Average groups of 10; solos, couples and friends, united by a desire for authentic experiences.
Our Best Seller
If you have a love for adventure and discovering the ancient wonders of the world, our Sacred Valley & Machu Picchu 2 Days is for you. It combines the most exciting historical sites with the most incredible scenery you can imagine.
Our Best Seller
Sacred Valley & Machu Picchu
This package is a combination of the popular day tour of the Sacred Valley and the classic train tour to Machu Picchu, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. We offer you incredible amounts of beauty and history over an exciting 2-day trip.
This package is a combination of the popular day tour of the Sacred Valley and the classic train tour to Machu Picchu, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. We offer you incredible amounts of beauty and history over an exciting 2-day trip.
This adventure includes a full-day tour in the Sacred Valley, a trip to Aguas Calientes on the beautiful Vistadome Train, a night of rest in a comfortable hotel, and dinner at the best restaurant in Aguas Calientes. We’ll end with a visit to the fantastic city of Machu Picchu, where you’ll have the opportunity to climb the Huayna Picchu Mountain or Machu Picchu Mountain and learn all the secrets of the Incas.
Machu Picchu Tours
There are a variety of tours available to visit Machu Picchu. You can go directly on a one or two-day trip, or you can choose to enjoy it at the end of one of the many treks available.
The Best Adventure Combinations in Peru
Every journey we design is carefully curated and completely bespoke, fine-tuned to your passions and interests. Experience jaw-dropping natural wonders, mysterious ancient civilisations, diverse indigenous culture and unique wildlife with some of the best trek combinations in Peru and South America.
Maras, Moray and Machu Picchu 2 Days
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Hotel Accommodation -
3,762 m / 12,343 ft Max. altitude -
Easy Difficulty
Embark on a unique adventure to discover the Incas' fascinating history and delight in Cusco's most breathtaking landscapes. Discover the treasures of the Sacred Valley, visiting the must-see places of Chinchero, Moray, the Maras Salt Mines, and Urubamba. Then, board the train in Ollantaytambo and let yourself be amazed by the legendary citadel of Machu Picchu, one of the most majestic sites in the world.
Embark on a unique adventure to discover the Incas' fascinating history and delight in Cusco's most breathtaking landscapes. Discover the treasures of the Sacred Valley, visiting the must-see places of Chinchero, Moray, the Maras Salt Mines, and Urubamba. Then, board the train in Ollantaytambo and let yourself be amazed by the legendary citadel of Machu Picchu, one of the most majestic sites in the world. Accompanied by your expert guide, you will feel the energy that emanates from this sacred place.
Machu Picchu & Rainbow Mountain 5 Days
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Hotel Accommodation
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5,100 m / 16,732 ft Max. altitude
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Moderate to Challenging Difficulty
Explore the living history and breathtaking scenery of the Peruvian highlands on this incredible experience. You’ll begin in the Imperial City and discover what made Cusco the center of the Inca Empire! Then, you’ll head to the Sacred Valley to visit Moray and the Maras Salt Mines before taking the train to Machu Picchu.
Explore the living history and breathtaking scenery of the Peruvian highlands on this incredible experience. You’ll begin in the Imperial City and discover what made Cusco the center of the Inca Empire! Then, you’ll head to the Sacred Valley to visit Moray and the Maras Salt Mines.
Once you reach Ollantaytambo, you’ll take the train to the legendary city of Machu Picchu for a privately guided tour. Your adventure doesn’t end there: discover the incredible Rainbow Mountain and be in awe of its natural colors.
The Classic Inca Trail 4 Days
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Camps Accommodation
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4,215 m / 13,829 ft Max. altitude
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Moderate to Challenging Difficulty
The world-famous Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is one of the best trekking routes in South America. Walk in the footsteps of our Inca nobility ancestors to their incredible Inca fortress, Machu Picchu, and dare to discover their secrets.
The world-famous Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is one of the best trekking routes in South America. Walk in the footsteps of our Inca nobility ancestors to their incredible Inca fortress, Machu Picchu, and dare to discover their secrets.
The Inca Trail is where those most daring choose to trek to Machu Picchu, UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visit unique archaeological sites that can only be accessed on foot along this route and become enveloped in the stunning Andean mountain landscape.
The Classic Salkantay Trek 5 Days
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Camp & Hotel Accommodation
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4,630 m / 15,190 ft Max. altitude
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Moderate to Challenging Difficulty
After spending some time in Cusco, join us on the Classic Salkantay Trek to the World Wonder of Machu Picchu. The best alternative route to the Inca citadel will take you to the stunning Humantay Lake, the imposing Salkantay Mountain, and through the fascinating cloud forest.
After spending some time in Cusco, join us on the Classic Salkantay Trek to the World Wonder of Machu Picchu. The best alternative route to the Inca citadel will take you to the stunning Humantay Lake, the imposing Salkantay Mountain, and through the fascinating cloud forest.
You’ll spend each night in comfortable accommodation and enjoy some of the tastiest food around - in the middle of the mountains! Experienced guides will be with you all the way to teach you about the history and nature of the region.
Why Travel With Us?
We are dedicated and committed to our clients, to the environment, and to our fellow compatriots.
Our Horsemen & Horses
All of our horsemen are local to the region. We make sure to employ responsible people who are serious about what they do. This way, they do an excellent job transporting everyone’s items along the trail with mules and ensuring your gear safely arrives at each campsite.
Our horsemen receive fair salaries and benefits. Salkantay Trekking provides all the mountain gear and uniforms to the horsemen. They know the area and trail like the back of their hand.
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Knowledgeable Tour Guides
Salkantay Trekking relies on an extensive network of highly trained guides and expert ambassadors as a premise to guarantee excellence in our services. We are fully conscious that an excellent guide is key to making your trip memorable.
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Our Chefs
In all of our trekking trips, the chef ensures high-quality meals on time, an adequate diet both in its quality and quantity. The secret lies in the careful selection of our team of chefs, whose creativity and passion provide an unequalled touch.
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The Best Trekking Food in Peru
We know good food is the fuel you need for a long trek. Our chefs prepare fresh, hot meals with local organic ingredients and cater to all dietary requirements.
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The Best Camping Equipment
Enjoy a good night’s sleep in our spacious Eureka tents. All our tents are built to be four-man tents, but you will only share with one other trekker, giving you plenty of space for your gear.
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Suggested Peru Destinations
Discover Machu Picchu and Cusco alongside the country's finest travel guides.Peru offers world-class tourist attractions, with mysterious archaeological sites, awe-inspiring landscapes and diverse wildlife. In this vast and storied land, ancient, colonial, and modern traditions meld together for an unforgettable cultural experience. No matter the type of traveler—history buff, adventurer, or foodie—Peru offers a myriad of activities to satisfy every appetite.
Machu Picchu Travel Guide
Before You Go, What You Should Know
We hope that this Peru & Machu Picchu travel guide will serve as a reference for you to prepare for and undertake an exceptional and seamless journey through this “Empire of Hidden Treasures.”
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Machu Picchu Highlights
When visiting this ancient citadel, you can expect to enjoy the following:
- Experience the sunrise behind this New Seven Wonder.
- Feel the magic of the Incas fill your soul as you gaze out across their ancient fortress and picture how things were back then.
- Huayna Picchu and Machu Picchu Mountain - You can opt to climb either of these mountains as an extra to your entrance ticket. From both, you get an incredible view of the archaeological site.
- The Sun Gate - This was the original entrance to Machu Picchu, from where the hikers on the Inca Trail now enter daily.
- Enjoy a tour of all the important sites in the citadel in the company of an experienced and knowledgeable guide.
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How to Get Acclimated
It's no secret that Machu Picchu is at a relatively high altitude, and you need to visit Cusco beforehand, which sits at over 3,000 masl. For this reason, it's very important to take precautions regarding the altitude. We strongly advise spending 2 to 3 days in the city before engaging in any strenuous activity to adjust.
You may find that your doctor back home is able to prescribe some altitude medicine, but if not, you can buy pills in the pharmacies in Cusco upon arrival. These also sell small cans of oxygen, which can help with feeling light-headed or nauseous.
If you prefer a more natural way to deal with the altitude, you can opt for a coca or muña tea. Both of these have been drunk since Incan times and are a great help for headaches or feeling unwell.
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Where is Machu Picchu?
Machu Picchu is located in the Cusco Region, in the Urubamba Province, within the Machu Picchu District. This is above the Sacred Valley of the Incas and about 80 kilometres to the North West of Cusco.
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Planning Your Visit
As with any trip, the further ahead you plan, the better. This is especially true if you wish to do the Inca Trail or climb the Huayna Picchu Mountain inside Machu Picchu. Both of these sell out months in advance, particularly for the high season between April and October.
If you won’t have much time in Cusco, you can decide to go on a one or two day trip, which will take you to Aguas Calientes where you’ll visit Machu Picchu and then return to Cusco.
If you have more time, we highly recommend one of the treks available. You will experience walking through the incredible landscapes of the Andes as well as meet some new friends and have fun along the way.
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Things to Know Before Traveling to Machu Picchu
Before heading to this World Wonder, there are a few things you should know:
- Take your passport because you won’t be allowed in without it. At the entrance your ticket details will be checked against your passport.
- Print out your tickets as you’ll need to hand them over upon arrival.
- Buy your tickets beforehand to avoid disappointment if they are sold out. Tickets are not available at the entrance gates.
- Make sure you take plenty of sun protection as well as an insect repellent. Long sleeves and pants are recommended to avoid insect bites.
- Once you go inside the archaeological site, there are no bathrooms, so make sure you go before you enter.
- There is no allowance for tripods, selfie sticks, or drones inside.
- Take a good camera to get some unforgettable photos.
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When to Visit Machu Picchu
The best time to visit Machu Picchu is from May to October, which is the dry season. May to August are especially popular with pleasant and sunny days.
From November to March it’s the rainy season, and you will find it rains frequently in the cloud forest. The Inca Trail is closed in February for conservation and maintenance.
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Things Not to Miss in Machu Picchu
Here are a few of the must-see sites while inside the citadel of Machu Picchu:
The Watchman’s Hut
When you first go into Machu Picchu you’ll see the Watchman’s Hut, from where you can get the classic panoramic view over the whole site.
Temple of the Sun
This is one of the top sites inside. It’s close to the main fountain and is the finest example of master Inca stonework and astronomical observation.
Intihuatana
The Intihuatana is one of the most recognizable sites in the citadel and was used as an astronomical sundial and sacred ritual point.
Temple of Three Windows
This sector is made up of gigantic stones that pose the wonder of how they were moved and precisely aligned by the Incas.
The Sacred Rock
This large stone mimics the shape of Mount Yanantin behind it and served as an important ceremonial shrine.
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Tips for Visiting & Aguas Calientes
Take a Small Daypack
Take a day pack where you can carry your camera, water, and rain jacket. Large bags over 40x35x20 cm must be left at storage lockers outside the gate.
Visit the Hot Springs in Aguas Calientes
Relax in the thermal waters of Aguas Calientes after your visit to Machu Picchu to unwind your muscles.
Local Artisan Market
Explore the vibrant market right next to the train station in Aguas Calientes for beautiful Peruvian textiles and handmade souvenirs.
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