Exclusive Private Machu Picchu Tour from Cusco
Experience a private Machu Picchu Tour from Cusco, avoid the large and crowded group excursions and enjoy a personalized journey tailored to your interests and pace. Perfect tour for solo travlers, couple, families, and friends.
Led by an expert local guide, this premium tour offers deep insights into the secrets of the Citadel that standard tours miss. From luxury private transportation to flexible start times that beat the crowds, every detail is designed for your comfort. Whether you're a history enthusiast or a photography lover, our private service ensures an intimate, stress-free encounter with one of the World’s Seven Wonders.
- Overview
- Itinerary
- Inclusions
- Packing List
- Faqs
- Pricing
- Enquire Now
A private Machu Picchu tour offers a seamless, high-end experience from start to finish. Your journey begins with a scenic train ride through the Sacred Valley, where panoramic windows reveal dramatic Andean landscapes and rushing rivers. Upon arrival in Aguas Calientes, you will board a shuttle bus that winds up the mountain to the citadel gates.
Once inside, your private expert guide provides a personalized exploration of the ruins. Unlike group tours, you set the pace, allowing for deeper historical insights, better photography opportunities, and a stress-free visit to the most iconic sectors of this world wonder.
Highlights: Machu Picchu, Scenic Train rideConsiderations: Permit required
Season: Whole year
Max. Altitude: 2,400masl /7,874ft
Itinerary at a Glance
- Day01
Cusco - Ollantaytambo - Aguas Calientes - Machu Picchu – Cusco
Higlights of the tour
- Enjoy a scenic train journey through the Andes Mountains.
- Discover Machu Picchu accompanied by an expert local guide
- See the Royal Quarters, the temple of the Three Windows, Sacred Sun Dial, and more points of interest
Cusco - Ollantaytambo - Aguas Calientes - Machu Picchu – Cusco
Highlight of the day: The Incredible Machu Picchu
Early Morning Departure from Cusco Your exclusive experience begins with a prompt pickup from your hotel in Cusco at 4:00 AM. Traveling in a comfortable, private vehicle, you will leave the city behind and head into the Sacred Valley of the Incas. This early start ensures you stay ahead of the large tour groups, allowing for a more tranquil journey.
Scenic Drive to Ollantaytambo The drive to Ollantaytambo takes approximately one hour and forty minutes. Your private driver will take you directly to the Ollantaytambo train station in time for your departure.
The Panoramic Train Journey From Ollantaytambo, you will board the train for a breathtaking ride toward the cloud forest. For nearly two hours, the tracks follow the rushing Urubamba River, winding through deep canyons and passing ancient Inca terraces and hanging bridges. Through the large windows, you will watch the vegetation shift from high-altitude brush to lush, semi-tropical jungle.
The Shuttle Ascent to the Sanctuary Upon arriving at the Aguas Calientes station, your guide will escort you to the shuttle bus area. You will take a 25-minute ride up the famous Hiram Bingham road. This series of switchbacks climbs the steep mountainside, offering bird's-eye views of the cloud forest and the river below as you approach the entrance of the world wonder.
Private Guided Exploration of Machu Picchu Once at the gate, you will enter the Citadel for your private guided tour. Because this is a private service, your expert guide can focus on the areas that interest you most—whether that is the engineering of the Royal Quarters, the astronomical significance of the Intihuatana, or the sacred Temple of the Condor. You will have ample time for professional-quality photos and in-depth historical storytelling without being rushed.
Return Journey to Cusco After your visit, you will take the shuttle bus back down to Aguas Calientes, where you can enjoy a quiet lunch and explore the local market. In the afternoon, you will board your return train to Ollantaytambo. At the station, your private driver will be waiting to meet you for the final drive back to Cusco, delivering you directly to your hotel entrance in the evening.
Your exclusive journey begins with a private pickup from your Cusco hotel at 4:00 AM, heading toward Ollantaytambo to board a premium panoramic train. Following the Urubamba River, you’ll reach Aguas Calientes and take a 25-minute shuttle ascent up the scenic Hiram Bingham switchbacks to the sanctuary gates.
Inside, enjoy a tailored private guided tour focused on your interests, exploring sacred temples at your own pace. After your in-depth exploration, descend for a relaxing afternoon before your return train. Your private driver will be waiting in Ollantaytambo for a direct, comfortable transfer back to your hotel.
At Vidal Expeditions we are transparent and provide the specific details of what is included and excluded in our Private Machu Picchu Tour. We know this is very important so that you know what exactly to bring and you don’t miss anything. We provide this information to ensure that you have an incredible experience during your tour.
WHAT IS INCLUDED
Vidal Expeditions Team Provide
Pre-departure briefing
Once you book the tour with us, you will get a notification about the pre-departure briefing, where you will meet with your cultural guide and the tour group in our office the night before your Machu Picchu tour departure. During this briefing, you will receive important details of the tour.
Professional Private Cultural Guide
All our tour guides have a great reputation in customer service. Our tour guides have graduated with tourism career from National University San Antonio Abad of Cusco. They have also studied English in a private language institute. Through their patience, responsibility, knowledge, passion for adventure and proud to have been born in the land of the Incas, we ensure our tour guides provide an excellent experience for you when you explore Machu Picchu.
Entrance Fees
Once we receive your details and the deposit for your tour, we purchase all the necessary tickets for you to explore Machu Picchu, it will be for a specific date.
Transportations
Private Transport
We included all the transportations during your tour, we will pick you up from your hotel in Cusco and take you to the train stataion, the bus returning once you done with the Machu Picchu, the bus will drop off you at your hotel in Cusco.
Bus to Machu Picchu
Round trip bus to Machu Picchu
Train Ticket
Round trip train ticket: Expeditions and Vistadome Returning Train
Equipment
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Medical First Aid Kit
All tour guides of Vidal Expeditions are very well trained in First aid. They received training courses every 6 months how to assist to someone who is in an emergency situation. Also, they are trained how to supply a balloon oxygen in the case if someone requires it.
WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED
Water bottle
Every customer need water during this tour, we will stop in a shop where you can purchase some water bottles and snacks
Meals
You will be available to take some breakfast or snacks and lunch in Aguas Calientes town, your tour guide will recommend a good restaurant
Travel Insurance
We recommend to buy a travel insurance before to leave your country in case something happen along your visit to Peru.
Tips for our team
Tips are not included. Tipping the team is usual on any excursion in Cusco, although we pay good salaries to our entire team, tips are welcome as a token of your appreciation for the team hard work.
WHAT SHOULD YOU PACK?
At Vidal Expeditions we focus to make your trip an unforgettable experience and we want to provide all details which you need to know before to leave your country and start your life experience in Peru.
Important Items
- Passport
- Good day backpack (the smaller, the better)
- Water storage: Water reservoir like Camelback is encouraged - but enough for at least 2-3 liters.
- Comfortable hiking pant
- Rain jacket and pant
INSIDE YOUR DAYPACKS:
Daypack can be any size for hiking, but we always say the smaller, the better. If it is larger try to bring it as lighter as possible.
- Rain gear
- Sun hat
- Sunscreen
- Camera
- Water bottle
- Bug spray
- Hand sanitizer
- Toilet paper and small plastic bag for waste
- Extra Money for Souvenirs, Drinks & Tips
- Personal medication or Own first aid kit
- Snacks (Chocolate, energizing bars, caramels, etc.)
BEFORE YOU GO
Here some frequently asked question about our Private Machu Picchu tour in Cusco
Yes. Unlike "small group" tours, this is a 100% private service. You will have your own private vehicle, a dedicated professional guide, and an itinerary that moves at your specific pace.
The standard pickup from your hotel in Cusco is at 4:00 AM. This early start is highly recommended to beat the large tourist crowds and experience the citadel in a more tranquil atmosphere.
es, your entrance permits are included. Once you provide your details and deposit, we purchase the tickets in your name for a specific date and time slot.
Absolutely. While our standard package includes premium panoramic trains, you can upgrade to the Vistadome or the luxury Hiram Bingham train upon request.
Yes, we include the round-trip bus tickets from Aguas Calientes to the Machu Picchu entrance (the Hiram Bingham road).
our private guide will provide an in-depth tour lasting approximately 2 to 2.5 hours, covering the main temples, plazas, and sacred sites. Because it is private, you can spend more time at the spots that interest you most.
he standard citadel tour is considered "Easy" to "Moderate." While there are many stone stairs, a private tour allows you to take frequent breaks. If you choose to add hikes like Huayna Picchu, a higher level of fitness is required.
Yes, but these require separate permits that sell out months in advance. Please let us know at the time of booking so we can secure these additional tickets for you ($75 USD extra).
You must bring your original passport (it is required to enter the park), comfortable walking shoes, a rain jacket, sun protection, and a small daypack with water.
While we provide water and snacks, lunch in Aguas Calientes is typically not included to give you the flexibility to choose from the many local restaurants. However, we can add a gourmet lunch at the Belmond Sanctuary Lodge upon request.
The best month to visit Machu Picchu is May, and the best time of the day is early in the morning between 6 and 8 a.m. or in the afternoon from 3 to 5 p.m. At this time, there are not many people.
Machu Picchu is in a cloud forest, so rain can happen at any time. Tours operate rain or shine. Often, the mist clearing over the ruins after a rain provides the most beautiful "postcard" views.
Yes. We provide a pre-departure briefing (usually the evening before at your hotel or our office) to confirm pickup times, distribute tickets, and answer any last-minute questions.
Since 2023 the Peruvian government created different circuits to Visit Machu Picchu this with the purpose to control the tourist flow and have better chance to explore Machu Picchu with not many people. Vidal Expeditions recommend to take the circuit one of circuit 2 which allows you to explore more about Machu Picchu, also the Inca bridge circuit is great option for these who want to walk more in this Seven World Wonder.
Of course, these are located at the main checkpoint, you should use before going in Machu Picchu, because once you are in Machu Picchu, there is not option to go outside without missing your tickets, the tour guides will recommend using the restrooms before passing the control. To use the toilet cost 2 soles.
The weather in Cusco and parts of the Andes is unpredictable, even if the weather forecast says it’s sunny. We can’t trust it. It is an impossible question for us to answer. Historically, April through September is the dry season; November through February is the rainy season; and March and October are bridge months—a mixture of both. But the clouds have not followed these rules in the last few years. Prepare for sun and rain, no matter when you come. As far as temperatures go, that is consistent throughout the year. Mornings and evenings are always cold. Make sure to bring a fleece jacket for the mornings and a down jacket for the evenings.
From: USD 340.00 per person
USD 325.00: from 4 people to more
* Options to combine with The Private Sacred Valley Tour a day before $90US per person
* A night of hotel in Aguas Calientes 3 stars $80US per person
* Options to book Huayna Picchu ticket 3 months in advance $70US per person
Thank you for your interest in having an adventure travel experience in Peru curated by Vidal Expeditions. Please take a moment to complete our short form, so one our friendly Adventure Consultants could provide you all the information for your trip of a lifetime in Peru.
Our Pledge | Your privacy is respected and protected. Vidal Expeditions will never share, sell, or make public any of your personal contact information to third parties.
Full Day Private Machu Picchu Tour
What's it like
Machu Picchu Private Tour
WHAT MAKES US DIFFERENT IN MACHU PICCHU TOURS?
At Vidal Expeditions we offer the best service for all our customers and here is what makes us different than others.
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Small groups: During our different Machu Picchu Tours, our group size is capped at 10 people. This guarantees that you will enjoy better every step, landscapes, learn more about the Inca history, and explore better Machu Picchu.
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Hotel: During our excursion to Machu Picchu, we offer a 3 stars hotel stay for the last night. This ensures you are well rested and ready to explore Machu Picchu.
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Bus to Machu Picchu: To enjoy Machu Picchu, we provide a round trip ticket on the bus from Aguas Calientes to the main entrance of the archaeological site.
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Local Tour guides: Our team consists of 100% local tour guides, who have expert knowledge in our ancient culture.
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All Included: Our tours to Machu Picchu include all you need for your lifetime experience, from pick up to drop off, entrance tickets and the entire transportation to make your journey unforgettable experience.
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Door to Door Service: At Vidal Expeditions we focus to create the best experience during our excursions. Our service starts in your hotel and it ends at the same place, transportation, guides, tickets and 24 hours of service.
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Vidal Expeditions has received excellent reviews on TripAdvisor and Truspilot about our authentic experience and top-notch service along the Ausangate Trek in Peru. Thank you for trusting and choosing the best local tour operator in Cusco.