Planning a Trip to Machu Picchu? Here’s How to Do It Right — With Intention, Comfort, and Far From the Crowds
Few places stir the soul like Machu Picchu. More than a destination, it’s a sacred journey—through ancient history, cloud forest trails, and moments of quiet awe as you stand at the edge of the Andes, gazing across the Incan citadel.
But how you experience Machu Picchu makes all the difference.
Let’s be real: most guides will give you the same checklist—train schedules, ticket tips, and a rundown of the usual spots. Useful? Sure. Memorable? Not quite.
Here’s the thing: Machu Picchu is one of the most visited places in South America, drawing over a million travelers each year . That means crowds, lines, and a lot of shared experiences. But what if your journey could be different?
Imagine exploring the ancient citadel during the serene hush of early morning, guided by someone who knows every hidden corner and story. Picture yourself walking lesser-known trails, connecting with local communities, and experiencing the magic of the Andes away from the typical tourist paths.
So, is it possible to have a more authentic, peaceful experience in Machu Picchu?
The answer is yes—and we’re here to help you plan exactly that.
As local travel designers with years of experience crafting bespoke South American journeys, we specialize in creating trips that are as unique as you are. Our approach is all about intentional, heart-led travel—immersive experiences that go beyond the guidebooks.
We’ve walked the trails, stayed in the lodges, and met the guides who’ve now become our close friends. That’s the version of South America we want you to experience — authentic, beautiful, and uniquely yours.
Ready to see Machu Picchu through a different lens? Let’s dive in.
If you’re starting to imagine your own version of that journey — to Peru or beyond — we’d love to help you make it real.
🎯 [Click here to book a discovery call with us]
No pressure. Just a conversation to explore what’s possible.
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Top Curated Experiences for Your Machu Picchu Itinerary
1. Stay at Exclusive Lodges in the Heart of the Sacred Valley
Your journey to Machu Picchu doesn’t start at the citadel—it begins in the Sacred Valley, a serene stretch of mountains, rivers, and ancient culture nestled between Cusco and Aguas Calientes. And trust us, this is the perfect place to slow down, breathe in the crisp Andean air, and ease into the rhythm of Peru—with style.
What we love:
🌿 Seasonal, farm-to-table dining, where fresh produce is harvested straight from the lodge’s own gardens
🏔 Inkaterra Hacienda Urubamba, one of our favorite spots—think cozy fires, panoramic views, and Andean design rooted in tradition
💆♀️ Wellness with intention, from personalized spa rituals to healing treatments inspired by the Sacred Valley’s ancient practices
It’s more than just a place to sleep—it’s your introduction to Peru. A place to feel grounded, nourished, and ready for the adventure ahead
Discover more about the Best places to visit in the Sacred Valley to enrich your experience.
2. Experience Machu Picchu at Sunrise—with Your Own Private Guide
There’s something truly unforgettable about seeing Machu Picchu as the sun begins to rise—mist swirling, light shifting over ancient stones, and the sense that you have it (almost) all to yourself.
With our carefully timed entry and a private guide by your side, you’ll skip the crowds and step into the citadel at the quietest, most magical hour.
Curated experiences that make it unforgettable:
🌄 Early entrance with timed coordination, so you’re among the first to walk through the gates—just as the light spills over the peaks
📖 Storytelling tailored to you, with a local expert who brings the site’s history to life in a way that matches your pace and curiosity
🍸 Celebrate with a Pisco Sour masterclass, hosted on a private rooftop terrace after your visit—because every great adventure deserves a beautiful ending
This is how Machu Picchu was meant to be experienced: with presence, awe, and the space to truly take it all in.
Read more: If you want to extend your journey beyond Machu Picchu, explore our Ultimate Peru Itinerary that encompasses Lima, the Sacred Valley, and the Amazon rainforest.
3. A Gourmet Train Journey Through the Andes
Getting to Machu Picchu isn’t just a transfer—it’s part of the story. And when you board the Belmond Hiram Bingham or Inca Rail’s First Class, the journey becomes a celebration in motion.
This is where slow travel truly shines: as the train winds through lush valleys and alongside the Urubamba River, you’ll be savoring fine cuisine, sipping local wines, and watching the Andes roll by through panoramic windows.
After a beautiful train ride through the Andes, you’ll arrive in Aguas Calientes—Machu Picchu Town—where you’ll check into your handpicked, charming hotel and rest before the next day’s adventure. We’ve curated a list of the best luxury hotels to stay when visiting Machu Picchu that offer both comfort and location, so you wake up just steps from the citadel entrance.”
Highlights of the experience:
🍽 Gourmet Peruvian cuisine, thoughtfully paired with regional wines and served as you glide toward the Lost City
🎶 Live music and attentive onboard service, adding rhythm and warmth to the ride
🌄 Uninterrupted views of towering peaks and misty jungle from glass-domed carriages and open-air observation decks
It’s the kind of travel moment you’ll remember forever—not just for the scenery, but for how it made you feel: relaxed, inspired, and completely present
Read more: The best things to do in Machu Picchu
4. Discover Hidden Incan Sites with a Private Archaeologist
Machu Picchu might be the icon—but it’s just one chapter in a much larger story. With one of our trusted local guides—or even an archaeologist—you’ll uncover the lesser-known sites that most travelers never reach.
Think of this as your invitation to step off the beaten path and into Peru’s deeper past.
What makes this experience special:
🗺 Tailored excursions to sites like Moray, Ollantaytambo, or the breathtaking Choquequirao—customized to your pace and passions
🚙 Private drivers or helicopter access, giving you more time to explore and less time navigating logistics
🧵 Meaningful moments with local artisans and historians, where culture isn’t just observed—it’s shared
This is travel for the curious. The kind of experience that gives you stories to tell long after your journey ends.
5. Sacred Valley Wellness & Cultural Immersion
The most meaningful journeys aren’t rushed—they’re felt. That’s why we always recommend slowing down in the Sacred Valley, where the energy of the land invites you to reconnect, recharge, and experience Peru in a more intentional way.
This is your chance to go deeper: to learn from local artisans, take part in time-honored traditions, and simply breathe in the stillness of the Andes.
Experiences we love to curate:
🥬 Garden-to-table cooking classes with local chefs, where you’ll harvest your own ingredients and learn the secrets of Andean cuisine
💆♂️ Restorative wellness rituals, from hot stone massages to hydrotherapy circuits—all with breathtaking mountain views
🍃 Sacred ceremonies and ancestral practices, like coca leaf readings or offerings to Pachamama, led by trusted spiritual guides
This isn’t just a pause in your itinerary—it’s a moment to truly feel the spirit of Peru.
✨ Your Machu Picchu Itinerary—Done Differently
Curated Peru Trips to Spark Your Imagination
There’s no one-size-fits-all way to experience Machu Picchu—and that’s exactly the point. We believe in journeys that feel personal, intentional, and unforgettable. So if you’re wondering what a thoughtfully curated itinerary could look like, here’s a little inspiration from one of our favorite custom trips.
This is not just about checking off a bucket list—this is about slowing down, connecting with the land, and seeing Peru with fresh eyes and open heart.
🗺️ Machu Picchu Itinerary: A Curated 13-Day Journey Through Peru
From the calm of the Sacred Valley to a private sunrise at Machu Picchu and a deep dive into the Amazon, this itinerary blends iconic sights with thoughtful experiences—crafted by local experts who know how to avoid the crowds and reveal the magic behind each destination.
📍 Highlights include:
Boutique lodge stays and garden-to-table dining in the Sacred Valley
A panoramic train ride through the Andes with fine food and live music
A private sunrise tour of Machu Picchu with your own expert guide
Time to recharge with wellness rituals and cultural immersion
Day-by-Day Machu Picchu Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Lima
✔️Transfer to your hotel in Miraflores
✔️Sunset stroll along the coast and dinner at a favorite local spot
Day 2: Discover Lima’s Flavors
✔️Guided visit to a local market
✔️ Hands-on cooking class with a Peruvian chef
Day 3: Fly to Cusco & Settle into the Sacred Valley
✔️ Morning flight to Cusco
✔️ Transfer to a handpicked lodge in the Sacred Valley (e.g. Inkaterra Hacienda Urubamba)
✔️ Enjoy a welcome dinner featuring organic, garden-grown ingredients
Day 4: Sacred Valley Immersion & Cultural Connection
✔️ Visit the circular terraces of Moray and the shimmering Maras Salt Mines
✔️ Garden-to-table lunch at a local hacienda
✔️ Participate in a coca leaf ceremony or visit with a local weaving community
Day 5: Ollantaytambo & Scenic Train Ride to Machu Picchu
✔️ Morning visit to Ollantaytambo ruins with your private guide
✔️ Board the Belmond Hiram Bingham or Inca Rail First Class for a panoramic train journey through the Andes
✔️ Onboard experience includes fine dining, live music, and spectacular valley views
✔️Overnight in Aguas Calientes
Day 6: Machu Picchu at Sunrise – A Moment to Remember
✔️ Early entrance to Machu Picchu, timed to avoid the crowds and catch the morning light
✔️ Private guided tour with storytelling tailored to your interests
✔️ Optional short hike to the Sun Gate or Inca Bridge
✔️ Afternoon at leisure or a rooftop Pisco Sour masterclass back in Aguas Calientes
Day 7: Return to Cusco at Your Own Pace
✔️ Morning to rest or explore the artisan markets
✔️ Scenic train ride back to Cusco and evening at leisure in the historic center
Day 8: Discover the Magic of Cusco
✔️ Explore Sacsayhuamán, Qorikancha, and the San Blas artisan quarter
✔️ Evening dinner with a view over the Plaza de Armas
Day 9: Flight to the Amazon (Puerto Maldonado)
✔️ Transfer to a boutique jungle lodge
✔️ Guided night walk to experience the rainforest after dark
Day 10: Explore the Amazon Basin
✔️ Sunrise wildlife boat excursion
✔️ Visit a local community and learn about traditional plant medicine
Day 11: High Canopies & Jungle Adventures
✔️ Canopy walk at dawn for a bird’s-eye view of the rainforest
✔️ Afternoon kayaking or fishing expedition
Day 12: Return to Lima for a Final Night of Indulgence
✔️ Flight back to Lima
✔️ Farewell dinner at a top-rated contemporary Peruvian restaurant
Day 13: Departure
✔️Transfer to the airport for your international flight
🔗 Explore the full journey here: Peru Uncovered: From Sacred Valleys to Amazonian Adventures
Your Journey to Machu Picchu, Elevated!
Machu Picchu is a wonder—but your journey to and around it should be just as extraordinary. With curated accommodations, private access, and unforgettable moments crafted around your interests, your Machu Picchu itinerary becomes more than a trip—it becomes a story.
And if you’ve been waiting to experience an adventure like no other – we’re here to help you craft an experience that is luxurious, meaningful, and unforgettable from start to finish.
📩 Start planning Your next Trip to South America with us.
🍇 Follow our Instagram for more inspiration
From Our Hearts to Your Inbox 💌
We’ve put together a curated travel guide to South America to help you start dreaming. Inside, you’ll find the hidden gems, charming stays, and authentic experiences we love sharing with our travelers — the kind that don’t show up in generic brochures.
✨ This is your first step toward a journey designed just for you — full of wonder, connection, and beauty.
We’d be so happy to send it your way.
👉 Just let us know where, and it’s yours…GET our South America Curated Guide.
Your Machu Picchu Travel Questions, Answered
How do I get to Machu Picchu?
To reach Machu Picchu, travelers typically fly into Cusco, Peru. From Cusco, you can take a train to Aguas Calientes (also known as Machu Picchu Pueblo), followed by a bus or hike up to the archaeological site. Our team will assist you in finding the best way to travel from your departure destination.
When is the best time to visit Machu Picchu?
The ideal time to visit is during the dry season, from late April to early October, when there’s less rainfall and clearer views. The peak tourist months are May through September. For fewer crowds, consider traveling in the shoulder months of April or October.
Do I need to buy Machu Picchu tickets in advance?
Yes, it is highly encouraged that tickets should be bought weeks or even months in advance, especially during the high season (May–September), as daily entries are limited. At Across South America, we take the stress out of this and assist you in purchasing your tickets as part of your travel itinerary.
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Ready to experience the adventure of a lifetime in Peru?
Hi, we’re Maria and Clara — two South American sisters who’ve spent years crafting deeply personal journeys for travelers seeking something authentic, meaningful, and unforgettable
We’ll help you plan a custom journey tailored to your interests, and travel style. Whether you want to hike the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, explore the Amazon rainforest, sandboard in Huacachina, or connect with local culture in the Sacred Valley, we’ll handle all the details. From flights and accommodations to guided treks, cultural tours, and off-the-beaten-path experiences, we’ll make sure your Peruvian adventure is seamless and unforgettable.
Your journey through Peru’s most iconic landscapes and hidden gems starts here.
Contact us today to start planning your unforgettable journey to South America!
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