Machu Picchu Moderate 4-Day Tour
4-day Machu Picchu cultural experience
Duration:
4 Days / 3 Nights
Location:
Cusco
Difficulty:
challenging
Availability:
All year
Description of 4 day Machu Picchu tour
This 4-day Machu Picchu tour is designed for travelers with limited time who wish to visit the main highlights of Cusco and the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu.
The program begins with an airport transfer to your hotel in Cusco, where you will have time to rest and acclimatize. On the second day, you will explore the Sacred Valley of the Incas, visiting key archaeological sites such as Pisac and Ollantaytambo, as well as the artisan center of Awanacancha and the town of Urubamba.
On the third day, you will travel by train to Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu Pueblo), where you will have free time to explore the town, visit local restaurants, or relax before the visit to Machu Picchu.
The final day includes an early visit to Machu Picchu with a guided tour of the citadel. After the visit, you will return to Cusco and later be transferred to the airport, concluding the tour.
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Airport – Hotel in Cusco
Upon arrival at Cusco Airport, our staff will be waiting to transfer you to your hotel. Please provide your flight number and arrival time in advance to coordinate your pick-up. Upon arrival at the hotel, you will be welcomed and have time to rest and acclimatize to the altitude of Cusco (3,399 m / 11,151 ft).
You will have the afternoon free for acclimatization. If your arrival is earlier than the official check-in time, you may use the hotel’s common areas while waiting for your room to be available.
Important Tips for Your Arrival in Cusco
Cusco is located at high altitude, so it is important to allow time for acclimatization. If you feel tired upon arrival, it is recommended to rest and avoid strenuous activity during the first hours. Many visitors choose to drink coca tea as a traditional way to support acclimatization.
Light walking around the city, such as visiting the Plaza de Armas or exploring nearby streets, can help your body gradually adjust to the altitude. Staying hydrated and eating light meals during the first days is also advisable.
During your free time, you may visit the Qosqo Center for Native Art, which offers traditional music and dance performances from the region. The show begins at 6:00 p.m., and early arrival is recommended due to demand. If your package includes the Cusco Tourist Ticket, entry may be included; otherwise, the entrance fee is approximately S/ 25.00 per person.
Overnight: Hotel in Cusco
Meals included: None
Maximum Height: 3399 msnm
Walking time: Full Day
Day 2: Sacred Valley of the Incas – Aguas Calientes (Awanacancha, Pisac, Urubamba, and Ollantaytambo) – 8-Hour Tour
On this day, you will explore the Sacred Valley of the Incas, also known as the Vilcanota Valley. We begin with a visit to the archaeological site of Pisac, located on a mountain ridge overlooking the valley. The complex features agricultural terraces and Inca stone structures integrated into the natural landscape.
Afterward, we visit the local artisan market, where you can observe and purchase traditional handicrafts. We continue through Urubamba, where we will stop for lunch and enjoy a buffet featuring typical Peruvian cuisine, including a variety of salads, soups, main dishes, and desserts.
In the afternoon, we visit the archaeological complex of Ollantaytambo, a historic Inca town that served military, religious, and administrative purposes. You will walk through its streets and explore the terraces and stone structures that remain in use today.
Following the visit, you will board the train to Aguas Calientes. Upon arrival, a hotel representative will meet you and escort you to your hotel.
Important Tips
We recommend carrying only a small overnight backpack with essential items such as money, light clothing, travel documents, camera, and personal hygiene products. The rest of your luggage can remain at your hotel in Cusco, as you will return there after visiting Machu Picchu.
After the visit to Ollantaytambo, you will have free time before your train departure. You may use this time to explore the town or visit local cafés. The region of Quillabamba produces high-quality coffee that can be found in several establishments in Ollantaytambo.
Overnight: Hotel in Aguas Calientes
Meals included: Breakfast and lunch
Maximum Height: 3000 msnm
Walking time: Full Day
Day 3: Machu Picchu – Cusco (2.5-Hour Guided Tour)
In the morning, at the scheduled time, your guide will meet you at your hotel in Aguas Calientes and accompany you to the bus station. You will take a 20-minute bus ride along a winding road ascending approximately 400 meters to reach the Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu, also known as the Lost City of the Incas.
Upon arrival at the citadel, we will begin a guided tour lasting approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes, visiting the main sectors of Machu Picchu and learning about its historical and architectural significance.
In the afternoon, we will return to Aguas Calientes, where you will have free time for lunch at one of the local restaurants (lunch not included). Later, according to train availability, we will board the train to Ollantaytambo and then continue by bus to Cusco. Upon arrival in Cusco, you will be transferred to your hotel.
Important Information
Since January 1, 2019, Machu Picchu operates under a regulated entry system with scheduled time slots. The visit follows a one-way circuit, and re-entry is not permitted once you exit the site. The only exception applies to visitors with additional tickets for Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain. In these cases, the duration of the guided tour may be reduced to approximately 1.5 hours to accommodate the mountain climb schedule.
Important Tips
We recommend leaving your main luggage at the hotel in Aguas Calientes and carrying only essential items such as your entrance ticket, passport, cash, hat, sunscreen, and insect repellent. If time permits, you may visit the Manuel Chávez Ballón Museum, the official site museum of Machu Picchu. Entry after midday is free upon presentation of a valid passport.
Please note that queues for the shuttle bus and train are common during both high and low seasons. Our team will assist you with coordination throughout the day.
Optional Services
Private guide service (available upon request)
Lunch at Sanctuary Lodge (USD 45.00 per person, advance reservation required)
Overnight: Hotel in Cusco
Meals included: Breakfast
Maximum Height: 2650 msnm
Walking time: Full Day
Day 4: Hotel – Cusco Airport
According to your flight schedule, we will pick you up from your hotel and transfer you to Cusco Airport. This concludes our services.
Check-in time: 12:00 p.m.
Check-out time: 9:00 a.m.
Meals included: Breakfast
Note: If your departure flight is scheduled after the hotel check-out time, you may use the hotel’s common areas while waiting for your transfer to the airport.
What's Included
Day 1:
Private transfer: Cusco Airport – Hotel in Cusco
Assistance
Day 2:
Shared Sacred Valley Tour (transportation, professional guide, entrance tickets, and lunch)
Tourist train: Ollantaytambo – Aguas Calientes (PeruRail or Inca Rail)
Assistance
Day 3:
Round-trip bus ticket: Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu – Aguas Calientes
Entrance ticket to Machu Picchu
Professional English-speaking guide
Private guided tour of Machu Picchu
Train ticket: Aguas Calientes – Ollantaytambo (PeruRail or Inca Rail)
Transfer: Ollantaytambo train station – Cusco hotel
Assistance
Day 4:
Private transfer: Hotel in Cusco – Cusco Airport
Assistance
Hotels:
2 nights in Cusco (breakfast included)
1 night in Aguas Calientes (breakfast included)
24-hour assistance
Does not include
Drinks (except those mentioned in the itinerary)
Meals (except those mentioned in the itinerary)
Snacks
Phone calls
Personal expenses
Tips / gratuities
Travel insurance
Prices
on 2 people
on 3 people
on 4 people
on 5 people
on 6 people
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