Machu Picchu
Visits can be shaped in different ways, from arriving by scenic train and transfer to incorporating gentle walks or more challenging hikes for those who wish. With expert guiding and careful timing, you can explore at a comfortable pace, gaining insight into Inca life, astronomy and belief systems. We recommend pairing Machu Picchu with time in the Sacred Valley, allowing for a more relaxed and rewarding experience overall.
- Much more than the citadel alone, with culture, nature, cuisine and living traditions woven through the surrounding region
- Remarkable Inca stonework and ceremonial architecture set within a dramatic Andean and cloud-forest landscape
- A wide choice of experiences, from guided exploration and scenic rail journeys to nature walks, cultural encounters and dining experiences
- Flexible access by train, with optional walks or hikes for those who wish to approach the site on foot
- Private guiding that brings history, cosmology and context to life at a pace shaped around you
- Naturally paired with the Sacred Valley and Cusco, allowing time for contrast, insight and a more relaxed rhythm
From the Team
“What makes Machu Picchu so compelling is not just its setting, but the stories behind it. With the right guide and the right pace, it becomes an experience of insight and atmosphere, not simply a box-ticking visit.”
Experiences to Enjoy at Machu Picchu
From refined journeys to understated moments of discovery, these are some of the most memorable ways to experience Machu Picchu and the surrounding region.From refined journeys to understated moments of discovery, these are some of the most memorable ways to experience Machu Picchu and the surrounding region.
Watch dawn unfold over the stone city, with softer light, quieter terraces and breathtaking views before the site fills with day visitors.
Discover the Inca world with a dedicated guide who brings rituals, astronomy and architecture to life with context, stories and depth.
Learn about Andean cosmology and participate in a quiet ritual that adds meaning and reflection to your visit to Machu Picchu.
Visit Quechua weavers in their homes, learning traditional dyeing and weaving techniques while supporting living textile traditions through meaningful cultural exchange.
Explore Andean ingredients and landscapes with Virgilio Martínez’s team at MIL, culminating in a multi-course tasting shaped by altitude, culture and place.
Discover Peruvian cuisine through a private cooking class, exploring local ingredients, culinary folklore and traditions behind each dish, adapted for all ages.
Explore the cloud forest with an expert ecologist, discovering hummingbirds, tanagers and hundreds of orchid species hidden within forested ravines.
Enjoy thoughtfully chosen dining settings, from private terraces to forest clearings, where Andean-inspired menus, considered wine pairings, and great conversation shape the experience.
Travel through the Sacred Valley by rail, watching highland landscapes transition toward Machu Picchu with dramatic mountain panoramas en route.
Spend time in the valley’s ancient towns, terraced ruins and artisan markets – a relaxed counterpoint to the citadel’s grandeur.
Where to Stay Near Machu Picchu
These are a small selection of our favourite places to stay close to Machu Picchu, chosen for their comfort, varied experiences and the opportunity for quieter, more private moments as part of your journey.These are a small selection of our favourite places to stay close to Machu Picchu, chosen for their comfort, varied experiences and the opportunity for quieter, more private moments as part of your journey.
At the steps of its namesake site, the five-star Sumaq Machu Picchu is ideally positioned for you to explore the wonders of the remarkable Inca citadel at your leisure.
Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo is in Aguas Calientes, the departure point for most trips to Machu Picchu.
Right at the foot of the Inca city of Machu Picchu, the Belmond Sanctuary Lodge’s location could not be more perfect. The views are breathtaking, but it is the sense of history in this place which will really blow you away.
Peru Journeys, Designed Around You
These journeys offer a sense of what’s possible in Peru. Each holiday we arrange is shaped privately around your interests, timing and pace, and adapted entirely to the way you like to travel.These journeys offer a sense of what’s possible in Peru. Each holiday we arrange is shaped privately around your interests, timing and pace, and adapted entirely to the way you like to travel.
A thoughtfully paced journey combining wildlife, culture and gentle adventure, designed for families travelling together – with private guiding, flexible days and experiences that engage all generations.
A refined journey through Peru’s most iconic regions, combining exceptional guides, characterful places to stay and carefully sequenced experiences, shaped entirely around your interests and timing.
An energetic exploration of Peru’s landscapes and culture, blending walking, cycling and outdoor experiences with private guiding, comfortable lodges and the freedom to tailor the pace.
Machu Picchu with Family
Machu Picchu can be a rewarding experience for families of all ages when planned with care. We design visits to suit families with younger children, teenagers and multi-generational groups alike, with private guides and a pace that allows time to explore and absorb the setting. For younger explorers, we can include guides experienced in engaging children through stories and discovery, with regular rest breaks built in. Beyond the citadel, the surrounding Sacred Valley offers hands-on activities – from gentle walks and cultural encounters to time outdoors – ensuring the experience feels varied and shared.
See how Machu Picchu fits into a broader Peru Family Holiday.
Families considering Machu Picchu often ask us about suitability, pacing and altitude. Here are some of the most helpful things to know when planning a visit with children.Families considering Machu Picchu often ask us about suitability, pacing and altitude. Here are some of the most helpful things to know when planning a visit with children.
When travelling privately, we’re able to shape the experience around your family. This can include arranging an additional guide whose focus is on younger explorers – bringing the site to life through stories, nature spotting and hands-on moments, while allowing parents to enjoy the history at their own pace. The pace of the visit is flexible, with time to pause, explore and absorb the setting without feeling rushed.
Beyond the citadel itself, the surrounding area offers a surprising range of family-friendly experiences, from gentle walks and scenic train journeys to creative and cultural activities in the Sacred Valley. Our article Private Journeys to Machu Picchu & the Sacred Valley shares a few ideas that often work particularly well for families.
By moving through Cusco, the Sacred Valley and on to Machu Picchu, the journey unfolds gradually, both physically and experientially. Cusco was the Inca Empire’s capital, so starting here will allow you to understand the history, architecture, and culture before seeing Machu Picchu.
Activities are paced carefully, with flexibility built in, and adjusted along the way to suit how everyone is feeling
Visiting Machu Picchu: Your Questions Answered
When planning a visit to Machu Picchu, travellers often ask us about timing, access and how to experience the site at its best. We’ve answered some of the most common questions below to help you understand what to expect.When planning a visit to Machu Picchu, travellers often ask us about timing, access and how to experience the site at its best. We’ve answered some of the most common questions below to help you understand what to expect.
The busiest months are typically June, July and August, particularly around school holidays. Travelling in the shoulder months – such as April, May, September or October – often strikes a lovely balance between favourable weather and fewer visitors.
Because we plan every journey privately, we time visits carefully around your priorities, whether that’s quieter moments on site, travelling during school holidays, or experiencing Machu Picchu in a particular light or season.
Entering Machu Picchu is a moment of pure awe, whether you pass through the iconic front gate or arrive via the Sun Gate after hiking in with your guide. An expert guide provides historical context, navigates routes efficiently and times your visit to avoid the busiest moments. With the right guide, Machu Picchu’s stories, symbolism and setting come to life in a far more meaningful way.
The majority of our clients choose to visit during quieter early or late periods, take time to rest in between, and return with fresh perspective the following day. Staying overnight nearby gives valuable flexibility and ensures the experience feels unhurried and immersive.
Many of our clients choose to stay in Aguas Calientes or the Sacred Valley, travelling up to the site early in the morning.
If you enjoy walking and have the time, multi-day hikes such as the Inca Trail offer a very different way of approaching Machu Picchu. There is also a popular one-day option, the KM104, for those who want a taste of the journey on foot. Hiking is entirely optional, and we’ll always discuss whether it’s the right fit for you as part of your wider journey.
If you’re travelling for longer, it’s also possible to look beyond Peru. We often combine Machu Picchu with destinations such as Chile or Argentina, or with places like the Galapagos Islands for a truly special, once-in-a-lifetime journey.
You can explore how this works in practice through our trip idea pages Active Peru: A Privately Guided Journey, Family Adventure in Peru and Luxury Peru Tailored to You; or see an example of a wider journey in 3 Diverse South American Countries.
A First Class Trip to Machu Picchu
Apart from the amazing hotels, stunning locations, first class service and wonderful food, the whole holiday was curated perfectly by Joanna and team. The logistics all came off without a hitch even when there were curveballs thrown at us at the 11th hour. Definitely recommend for those wishing to have a trip of a lifetime built around your own bucket-lists or adventurous desires. Peru has everything from rainforests to the Andes and the Inca trail doesn't disappoint.
Why Travel with Journeysmiths
We are a boutique travel specialist. For over 30 years we have been crafting the finest tailor-made holidays to the world’s wild places. Your time is precious and with a world to see, we understand the importance of getting it absolutely right for you every time.We are a boutique travel specialist. For over 30 years we have been crafting the finest tailor-made holidays to the world’s wild places. Your time is precious and with a world to see, we understand the importance of getting it absolutely right for you every time.
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