6-Day Private Tour from Lima: Cusco, Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu

What makes this Lima to Machu Picchu trip interesting is the way it connects Peru’s big landmarks into one tidy flow, instead of stitching together a bunch of separate tours. I like the private guide, because you can set the pace and ask the questions you actually care about.

I also love that the Sacred Valley day includes multiple Inca sites in a single loop, then you still make it to Aguas Calientes for the Machu Picchu day. The one drawback to consider is that the key flights are not included, so you need to line up your Lima to Cusco and Cusco back to Lima timing yourself.

Key highlights

• A private, English-speaking guide for all the main touring so you are not stuck reading signs
• Cusco’s core sights on Day 3, including Qorikancha and a real look at daily life at San Pedro Market
• Salinas de Maras and Moray as a paired stop, plus Ollantaytambo ruins before heading to the train
• Round-trip train and bus between Cusco region and Machu Picchu, with Machu Picchu admission included
• Two hours of guided Machu Picchu touring, then time to explore on your own
• Well-reviewed guides and drivers including Alvaro, Fidel, Carlos, and Edwardo, with flexible support along the way

A private 6-day Lima to Machu Picchu plan, done in the right order

This itinerary is built around an obvious problem in Peru: Machu Picchu is the headliner, but it is not the only day you will spend on your feet. A good plan keeps you from wasting time backtracking. Here, Cusco is the base, the Sacred Valley is the warm-up, and then Machu Picchu happens while you are already acclimated.

You also get a private format. That matters because Cusco and the Sacred Valley can feel like a blur if you are moving with a crowd. With a private guide, you can slow down for photo stops, ask about the Inca building logic, or focus on whatever themes you prefer, like agriculture, religion, or how the Spanish-era city grew on top of Inca foundations.

Day 1 in Lima: airport transfer and a smooth first night

On Day 1, you arrive in Lima and skip the “where do we go now” stress. A private driver meets you at J Chavez Intl Airport and transfers you to your hotel.

This matters more than it sounds. If your arrival is late, jet lag hits hard. With a direct transfer, you start Day 2 ready to go.

Day 2 flight to Cusco: settle in with time on your own

Day 2 is a one-hour flight from Lima to Cusco. Flights are not included, so you will want to choose an arrival time that gives you an actual rest window after landing. Once you arrive, a driver and guide take you to your hotel, and you have the rest of the day at leisure.

Cusco is at altitude. Even if you feel fine, plan a calmer day. Use the time to get your bearings, drink water, and figure out where to grab simple food before you start moving on Day 3.

Day 3 in Cusco: San Blas, Qorikancha, and San Pedro Market

Day 3 is the “get to know Cusco” day, and it hits three different sides of the city in a smart sequence.

San Blas: stone streets and crafts

You start in San Blas, a neighborhood known for its stone lanes and older colonial-era houses. It is the kind of place where you can feel the layers of history just walking.

This stop is short on ticket time, but long on atmosphere. You are learning how locals see the city, not just where the big monuments are.

Qorikancha: the Temple of the Sun

Next is Qorikancha, the Temple of the Sun. The tour includes admission here. This is one of the most meaningful sites in central Cusco because it shows how Inca spirituality was tied to architecture, light, and water management.

The key practical point: you do not want to speed through it. A guide helps you connect what you see today with the stories behind it.

San Pedro Market: real daily life, not a staged show

Last, you visit Mercado Central de San Pedro. This is where Peru feels ordinary in the best way. You will see local products and get a tour of what people actually buy and eat.

One useful detail, from the way the tour is described, is that you will be shown local fruits. It is small, but it is the kind of thing that makes a market visit worth it.

Day 4 Sacred Valley loop: Maras salt terraces, Moray, and Ollantaytambo

Day 4 is a full Sacred Valley day, and the order is practical. You start with Salinas de Maras, then hit Moray, then finish with Ollantaytambo ruins before you transition to the train.

Salinas de Maras: the salt terraces

Salinas de Maras is a bit off the main tourist straight-line, and that is the point. The salt terraces spread across the hillside in a pattern that feels engineered, almost like an outdoor grid designed for work.

You also get the feel for traditional life here. People still wear traditional clothing, and the town has historical buildings. It adds a human layer to what could otherwise be only a photo stop.

Moray: circular terraces and an Inca agriculture experiment

Then you visit Moray, known for its circular terraces that the Incas used like an agricultural laboratory. It is fascinating because it shows the Inca approach to experimentation and microclimates, not just empire-size monuments.

This is also a good “breather” stop in the middle of the day, because you can walk slowly, take in the geometry, and then refocus for the heavier ruins later.

Lunch in a local house

You have lunch included during this day, described as being in a local house. Package lunches are not always the best measure of quality, but here it is built into the day so you do not burn hours chasing food between sites.

Ollantaytambo ruins, then train to Aguas Calientes

After Moray, you visit Ollantaytambo and its impressive ruins, temples, and terraces. This is where you start to see the Inca world as built to last and defend, not just worship.

After the Sacred Valley tour, you transfer to the Ollantaytambo train station and take the train to Aguas Calientes for about an hour and a half.

Why ending Sacred Valley at Ollantaytambo matters

Ollantaytambo is not just another ruin stop. It is the hinge between “day touring” and “Machu Picchu day logistics.” Ending there keeps the day efficient and reduces the stress of switching transportation modes at the last minute.

Day 5 Machu Picchu: guided orientation, then your own pace

Machu Picchu day is the heart of the trip, and the plan is built to help you get value fast.

You start with a guided visit to Machu Picchu at the Sanctuario Historico de Machu Picchu. The tour includes admission and lasts about two hours with time to learn about the history and visit major areas like the Temples of the Sun and the Condor. You will also see aqueducts, houses, and the Inca Sacred Terraces.

Then the best part: you get time to explore on your own. That matters because Machu Picchu is not a single viewpoint. Different paths give you different angles on the ruins and the valley below.

Optional hikes: Sun Gate and Huayna Picchu are separate decisions

The tour notes a few short trek ideas, like a route to the Sun Gate for views over Machu Picchu and Wayna Picchu, or a visit to the Incan Bridge. Entrance tickets for additional viewpoints like the Sun Gate route are not included, and Huayna Picchu is an optional add-on at $15 USD per person.

If you like variety and you are feeling strong on your feet, consider the extra hike. If you want a calmer day, stick to the main circuits and spend your energy on photos and slowing down.

Return to Cusco after your Machu Picchu time

In the afternoon, you return to Aguas Calientes and take the train back to Cusco. A private driver then transfers you to your hotel.

In real life, this back-half of the day is where a lot of tours fall apart, because people end up stuck in lines or chasing directions. Here, the transport is included and structured, so you are not improvising your way through the last step.

Day 6 Cusco back to Lima: airport drop so you catch your connection

On the final day, you transfer to Cusco Airport for the domestic flight to Lima. Domestic flights are not included, so you will want to confirm your timing based on your own international connection.

This day is straightforward on purpose. After Machu Picchu, you do not need another complicated schedule. You just need a reliable departure.

Price and logistics: what you pay for at $1,383.34 per person

At $1,383.34 per person, the value comes from how many “costly headaches” the package removes.

What you get included:

• 5 nights of accommodation in carefully selected hotels
• Professional English-speaking private guide
• Private van and professional driver
• All excursions and tours
• Round-trip train and bus to Machu Picchu
• Machu Picchu entrance
• Partial tourist ticket
• Breakfasts (5) and a lunch during the program

What costs extra:

• International flights
• Domestic flights on Day 2 (Lima to Cusco) and Day 6 (Cusco to Lima)
• Optional Huayna Picchu hike for $15 USD per person

The biggest “value” factor is that you are not paying extra for each movement between regions. Machu Picchu transport and entrances tend to add up quickly if you book piece by piece. Here, those essentials are already bundled.

One more detail that matters for budgeting: accommodations are listed as double occupancy. If you are booking a single, you might need a different room arrangement, and the tour asks you for the bed type you prefer (single or matrimonial).

Guides and real-world service: Alvaro, Fidel, Carlos, and Edwardo show up in the feedback

A private tour lives or dies by the guide. In the feedback connected to this kind of itinerary, names that pop up include Alvaro (leading the full experience for multiple groups), Fidel (as a guide on at least one trip), plus Carlos (as a driver). Another guide name mentioned is Edwardo.

What you should take from that: you are very likely to get a guide who explains more than facts. Several comments highlight guides answering questions clearly and keeping the pace comfortable, with a balance of guided time and free time.

There is also one real-world hiccup worth knowing about. One account notes that on arrival in Machu Picchu, there was no one immediately there to pick them up, and they contacted the hotel, which handled a quick resolution. That is not the same as saying transfers always fail, but it is a reminder to keep your hotel contact info handy in Aguas Calientes.

Hotels, meals, and comfort after altitude and long days

The package includes breakfasts and at least one included lunch. It also notes that vegetarian options are available if you request them when booking.

Since Cusco and the Sacred Valley days are active, meals matter. Having at least one planned lunch reduces the chances you end up eating late or on the wrong side of the station chaos. And because the tour includes a mix of markets and local stops, you get both comfort and local texture.

On hotel quality, the listing only says carefully selected hotels. But real feedback mentions comfortable, clean stays, and one Lima night was described as having a view over the Pacific Ocean with breakfast included. You can treat that as a bonus, not a guarantee.

Who this tour is best for, and who should rethink it

This is a strong match if you:

• want a private guide and a clear plan from Lima through Machu Picchu
• prefer structured timing for transport, entrances, and trains
• like history explanations but still want time to roam, especially at Machu Picchu

It might be less ideal if you:

• already have flights perfectly timed and you want to build a cheaper DIY trip, because domestic flights and optional hikes can still add costs
• are extremely sensitive to altitude, since the itinerary includes Cusco and a full Sacred Valley day

One practical note from the tour data: most people can participate, and it is described as being near public transportation. If you have specific mobility needs, you should ask for details before booking, because the day involves walking at multiple sites.

Should you book this Cusco, Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu private tour?

If your goal is to see Machu Picchu without turning your trip into a logistics project, I think this booking makes sense. The included train and bus, Machu Picchu admission, and a private guide for the key history stops are the big reasons it is good value.

I would book it if you want:

• a guided Cusco foundation (San Blas, Qorikancha, and the market)
• a full Sacred Valley day with Salinas de Maras, Moray, and Ollantaytambo
• a Machu Picchu visit that mixes orientation with free time to explore

I would pause only if you are not ready to handle your domestic flight timing, or if the optional Huayna Picchu hike is a must-have for you and you want to budget and plan that separately.

FAQ

What is the duration of the tour?

It is a 6-day, 5-night private tour (approx.).

Where does the tour start?

It starts with pickup at J Chavez Intl Airport in Lima, Peru.

Are international flights included?

No. International flights are not included.

Are domestic flights included?

No. Domestic flights are not included, including the Lima to Cusco flight on Day 2 and the Cusco to Lima flight on Day 6.

What parts of the tour are included for Machu Picchu?

Machu Picchu admission is included, along with round-trip train and bus to Machu Picchu.

Is Huayna Picchu included?

Huayna Picchu is optional. The hike costs $15 USD per person, and it is not included by default.

Are meals included?

Yes. Lunch is included, and there are 5 breakfasts included.

Is the tour vegetarian-friendly?

Yes. A vegetarian option is available if you request it at booking.

Is this a group tour or private?

It is a private tour. Only your group participates, with a minimum of 2 people per booking.

What details are required for booking?

You need passport name, number, expiry, and country for all participants, and the tour asks for a scanned copy or picture of your passport. You also indicate bed type (single or matrimonial).