Cusco, Sacred Valley & Machu Picchu: A Private Luxury Journey
This is Peru at its most extraordinary. A private journey through the Sacred Valley, the Lost City of the Incas and the ancient capital of Cusco, designed entirely around your interests, pace and travel style. From elegant picnics in the shadow of the Andes and lunches at MIL by Virgilio Martínez, to arriving at Machu Picchu through the original Gate of the Sun, every moment of this journey is crafted to go far beyond the standard visitor experience. No two journeys are the same. Every detail is tailored to you.
HIGHLIGHTS
Private guided experiences throughout
Exclusive access to local communities, weaving cooperatives and artisan traditions
Food tours and workshops
Arrival at Machu Picchu by luxury Hiram Bingham train or via the Inca Trail through the Gate of the Sun
Fully flexible, tailor-made itinerary
Suggested duration: 7–10 days
Starting from: Contact us for pricing based on group size and travel dates
The Sacred Valley: Andean Life, Ancient Ruins & Exclusive Encounters
Your journey begins in the Sacred Valley of the Incas, a fertile basin stretching between Pisac and Ollantaytambo at a more comfortable altitude than Cusco, making it the ideal place to acclimatize while immersing yourself in the living culture of the Andes. Over two to three days, the valley reveals itself slowly: ancient terraces and ruins, traditional communities, extraordinary food, and landscapes that stop you in your tracks.
Experiences may include:
Private guided exploration of Pisac ruins
Horseback riding on Peruvian Paso horses through the valley
Private Andean shaman ceremony
Mountain biking
Elegant picnic lunch in the shadow of the Andes
Guided tour of the Maras Salt Terraces
Hidden hike from Urubamba to the Maras Salt Flats, one of the least-known trails in the valley
Weaving demonstration with the Callanaupa cooperative in Chinchero
Visit to local community homes and traditional farmland
Potato wine and oca wine tasting with Manuel Choque, whose wines are now served in New York and Tokyo
Pisco tasting and ceviche demonstration
Lunch at MIL by Virgilio Martínez, perched at 3,500 metres above the Moray ruins
Each day in the Sacred Valley is shaped entirely around your interests and pace, with experiences designed to go far beyond what any standard itinerary offers.
Machu Picchu: The Lost City of the Incas
No photograph prepares you for Machu Picchu. The 15th-century citadel, hidden in the cloud forest high above the Urubamba River, was never found by the Spanish conquistadors and remained largely unknown to the outside world until 1911. Named one of the New Seven Wonders of the World in 2007, it is the most breathtaking archaeological site in the Americas. We offer two distinct ways to arrive, each creating a completely different experience of the same extraordinary place.
Experiences may include:
Arrival by the legendary Hiram Bingham luxury train, with gourmet dining, live music and 1920s-style carriages
Alternative arrival via the Km 104 Inca Trail, hiking the final portion of the original Inca path through cloud forest and Inca ruins to the Gate of the Sun
Private guided exploration of the citadel with an expert archaeologist guide
Optional hike up Machu Picchu Mountain for panoramic views above the citadel
Lunch at the Sanctuary Lodge, located directly at the entrance to the ruins
Whether you arrive by luxury train or through the Gate of the Sun on foot, Machu Picchu is an experience that stays with you for the rest of your life. Your guide brings the history, engineering and spiritual significance of the site to life in a way that no self-guided visit can replicate.
Cusco: The Ancient Capital of the Inca Empire
Cusco was the capital of the largest empire in pre-Columbian America, and despite centuries of Spanish colonial overlay, the city's Inca foundations remain everywhere: in the perfectly cut stone walls beneath colonial churches, in the cobblestone streets of San Blas, and in the living culture of its markets and communities. Two to three days here reveal a city of extraordinary depth.
Experiences may include:
Private guided tour of Sacsayhuamán, the imperial citadel overlooking the city
Cusco Central Market visit and private cooking class with a local chef
Walking tour of the Plaza de Armas, Qorikancha (Temple of the Sun) and San Blas neighborhood
Private music demonstration of traditional Peruvian instruments with musician
Visit to the Gothic-Renaissance cathedral and its collection of over 400 works from the Escuela Cusqueña school of painting
Cusco rewards those who look beneath its colonial surface. With a private guide and the time to explore at your own pace, the ancient capital of the Inca world reveals layers of history, culture and daily life that most visitors never discover.
Is This Journey Right for You?
Why Choose This Journey
A perfectly balanced combination of archaeological discovery, Andean cultural immersion and world-class gastronomy
Carefully selected luxury accommodations
Exclusive experiences unavailable to independent travelers, from the potato wine tasting with Manuel Choque to a private shaman ceremony
Two distinct ways to arrive at Machu Picchu, chosen based on your interests and physical preference
Fully flexible and personalized from start to finish
Ideal For
First-time visitors to Peru seeking the complete Inca experience at a luxury level
Travelers who want both cultural depth and physical adventure
Couples, families and small groups looking for a private, exclusive journey
Food and gastronomy travelers drawn by Peru's extraordinary culinary scene
Start Planning Your PERU Journey
This itinerary is fully customizable. Share your preferences and travel dates and we'll design a journey tailored entirely to you.
Explore our full Peru destination page for more experiences and inspiration.