Independent Machu Picchu & Cusco Getaway
Peru
Four days from Cusco that get you to Machu Picchu properly: a private guided day in the Sacred Valley (Pisaq market, Ollantaytambo) with a night in the valley, the Vistadome train to Aguas Calientes and a guided visit to Machu Picchu, then a free day in Cusco. Three breakfasts and two lunches included; a Local Host in Cusco. Independent package: no Tour Director. Maximum elevation 12,200 ft.
From $1,609 pp
Per person, two sharing · land only — flights from home not included · 4 days
- Next departure
- Jan 31, 2027 · $1,609
- Departures open
- 33
- Meals
- 3 breakfasts, 2 lunches
- Operator
- Globus / Cosmos
Or call / text 954-698-4438
Itinerary, hotels and inclusions checked against Globus / Cosmos's own page on Sep 3, 2026. Dates and prices are read live from the operator's feed.
Our take
This is the efficient way to do Machu Picchu if Peru is part of a bigger trip or you simply do not want ten days. Sleeping in the Sacred Valley on the first night is the right call — it is lower than Cusco and gets you to the train early. Globus is direct about the physical side: cobblestones, stairs and altitude over 10,000 feet make modest exertion hard, and you must arrive in Cusco by 11 am on Day 1. Plan flights accordingly.
Highlights
- 2 UNESCO World Heritage sites on the route: City of Cusco, Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu
- Private guided sightseeing in the Sacred Valley, including a visit to Pisaq market and Ollantaytambo Incan ruins
- Guided tour of Machu Picchu’s temple remains and ancient structures
- 3 nights in listed hotels, 3 breakfasts, 2 lunches
- 33 departures currently open across 2027, from $1,609 per person, land only — flights from home not included
Who this trip suits
- Travelers adding Machu Picchu to Lima, the Amazon or a South America cruise
- Fit, independent travelers who want the logistics — train, entry, guide — handled
- Couples who prefer a private guided day to a coach group
- People short on vacation days who still want to do the site properly
Who should look elsewhere
- Anyone with heart or breathing conditions or who has struggled at altitude before — talk to your doctor first
- Travelers who cannot manage stairs and uneven paths; Machu Picchu is all of that
- People wanting a Tour Director and a group for the whole trip
- Those who cannot reach Cusco by 11 am on Day 1 — the Sacred Valley tour departs then
Day by day
Globus / Cosmos's published itinerary, checked Sep 3, 2026
1ArrivalArrive in Cusco–Sacred ValleyLunch
Arrive in Cusco where you will be met by your Local Host. (Please arrive no later than 11:00 am.) Together, embark on a private tour into the Urubamba Valley and the Sacred Valley of the Incas for lunch. Visit the market town of Pisaq, where you can buy handmade rugs, alpaca sweaters, and jewelry at bargain prices. At the other end of the valley, visit Ollantaytambo to see some of the finest examples of Inca masonry. Stay overnight in the Sacred Valley.
Meals: Lunch
2Sacred Valley–Machu Picchu–CuscoSacred Valley–Machu Picchu–CuscoBreakfastLunch
This morning, transfer to the Ollanta train station where you will board the Vistadome Train. Embark on a short journey through the lush Urubamba Valley to Aguas Calientes, the town at the base of the mountain where Machu Picchu, the “Lost City of the Incas,” is located. Upon arrival, transfer to a motorcoach for the ascent to the legendary ruins high above the steep valley overlaid with dense tropical jungle. On a guided tour, explore this intact fortress with its temple remains, holy houses, and mile-long aqueduct. Your Local Guide will bring you closer to the lives and mysteries still hidden in these amazing structures built by the Pre-Columbian masters of this sacred land. Later this afternoon, return by train to Cusco, the ancient capital of the Incas.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
3CuscoCuscoBreakfast
Enjoy a full day at leisure to explore the city of Cusco.
Free-time ideas · Perhaps take an optional walking tour to learn more about the Incas and their struggle against invading Spaniards. Visits include the imposing Cathedral and the Inca Temple of the Sun, Koricancha, which became the Spaniards’ Santo Domingo Monastery.
Meals: Breakfast
4CuscoCuscoBreakfast
Your vacation ends after breakfast this morning.
Meals: Breakfast
Dates & prices
Read from Globus / Cosmos's departures feed · per person, two sharing · land only — flights from home not included
| Departs | Returns | Group | Price pp | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 2, 2026 | Nov 5 | Standard | $1,549 | Sold out |
| Nov 9, 2026 | Nov 12 | Standard | $1,549 | Sold out |
| Nov 16, 2026 | Nov 19 | Standard | $1,549 | Please call |
| Nov 23, 2026 | Nov 26 | Standard | $1,549 | Please call |
| Nov 30, 2026 | Dec 3 | Standard | $1,549 | Please call |
| Dec 7, 2026 | Dec 10 | Standard | $1,549 | Please call |
| Dec 14, 2026 | Dec 17 | Standard | $1,549 | Please call |
| Dec 21, 2026 | Dec 24 | Standard | $1,549 | Sold out |
| Dec 28, 2026 | Dec 31 | Standard | $1,549 | Sold out |
| Jan 3, 2027 | Jan 6 | Standard | $1,699 | Sold out |
| Jan 10, 2027 | Jan 13 | Standard | $1,609 | Please call |
| Jan 17, 2027 | Jan 20 | Standard | $1,609 | Please call |
| Jan 24, 2027 | Jan 27 | Standard | $1,609 | Please call |
| Jan 31, 2027 | Feb 3 | Standard | $1,609 | Available |
45 more departures scheduled — ask us for the full calendar. Prices are the operator's current published rates and can change until a deposit is paid; we reconfirm on enquiry.
Where you stay
Hotels as listed by Globus / Cosmos, “as shown or similar.” Tap a hotel name to see it on Google Maps.
Sacred Valley
Sonesta Posadas del Inca - Sacred Valley - YucayFirst-Class
Bursting with character, the Sonesta Posadas del Inca hotel is the leader in boutique hotels in the Sacred Valley. Featuring a rustic ambiance with modern comforts, dynamite local cuisine, and…
Cusco
Novotel Cusco, located in the historic city center of Cusco, is in the perfect spot for discovering the Inca civilization. The hotel is in a 16th century building, and is an ideal starting point for…
What's included
- A Globus Local Host in the destination to call on, and Local Guides on the included sightseeing
- 3 nights in the hotels listed below ("as shown or similar")
- 3 breakfasts, 2 lunches — see the day-by-day for which days
- Transfers between tour cities as shown in the itinerary
- Private guided sightseeing in the Sacred Valley, including a visit to Pisaq market and Ollantaytambo Incan ruins
- Scenic roundtrip train ride through the Andes to Machu Picchu
- Guided tour of Machu Picchu’s temple remains and ancient structures
What's not included
- International airfare — every price on this page is land-only; we quote flights from South Florida with your dates
- Airport transfers at the start and end unless stated in the itinerary (Globus adds them when air is booked through them)
- Meals not listed: about 2 lunches and 3 dinners, plus drinks with meals
- Gratuities for drivers, Local Guides and hotel staff
- Optional excursions, bookable from 90 days before departure
- Travel protection — recommended, and we will price it alongside the tour
- Single supplement for solo travelers — quoted on request
The real cost of this trip
The “from” price is the operator's land-only rate. This is what sits on top of it, so the number you budget is the number you pay.
| Flights from South Florida | Not included. We price them with your dates; arriving a day early is worth it when the tour starts with an evening meet-up. |
| Airport transfers | Not included on the standard tour. Globus adds them when air is booked through them; otherwise a taxi or pre-booked car. |
| Flights to Cusco | Lima–Cusco flights are not included; we add them so you arrive by the 11 am Day 1 cutoff. |
| Meals not covered | 3 breakfasts, 2 lunches are in. Budget for the rest, plus drinks. |
| Gratuities | Driver, guide and hotel tips are extra. |
| Optional excursions | Offered from 90 days before departure and on tour. Not required to enjoy the itinerary. |
| Travel protection | Not included. We recommend it for a trip at this price point and quote it with the tour. |
| Solo travelers | A single supplement applies. We quote it per departure. |
Good to know
- Independent tour
- This is an Independent tour with private and shared transportation as noted in the day-by-day itinerary. Local Guide service is provided in Cusco.
- Operator's note
- Intra-vacation flights are not included but can be added.
- Walking & altitude
- Maximum enjoyment of this vacation requires walking on cobblestone streets, uneven pathways, and climbing stairs. Elevations exceeding 10,000 feet can make even modest exertion a challenge.
- Independent package
- No Tour Director and no group. A Globus Local Host is available in the destination, sightseeing is on the days shown, and the rest of the time is yours.
- Price basis
- Per person, based on two sharing a room, land only — flights from home not included. Hotels are as listed or similar.
- Start and finish
- 4-Day Package from Cusco to Cusco.
Group minimums
Group rates and amenities unlock at these tiers. Negotiated through Travel Connects' supplier relationships.
| Tier | What you get |
|---|---|
| 8+ guests | Group pricing starts here — Globus quotes group rates from 8 travelers. Ask us for a group quote. |
| 20+ guests | Custom itinerary available — Globus can build a tailor-made version of this tour. |
Gallery
Questions we get about this trip
Is airfare included?
No. Every price on this page is land-only. We quote flights from Fort Lauderdale or Miami with your dates, and Globus can add airport transfers when the air is on their booking.
Are flights to Cusco included?
No. Globus notes that intra-vacation flights are not included but can be added; we book Lima–Cusco with your international ticket so the 11 am arrival works.
How hard is the altitude?
Cusco sits above 11,000 ft and the tour reaches 12,200 ft. Globus's own note says elevations over 10,000 feet can make modest exertion a challenge. Ask your doctor about altitude medication and give yourself an easy first afternoon.
How much walking is there?
Globus's own note: Maximum enjoyment of this vacation requires walking on cobblestone streets, uneven pathways, and climbing stairs. Elevations exceeding 10,000 feet can make even modest exertion a challenge. If that is a concern, tell us before you commit and we will talk it through rather than hope for the best.
Which dates are cheapest?
Prices vary by departure — the dates table on this page is read from Globus's own feed, so what you see is current. Shoulder-season departures are usually the lower-priced ones; any Small Group departures cost more.
What if we need to cancel?
Globus's published terms apply and the fee schedule depends on the departure and whether air is booked through them. We link the terms rather than restate them, and we walk you through the exact figures on your reservation before you pay a deposit.
Cancellation policy
Globus' published Travel Terms & Conditions apply. Deposit amounts, final payment dates and the cancellation fee schedule vary by product and departure date, and differ again for air booked through Globus; the exact figures are confirmed on your reservation. Full terms: globusjourneys.com/terms
