Machu Picchu by Train: Self-Launched Sacred Valley & Citadel Adventure
3 days · Peru
G Adventures charges £500
No-markup version: ~£250 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
A 3-day self-launched version of G Adventures' "Machu Picchu by Train Independent Adventure - Upgraded" (From $639 USD / ~£500 per person for 2 travellers). Same route — Cusco, the Sacred Valley, a scenic train through the Urubamba Valley, a guided Machu Picchu visit and back to Cusco — but booked independently: collectivo vans and public buses instead of a private van, hostel or budget guesthouse stays instead of upgraded hotels, and Machu Picchu entry + a licensed local guide booked directly through the official Ministry of Culture ticket site (or a GetYourGuide small-group tour). Costs are approximate backpacker/budget-traveller rates in GBP, per person, excluding international flights and the Lima–Cusco domestic flight. Arrive a couple of days early to acclimatise to Cusco's 3,400m altitude.
Day-by-day
Cusco to Ollantaytambo & Aguas Calientes via the Sacred Valley
Sacred Valley / Aguas Calientes
Start early from Cusco and head into the Sacred Valley on your own. Take a collectivo van from Cusco's Paradero Pavitos or pick up a shared minibus/tour bus to Pisac (~S/8–10, ~£2, 1hr) and wander the famous Sunday-style artisan market. Continue by collectivo to Urubamba (~S/5–8) then Ollantaytambo, where you can climb the terraces of the Ollantaytambo fortress (part of the Boleto Turístico, ~S/130 or ~£28 if you want the full multi-site ticket — alternatively the standalone site ticket is cheaper). For a weaving demonstration, call into one of the community weaving cooperatives around Chinchero or Ccaccaccollo (ask your guesthouse to arrange; small donation or purchase expected) — this is the independent equivalent of the G Adventures-supported women's weaving co-op. Lunch at a community-run restaurant in Lamay or Urubamba (~S/20–30). In the afternoon board the train from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes (PeruRail or Inca Rail, book online in advance; ~£25–40 one way for the Expedition/Voyager class depending on date). Check into a guesthouse in Aguas Calientes and buy your Machu Picchu bus ticket (round trip ~S/90 / ~£19) for the morning.
🚌Collectivo vans Cusco–Pisac–Urubamba–Ollantaytambo (~£6 total); PeruRail/Inca Rail train Ollantaytambo–Aguas Calientes (~£20–40)
🛏Budget guesthouse/hostel in Aguas Calientes (~£20)
- →Pisac artisan market
- →Ollantaytambo archaeological site
- →Community weaving demonstration (Ccaccaccollo/Chinchero)
- →Community restaurant lunch in the Sacred Valley
- →Scenic Urubamba Valley train ride
Sunrise at Machu Picchu, then return to Cusco
Machu Picchu / Cusco
Take the first Consettur bus up to Machu Picchu (from ~5:30am; queues build early). Your timed entry ticket must be booked well in advance on the official Ministerio de Cultura site (machupicchu.gob.pe) — circuits are first-come, first-served and sell out, so book as soon as your dates are fixed (~S/152 / ~£32 plus bus). You can enter with the official audio guide app or hire a licensed guide at the gate (~S/40–60 per person in a small shared group); a GetYourGuide or Klook small-group guided entry also works and bundles the guide. Do one of the classic circuits (Circuit 2 covers the postcard viewpoint, or Circuit 1 for the upper terraces) — expect 2.5–3 hours on site. Descend by bus, grab lunch in Aguas Calientes, then take the afternoon train back to Ollantaytambo (or Poroy) and a colectivo/bus back into Cusco (~£4). Evening free to wander San Blas and eat at a local menu del día spot.
🚌Consettur shuttle bus up/down (~£19 return); train Aguas Calientes–Ollantaytambo (~£20–40); collectivo Ollantaytambo–Cusco (~£4)
🛏Hostel or budget hotel in Cusco (~£20)
- →Machu Picchu entry & circuit (Circuit 1 or 2)
- →Licensed local guide or audio guide
- →San Blas evening stroll in Cusco
Cusco at your own pace & onward travel
Cusco
No included airport transfer on the self-launched version — a taxi from Cusco centre to Alejandro Velasco Astete airport is ~S/25–35 (~£6) and takes 15–20 minutes, or take a local bus for ~S/2. If your flight is later, spend the morning in Cusco: Qorikancha (S/15), the Inka Museum (S/10), San Pedro market for breakfast and souvenirs, or a morning coffee on the Plaza de Armas. The Cusco Tourist Ticket (Boleto Turístico, ~S/130 / ~£28) covers several city and Sacred Valley sites if you have extra time. Depart whenever suits you.
🚌Taxi or local bus to Cusco airport (~£6)
🛏N/A (departure day)
- →Qorikancha
- →Inka Museum
- →San Pedro Market
Self-launched vs. G Adventures
| This itinerary (self-launched) | G Adventures | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£250 | £500 |
| Duration | 3 days | 3 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £250 per person (50%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more G Adventures-style trips? Check them out here.~£250
estimated per person
You never pay Travel Crew for this — you pay hostels, transport, and activity providers directly, the same as if you'd booked it all yourself.
This publishes your dates so other travellers can find and join you — no tour operator needed.
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Frequently asked questions
How much does Machu Picchu by Train: Self-Launched Sacred Valley & Citadel Adventure cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £250 per person for 3 days in Peru. This is an AI-generated estimate based on typical budget-traveller prices — actual costs will vary by season and how you book.
Is this cheaper than booking with G Adventures?+
Yes — G Adventures charges around £500 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £250 — a saving of roughly £250 (50%) per person.
How long is the Peru trip?+
This itinerary runs 3 days, covering 3 day-by-day stops through Peru.
How do I join this trip?+
You can join an existing open departure using this itinerary if one is scheduled, or launch your own departure with your own dates and invite other travellers to join you — no tour operator required.
Isn't it easier to just use a tour operator?+
Well, yes, a tour operator will book all the individual parts of your travel for you and provide a guide. That's obvious, but doing this has the potential to save the group thousands, which can in turn improve your itinerary substantially or save you huge amounts of money. Also, when you launch a departure, Travel Crew has tools in place to help you book the individual sections of the trip or make it easier for you to do this as a group. Really, you do not need a middle man. If you are more comfortable paying more and using a middle man, then you should certainly do this.
Is it safer to book through a tour operator?+
Arguably, there isn't much difference. A self-launched trip runs on the same principle as a group travel crew: collective responsibility, everyone looking out for each other, the same way it would if a group of friends organised the trip themselves — because that's exactly what's happening. You should always take out travel insurance before you go, self-launched or not; that doesn't change either way. Every open departure is published publicly with real dates and a real trip organiser, so it's never an anonymous arrangement, and our support team is reachable any time you need help, including in an emergency while you're away. Longer-term, we're building direct relationships with ground DMCs in popular destinations, offered as an optional paid add-on for extra on-the-ground support. Ultimately, though, the group is responsible for its own conduct and safety on a self-launched trip, same as on any trip you plan yourself.
What kind of trip is this?+
This is a culture, adventure, hiking trip through Peru, self-launched rather than run by a tour operator — you organise it with a group you find or bring yourself.
Would you like to name the operator, name the trip, or have any suggestions about how to improve this itinerary?
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