Peru's Sacred Valley & Machu Picchu by Train – Self-Launched
7 days · Peru
G Adventures charges £680
No-markup version: ~£475 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Skip the group tour premium and explore Peru's Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu independently — same awe-inspiring sites, same train to Aguas Calientes, a fraction of the cost. This self-launched 7-day itinerary takes you from Cusco through the Sacred Valley to Ollantaytambo and up to Machu Picchu by train, with community visits, salt mines, circular Moray terraces, and an expert-guided tour of the Lost City of the Incas. All bookable directly or via GetYourGuide and Klook — no group tour markup required.
Day-by-day
Arrive in Cusco — Acclimatise & Explore
Cusco
Arrive into Cusco Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport (CUZ) at any time. At 3,400m above sea level, take it easy today — acclimatisation is essential before any activity. Check into your hostel or guesthouse in the San Blas or Centro Histórico neighbourhood. Sip coca tea (widely available and helps with altitude), eat light, and wander the Plaza de Armas at your own pace. Pick up your Boleto Turístico del Cusco (tourist ticket, ~£35) from the official office on Avenida del Sol if you plan to visit multiple sites.
🚌Airport to centre by official taxi (~£5–8) or colectivo minibus (~£0.50)
🛏Loki Hostel Cusco or Pariwana Hostel Cusco (dorm ~£10–14/night, private ~£25–35/night)
- →Arrive and check in — rest and acclimatise
- →Wander Plaza de Armas and surrounding streets
- →Sip coca tea at a local café
- →Purchase Boleto Turístico del Cusco (~£35) for multi-site access
- →Optional: visit Qorikancha (Temple of the Sun) — ~£10 entry
Cusco Walking Tour — Colonial Architecture & Sapantiana Aqueduct
Cusco
After breakfast at your hostel or a local café, head to Cusco Cathedral on the Plaza de Armas — book a self-guided audio tour or join a small-group walking tour via GetYourGuide (~£12–18pp) that covers the colonial and Inca architecture layered throughout the city. Walk to the Sapantiana staircase waterfall aqueduct, a hidden gem tucked into the hillside neighbourhood of San Blas. Have lunch near the Plaza de Armas at a local menú restaurant (set lunch ~£2–4). Spend the afternoon and evening freely — explore the San Blas artisan quarter, browse markets, or head to Mercado San Pedro for street food.
🚌On foot throughout
🛏Loki Hostel Cusco or Pariwana Hostel Cusco
- →Cusco Cathedral visit (~£10 or included in Boleto Turístico)
- →Book a small-group Cusco city walking tour via GetYourGuide (~£12–18pp)
- →Walk to Sapantiana staircase waterfall aqueduct (free)
- →Lunch at a local menú restaurant near the Plaza (~£2–4)
- →Explore San Blas neighbourhood and artisan workshops (free)
- →Optional evening: Pisco sour at a rooftop bar
Sacred Valley — Weaving Co-op, Moray, Maras Salt Mines & Ollantaytambo
Sacred Valley / Ollantaytambo
Take a full-day Sacred Valley tour — bookable via GetYourGuide or Klook (~£25–40pp) or self-arranged by colectivo from Cusco's Avenida Grau (~£2–3 to Pisac, then onward). Visit the Ccaccaccollo community women's weaving co-op (supported by Planeterra Foundation — entrance by donation, textiles available to buy direct from artisans). Continue to a local pottery community, then stop at the spectacular circular terraces of Moray and the glittering Maras Salt Mines (~£4 entry each, or included in many tours). Have lunch at Parwa Community Restaurant in the Sacred Valley — a resident-run farm-to-table initiative (~£8–12pp). After lunch, continue to Ollantaytambo — wander the cobblestone streets, peek into a local chichería (corn beer bar), or hike up to the Ollantaytambo storehouses (included in Boleto Turístico). Check into accommodation in Ollantaytambo for the night.
🚌Colectivo from Cusco Avenida Grau to Urubamba/Ollantaytambo (~£2–3) or join a day tour from Cusco (~£25–40pp all-in)
🛏KB Tambo Hotel or Hostal Ollanta, Ollantaytambo (dorm ~£10–14, private ~£28–40)
- →Ccaccaccollo Women's Weaving Co-op visit (donation + buy direct from artisans)
- →Local pottery community visit
- →Moray circular terraces (~£4 or Boleto Turístico)
- →Maras Salt Mines (~£4 entry)
- →Lunch at Parwa Community Restaurant (~£8–12pp)
- →Ollantaytambo ruins and storehouses hike (Boleto Turístico)
- →Explore cobblestone streets and local chichería
Sacred Valley — Explore Ollantaytambo & Surroundings
Ollantaytambo
Spend a relaxed day exploring Ollantaytambo and its surroundings independently. In the morning, climb the Ollantaytambo Temple-Fortress (covered by Boleto Turístico) for sweeping valley views. The site is best before 10am when crowds arrive. Wander the living Inca town — one of the few remaining examples of original Inca urban planning. In the afternoon, consider hiring a local guide for a hike to Pinkuylluna mountain storehouses (free, self-guided trail) or simply relax by the river. In the evening, stock up on snacks and confirm your train ticket to Aguas Calientes for Day 5 — book via Peru Rail or Inca Rail in advance (~£30–55 each way for the Expedition service).
🚌On foot locally
🛏KB Tambo Hotel or Hostal Ollanta, Ollantaytambo
- →Ollantaytambo Temple-Fortress (Boleto Turístico, go early to beat crowds)
- →Wander the living Inca town grid (free)
- →Self-guided hike to Pinkuylluna storehouses (free trail)
- →Confirm Peru Rail / Inca Rail train ticket to Aguas Calientes (~£30–55pp)
- →Optional: local guide for a deeper history walk (~£10–15pp)
Train to Aguas Calientes — Gateway to Machu Picchu
Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu Pueblo)
Board the morning train from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes — book with Peru Rail (Expedition service) or Inca Rail (~£30–55pp each way). The 1.5-hour journey winds through spectacular Andean cloud forest and the Urubamba River gorge. Arrive in Aguas Calientes and check into your hostel. Spend the afternoon exploring the small town: browse the artisan market, soak in the thermal baths (~£5), and enjoy a riverside dinner. Set your alarm for early — you'll want to be on the first bus to Machu Picchu at 5:30am tomorrow. Pre-book your Machu Picchu entrance ticket online via the official portal (cultura.gob.pe) well in advance (~£35–45pp depending on circuit). Also pre-book the bus from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu (~£12 return).
🚌Peru Rail / Inca Rail Ollantaytambo → Aguas Calientes (~£30–55pp)
🛏Supertramp Hostel Aguas Calientes or El Mapi by Inkaterra (budget option: dorm ~£14–18, private ~£35–50)
- →Morning train Ollantaytambo → Aguas Calientes (Peru Rail/Inca Rail, ~£30–55pp)
- →Check in and explore Aguas Calientes town
- →Soak in the thermal baths (~£5)
- →Artisan market browse
- →Riverside dinner at a local restaurant (~£8–12)
- →Confirm Machu Picchu entrance ticket (pre-book at cultura.gob.pe, ~£35–45pp)
- →Pre-book return bus ticket Aguas Calientes ↔ Machu Picchu (~£12 return)
Machu Picchu — Guided Tour of the Lost City of the Incas
Machu Picchu / Aguas Calientes
Rise early and catch the first bus from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu at 5:30am (~£6 one way) to witness the citadel in early morning light before the crowds arrive — an unforgettable experience. Book a licensed local guide at the site entrance (~£15–25pp for a 2-hour guided tour) or pre-book via GetYourGuide for a small-group guided tour (~£20–30pp). Your guide will bring the history, astronomy, and engineering of this UNESCO World Heritage Site to life. Choose your pre-assigned circuit (book Circuit 1, 2, or 4 at cultura.gob.pe — each offers spectacular viewpoints). After your guided tour, explore freely within your circuit. Take the afternoon bus back down to Aguas Calientes, have a celebratory lunch, and take the afternoon or evening train back to Ollantaytambo, then a colectivo or taxi back to Cusco.
🚌Bus Aguas Calientes ↔ Machu Picchu (~£12 return). Train Aguas Calientes → Ollantaytambo (~£30–55pp). Colectivo Ollantaytambo → Cusco (~£2–3)
🛏Return to Loki Hostel or Pariwana Hostel Cusco (or night in Aguas Calientes if taking late train)
- →First bus up to Machu Picchu at 5:30am (~£6 one way)
- →Machu Picchu guided tour with licensed local guide (~£15–25pp) or via GetYourGuide (~£20–30pp)
- →Free exploration within your pre-booked circuit
- →Optional: Machu Picchu Mountain or Sun Gate hike (requires separate ticket, book in advance)
- →Bus back to Aguas Calientes (~£6)
- →Celebratory lunch in Aguas Calientes (~£8–12)
- →Afternoon/evening train back to Ollantaytambo (~£30–55pp), then colectivo to Cusco (~£2–3)
Cusco — Final Morning & Departure
Cusco
Your final morning in Cusco. If you have time before your flight, grab breakfast at a local café on the Plaza de Armas, pick up any last-minute gifts from the San Pedro market, or visit any sites you missed earlier in the trip (Sacsayhuamán fortress is a 20-minute walk uphill from the centre and covered by the Boleto Turístico). Depart from Alejandro Velasco Astete Airport (CUZ) — allow at least 2 hours before your flight. No group schedule, no rush — you leave on your own terms.
🚌Taxi or colectivo to CUZ airport (~£5–8)
🛏Check out
- →Breakfast at a local café (~£3–5)
- →Optional: Sacsayhuamán fortress (Boleto Turístico, 20-min walk from centre)
- →Last-minute shopping at Mercado San Pedro
- →Transfer to airport and depart
Self-launched vs. G Adventures
| This itinerary (self-launched) | G Adventures | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£475 | £680 |
| Duration | 7 days | 7 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £205 per person (30%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more G Adventures-style trips? Check them out here.~£475
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 Peru's Sacred Valley & Machu Picchu by Train – Self-Launched cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £475 per person for 7 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 £680 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £475 — a saving of roughly £205 (30%) per person.
How long is the Peru trip?+
This itinerary runs 7 days, covering 7 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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