Machu Picchu Private Day Trip from Cusco

We booked this for our anniversary. From the moment we were picked up,everything felt first-class. Private van, private guide, and even private table on the train. Our guide spoke Italian (my wife’s native language), which was so thoughtful. He explained the history of Machu Picchu in a way that was deep but not boring. We had over 2 hours inside the citadel without crowds thanks to early entry. The return train had drinks and snacks included. We got back to Cusco around 8 PM, still smiling. Best money we spent in all of Peru.

Consistent communication, everything as promised was delivered, everything on time all the time, zero hidden charges or surprises. Overall an amazing experience

Truly an amazing feat by the entire team that put this together. From the pickup in Cusco, train ride, tickets and the tour of Manchu Picchu. These professionals were always there waiting and kept me well informed of what to expect. Thank you.

I have used Viator successfully 7 times in the past four months and would rate all of those 5 stars. I expected this Machu Picchu tour go to perfection also. But Machu Picchu is a completely different experience that cannot be perfectly planned in advance. Why not? Because a visitor must show up IN PERSON to Aguas Calientes, Perú with a valid passport to buy the entrance ticket. Neither Viator nor the local tour company nor a local can buy a ticket for you in advance. And same-day or even next day tickets to the ruins are not always available due to crowds. So though I booked a Machu Picchu tour for May 29 online in advance with Viator and scheduled my flight and hotel arrangements around that, the local tour company had me completely rearrange my hotel dates at the last minute based on current ticket availability. I also had to buy refundable back-up return flights. I had to leave my Cusco hotel at 5 am on Thursday, May 28 and ride the car and train four hours just so I could get in the ticket purchase line in time to buy entrance tickets for Saturday, May 30. One person in my party had to make huge changes to be able to experience Machu Picchu. Now the local tour company was very courteous, communicative, and helpful. The problem is the massive surprise that no one in my group had a pre-purchased Machu Picchu entrance ticket when we arrived and no one informed me if this important detail until last minute. I suggest Viator NOT show date availabilities but instead describe the process of needing to be in Aguas Calientes for 3 days or more and to be flexible on when the tour will actually happen.

It has been a great experience; we had an incredible time with my friends. They helped us with everything; George, the guide, was the best at explaining and leading the visit, making the experience at Machu Picchu unforgettable! Salkantay Travel Peru is 100% recommended.

We booked a package through Salkantay Travel Peru that included Machu Picchu entry tickets and train access — the entire point of our trip. We paid nearly $10,000 to be here. We were told everything was handled. It was not. We found out last minute — after already arriving — that the ticket was unavailable. No advance warning. No alternative arranged. No meaningful response from Salkantay Travel Peru when we needed help most. We were left on our own, in a foreign country, to try to salvage the main attraction of a $10,000 trip. Machu Picchu requires timed entry tickets and train reservations booked well in advance. This is not a surprise — it is widely known, and it is exactly why people hire a company like this. Salkantay Travel Peru took our money, made the promise, and when it fell apart, they offered nothing. The failure itself is bad. The silence afterward is worse. It tells you exactly what kind of company this is when accountability is required. If Machu Picchu is why you’re going to Peru — and it probably is — book your tickets directly through the official government site and train through PeruRail or Inca Rail. Do not hand that responsibility to Salkantay Travel Peru and assume it will be handled. We made that mistake. You don’t have to.

Make surre you know the hotel costs befor lettting the tour agency chaarge you. It could save you money. Ours wanted to charge us double what we paid for the same hotel. My experience was ok they did what they said theey would. Nothing more Nothing less. It wasn't very personal.. Our guide was late and did not speak engliish. We could have hired a guide at the gate. They did respond to our complaint. And offered a diifferent tour the nex day but we were booked fott the day. I would only recommend this if you have to book laast minute. Otherwise book 2 months ahead to get your tickets.

The Machupichu tour was great, Samuel our guide was very extensive in his explanations about the place and we also went to the colorful mountain with Jorge who was excellent guide and took many pictures and customer service from Angela excellent very fast and proactive.

Avoid Salkantay Travel Peru at all costs. I booked my Machu Picchu tour well in advance, but just a few days before the trip, they contacted me to cancel using a completely absurd excuse. They took absolutely no responsibility for selling dates they hadn't actually guaranteed. The worst part is that this wasn't a simple mistake; it's a bait-and-switch scam. When they canceled, they offered a supposed 'solution' for a 2-day, 1-night trip where I would have to pay out of my own pocket for the Machu Picchu entrance ticket, the hotel night, and other extras. The base cost was exactly what I had already paid initially, plus all of these new expenses. They take advantage of tourists who are just days away from arriving and have no other options, backing you into a corner to either accept this fraud or miss out on visiting the citadel altogether. Fortunately, I booked through Expedia and managed to process my refund through them. The agency itself flat-out refused to cancel the tour or refund my money, and their attitude was extremely rude throughout the entire process. After reading other reviews, I can confirm this is their standard modus operandi: they are deceitful and dishonest. Be very careful, as they advertise on major platforms like Expedia and TripAdvisor. Do not risk your trip with them!

worst tour of my life!! zero communication, plans were constantly changing, tickets to macchu picchu are not guaranteed, we had no tour guide at macchu picchu, we had to pay everything by ourselves first and beg for our money back!