About this tour
When Saskia from our Global Hobo crew tackled this five-day Machu Picchu trek, she found a refreshingly flexible operator willing to work around the group size you've actually got — no minimum tour nonsense, just you, your mates, and a guide who knows the terrain. You'll trek through the Sacred Valley, sleep in basic glamping setups (bring your own kit), hit the ruins properly with someone who can explain what you're looking at, and tick off one of the world's genuinely stunning hikes without the cattle-herding vibe of the massive tour groups. It's steep, it's high altitude, and you need decent fitness, but the payoff is real.
Highlights
- Small-group flexibility — they'll run it for just two people
- Private transport throughout; no shuttle-bus shuffling
- Guide actually knows Inca history and local context
- Machu Picchu entrance and full site tour included
- Oxygen and first-aid on hand for altitude wobbles
- Sacred Valley stops before the main peak push
- Customisable itinerary based on your pace and interests
What to expect
The five days unfold at a proper pace — you're not sprinting between Instagram spots. Expect early starts, serious walking (this is a proper trek, not a stroll), and nights in basic glamping accommodation where you'll feel the altitude. Your guide meets you in Cusco or the Sacred Valley, handles all the logistics, and takes you through the region's terracing, ruins, and weaving villages before the final push to Machu Picchu itself. The site visit is thorough; guides here actually talk about Inca engineering instead of rattling off facts.
Altitude is the real challenge — you're climbing from around 2,500m to 4,000m+. Saskia noted the oxygen bottles aren't theatre; they're genuinely useful if you're struggling. The pace can flex to match your group's fitness, which is a genuine plus if you've got mixed abilities. Weather in the peaks is moody — rain, sun, and cold can all hit in one day.
What travellers say
- Genuinely small-group feel; guides tailor pace to your crew
- Customisable route and dates — no forced group departures
- Professional guide with real Inca knowledge, not scripts
- All logistical headaches handled; transport, entrance, site access
- Safety gear included; altitude support actually there if needed
- Altitude challenge is serious; not a casual walk-up
- Glamping kit not provided; bring your own sleeping gear
- Train tickets and most meals cost extra; budget accordingly
- Weather can obscure views; you might summit in cloud cover
Themes summarised by our team from public information about this tour. Verify specifics on the operator's page before booking.
Good to know
This works if you're tired of massive group tours or if your crew's an odd size (two people, five mates, whatever). The customisation means you're not forced into a pre-baked itinerary. Guides are trained and locals are getting paid fairly, which matters.
Glamping is basic — you're bringing your own sleeping kit. Train tickets to/from the Sacred Valley aren't included, and neither are meals (budget for that separately). The altitude hits harder than you'd think; if you've got dodgy cardiovascular health or you're pregnant, this isn't your tour. You need genuine fitness — not gym-fit necessarily, but able to walk uphill for hours. Peak season (May–September) gets crowded even on private tours. Weather can tank visibility at the top.
Bring layers, good boots, a headtorch, and sun protection. Groups are small (2–10 people typical). Book early if you're going June–August.
Tour sold and operated by Viator via Viator. Descriptions on this page are original Global Hobo summaries written by our team — not copied from the operator. Prices and availability are confirmed at checkout.