How many nights before Machu Picchu?

Two nights in the Sacred Valley before you go up is the sensible minimum, both for altitude and for the early train.

Are these hotels yours?

No. We do not hold Peruvian inventory. This page opens live prices from our booking partners for real valley and Cusco hotels.

Peru

Where to stay in Cusco and the Sacred Valley.

Nearly everyone bases here for Machu Picchu, and nearly everyone gets the altitude order wrong. Sleep lower first, in the valley, and save Cusco for the end.

Live prices Planning notes Best months Questions

We don't hold our own houses in South America yet. Everything listed here is a real hotel, lodge or rental from our booking partners, with live prices for your dates — booked on their site, with our planning notes alongside.

Hotels and rentals in Cusco & the Sacred Valley

Set your dates to open live prices and photographs for hotels, suites and short-let rentals in Cusco & the Sacred Valley with our booking partners.

Arrival

Departure

Guests

Best available rate Booking.com Expedia Hotels.com Send us your dates

Prices on the map are live from our booking partners for the dates above — real hotels, resorts and rentals, not estimates. Confirmed at checkout on the partner's own site. Open the full price map. Some links are affiliate links.

Planning notes

Valley first, city second

The Sacred Valley sits around 2,800 metres; Cusco is 3,400. Arriving straight into Cusco is the classic mistake. Transfer down to Urubamba or Yucay for the first two nights, then come back up once you have acclimatised.

Trains and timings

Trains to Aguas Calientes leave from Ollantaytambo, which is why valley hotels are convenient. Machu Picchu entry is by timed ticket with a fixed circuit — book tickets, train and guide together, months ahead in high season.

Altitude, plainly

Take the first day very easy, skip alcohol, and eat lightly. Hotels keep oxygen and coca tea on hand. If symptoms go beyond a headache, go down rather than push through.

The best months to go

May to September: Dry season and the reliable window: clear mornings, cold nights, the highest demand for Machu Picchu tickets.
April and October: Shoulder months. Greener, quieter, occasional rain, materially better value.
November to March: Wet season. February is the wettest and the Inca Trail closes for maintenance; the site itself stays open.

Questions we're asked about Cusco & the Sacred Valley

How many nights before Machu Picchu?: Two nights in the Sacred Valley before you go up is the sensible minimum, both for altitude and for the early train.
Are these hotels yours?: No. We do not hold Peruvian inventory. This page opens live prices from our booking partners for real valley and Cusco hotels.