New Year’s in Machu Picchu Tour 5 Days
Ring in the New Year with a Short Inca Trail hike on Dec 31 and Machu Picchu on Jan 1.
Welcome 2027 at Machu Picchu. This 5-day tour is built around two profound symbolic days: December 31, 2026 — the day you hike the Short Inca Trail through the original Inca pilgrim path, ending at the Sun Gate (Inti Punku) looking down on Machu Picchu — and January 1, 2027 — your guided tour of Machu Picchu itself, the perfect “new beginning” experience to start a new year inside one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.
Five reasons travelers specifically choose New Year’s in Machu Picchu:
1. The Short Inca Trail on NYE (Dec 31) is symbolically powerful. Walking the original Inca pilgrim path on the last day of the year — 11 km through cloud forest, climbing to Wiñay Wayna ruins, traversing along the high mountainside to the Sun Gate at 2,720 m — creates a transformative ritual experience. Many travelers describe the Sun Gate arrival as the emotional peak of their entire life. Doing this on the symbolic transition day amplifies the meaning.
2. Machu Picchu on January 1, 2027 — the first activity of your new year. While most travelers worldwide spend January 1 hungover and recovering, you’re inside Machu Picchu on a guided tour with your group, walking through one of the world’s most sacred sites as your first activity of 2027. No competing destination offers this kind of symbolic start to the year.
3. Short Inca Trail permits are exclusive — only 250 hikers per day allowed. This isn’t a tour everyone can book — Short Inca Trail permits are strictly limited by the Peruvian Ministry of Culture. You’ll experience the trail with very few people, especially on Dec 31 when Peruvian travelers are home with family.
4. Machu Picchu Circuit 3b is reserved for Inca Trail walkers. Because you arrived via the Short Inca Trail on Dec 31, your Jan 1 Machu Picchu entrance is Circuit 3b — the exclusive walker’s circuit officially linked to the Inca Trail permit. Less crowded than the standard tourist circuits with access to viewpoints day-trippers don’t reach.
5. Direct operator from Cusco — free hotel choice. As a DIRCETUR-licensed local operator, we don’t bundle hotels with hidden markups. You choose your own NYE accommodation (book hotels with Plaza de Armas access for Cusco’s famous midnight celebrations) and pay the source price for everything.
⚠️ Booking urgency: New Year in Machu Picchu sells out 6-8 months ahead because Short Inca Trail permits (only 250/day) + NYE Cusco hotels + Machu Picchu Jan 1 tickets are all highly limited.
| 📅 Specific dates 2026-2027 | December 29, 2026 – January 2, 2027 |
| 📅 Specific dates 2027-2028 | December 29, 2027 – January 2, 2028 |
| 🗓️ Duration | 5 days / 4 nights |
| 🎆 NYE highlight (Dec 31) | Short Inca Trail to Sun Gate |
| 🌅 New Year’s Day (Jan 1) | Machu Picchu guided tour Circuit 3b |
| 🥾 Trek | Short Inca Trail 11 km / 5 hours (Day 3) |
| 🚂 Train | Expedition (Vistadome upgrade +$105 available) |
| 🏨 Hotels | You choose — book NYE Cusco hotels 6-8 months ahead |
| ⛰️ Max altitude | 3,765 m (Tambomachay Day 5) |
| 💪 Difficulty | Demanding (Short Inca Trail Day 3) |
| 📅 Departures | December-January annual departure only |
| 👥 Group size | 1–10 travelers |
| 💲 From | $551 USD per person (group of 10) |
Start your New Year’s in Machu Picchu Tour 5 Days journey — 5 days of real adventure. – Short Inca Trail on December 31 (NYE) — the original Inca pilgrim path, 11 km from Km 104 to Sun Gate. – Machu Picchu on January 1 (NY Day) — your first activity of 2027 inside one of the New Seven Wonders. – Machu Picchu Circuit 3b — the exclusive Inca Trail walker’s circuit (less crowded than standard circuits). – Sun Gate (Inti Punku) at 2,720 m — the dramatic stone gateway where you first see Machu Picchu spread below. That’s the New Year’s in Machu Picchu Tour 5 Days, in a nutshell.
The New Year’s in Machu Picchu Tour 5 Days is one of our most symbolic seasonal departures — a once-a-year experience that combines one of the world’s most sacred archaeological sites with one of Peru’s most vibrant cultural celebrations.
The Dec 29 – Jan 2 sequence is intentional, not arbitrary. Day 1 (Dec 29) opens gently with morning Cusco arrival and afternoon free time — your body needs to acclimatize to Cusco’s 3,350 m altitude before the demanding Short Inca Trail. Day 2 (Dec 30) takes you to the Sacred Valley with Awana Kancha alpaca farm, Pisac ruins and market, and Ollantaytambo Sun Temple — descending in altitude to help acclimatization. Day 3 (Dec 31, New Year’s Eve) is the emotional peak: the Short Inca Trail from Km 104 to Wiñay Wayna ruins to Inti Punku (Sun Gate) at 2,720 m, ending in Aguas Calientes where you can spend New Year’s Eve in the small Machu Picchu Pueblo or quietly at your hotel. Day 4 (Jan 1, New Year’s Day) is Machu Picchu — guided tour on Circuit 3b (the Inca Trail walker’s exclusive circuit), followed by afternoon return to Cusco. Day 5 (Jan 2) closes with the Cusco City Tour visiting the 4 Inca ruins before departure.
Three symbolic moments make this New Year’s tour unlike any other:
(1) Dec 31 — Short Inca Trail as transition pilgrimage. Walking the original Inca pilgrim path on the last day of the year is a powerful ritual moment. The Incas built this trail specifically for spiritual pilgrimage — royals and priests walked these same stones 600 years ago on their journey to Machu Picchu. Doing this on the symbolic transition day of the Western calendar creates an experience travelers describe as transformative. Many report Inti Punku (Sun Gate) as the most powerful moment of their entire life.
(2) Sunset at Aguas Calientes after Sun Gate. You end Dec 31 having just seen Machu Picchu from above at sunset. The small town of Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu Pueblo) has its own modest New Year celebration — fireworks in the main plaza, traditional Peruvian dinners at local restaurants, and the unique feeling of being at the base of the most sacred Inca site as the year transitions. Most travelers choose to celebrate quietly at their Aguas Calientes hotel rather than rushing back to Cusco for big city festivities.
(3) Jan 1 Machu Picchu visit — first activity of 2027. While most travelers worldwide are recovering from late-night parties, you wake up in Aguas Calientes and take the shuttle bus to Machu Picchu for a 2-hour guided tour on Circuit 3b — the exclusive walker’s circuit reserved for those who arrived via the Inca Trail network. No other destination on earth offers this kind of symbolic start to the new year.
Why we use the Short Inca Trail instead of Rainbow Mountain for this specific tour. Most December seasonal tours (including our Christmas tour) include Rainbow Mountain on the last day. For the New Year tour, we deliberately replaced Rainbow Mountain with the Short Inca Trail because the symbolism is incomparably stronger: walking the original Inca pilgrim path on NYE creates a meaningful transition experience that Rainbow Mountain photography cannot match. Travelers consistently rate the Short Inca Trail as the most memorable day of their entire trip.
| Feature | New Year 5 Day ✓ | Christmas 5 Day | 5 Day Premiere | Women-Only 5 Day |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Departure dates | Dec 29 – Jan 2 only | Dec 23-27 only | Year-round | Year-round |
| Train class | Expedition (Vistadome upgrade) | Vistadome + Expedition | Expedition | Expedition |
| Short Inca Trail | ✅ Day 3 (NYE) | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ Day 3 |
| Machu Picchu | ✅ Jan 1 (Circuit 3b) | ✅ Dec 24 (Christmas Eve) | ✅ Day 3 | ✅ Day 4 (Circuit 3b) |
| Sacred Valley | ✅ Day 2 | ✅ Day 4 | ✅ Day 2 | ✅ Day 2 |
| Cusco City Tour | ✅ Day 5 | ✅ Day 3 PM | ✅ Day 1 | ✅ Day 1 |
| Rainbow Mountain | ❌ Replaced with Short Inca Trail | ✅ Horse (Day 5) | ✅ Horse | ✅ Horse |
| Santuranticuy market | ❌ | ✅ Dec 24 evening | ❌ | ❌ |
| Holiday-themed | ✅ NYE + NY Day | ✅ Christmas Eve + Day | ❌ | ❌ |
| Best for | New Year seekers + Short Inca Trail symbolism | Christmas seekers | All travelers | Female sisterhood |
Combine Christmas + New Year: a popular request is to do both back-to-back — Christmas Dec 23-27 + New Year Dec 29 – Jan 2 with 1-2 days rest between. Request a custom combined quote.
Timed around December 29 to January 2, this itinerary lets travelers ring in the New Year with a genuinely memorable sequence: arrival and free time, a full Sacred Valley day, a Short Inca Trail hike on New Year’s Eve itself, a Machu Picchu tour on New Year’s Day, and a closing Cusco city tour before departure.
The altitude curve here builds gradually toward the trip’s more demanding day. Day 1’s arrival and Day 2’s Sacred Valley exploration stay at moderate elevation, setting up Day 3’s Short Inca Trail hike — deliberately scheduled for New Year’s Eve after two days of acclimatization. Day 4’s Machu Picchu visit, fittingly on New Year’s Day, drops to a comfortable 2,400 m, and Day 5’s Cusco city tour closes the trip at the city’s familiar elevation.
Your New Year’s tour begins with morning arrival in Cusco. Pickup from Cusco airport by the Kondor Path Tours team — clearly identified driver/representative with sign. Transfer time to your chosen Cusco hotel is approximately 20 minutes.
Hotel check-in and brief rest. Cusco sits at 3,350 m (10,990 ft) — most travelers feel mild altitude effects within the first few hours (slight headache, breathlessness on stairs, fatigue). The afternoon is deliberately free for gentle acclimatization.
Free afternoon recommendations for independent exploration of Cusco’s historic center:
Critical for tomorrow: light dinner, lots of water, no alcohol, early bedtime. Day 2 starts at 9:00 AM with the Sacred Valley tour, and Day 3 (NYE) is the demanding Short Inca Trail with 6:50 AM pickup.
Day 1 quick stats
None
Easy
A light walk, optional
Cusco: 3,350m (10,990 ft)
Cusco: 3,350m (10,990 ft)
Awana Kancha · Taray Viewpoint · Pisac Ruins & Market · Ollantaytambo
Pickup from your Cusco hotel at 9:00 AM. Today’s Sacred Valley tour combines cultural exploration, spectacular scenery, and gradual altitude adjustment before your Short Inca Trail adventure on New Year’s Eve.
After completing the tour, return to Cusco and arrive at your hotel at approximately 6:00 PM – 6:30 PM.
Preparation for Tomorrow: Organize your daypack for the Short Inca Trail. Bring a rain jacket, hiking shoes, sunscreen, water bottle, camera, passport, and warm clothing layers. An early night is recommended before tomorrow’s trek.
Day 2 Quick Facts
Buffet
Easy
Short walks
15 to 35 minutes
Pisac Ruins: 3,650m (11,650 ft)
Ollantaytambo: 2,851m (9,353 ft)
Pisac Ruins: 3,650m (11,650 ft)
Expedition Train to Km 104 · Chachabamba · Wiñay Wayna · Inti Punku · Aguas Calientes
🎆 The Emotional Highlight of the Tour
Pickup from your Cusco hotel at 6:50 AM. Travel by private vehicle to Ollantaytambo Station, where you will board the train for the beginning of your Short Inca Trail adventure.
Train Information
Upon arrival at Km 104, your guide will assist with the official checkpoint procedures before beginning the hike.
Chachabamba
After a short walk from the railway station, visit Chachabamba, one of the first archaeological sites along the trail. Learn about its ceremonial importance and connection to the Inca road network.
Cloud Forest Ascent
Hike through beautiful cloud forest landscapes filled with orchids, hummingbirds, and native Andean vegetation. This is the most physically demanding section of the day.
Mountain Traverse
Continue along original Inca stone pathways while enjoying spectacular views of the Urubamba Valley and surrounding mountains.
Wiñay Wayna
Explore one of the most impressive archaeological sites on the Inca Trail, famous for its agricultural terraces, ceremonial fountains, and dramatic mountain setting.
Box Lunch
Enjoy a box lunch surrounded by breathtaking Andean scenery before continuing toward the Sun Gate.
Inti Punku (Sun Gate)
The final section of the trail leads to Inti Punku (2,720 m / 8,920 ft), the legendary gateway used by Inca pilgrims arriving at Machu Picchu.
First View of Machu Picchu
From the Sun Gate, enjoy your first panoramic view of Machu Picchu. For many travelers, this is the most memorable moment of the entire journey.
Descent to Machu Picchu & Aguas Calientes
Continue descending through the upper terraces of Machu Picchu before taking the shuttle bus to Aguas Calientes.
Important: Day 3 focuses on reaching Machu Picchu through the Inca Trail. The complete guided tour of Machu Picchu takes place on Day 4.
Arrival in Aguas Calientes (2,065 m / 6,775 ft) and check-in at your selected hotel.
Aguas Calientes offers a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere for celebrating New Year’s Eve at the foot of Machu Picchu.
Option 1: Celebrate at Your Hotel
Many hotels offer special New Year’s Eve dinners and celebrations, providing a comfortable way to end an unforgettable day.
Option 2: Celebrate in Town
Join locals and fellow travelers in the main square for fireworks, music, festive dinners, and traditional Peruvian New Year’s customs.
Wake up on January 1 at the foot of Machu Picchu, ready to begin the new year with a guided visit to one of the world’s most extraordinary archaeological sites.
Day 3 Quick Facts
BL.
Demanding
11km (6.1 miles)
5 Hrs.
KM 104: 2,000m (6,560 ft)
Machu Picchu Ruins: 2,400m (7,874 ft)
Inti Punku: 2,720m (8,920 ft)
Machu Picchu Sanctuary · 2-Hour Guided Tour · Circuit 3B · Expedition Train Return · Cusco
🌅 Your First Activity of the New Year
After breakfast at your hotel in Aguas Calientes, meet your guide and board the shuttle bus for the journey up to Machu Picchu.
Shuttle Bus to Machu Picchu
The memorable 25-minute climb ascends the historic 8-kilometer switchback road from the Vilcanota River valley up to the Machu Picchu entrance at 2,400 m (7,874 ft), where your New Year sunrise experience unfolds. New Year’s Day is often less crowded than many other dates, creating a more relaxed atmosphere inside the sanctuary.
Machu Picchu Guided Tour – Circuit 3B
Your Short Inca Trail permit includes access to Circuit 3B, a route reserved for travelers arriving through the Inca Trail network. This circuit offers a unique perspective of Machu Picchu while visiting many of its most important sectors.
Begin the new year exploring one of the world’s most celebrated archaeological sites while learning about Inca history, architecture, astronomy, and spirituality from your professional guide.
Highlights of the Guided Tour
The guided visit lasts approximately 2 hours.
Important: Current Machu Picchu regulations require visitors to follow their designated circuit. Additional time inside the citadel requires a separate entrance ticket.
After the guided tour, return by shuttle bus to Aguas Calientes.
Lunch in Aguas Calientes is available at one of the many local restaurants before boarding the afternoon train.
Expedition Train Return
Upon arrival, continue by private vehicle to Cusco.
Private Transfer to Cusco
The journey from Ollantaytambo to Cusco takes approximately 1 hour and 40 minutes. Arrival at your hotel is usually in the early evening.
The remainder of the evening is free to relax and enjoy your first night of the new year in Cusco.
Day 4 Quick Facts
Easy
A light walk
2-hour guided tour
Machu Picchu Pueblo: 2,065m (6,774 ft)
Machu Picchu Ruins: 2,400m (7,874 ft)
Cusco: 3,350m (10,990 ft)
Sacsayhuaman · Q’enqo · Puca Pucara · Tambomachay · Cusco Airport Transfer
Pickup from your Cusco hotel at 9:00 AM. Your final day includes a guided visit to four of the most important archaeological sites surrounding Cusco before your departure flight.
At approximately 1:00 PM, the city tour concludes. Depending on your flight schedule, you will be transferred either to your hotel or directly to Cusco Airport.
Cusco Airport Transfer
Your private airport transfer will be coordinated according to your departure time, ensuring sufficient time for check-in and security procedures.
End of Services
Thank you for joining our New Year’s in Machu Picchu Tour 5 Days. We hope this journey through Cusco, the Sacred Valley, the Short Inca Trail, and Machu Picchu becomes a memorable start to your new year.
Day 5 Quick Facts
Easy
A light walks
15 to 35 minutes
Cusco: 3,350m (10,990 ft)
Sacsayhuaman: 3,500m (11,482 ft)
Tambomachay: 3,765m (12,352 ft)
Transport
Guides & entrances
Meals
Safety & taxes
For NYE/NY week specifically, hotel choice matters even more than other tours:
Recommended NYE-friendly hotels by tier:
| Tier | Cusco (Days 1-2, 4) | Aguas Calientes (Day 3 — NYE) |
|---|---|---|
| Budget ($60-130/night during NYE) | Tikawasi Valley, Casa Andina Standard, Hotel Anden Inca | Tierra Viva Machu Picchu, Susanna Inn Machu Picchu |
| Mid-range ($150-300/night during NYE) | Tierra Viva Cusco Centro, Casa Andina Premium, Sonesta Cusco, Aranwa Cusco Boutique | El MaPi by Inkaterra, Hatun Inti Boutique |
| Premium ($350-650/night during NYE) | Belmond Hotel Monasterio (NYE atmosphere unmatched), JW Marriott El Convento, Palacio del Inka | Sumaq Machu Picchu Hotel, Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo |
For Plaza de Armas NYE celebrations: prioritize hotels within 5-min walk of Plaza de Armas for the midnight fireworks experience.
Request our full NYE-friendly hotel recommendation PDF at booking.
| Upgrade | Price | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Vistadome train both ways | +$105 USD | Panoramic glass-domed roof, complimentary snacks, leather seats both directions |
| Vistadome + Vistadome Observatory return | +$115 USD | Vistadome outbound + Observatory class return on Day 4 |
| Vistadome Observatory both ways | +$145 USD | Premium panoramic experience both directions |
| Hiram Bingham luxury train | +$550 USD (inbound only) | Belmond ultra-luxury train return — gourmet 5-course meal, open bar, live Andean music |
| Huayna Picchu permit (Day 4) | +$95 USD | Additional Machu Picchu side mountain hike (subject to permit availability — 400 permits/day total) |
| Machu Picchu Mountain permit (Day 4) | +$95 USD | Alternative Machu Picchu side peak (slightly easier, wider trail than Huayna Picchu) |
| Re-entry to Machu Picchu | +$95 USD | Second entry into the citadel on Day 4 |
| NYE Plaza de Armas dinner reservation | Quote on request | We help reserve premium Cusco restaurant NYE dinner |
| Andean New Year Spiritual Ceremony | +$150 USD | Traditional Quechua paqo despacho ritual for the new year (Day 5 morning option) |
| Christmas + NY combined package | Custom quote | Combine with our Dec 23-27 Christmas tour for a 10-day Christmas-NY experience |
Send ID or ISIC photo at the moment of booking — discounts cannot be applied retroactively.
The New Year’s in Machu Picchu Tour 5 Days is our annual seasonal NYE package departing on the specific dates December 29 – January 2 of each year.
It covers Cusco’s iconic destinations during the New Year holiday week: Cusco arrival with free afternoon for acclimatization (Dec 29), Sacred Valley Tour with Awana Kancha, Pisac, Ollantaytambo (Dec 30), Short Inca Trail on NYE from Km 104 to Wiñay Wayna to Inti Punku (Dec 31), **Machu
Picchu guided tour on Circuit 3b** on New Year’s Day (Jan 1), and Cusco City Tour with 4 Inca ruins before departure (Jan 2).
The package includes private transport, certified bilingual guide, all government entrance fees, Expedition train both ways, Short Inca Trail permit (only 250/day available), Sacred Valley box lunch, Short Inca Trail box meals, and first-aid kit throughout.
Hotels are NOT included — you choose your own accommodation (we provide curated NYE-friendly recommendations).
Three reasons that make Dec 31 on the Short Inca Trail a transformative experience:
(1) Original Inca pilgrim path. The Inca Trail was specifically built for spiritual pilgrimage — Inca royals, priests, and the Acllas (Chosen Women) walked these same stones 600 years ago on their journey to Machu Picchu.
Walking this on the last day of the year continues a 600+ year pilgrim tradition.
(2) Symbolic transition. The Western calendar’s NYE marks transition from old to new.
The Short Inca Trail’s physical journey — climbing through cloud forest, traversing high mountainsides, finally arriving at the Sun Gate looking down on Machu Picchu — mirrors the symbolic journey of transition. Travelers consistently report this as the most powerful day of their lives.
(3) Sun Gate at sunset on Dec 31. Most groups reach Inti Punku (Sun Gate, 2,720 m) in late afternoon. Looking down on Machu Picchu from above at sunset on the last day of the year creates an experience travelers describe in language usually reserved for spiritual revelations.
Circuit 3b is the Machu Picchu walker’s circuit, officially reserved by the Peruvian Ministry of Culture for travelers who arrived via the Inca Trail network (Short Inca Trail or Classic 4-Day Inca Trail).
Why this matters:
experience that the Incas themselves would have had
Your Day 4 (Jan 1) Machu Picchu guided tour is 2 hours on Circuit 3b with your certified bilingual guide.
Technically possible but operationally impractical. Here’s why:
The Short Inca Trail requires 6:50 AM pickup from Cusco on Day 3 (Dec 31).
If you celebrated NYE in Cusco the night before (Dec 30), you’d:
This is physically dangerous (altitude + exhaustion + dehydration from alcohol).
We strongly recommend the opposite: celebrate NYE on Dec 31 in Aguas Calientes (smaller town, modest celebration) after completing the Short Inca Trail.
You arrive at your Aguas Calientes hotel around 6 PM, have a quiet dinner, optional midnight fireworks at Aguas Calientes plaza, and a real night’s sleep before Machu Picchu on Jan 1.
If you want Cusco’s big NYE celebration, consider the Premiere 5 Day Tour during NYE week instead (no Short Inca Trail, NYE in Cusco) — request custom NYE dates.
Modest but charming. Aguas Calientes is a small town (~5,000 residents) at the foot of Machu Picchu. NYE celebrations include:
(to travel in new year)
Most travelers prefer this quieter NYE because they’re exhausted from the Short Inca Trail and they need to wake early Jan 1 for Machu Picchu.
For travelers wanting bigger NYE celebration: book a hotel with good NYE dinner package (Sumaq Machu Picchu Hotel, Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo) — these offer multi-course dinners with live music, champagne service, and a more elaborate celebration.
Recommended age: 8+ because of the Short Inca Trail demanding hike. Specific considerations by age:
Sedentary children struggle.
The Short Inca Trail is too demanding. Consider our Family Travel Peru 5 Day Tour instead, which uses train access to Machu Picchu (no hike) and includes Rainbow Mountain by horse.
For families considering this tour with children 8-11: discuss specific fitness with us at booking. We can adjust pacing or recommend trail modifications.
Deliberate decision based on NYE symbolism. Most December seasonal tours (including our Christmas tour) include Rainbow Mountain on the last day for the spectacular photography.
For the New Year tour, we deliberately replaced Rainbow Mountain with the Short Inca Trail because:
exposure than Rainbow Mountain (5,100 m)
If you really want Rainbow Mountain during your NYE trip: we can add a Day 6 extension on Jan 3 (additional cost). Request custom quote.
| Persons | Price (p/p) | |
| 1 | $ 1 329.00 USD | |
| 2 | $ 917.00 USD | |
| 3 | $ 768.00 USD | |
| 4 | $ 685.00 USD | |
| 5 | $ 641.00 USD | |
| 6 | $ 607.00 USD | |
| 7 | $ 582.00 USD | |
| 8 | $ 564.00 USD | |
| 9 | $ 563.00 USD | |
| 10 | $ 551.00 USD |
New Year Machu Picchu
Machu Picchu New Years Tour 5 Days
5 Days New Year’s Eve in Cusco Peru
