Machu Picchu is, simply put, one of the best places to visit in the entire world. It has it all: culture, beauty, natural surroundings, history. It is easy to understand why it is considered among the Seven New Wonders of the World. However, visiting this Incan citadel is no small undertaking. The planning and payments alone make a Machu Picchu vacation a major undertaking. Even budget travelers will be challenged to travel to Machu Picchu without breaking the bank. That is why a Peru vacation into the land of the Incas is to be preplanned and savored; not done without forethought. And to make the most of this great undertaking, you might as well go all out and start looking at Machu Picchu luxury tours.
The reality is that turning a Peru vacation from budget to luxury doesn’t increase the price that much, but does drastically increase the comfort. Most Western travelers would feel very uncomfortable paying for “normal” tours and accommodations in Peru. Disorganized and Spanglish-speaking tour guides combined with bare basic hotel rooms (often without heating) may leave some travelers dissatisfied. However, for a bit more money, visitors to Peru can stay in some of the best hotels in the world and explore ancient sites with expert guides, two things that drastically improve the quality of South America tours.
Cuzco and the Sacred Valley, two locations where visitors often base themselves during a trip to Machu Picchu, both have several four and five star hotel options. These hotels offer everything international travelers expect from a decent hotel, and more. Hot water, English-speaking staff, and cable TV may seem like basics, but many regular hotels in Peru do not provide these services, but they will be found in luxury accommodations-in addition to the more lavish amenities, such as pools, spas, room service, Jacuzzi, massages, and classy cocktail bars.
Private transportation is another benefit of taking a South America luxury tour. There is no need to worry about public taxis and confusing local bus systems-rather a welcoming guide will always be available to pick you up, drop you off, and drive you wherever you need to go. The service continues with destination tour guides. Instead of explore sites with a group of 20 other tourists with a teenage guide using notecards, you’ll have private tours with highly knowledgeable guides. And of course, the preplanning process is much easier when you’re working with a qualified international tour company that understands the desires and expectations of most Western travelers.
