Itinerary
Discover what awaits you in the Machu Picchu and Sacred Valley Tour – 2 Days
day 1
DAY 1: CUSCO - CHINCHERO - MORAY - MARAS SALT MINES - URUBAMBA - OLLANTAYTAMBO - AGUAS CALIENTES
Embark on an adventure through the wonders of the Sacred Valley!
6:30 a.m. | Chinchero: Traditions That Keep the Spirit of the Andes Alive
We begin our Sacred Valley excursion from Cusco, heading to Chinchero, a charming Andean town where the Inca legacy coexists with colonial heritage. We will explore its ancient Inca walls and colonial church before taking a closer look at traditional textile art. Through a local demonstration, you will discover how ancestral weaving techniques, natural dyes, and knowledge passed down through generations keep alive one of Peru’s most fascinating cultural expressions.
Moray: Discover the Ingenuity That Turned Mountains into an Agricultural Laboratory
We continue to Moray, an extraordinary archaeological complex made up of circular terraces that descend into the earth. Here you will learn how the Incas took advantage of natural conditions to experiment with different crops, showing a remarkable understanding of their environment.
Maras Salt Mines: A White Landscape Holding Centuries of History
Our adventure continues at the impressive Maras Salt Mines, where thousands of salt pools create a unique landscape among the mountains. Fed by a natural saltwater spring, these pools are still worked using traditional techniques, preserving a legacy that connects local families with an ancestral activity.
A break to recharge and taste the Sacred Valley!
Urubamba: Local Flavors in the Heart of the Valley
After a morning full of discoveries, we will arrive in Urubamba, where we will enjoy a buffet lunch prepared with a variety of regional products. It will be the perfect time to relax, share the highlights of the morning, and recharge before continuing our journey through Inca history.
The past comes to life among temples and mountains!
Ollantaytambo: Walk Through a Living Inca Town
In the afternoon, we will explore Ollantaytambo, one of the most fascinating places in the Sacred Valley. We will tour its main archaeological areas, imposing terraces, and stone constructions while learning about the history of this ancient ceremonial and strategic center. Its streets and canals preserve part of their ancestral layout, offering a special connection with Inca life and architecture.
From the Andes to the high jungle: the road to an unforgettable experience!
Tourist Train to Aguas Calientes: The Journey Is Part of the Adventure
At the end of our visit to Ollantaytambo, we will head to the Ollantaytambo train station to board the tourist train to Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu Pueblo). Along the way, we will watch the Andean landscape gradually turn into lusher vegetation as we follow the Vilcanota River toward Peru’s high jungle.
Upon arrival, our staff will accompany you to your hotel. You will have free time to stroll around town, explore its corners, or, if you wish, visit the Machu Picchu hot springs on your own. Enjoy this break to rest and prepare for the most anticipated moment of the experience: discovering the majestic Inca citadel of Machu Picchu the next day.
What is this day like? check our photos
day 2
DAY 2: AGUAS CALIENTES - MACHU PICCHU - CUSCO
The big moment! Discover the magic of Machu Picchu
The most anticipated moment of your adventure has arrived! After a restful night and a good breakfast, we will head with our guide to the bus station for a ride of about 30 minutes up to the entrance of the majestic Inca citadel of Machu Picchu. As its sacred mountains and ancient constructions unfold before your eyes, an unforgettable experience begins.
Accompanied by your professional guide, you will explore this extraordinary sanctuary for about 2 to 3 hours, discovering its temples, ceremonial enclosures, agricultural terraces, and the secrets of a civilization that left an indelible mark on history. Since this is a private or small-group service, you can enjoy a more personalized visit, with time to listen to the explanations, take in the scenery, and capture photos of this unique setting, depending on the assigned circuit and site regulations.
After this unforgettable experience, we will take the bus down to Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu Pueblo), where you will have free time for lunch, to explore the town or, if you wish, visit the famous hot springs on your own, keeping your train schedule in mind. In the afternoon, we will board the tourist train back to Ollantaytambo, where our transportation will be waiting to take you directly to your hotel in Cusco.
You will return with much more than photos: you will take home the memory of having walked through one of the most fascinating wonders of the world and having connected with Peru’s living history.
What is this day like? check our photos
Includes
Day 1:
- Enhanced small group, shared with up to 16 passengers: Enjoy a great experience in the Sacred Valley.
- Pre-trip briefing
- Pickup at your hotel in Cusco
- Tour of the Super Sacred Valley
- Buffet lunch in Urubamba
- Transportation Ollantaytambo – Cusco
- Professional bilingual guide (English/Spanish)
- Partial Tourist Ticket entrance fees
- Maras Salt Mines entrance fee
Day 2:
- Entrance to Machu Picchu:
- We arrange your official Machu Picchu entrance ticket once your booking is confirmed, based on current availability and the assigned time slot. Your visit may follow one of these circuits:
- Circuit 2 – Routes 2A or 2B: enjoy panoramic views and tour some of the main sectors of the Inca citadel.
- Circuit 3 – Route 3B: discover the lower sector of Machu Picchu.
- Circuit 1 – Route 1B: take in panoramic views from the Guardhouse area.
Important: We will arrange the best option available for your visit date. Due to high demand, we recommend booking in advance.
- We arrange your official Machu Picchu entrance ticket once your booking is confirmed, based on current availability and the assigned time slot. Your visit may follow one of these circuits:
- Small group of 2 to 6 passengers: Enjoy a more personalized experience throughout the entire tour.
- Professional bilingual guide licensed for the Inca Trail: Your guide will travel with you from Ollantaytambo to Machu Picchu, accompanying you throughout the tour, providing assistance and answering your questions at every stage of the experience.
- Bus Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu / Machu Picchu – Aguas Calientes
- Tourist train:
- Outbound: Expedition or Voyager train from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes
- Return: Expedition or Voyager train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo
- 1 night at Hatun Inti Hotel (3-star) or similar in Aguas Calientes (double or matrimonial room)
- Ongoing assistance throughout the trip
Not include
- Day 1: Breakfast and dinner.
- Day 2: Lunch and dinner.
- Travel insurance (recommended): For greater peace of mind during your trip, we recommend purchasing insurance that covers unforeseen events such as flight cancellations or delays, lost or delayed luggage, illness, accidents, trip interruptions, and loss of tour services due to delays, as well as medical assistance and personal protection throughout your adventure.
- Tips: Optional.
- Additional expenses due to causes beyond the agency’s control: adverse weather conditions, itinerary changes for safety reasons, illness, changes in government policy, political instability, strikes, or other similar circumstances.
- Upgrades: Enhance your trip!
- Vistadome Train return upgrade + USD 25 per person
Return to Cusco enjoying spectacular panoramic views, comfortable seats, and a superior travel experience aboard one of the most popular trains.
- Vistadome Observatory Train outbound upgrade + USD 66 per person
Start your adventure with a unique experience. Enjoy panoramic windows, an open-air observation car, and live Andean music as you take in the stunning landscapes of the Sacred Valley on the way to Machu Picchu.
- Lunch at Tinkuy, Sanctuary Lodge (Machu Picchu) + USD 45 per person
The best option for lunch right next to Machu Picchu, with a varied buffet in a unique setting just steps from the citadel.
- Lunch at Café Inkaterra + USD 25 per person
Enjoy a dining experience in a beautiful natural setting by the Vilcanota River, ideal for relaxing and complementing your Machu Picchu visit with excellent food and tranquility.
Prices Machu Picchu and Sacred Valley Tour – 2 Days
Rates per person
- Adult (minimum 2 people): US$ 415
- University student (18 to 25 years old): US$ 390 (US$ 25 discount)
Traveling solo? The tour is confirmed with a minimum of 2 people. Contact us to check availability for your date.
Student discount requirement
Physical university ID (PVC card), valid during the year of travel and showing full name, photo, university and expiration date. ISIC cards, digital certificates and screenshots are not accepted. Send a copy at the time of booking.
Payment
You can pay in full when booking or, if you prefer, secure your spot with a US$ 200 deposit per person. In that case, the balance must be paid no later than the day before the tour.
Need accommodation in Cusco?
Our team will help you find the best option for your stay.
Packaging list
- Original, valid passport or ID.
- Valid physical student ID card (if applicable).
- Small backpack or 30-liter daypack.
- Comfortable clothing suitable for walking.
- Waterproof jacket or rain poncho.
- Hat or cap and sunglasses.
- Comfortable shoes with good grip.
- A special outfit for your photos.
- Sunscreen and insect repellent.
- Personal medication.
- Reusable water bottle.
- Light snacks.
- Cash in soles.
- Camera or cell phone.
- Portable charger or power bank.
Recomendations
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Tips for Planning Your Trip to Machu Picchu
To organize your trip to Machu Picchu, Peru, it is important to choose the season you will visit and book your entrance tickets and tour services in advance. Good planning will let you enjoy this wonder of the world more calmly and secure availability for the experiences you want.
- Choose the best season to travel: Cusco has two main seasons. The dry season, from April to October, usually brings sunnier days and less rain. The rainy season, from November to March, has more frequent rainfall and greener landscapes. Weather conditions may vary by month and area.
- Book your Machu Picchu ticket in advance: once you have set your travel dates, check the availability of the visit circuits and buy your tickets through official channels. Availability depends on the date, circuit, and demand.
- Organize your travel services: book trains, accommodation, flights, and transfers ahead of time to properly coordinate your itinerary from Cusco to Machu Picchu.
- Plan the Inca Trail several months in advance: if you want to do this trek, we recommend booking 4 to 6 months ahead, especially during high season. Permits are limited and can sell out early.
- Book access to Huayna Picchu: if you want to climb this mountain and enjoy its panoramic views, check ticket availability and book in advance, as spaces are limited.
- Check your travel documents: make sure your passport or ID is valid and that the details used for your bookings match those on your document. If you renew your passport after booking, check the conditions that apply to your tickets and services beforehand.
Plan your adventure with Sakura Expedition. Our team can help you coordinate tickets, trains, accommodation, and the experiences that best suit your travel dates, so you can enjoy Machu Picchu with careful planning and personalized attention.
F.A.Qs
- How far in advance should I book the tour? Bookings must be made at least 2 weeks in advance. However, spaces are limited and always subject to availability. Tickets for the Machu Picchu citadel and for the optional Machu Picchu and Huayna Picchu mountains are in high demand and sometimes sell out months ahead. For this reason, we recommend booking as early as possible.
- What is the Tourist Ticket, and is it included in the service? The Tourist Ticket gives access to 14 tourist sites: 10 archaeological parks around Cusco (Sacsayhuamán, Qenqo, Puca Pucara, Tambomachay, Pisac, Ollantaytambo, Chinchero, Moray, Tipón, and Pikillacta), plus 3 museums and 1 monument in Cusco. There are 2 types of tickets, partial and general. The partial ticket is the one needed for the Sacred Valley, and yes, it is included in your program.
- For child discounts, does the age at the time of booking or at the time of the tour apply? The discount for minors applies according to their age at the time of the tour. Regardless, the travel document must be sent when booking the tour.
- What documents do I need to prove I am a student? Travelers up to 17 years old only need to present their ID document. The student discount for ages 18 to 25 is valid only with a current-year physical student card with a photo. When booking, send us a copy or photo of your university ID, which must include:
- Full name of the university.
- Full name of the student.
- Photo of the student.
- Year of validity (it must match the year of your visit to Machu Picchu).
The following are not valid documents:
- Proof of enrollment.
- Certificate of student status.
- Student transportation card.
- ISIC card.
- Why are there different prices by type of accommodation in Aguas Calientes? The idea is to offer you an option that fits your budget for the tour, even leaving open the possibility for you to choose and book your own accommodation in Aguas Calientes. We can adjust the price of your service with non-rated lodging to get you a better price.
- What are the differences between the accommodation options?
- 2-star hotel: Eco Machupicchu Pueblo or similar: private single or double room with private bathroom. Includes a box lunch as breakfast.
- 2-star hotel: Machupicchu Adventure House or similar: private single or double room with private bathroom. Includes breakfast.
Note: Rooms are for 2 people; solo travelers must pay an additional USD 20.00.
- What is the difference between the Machu Picchu citadel, Machu Picchu Mountain, and Huayna Picchu Mountain? What is commonly known as “Machu Picchu” is the Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu, which is made up of different areas, including the Machu Picchu citadel (the archaeological center or ruins) and its two neighboring mountains: Machu Picchu and Huayna Picchu. The tour includes entrance to the citadel but not to either mountain, which you can add to your booking as an option.
- How long is the visit to Machu Picchu? The visit lasts 2 hours with your guide, plus free time to explore on your own, which you can use to visit the Inca Bridge or the Sun Gate, currently at no extra cost.
- What are the differences between the Expedition and Vistadome train classes? Both the Expedition and Vistadome classes offer comfortable leather seats and include a snack and a hot or cold drink per person. The first and main difference is that the Vistadome train has windows in the roof of the cars, offering a panoramic view of the outside. The second difference is that the Vistadome train offers onboard entertainment, such as traditional dances and fashion shows. If you would like Vistadome service, contact our booking staff, who will be happy to help: reservassakura@hotmail.com | WhatsApp +51 941 411 418
- I have already bought my Machu Picchu ticket. Can I book the program with the ticket price deducted? Yes. To book this way, email us at reservassakura@hotmail.com or WhatsApp +51 941 411 418 with the number of travelers and the date you want to start the program, and we will send you the corresponding quote along with booking instructions.
- Can I add a night of accommodation in Aguas Calientes and return to Cusco the day after the tour ends? Yes. To book this way, email us at reservassakura@hotmail.com or WhatsApp +51 941 411 418 with the number of travelers and the date you want to start the program, and we will send you the corresponding quote along with booking instructions.
