Itinerary
Discover what awaits you in the Sacred Valley and Short Inca Trail – 4 days
day 1
DAY 1: CUSCO
- Meals: Not applicable
- Maximum altitude: –
- Difficulty level: Easy
- Minimum altitude: 3,350m/10,991ft
- Duration: 1Hrs (13:00-18:30)
- Hotel: Not applicable
Upon your arrival at Cusco’s Alejandro Velasco Astete Airport, our team will pick you up and transfer you to your hotel. You’ll have the rest of the day free to rest, acclimatize, and explore the imperial city at your own pace. In the afternoon, you’ll receive an informative briefing about the trip and recommendations for your adventure in the Sacred Valley of Cusco and the Inca Trail.
What is this day like? check our photos
day 2
DAY 2: TARAY VIEWPOINT - PISAC - URUBAMBA - OLLANTAYTAMBO
- Meals: Breakfast – Lunch
- Maximum altitude: 3,350m/10,991ft
- Difficulty level: Moderate
- Minimum altitude: 2,792m/9,160ft
- Duration: 8Hrs (08:00-16:00)
- Hotel: Ollantaytambo
The second day begins with the Sacred Valley of Cusco route. We’ll visit the Taray Viewpoint, featuring spectacular landscapes of Inca terraces, and then proceed to the artisan market and archaeological park of Pisac. Then we’ll head to Urubamba, where we’ll enjoy a buffet lunch, and in the afternoon we’ll explore Ollantaytambo, known as the “living Inca town” for its stone streets and archaeological complex. We’ll spend the night in Ollantaytambo, preparing to start the 1-day Inca Trail the following day.
What is this day like? check our photos
day 3
DAY 3: OLLANTAYTAMBO - CHACHABAMBA (KM. 104) - WIÑAYWAYNA - INTIPUNKU - AGUAS CALIENTES
- Meals: Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner
- Maximum altitude: 2,792m/9,160ft
- Difficulty level: Moderate III
- Minimum altitude: 2,040m/6,693ft
- Duration: 12Hrs (06:00-17:00)
- Hotel: Aguas Calientes
After breakfast, we’ll take the tourist train to Chachabamba – km 104, the starting point of the famous short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. We’ll visit the archaeological site of Chachabamba before embarking on the approximately 3-hour hike to Wiñaywayna, an archaeological complex surrounded by terraces and stunning landscapes. We’ll continue to Intipunku (Sun Gate), from where you’ll have your first panoramic view of Machu Picchu. This route is a good alternative to the Classic Inca Trail, offering its own beauty and a shorter duration. At the end, we’ll descend to Aguas Calientes, where we’ll have dinner, rest, and receive instructions from the guide for the next day’s visit.
What is this day like? check our photos
day 4
DAY 4: AGUAS CALIENTES - MACHU PICCHU - CUSCO
- Meals: Breakfast
- Maximum altitude: 3,350m/10,991ft
- Difficulty level: Moderate III
- Minimum altitude: 2,040m/6,562ft
- Duration: 12Hrs (05:30-17:300)
- Hotel: Not applicable
Very early, we’ll board the bus that will take us to the Machu Picchu citadel. Here you’ll enjoy a guided tour of approximately 2 hours through the temples, enclosures, and Inca terraces. We’ll also have free time to explore and take photographs. Then, we’ll return to Aguas Calientes for lunch (not included) and take the tourist train to Ollantaytambo, where private transportation will take you back to Cusco. Upon arrival, you can do some last-minute shopping, and we’ll pick you up from your hotel to transfer you to Alejandro Velasco Astete Airport, where you’ll board your flight back home.
Includes
- Pick-up from your hotel in Cusco
- Transportation Cusco – Ollantaytambo/Ollantaytambo – Cusco
- Bus Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu / Machu Picchu – Aguas Calientes
- 3 nights accommodation
- 3 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 1 dinner
- Hiking snack (day 1 of Inca Trail)
- Sacred Valley of Cusco tour
- Inca Trail entrance
- Machu Picchu entrance
- Entrance tickets to all attractions (Sacred Valley)
- Professional bilingual guide
- Permanent assistance
Not include
- Domestic flights (available for selection at an additional rate)
- Downhill transportation (day 2)
- Tips for staff
- Additional costs or delays beyond our control
- Lunch and dinner (day 2)
- Others not mentioned
- Additional services
- Travel insurance
ADDITIONAL:
- If you want to visit Huayna Picchu Mountain or Machu Picchu, you will need to add USD 75.00.
- If you prefer the Vistadome train service, you will need to add USD 60.00 per person.
- If you are traveling alone, please let us know so we can send you the supplement for the single room.
If you have any further questions or need additional assistance, feel free to ask.
Prices Sacred Valley and Short Inca Trail – 4 days
Availability 2025
This tour is available every day of the year, except in February (due to the annual closure of the Inca Trail). Advance booking is required with a minimum of 2 participants.
Regular Group Rate – Adults (minimum 2 people)
Accommodation Category:
-
Without hotel: US$ 602
-
With 3★ hotel: US$ 637
-
With 4★ hotel: Request a custom quote
Payment Conditions
Deposit: US$ 200
Remaining balance: US$ 382 (to be paid 24 hours before the tour or on the day of the pre-trek briefing)
Special Discounts 2025
University Students (ages 18 to 25)
Discount: US$ 25
Requirements: Original physical student ID issued by the university (PVC material). Must include full name, photo, university name, and expiration date valid for the year of travel (e.g., 2024 or 2025).
Not accepted: ISIC cards, digital certificates, or ID photos.
Note: A copy of the student ID must be sent at the time of booking.
- Students under 17
- Discount: US$ 25
- Condition: Must be 17 years old or younger on the date of the tour.
- Note: A copy of the passport must be sent at the time of booking.
- Children under 11
- Discount: US$ 35
- Note: A copy of the passport must be sent at the time of booking.
Additional Services
Looking for accommodation in Cusco?
Our team of travel specialists is ready to help you find the best option for your stay.
Packaging list
- Valid passport
- Extra money (recommended in soles)
- Personal medications
- Water bottle or camelback (optional purifying tablets)
- Protection products (sunscreen 70+ or higher, insect repellent, UV protection sunglasses)
- Clothing: Light footwear or sandals, pants and socks (hiking), water shoes, jacket, poncho, waterproof mountain boots/shoes, long-sleeve shirts, thermal jacket, hat that protects face and neck, shorts, and a neck scarf or buff
- Personal hygiene products (towel, toothpaste, soap, deodorant)
- Sleeping bag
- Hiking poles and a flashlight
- Medium hiking backpack (15 to 25 liters)
- Camera with charger and external battery (optional)
- Snacks: energy bars, electrolytes, nuts, energy gels, etc.
Recomendations
- Book your Inca Trail Expedition as soon as possible since permits sell out quickly.
- Arrive at least 1 day before your Expedition as it will serve as a prior acclimatization to your hike.
- Remember that the city of Cusco is at an altitude of 3400 meters above sea level.
- Check your personal items that you will be taking on the trip.
- Visit us at our main office located in the Historic Center of the city of Cusco, 1 day before your hike at 7:00 pm, to receive an informative talk about the journey led by the Tour Guide.
- This will help you be much more informed, secure, and ready for your tour.
- Leave the luggage you won’t take on the Expedition for free at our main office storage.
- Don’t forget to carry your updated Personal Documents as they will be required by Peruvian authorities at the Inca Trail and Machu Picchu checkpoints.
F.A.Qs
¿HOW MAKE A RESERVATION?
- To make a reservation, we request that you have a valid passport or a passport with an expiration date of more than 6 months. This is to ensure that you have no issues entering Peru since our immigration office is strict.
- To check availability for spaces in Machu Picchu and choose your desired hotel, please contact one of our Travel Advisors via WhatsApp at +51 941411418 or send us an email at [email protected]
- Once the passport validity and space availability are confirmed, you can proceed to reserve the travel package by making a 50% deposit using our different payment methods.
- For bank deposits, please consider that transaction fees are assumed by our clients. In other words, the deposited amount should cover the fees.
- For credit card payments, please add 5% of the total payment amount as this fee is charged by our providers.
- For PayPal payments, please add 7% of the total payment amount as this fee is charged by PayPal.
WHAT ARE THE SCHEDULED DEPARTURE DATES?
Sakura Expedition offers departures throughout the year.
WHAT TO BRING FOR THE HIKE:
- Personal documents (Identification Document (Passport, ID Card) and TAM (Andean Migration Card)
- Hiking boots
- Hiking clothing
- Travel backpack to carry:
- Camelback or refillable water bottle
- Extra set of clothes
- 2 sets of underwear, including hiking socks
- Rain poncho and/or waterproof jacket
- Hat and sunglasses
- Sunscreen and insect repellent
- Swimwear (optional if you want to visit the hot springs in Aguas Calientes)
- Personal first aid kit, including any necessary medication
- Camera
- Flashlight with spare batteries
- Extra money for souvenirs and other additional expenses.
HOW LONG IS THE TRIP?
The trip duration is 4 days and 3 nights. We recommend arriving in the city before 10:00 AM and departing from your city of origin after 06:00 PM.
WHAT TYPE OF SERVICE WILL I RECEIVE?
We provide “Group Service,” allowing you to enjoy the trip with a group of no more than 15 members. This limit enables a better experience of the attractions and explanations provided by our guides.
WHAT IS THE BEST TIME TO TAKE THE TRIP?
Cusco offers the possibility of enjoying the trip throughout the year. However, the best months are from April to October since you can enjoy sunnier days.
