Photo gallery
A glimpse of the journey
Tour overview
Sacred Valley & Machu Picchu, thoughtfully organized
Our most complete short trip. Day one follows the Sacred Valley of the Incas, from the terraces of Pisac to the fortress of Ollantaytambo, then the train to Aguas Calientes. Day two is all about Machu Picchu.
Our Cusco team checks the services, timings and availability for your dates and sends the options in a written quote.
Journey highlights
What makes this trip special
- Pisac terraces and market, plus the Ollantaytambo fortress
- Buffet lunch with Andean dishes in Urubamba
- Sleeping lower in the valley helps with the altitude
- Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu tickets all included
Interactive journey map
The train route to Machu Picchu
This interactive map shows the transfer and train section of this trip. Other visits and overnight stays are described in the itinerary. The line is schematic, not a GPS navigation track.
Ready in Cusco
- 01CuscoHotel pickup
- 02OllantaytamboBoard the tourist train
- 03Machu Picchu PuebloAlso known as Aguas Calientes
- 04Machu Picchu entranceBegin your guided visit
By private carCusco to Ollantaytambo through the Sacred Valley.
By trainOllantaytambo to Machu Picchu Pueblo beside the Urubamba River.
By shuttle busMachu Picchu Pueblo to the sanctuary entrance.
Return journeyReturn connections are confirmed in your quote.
Detailed itinerary
Your journey, step by step
Times and services are indicative. Your final schedule is confirmed in your written quote.
Sacred Valley (shared tour)
Pickup around 7:30 am · Pisac, buffet lunch, Ollantaytambo · Evening train · Overnight: hotel in Aguas Calientes · Meals: lunch The day starts with a drive over the hills of Cusco to a viewpoint above the Sacred Valley of the Incas, the fertile valley of the Urubamba River. At Pisac you walk among some of the most spectacular agricultural terraces in Peru and the ceremonial center at the top, then have time for the artisan market in the town below. After a buffet lunch of Andean dishes in Urubamba, you visit Ollantaytambo: an Inca fortress and temple complex climbing a mountainside above the only Inca town still lived in today, with its original stone streets and water channels. In the evening you board the train at Ollantaytambo station to Aguas Calientes (1.5–2 h), where you check in at your hotel.
Machu Picchu (private visit)
Bus from about 6:00 am · 2–2.5 h guided visit · Return to Cusco around 8–9 pm · Meals: breakfast Your private guide meets you at the hotel and you ride one of the first buses up to the citadel. The visit follows your circuit, usually the classic Circuit 2: the postcard viewpoint, the Temple of the Sun, the royal residences and the Intihuatana, with the history of Pachacútec's mountain estate. After the visit you have free time in Aguas Calientes, then the afternoon train back to Ollantaytambo and a transfer to your Cusco hotel.
What's included
Clear inclusions, no guesswork
Included
- transport and guide in the Sacred Valley
- Cusco Tourist Ticket (valley sites)
- buffet lunch on Day 1
- round-trip train
- 1 night hotel with breakfast
- round-trip bus
- Machu Picchu ticket
- guide at Machu Picchu
- transfers
Not included
- dinner on Day 1
- lunch on Day 2
- mountain add-ons
- tips
Optional extras
Ways to tailor this trip
- Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain +US$ 75
- Vistadome train +US$ 65
- Vistadome Observatory +US$ 145 (round trip)
- 3★ or 4★ hotel upgrade on request
- Maras and Moray instead of Pisac on request
Optional services are subject to availability. Mention your preferences in the booking form notes; your quote will list the selected extras and final total.
Plan with confidence
Essential trip details
Good to know
Before you travel
Entrance routes
Understanding Machu Picchu circuits
Machu Picchu uses timed tickets and set routes. The circuit available for your trip depends on tickets, trek permits and your itinerary.
Panoramic
Elevated viewpoints and selected mountain routes.
Classic
Classic viewpoints and the urban sector.
Royalty
Lower-sector temples and royal spaces.
Routes depend on official availability. Your quote will identify the proposed ticket route.
Planning guides
Useful reading before you book
What to bring
Pack light for the day
- Original passport
- Small overnight bag and daypack
- Layers: cool mornings, warm middays and cold evenings
- Rain jacket, sun hat, sunscreen and insect repellent
- Cash in soles for the market, dinner and tips
Carry the original passport used to book. Check your confirmed ticket and operator instructions for current baggage and site rules.
Frequently asked questions
Before you book
Can I store my big luggage?
Yes. Your train ticket includes one backpack (max 8 kg) or one carry-on bag (max 12 kg), so we keep your main luggage safe in Cusco until you return.
Is this good for families?
Yes. It is our most recommended trip for families and first-time visitors.
Can I start from the Sacred Valley instead of Cusco?
Yes. If you are staying in Urubamba or Ollantaytambo, we pick you up there.
Is the buffet lunch good for vegetarians?
Yes. The buffet always has vegetarian dishes. Tell us about allergies when you book.
Can I make this a 3-day trip?
Yes. Add Maras and Moray, an extra night in the valley, or a second Machu Picchu visit through the Custom page.
