Adventure Tours Peru, Cultural Tours Peru
12 people
2 Days
The Sacred Valley of the Incas and Machu Picchu are two must-see destinations on any trip to Cusco, Peru. The first is the natural gateway to the Inca wonder of Machu Picchu, and together they form the perfect route to explore in two consecutive days. You can do it on your own, but the most recommended option is an organized tour to the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu, which allows you to enjoy stress-free transportation, tickets, and the company of an expert guide.
The tour begins by exploring the most important towns and archaeological sites of the Sacred Valley. In Chinchero you will witness Andean textile traditions and Inca ruins next to a colonial church. Then, you will visit Moray, an ancient agricultural laboratory with circular terraces, and the famous Maras salt mines, with thousands of salt pools creating a unique landscape.
Next, in Urubamba, you will enjoy a buffet lunch with local products before arriving in Ollantaytambo, considered the last living Inca town. From here, the panoramic train departs towards Aguas Calientes, a journey surrounded by mountains and spectacular scenery. You will spend the night in a cozy hotel to prepare for the big moment.
The second day is dedicated to a guided tour of Machu Picchu, where you will discover temples, plazas, and terraces that reveal the greatness of the Inca Empire. After the tour, you will have free time to explore on your own or take optional hikes such as the Sun Gate, Huayna Picchu, or Machu Picchu Mountain.
Finally, you will return by bus and train to Cusco with unforgettable memories. This 2-day tour of the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu is one of the best ways to experience the history, culture, and natural beauty of Peru in a single trip.
Visit Chinchero, Moray, and the Maras Salt Mines. Buffet lunch in Urubamba. Tour of Ollantaytambo and tourist train to Machu Picchu Station for an overnight stay in the town of Machu Picchu.
Bus ride up to Machu Picchu, 2-hour guided visit, and free time to explore. Return by bus to Aguas Calientes, train to Ollantaytambo, and transfer to Cusco.
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Your tour through the Sacred Valley towards Machu Picchu begins early with pickup from your hotel in Cusco. From there, we will take a scenic drive of about 45 minutes to Chinchero, one of the cultural gems of the Sacred Valley of the Incas.
Chinchero, located just 30 kilometers from Cusco, is one of the most traditional towns in Peru, recognized for its textile traditions. It is home to skilled Andean weavers who keep ancestral techniques alive. During the visit, you will have the opportunity to enter a local weaving center, where women shear llama and alpaca wool, dye it with natural pigments, and transform it into beautiful ponchos, scarves, and tapestries.
Next, you will tour the archaeological site of Chinchero, which preserves part of the ancient summer palace of the Inca emperor Pachacutec. Although the original construction was destroyed during the conquest, a colonial white-walled church was built on its remains, symbolizing the fusion of two cultures.
In addition to its historical wealth, Chinchero is known for having the most fertile soils in the Sacred Valley, making it a key place to understand the Incas’ innovative agricultural methods. Here you can admire perfectly designed terraces still used to grow potatoes, corn, and quinoa.
The next stop will be Moray, a mysterious archaeological complex near Maras. Here you will discover the famous circular terraces of Moray, a unique agricultural system in the world. Each level has a different temperature, which allowed the Incas to recreate various microclimates and experiment with crops such as potatoes, corn, and quinoa.
For this reason, Moray is considered the first Inca agricultural laboratory, an impressive example of advanced engineering and knowledge of nature possessed by our ancestors. During the rainy season, the terraces turn a vibrant green, creating one of the most beautiful landscapes in the Sacred Valley of the Incas.
Continuing the tour through the Sacred Valley towards Machu Picchu, we will arrive at the famous Maras Salt Mines, one of the most impressive and photographed landscapes in the region. This complex consists of more than 3,000 geometric salt pools, used since pre-Inca times for salt extraction.
Local villagers still preserve the ancestral technique: salty water from a natural spring is channeled into the pools, where it evaporates under the sun, leaving behind salt crystals that are then collected by hand. This artisanal process has made Maras a unique place where tradition and nature harmoniously combine.
The salt of Maras is known for its characteristic pink color and distinctive flavor, making it highly valued in both Peruvian and international cuisine. During your visit, you will have time to walk among the terraces, admire the surrounding mountain landscape, and capture unforgettable photos of this unique setting in the Sacred Valley of the Incas.
After exploring Chinchero, Moray, and the Maras Salt Mines, we will continue the journey to Urubamba. Here we will stop at a local restaurant to enjoy a buffet lunch prepared with fresh ingredients grown in the area. The restaurants in Urubamba are often run by local farming families, ensuring an authentic, nutritious meal with traditional Peruvian flavors.
This will be the perfect time to recharge your energy and enjoy a unique culinary experience before continuing to Ollantaytambo.
After our lunch in Urubamba, we will head to Ollantaytambo, one of the most fascinating towns in the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Known as the former administrative and military capital of the Incas, it is strategically nestled between two mountains that protect impressive archaeological remains.
During the guided visit, you will tour the archaeological complex of Ollantaytambo, famous for its impressive Inca temple, its gigantic perfectly carved stone walls, and its agricultural terraces climbing the mountain. We will also explore the main square, ceremonial fountains such as the Ñusta’s Bath—a finely crafted stone fountain associated with purification rituals for the Inca nobility—the Temple of Water, and the religious sectors that were considered sacred during the Inca Empire.
In addition to its historical importance, Ollantaytambo is a place that conveys the living essence of Andean culture: its cobblestone streets, traditional houses, and water channels transport us to the past, making it an essential stop before continuing to Machu Picchu.
After visiting Ollantaytambo, you will board the tourist train to Aguas Calientes, the gateway to the wonder of the world, Machu Picchu. During the ride, you will enjoy a spectacular landscape, passing through deep canyons, green valleys, and snow-capped mountains while the train snakes alongside the Urubamba River.
Upon arrival in Aguas Calientes, our representative will be waiting for you at the station to take you to your hotel, where you will have a comfortable room with a private bathroom. This will be your place to rest for the night before the grand experience of the next day: the guided visit to Machu Picchu.
The tranquility of the town, surrounded by mist-covered mountains and the sound of the river, will allow you to relax and prepare for one of the most anticipated moments of the entire trip: discovering the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu the following day.
The second day of the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu tour will begin very early in the morning. After enjoying a nutritious breakfast at your hotel in Aguas Calientes, we will board the tourist bus that takes only 40 minutes along a winding road to reach the main entrance of the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu.
At the gate, your tour guide will assist you with entry while the authorities check your Machu Picchu ticket together with your original passport.
Once inside, you will experience an unforgettable moment: the first rays of sunlight illuminating the stone walls of the ancient Inca city. Our two-hour guided tour of Machu Picchu will begin with an introduction to its history and spiritual meaning, followed by the exploration of its main sectors.
During the visit, you will explore the main square, ceremonial temples, royal residences, the Intihuatana (sun clock), and other sacred areas, while your guide shares the secrets of Andean architecture and worldview.
At the end of the tour, you will have free time to wander at your own pace, take unique photographs, or simply sit and contemplate the majesty of this wonder of the world.
If you booked in advance the hike to Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain, your guide will show you the start of the trail, provide safety recommendations, and explain the approximate time needed to complete the hike.
After the visit, you will descend by bus to Aguas Calientes, where you’ll have free time for lunch at a local restaurant or to relax in the town’s hot springs before departure.
In the afternoon or evening, you will board the tourist train back to Ollantaytambo, once again enjoying the landscapes of the Sacred Valley. There, our representative will be waiting at the station to take you by private transport back to Cusco and drop you off at your hotel.
This concludes this unforgettable 2-day tour of the Sacred Valley of the Incas and Machu Picchu, an experience that combines history, culture, and landscapes that will remain in your memory forever.
During your 2-day trip through the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu, everything is planned so you can enjoy without worrying about transportation, tickets, or lodging details. Here’s what’s included:
Although the tour covers most services, there are some aspects that are not included and that you should take into account:
To fully enjoy your trip through the Sacred Valley of the Incas and Machu Picchu, it’s essential to pack light but smart. Keep in mind that the journey combines cultural visits, light hikes, and a full day at the Inca citadel, so being prepared will make all the difference.
In this section, we answer the most common questions about the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu tour. Here you’ll find clear answers to help you plan your trip with peace of mind and no surprises.
Knowing the altitude of each location is important to be prepared for altitude sickness during your trip. Here are the main ones:
The best time is the dry season (May to September) for clear skies. During the rainy season (November to March), the landscapes are greener and there are fewer tourists.
It’s not strictly necessary, since the route descends in altitude: from Cusco (3,399 m) to Chinchero (3,762 m), then Urubamba (2,871 m), Ollantaytambo (2,792 m), and finally Aguas Calientes (2,040 m). This helps with adaptation. Still, if you arrive in Cusco by plane, it’s recommended to rest, stay hydrated, and eat lightly.
You must purchase the Cusco Tourist Ticket (BTC), either partial or general, which includes Chinchero, Moray, and Ollantaytambo. It is not included in the tour.
Huayna Picchu (2,693 m) is the iconic mountain seen in photos, with steep trails. Machu Picchu Mountain (3,082 m) is longer, less demanding, and offers panoramic views. Both require advance reservation.
The train departs from the Ollantaytambo station (2,792 m) and takes between 1h40 and 2h to Aguas Calientes.
One night in a 3-star tourist hotel in Aguas Calientes, such as the Hotel Vista Machu Picchu or Hotel Horizonte, with private rooms and breakfast.
The guided tour lasts about 2 hours and covers the main temples and enclosures. The standard ticket includes Circuits 2 or 3, the most recommended.
You’ll have between 1 and 2 hours free to explore or take pictures, depending on your entry time.
Options range from local restaurants to buffets and gourmet choices. Lunch on day 2 is not included.
Yes, you can go to the Aguas Calientes hot springs, located 10 minutes on foot from the town center, if you have time before the train.
The tour usually includes the panoramic tourist train Expedition or Voyager. For an additional cost, you can travel on the Vistadome or the Hiram Bingham.
The train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo takes 2 hours, and the minivan to Cusco about 1h40. In total, between 3h30 and 4h.
Your valid original passport and entry ticket. The passport will be requested at the train station and at the entrance to Machu Picchu.
Yes, it’s possible. The Sacred Valley involves light walks and access to Machu Picchu is by bus. It’s recommended to keep a suitable pace and take the altitude into account.
Do not hesitate to give us a call. We are an expert team and we are happy to talk to you.
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