Machu Picchu and Sacred Valley 2-Day Tour
2 Days
Up to 8 travelers
3,762 m (Chinchero)
Easy
Machu Picchu and Sacred Valley 2-Day Tour from Cusco
Two days that join the highlights of the Sacred Valley with an unhurried visit to Machu Picchu. On day 1 you drive through Chinchero, the circular terraces of Moray, the Maras salt pans and the Inca town of Ollantaytambo, then take the train to Aguas Calientes and sleep at the foot of the citadel. On day 2 you go up to Machu Picchu in the morning for a guided tour and free time, and return to Cusco in the evening.
It is an easy trip with short walks, ideal if you don’t want to start at 4 a.m. or if you want to add Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain. Groups have up to 8 travelers.
Machu Picchu & Sacred Valley 2-Day Tour Inclusions
Included 8
- Briefing at our Cusco office the day before departure
- Hotel pick-up and drop-off in Cusco and tourist transport in the Sacred Valley
- Professional bilingual guide (English and Spanish)
- Buffet lunch in Urubamba
- Round-trip train Ollantaytambo – Aguas Calientes, in the class you choose (Expedition, Voyager or Vistadome)
- One night in a 3-star hotel in Aguas Calientes
- Round-trip bus Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu
- Machu Picchu entrance ticket (Circuit 2 when available)
Not Included 5
- Entrance to the Sacred Valley sites (Cusco Tourist Ticket and the Maras fee)
- Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain: USD 80 per person, subject to availability
- Meals not listed
- Tips and personal expenses
- Travel insurance
Packing List 17
- Passport
- Bag
- Water bottle
- Money Cash in Soles
- Rain jacket or rain poncho
- long-sleeve trekking shirts
- short-sleeve shirts
- Pants
- Sport pants
- Hat
- Sunglasses
- Beanie
- Gloves
- Short
- Shoes
- Sunscreen
- Insect repellent
Machu Picchu and Sacred Valley tour Itinerary
1
Day 1
Cusco – Chinchero – Moray – Maras – Urubamba – Ollantaytambo – Aguas Calientes
Pick-up at your hotel in Cusco at 7:45 a.m. The road climbs to Chinchero (3,762 m), the highest point of the trip, a weaving town with an Inca palace under its colonial church.
Next come the circular terraces of Moray, where the Incas grew crops on different levels, and the Maras salt pans, thousands of pools still worked by local families. Buffet lunch in Urubamba, with vegetarian options.
In the afternoon you visit the temple terraces of Ollantaytambo and board the train to Aguas Calientes, where our staff takes you to your hotel. Evening free.
2
Day 2
Machu Picchu – Ollantaytambo – Cusco
After breakfast, a 30-minute bus ride takes you up to Machu Picchu. Your guide leads a tour of about two hours through the main sectors of your circuit — terraces, temples and the urban area.
Then you have free time. If you booked Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain (USD 80, not included), you climb it before or after the tour depending on your entry time.
Bus back down to Aguas Calientes, afternoon train to Ollantaytambo and transport to your hotel in Cusco, arriving around 7:00 p.m.
Good to know
Machu Picchu in 1 day or 2 days?
| Machu Picchu Day Trip | Machu Picchu & Sacred Valley 2 Days | |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | USD 382 | USD 475 |
| Pick-up in Cusco | 3:45–4:15 a.m. | 7:45 a.m. |
| Sacred Valley sites | — (Ollantaytambo station only) | Chinchero, Moray, Maras and Ollantaytambo, with lunch in Urubamba |
| Night | Back in Cusco around 6:30–7:00 p.m. | 3-star hotel in Aguas Calientes |
| Machu Picchu | Guided tour of about 2.5 h, midday | Guided tour of about 2 h the next morning, plus free time |
| Best for | Short stays and travelers who don’t mind a long day | A calmer pace, and adding Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain |
Good to know
Booking and tickets
- Machu Picchu has a daily visitor limit, and Circuit 2 (the classic route) sells out first. From May to August, book as early as you can.
- We buy the Machu Picchu and train tickets after you pay the deposit and send passport copies. Once the tickets are issued you receive your confirmation, travel manual and final itinerary.
- If Circuit 2 is sold out we offer the closest available circuit before buying anything.
Documents
Bring your original passport: it is checked when boarding the train and at the Machu Picchu entrance, and it must match the booking.
Luggage on the train
Trains allow one piece of hand luggage per person: a backpack of up to 8 kg on both PeruRail and Inca Rail (PeruRail also accepts a carry-on of up to 12 kg instead). Leave the rest of your luggage at our office or your hotel in Cusco.
Food, water and toilets
- Day 1: buffet lunch in Urubamba is included; you can buy snacks and water at the sites.
- Day 2: food is not allowed inside Machu Picchu and there are no toilets inside — use the ones at the entrance before you go in.
Not allowed inside Machu Picchu
Large backpacks, tripods, selfie sticks, drones and walking sticks without a rubber tip (only with medical need).
Weather
The dry season runs from about April to October and the rainy season from November to March. Machu Picchu is warmer and more humid than Cusco, and the weather changes fast: bring a rain jacket, a light warm layer, sun protection and insect repellent.
Strikes and road blockades
If a strike affects the trip, our operations team proposes an alternative route or schedule before the departure; your safety comes first.
Accommodation
Couples get a private room. Solo travelers can ask for a private room for a supplement — ask us for the price.
Travel insurance
We strongly recommend travel insurance that covers medical care and non-refundable tickets.
FAQs about Machu Picchu & Sacred Valley 2 Days
Which Machu Picchu circuit is included?
We book Circuit 2, the classic route that covers the upper viewpoints and the main urban area, whenever it is available. If it is sold out for your date, we offer the closest available circuit before buying the tickets.
How do I book?
Choose your date with Book now, fill in the traveler details and pay the deposit by card. Then we ask for passport copies to buy the train and Machu Picchu tickets. For trips in 2027, you can reserve your place now with 40% of the price.
When is my tour guaranteed?
As soon as the Machu Picchu tickets are issued. You then receive an email with the confirmation, the travel manual and the final itinerary.
How do I pay the balance?
Up to 2 days before departure, in cash (USD or soles) at our office, or by card or PayPal with a 5% processing fee.
Are there rates for students and children?
Machu Picchu has reduced official fares for students and children, so the tour price can be lower. Send us the ages and, for students, a valid student card, and we will quote the final price.
Can I change my date after booking?
Machu Picchu tickets cannot be refunded or changed. A new date means buying new tickets and changing the train, subject to availability, so there is an extra cost. Ask us before deciding.
Which train class can I choose?
You choose the train class when you book: Expedition, Voyager or Vistadome. Most of our travelers choose Vistadome or Voyager. The fare depends on the class and the schedule, so we confirm the final price with your booking.
What train times are used?
It depends on availability: usually an afternoon or evening train to Aguas Calientes on day 1, and an afternoon train back on day 2, arriving in Cusco around 7:00 p.m.
Do I need my original passport?
Yes. It is checked on the train and at the Machu Picchu entrance and must match the booking. If you renew it before the trip, send us the new one so we can update the tickets.
Can I add Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain?
Yes, for USD 80 per person, subject to availability. Book it with the tour: tickets are limited and sell out weeks ahead in high season.
Can I start from the Sacred Valley or book my own hotel?
The itinerary is designed from Cusco, which keeps the logistics simple. If you are staying in the Sacred Valley or want your own hotel in Aguas Calientes, tell us and we will adjust the price.
Where do I leave my luggage?
At our office or your hotel in Cusco. Take only a small bag for the night in Aguas Calientes.
