GENERAL INFORMATION
Duration: 2 Days/1 Night
Size of group: Max. 20 people for Sacred Valley. Private guide to visit Machu Picchu.
Starting point: Cusco
Point of Arrival: Cusco
Travel style: Archaeological and cultural visit.
Level of difficulty: Easy
Tour Rating:The Tour to the Sacred Valley of the Incas and Machu Picchu is a highly recommended way to discover the charm and magic of the Inca Civilization.
Altitudes: 3,400 meters above sea level (Cusco City) descending to 2,400 meters above sea level (Machu Picchu)
Departure dates: daily departures.
Valle Sagrado y Machu Picchu
TOUR DETAILS
Information
INTRODUCTION
This 2-day, 1-night tour combines the Sacred Valley and the Machu Picchu archaeological site in an accessible route for travelers with limited time.
On the first day we begin with pickup from your hotel in Cusco and travel by private transport through the Sacred Valley. Along the way we visit the Písac market and the Písac archaeological site. We continue to Urubamba for a buffet lunch and then head to the Ollantaytambo archaeological site, where the Inca architecture is visible in its terraces, temples, water channels, and stone pathways. From Ollantaytambo we board the train to Aguas Calientes, where we spend the night at a hotel.
On the second day we take the bus up to the Machu Picchu archaeological site (2,400 m.a.s.l. / 7,874 ft), the most visited tourist destination in Peru with close to 2 million visitors per year. Access to the site is regulated by the Ministerio de Cultura del Perú with limited daily entry quotas.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Visit the Sacred Valley and the Machu Picchu archaeological site over two days with everything included.
- Visit the Písac and Ollantaytambo archaeological sites with the guidance of a knowledgeable local guide.
- Visit the Machu Picchu archaeological site, managed by the Ministerio de Cultura del Perú with limited daily entry quotas.
- Travel through varied landscapes including valleys, canyons, mountains, and cloud forest.
- Train journey with views of the valley and cloud forest between Ollantaytambo and Aguas Calientes.
- Suitable for couples, groups of friends, families, and travelers interested in nature and history.
- All entry tickets and permits included.
- Pickup and drop-off from accommodations in Cusco and the Sacred Valley.
- Real-time information on your Machu Picchu entry ticket.
RECOMMENDATIONS
- Book your Machu Picchu tour at least 4 months in advance, as entry tickets have limited availability and sell out quickly.
- Arrive in Cusco at least 1 day before the excursion to acclimatize.
- Keep in mind that Cusco is located at 3,400 m.a.s.l.
- Review your personal items in advance to make sure you have everything needed for the tour.
- Visit our office in the historic center of Cusco the day before the tour at 7:00 p.m. to attend the pre-tour briefing with your guide.
- Carry valid identification documents, as these will be required at checkpoints and at the Machu Picchu entrance.
- If you have any questions or would like more information about this Tour, do not hesitate to contact us: WhatsApp: +51 984 525 006 / +51 984 683 047 or write to us at: info@incredibleperutours.com
TOUR SCHEDULES
Day 1:
- 7:30 a.m. Hotel pickup.
- 8:00 a.m. Transport from Cusco to Písac.
- 8:30 a.m. Visit to the Písac market and Písac archaeological site.
- 12:40 p.m. Buffet lunch in Urubamba.
- 1:40 p.m. Departure to Ollantaytambo and guided visit to the archaeological site.
- 4:30 p.m. Train to Aguas Calientes.
- 6:30 p.m. Arrival in Aguas Calientes, pickup at the station and transfer to the hotel.
- 7:00 p.m. Guide briefing for the Machu Picchu visit.
Day 2:
- 5:30 a.m. Breakfast and transfer to the bus station.
- 7:00 a.m. Arrival at Machu Picchu and start of the guided tour.
- 11:00 a.m. Bus down to the town of Aguas Calientes.
- 11:30 a.m. Arrival in Aguas Calientes.
- 12:00 p.m. Lunch at a local restaurant and free time.
- 4:20 p.m. Return train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo.
- 6:20 p.m. Arrival at Ollantaytambo station.
- 8:20 p.m. Transport from Ollantaytambo back to Cusco.
- 10:20 p.m. Arrival in Cusco and transfer to your hotel.
This Schedule is a reference since it may vary according to the physical condition of each traveler and availability of Train departure times.
Itinerary
1 DAY: CUSCO – PISAC – OLLANTAYTAMBO – AGUAS CALIENTES
Pickup is at 7:30 a.m. from your hotel in Cusco. We travel by private transport north of the city toward Písac. On the way we stop at the Sacred Valley viewpoint, from where the valley and the Urubamba River, also known as the Vilcanota River, can be seen.
We continue to the Písac archaeological site, where the guide will explain the most relevant aspects of Inca architecture: hillside agricultural terraces, stonework, and ceremonial structures. After the visit to the archaeological site we descend to the town of Písac to explore the local craft market, with free time to browse and shop.
From Písac we continue approximately 40 minutes by transport to a local restaurant in the town of Urubamba for the buffet lunch, which includes local products such as quinoa, corn, potatoes, alpaca meat, trout, vegetables, ceviche, and desserts.
After lunch we drive 30 minutes along the Urubamba River to Ollantaytambo. The guided visit to the Ollantaytambo archaeological site lasts approximately 2 hours and covers terraces, temples, Inca structures, and the rock formation on the mountain representing the Inca god Wiracocha.
From Ollantaytambo we walk 10 minutes to the train station (2,800 m.a.s.l.), where we board the train to Aguas Calientes. You can choose between the Expedition Train or the Vistadome Train according to your preference. The journey takes approximately 1 hour and 40 minutes with views of the valley and cloud forest, arriving in Aguas Calientes (2,000 m.a.s.l.).
Upon arrival in Aguas Calientes a representative will meet you at the station and accompany you to the hotel. You will have the afternoon free to explore the town or visit the thermal baths. In the evening the guide will provide information about the following day’s program.
DAY 2: AGUAS CALIENTES – MACHU PICCHU – CUSCO.
After breakfast we leave the hotel and walk 5 minutes to the bus station. From there we take the tourist bus for 30 minutes up the winding road to the Machu Picchu archaeological site (2,400 m.a.s.l.).
Upon arrival the professional guide begins the guided tour of approximately 2 hours, covering the main plaza, terraces, Inca dwellings, storehouses, water fountains, and the ceremonial sector of the site.
After the guided tour there is free time to explore the site independently. Subject to availability and the type of ticket purchased, it is possible to walk to the Sun Gate (2 hours round trip), the Inca Bridge (40 minutes round trip), or Huayna Picchu Mountain (1 hour and 30 minutes round trip).
In the afternoon we take the bus down for 25 minutes to Aguas Calientes, where there is time to have lunch at a local restaurant and explore the craft market.
In the afternoon we board the return train to Ollantaytambo, where a transport will be waiting to take us back to Cusco, arriving in the evening.
Included services
THIS TOUR INCLUDES
- Pre-tour briefing with your guide 1 or 2 days before the excursion at our office in Cusco.
- Secure luggage storage at our office during the excursion.
- Hotel pickup in Cusco on the day of departure.
- Entry tickets to the Sacred Valley archaeological sites and Machu Picchu.
- Buffet lunch in Urubamba.
- Private transport and guide for the Sacred Valley tour.
- One-way train ticket in tourist service from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes.
- 1 night accommodation in the town of Aguas Calientes.
- Entry ticket to the Machu Picchu archaeological site.
- Round-trip bus tickets between Aguas Calientes and Machu Picchu.
- Guided tour of Machu Picchu of approximately 2 hours.
- Return train ticket in tourist service from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo.
- Transport from Ollantaytambo train station to your hotel in Cusco.
OPTIONAL SERVICES
- Huayna Picchu Mountain entry ticket (subject to availability, limited to 400 spots per day, USD 70 additional). Only applicable if staying an extra day in Aguas Calientes. Request at the time of booking.
- Machu Picchu Mountain entry ticket (subject to availability, limited to 400 spots per day, USD 70 additional). Only applicable if staying an extra day in Aguas Calientes. Request at the time of booking.
What should you bring
LIST OF PERSONAL ITEMS TO BRING
Weather at high altitude can change throughout the day, with lower temperatures especially in the early morning hours. Below you will find the list of recommended items for this excursion. If you do not have any of them, you can purchase or rent what you need in Cusco before departure, as the city has a good selection of stores with travel and outdoor gear.
Documents
- Original passport.
- ISIC student card, if you are a student
- Travel insurance (some copies)
- A printed voucher issued by us.
Essential
- Pack of day.
- Sleeping bag.
- Water bottle.
- Purification or filter tablets
- Some snacks like cookies, candies, chocolates, energy bars.
- Money belt and some money if you want to buy some souvenirs from your visit.
Clothes
- Shoes and sandals.
- Warm clothing: especially at night such as a thermal jacket, gloves, scarf, wool socks, wool hat for cold nights.
- Waterproof clothing (jacket and poncho)
- Synthetic or cotton clothing (pants, socks, trousers, shorts, 4 hiking shirts)
- Swimsuit
- Sun hat
Pharmaceutical products
- Personal first aid kit with bandages and anti-inflammatory tablets
- Insect repellent.
- Sunscreen
- Lipstick
Personal hygiene items
- Small towel.
- Toothpaste and toothbrush
- Body Wash Soap
- Shampoo and conditioner
- Brush/comb
- Body spray deodorant
- Toilet paper
Other articles
- Flashlight (main lamp recommended)
- Sunglasses
- Camera with extra batteries and memory cards.
- Walking sticks with rubber tips (optional).
- pocket knife
- Some plastic bags.
- A sense of humor.
- We recommend prior acclimatization in the city of Cusco, for at least 2 days and general good health.
Frequent questions
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Here you will find the Most Frequently Asked Questions from our Clients. Before asking anything, we invite you to carefully read these questions and answers, as well as all our links about this Tour. This will help you obtain information in a simple, fast and practical way.
1. WHAT PLACES ARE VISITED DURING THE SACRED VALLEY AND MACHU PICCHU TOUR?
During this tour, you will visit the main attractions of the Sacred Valley and the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu. The itinerary may include places such as Pisac, Ollantaytambo, and Aguas Calientes before taking the guided tour of Machu Picchu.
2. WHAT TYPE OF LUGGAGE SHOULD I BRING FOR THIS 2-DAY TOUR?
We recommend bringing a small backpack with everything you need for one night: comfortable clothing, personal documents, toiletries, sunscreen, insect repellent, a rain jacket, and a bottle of water. It is best to avoid bringing large suitcases during the tour.
3. DOES THE TOUR INCLUDE THE TRAIN TO MACHU PICCHU?
The tour may include train transportation to Aguas Calientes, depending on the package selected. We recommend reviewing the service details to confirm the type of train, schedules, and included route.
4. DOES THE TOUR INCLUDE THE ENTRANCE TICKET TO MACHU PICCHU?
Booking this tour with us is truly safe, easy, and practical. You will also enjoy flexible payment options, such as paying for your tour up to 1 day before departure and in 2 installments.
5. ARE THERE DISCOUNTS FOR CHILDREN AND STUDENTS?
Yes, for this Tour we offer discounts and special rates for infants, children and students.
- Infants under 2 years old in the company of their parents travel for free.
- Children between 3 and 8 years of age have a discount of USD 1000 only by sending online a scanned copy of the Passport at the time of reservation.
- Students also have a discount of USD 20 in the following cases:
→ School and College Students – For young people between 9 and 17 years old, only by sending a scanned copy of the Passport at the time of Reservation.
→ University Students – For young people up to 25 years old, only send a scanned copy of the Current University Card to validate. We accept all University Cards from all Universities in the World (Students aged 26 and over are considered Adults).
6. WHY ARE SPACES SOLD OUT SO FAST?
According to the current tourist use regulations, there are only 5,000 permits available in total for this tour, so they are very limited. These Regulations of tourist use of the area are written and controlled by the Ministry of Culture (branch of the Peruvian government). The norms are strict and once the 4,000 tickets for each day are sold, there is no option to purchase additional ones.
Now that you know the reason behind the high demand, reserve your spot as soon as possible, through a Tourism Agency Authorized by the Peruvian Government to operate, like ours, Incredible Peru Tours – IPT. Remember to book your Excursion as soon as possible, as permits sell quickly for this
magnificent trip.
7. WHAT WILL THE WEATHER BE LIKE IN MACHU PICCHU?
Weather is very unpredictable and it is impossible to say exactly what type of weather you will encounter during the Tour. No matter what month you travel, make sure to have waterproof gear like an impermeable jacket or a good rain poncho at hand.
During dry season (April to November), the early mornings are cloudy and can be cold. As the hours pass the clouds clear and Sun rises, so it can get quite hot. Sun protection, insect repellent and a good hat are essential. However, keep in mind that sometimes it can be rainy in June and sunny in December.
During rainy season (mid-November to mid-April), rainfall is very constant. However, don’t be surprised if in this season some days are sunny. February is the month with the most pourings, so touring is not recommended.
8. DO I NEED TO BRING ADDITIONAL MONEY TO MY TOUR?
Yes, if you want to buy snacks such as cookies, dehydrated fruit, chocolates, etc. or additional drinks such as sodas, beers or an energy beverage, because it is possible to buy these products in small commercial stores in Aguas Calientes village. Also, if you want to buy a souvenir or memories of the trip, you can do it in the Craft Market of Aguas Calientes. You also have as an additional option to visit the Thermo-medicinal Baths of the village, the Entrance Price is 20 soles. For all this we recommend that you take between 150 and 300 Peruvian soles. You may not need to spend any of this money, but in case of an Emergency, you should make sure to have enough cash.
9. HOW DO I BOOK MY TOUR?
Booking this Tour with Us will really be very safe, easy and practical, you will also enjoy Payment Facilities such as Paying for your Excursion up to 1 day before the Tour and in 2 Installments:
- First Installment can be paid online from the comfort of your home by making a Pre-Payment with any Credit or Debit Card from any Bank, using our safe and reliablemoney transfer system. Pre-Payment will be made through a deposit of USD 200 per person. (Click on the Reserve link)
- The Second Fee: The balance will be paid upon arrival in Cusco City, in person at our Main Office located in our Historic Downtown up to 1 day before your Tour.
3 steps to pay:
- Fill out the Reservation Form: It is in the Reserve link.
- Pay the First Installment (Pre-Payment): We accept all cards. You can use a Credit or Debit Card from any Bank and of any company: VISA, MASTERCARD, AMERICAN EXPRESS, DINERS CLUB, DISCOVER, JCB, UNION PAY, ETC.
- Print your Travel Coupon (Voucher): We will send it to you immediately after you the Pre-Payment is done.
⇒ OTHER PAYMENT METHODS: If you want to make the Pre-Payment by other ways such as: Western Union, Bank Deposit, Bank Transfer or some other payment method, let us know to send you all the required information to make it.
10. IF I ALREADY PAID MY FIRST FEE AND DECIDE TO CANCEL, WILL I BE REFUNDED?
Unfortunately No. We will not be able to make any type of refund or date changes for Tours that are paid in Installments. All Pre-Payments of USD 200.00 are non-refundable, nor transferable, since this money will be invested immediately in all the Procedures and Reservations necessary for the realization of the Tour, as well as in the purchase of Permits and Tickets for Machu Picchu. These procedures will be carried out at the Ministry of Culture of Peru (Branch of the Peruvian Government managing the Inca Trail and Machu Picchu).
11. WHY SHOULD I BOOK MY TOUR WITH INCREDIBLE PERU TOURS?
There are very good reasons to book your excursion with us, let’s see some:
- Excellent office location: We are located in the Historic Center of Cusco, allowing quick assistance and better coordination during your trip.
- Authorized Peruvian travel agency: We are a local and authorized tourism agency with all our documentation in order and more than 15 years of experience.
- Authorized Inca Trail operator: We are recognized as an authorized Inca Trail to Machu Picchu operator, providing safety, support, and confidence.
- 100% local team: We work with Peruvian and local staff who are proud to share the culture, history, and traditions of our region.
- Best prices with no hidden fees: We offer direct services with no intermediaries, competitive prices, and great-value packages.
- Travel with experts: We have professional guides, cooks, porters, and trained staff to assist groups, families, couples, and solo travelers.
- Safe and guaranteed departures: We operate our treks and tours even with just one traveler, keeping the published prices with no additional charges.
- Small groups: We usually work with small groups of 4 to 8 people, offering a more personalized experience.
- Fair treatment of our staff: We provide our team with accommodation, transportation, uniforms, good meals, health insurance, and fair wages.
- Social commitment: We support social projects in local communities, especially in health and education for children.
- Sustainable and responsible tourism: We are committed to protecting the environment and participating in Inca Trail cleanup campaigns.
- Personalized assistance: We answer your questions and provide support before and during your trip by phone, email, or at our office.
Availability and prices
IMPORTANT:
- Spots are shared across all authorized tour operators on this route and can sell out at any time.
- We recommend booking as early as possible to secure your place.
- information, please contact us: Cell phone: +51 984 525 006 / WhatsApp: +51 984 683 047 or write to us at: info@incredibleperutours.com
PRICES
Our rates are fixed and include no hidden fees. We are committed to offering the best service at the best price.
Prices for the 2-day Machu Picchu excursion are listed in US dollars per person. The service operates in shared groups averaging 4 to 8 travelers.
The price varies depending on the train service selected for the round trip. You can choose between two options according to your preference:
1. MACHU PICCHU WITH TRAIN EXPEDITION – MACHU PICCHU WITH VISTADOME TRAIN
| Passenger Type | Machu Picchu with Expedition Train | Machu Picchu with Vistadome Train | Requirement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adult | USD 475.00 | USD 545.00 | Ages 18 and older |
| Student | USD 455.00 | USD 525.00 | Ages 9 to 25, valid student ID required |
| Child | USD 400.00 | USD 455.00 | Ages 3 to 8, passport copy required |
| Infant | USD 0.00 | USD 0.00 | Ages 0 to 2, travels free with parents |
OPTIONAL SERVICES
If you wish, for an additional cost there is the option of adding some extra services to the
tour such as:
- Huayna Picchu Mountain Entrance Ticket (request it when you book this Tour because it is subject to availability, only 400 tickets per day + 70.00). Only applicable if you stay an additional day in Aguas Calientes village.
- Machu Picchu Mountain Entrance Ticket (request it when you book this Excursion because it is subject to availability, only 400 tickets per day + 70.0). Only applicable if you stay an additional day in Aguas Calientes village.
A CONSIDERATION:
- Our passion is family travel, so if you are traveling with children, get in touch to offer our promotions.
- Our company also has promotions and discounts for student groups and groups of friends. Contact us to receive our offers.
- Incredible Peru Tours – IPT for your peace of mind does not have any hidden charges or expenses.
- If you are interested in doing this route and want to reserve permits, or would like more information, please contact us: Cell phone: +51 984 525 006 / WhatsApp: +51 984 683 047 or write to us at: info@incredibleperutours.com
