2 Day Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu Tour from Cusco
Our 2-Day Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu Tour from Cusco combines the most important Inca sites of the Sacred Valley with a scenic train journey and a professionally guided visit to Machu Picchu.
Over two days and one night, you will travel from your Cusco hotel through Pisac and Ollantaytambo, continue by train to Machu Picchu Pueblo, and spend the night close to the citadel before returning to Cusco the following day.
This tour is recommended for first-time visitors, couples, families, and travelers who want to experience both destinations in one connected itinerary without returning to Cusco after visiting the Sacred Valley. Moderate walking is required at the archaeological sites.
The package brings together guided visits, entrance tickets, ground transportation, round-trip train and shuttle bus travel, and one hotel night with breakfast. Small-group and private services are available.
What makes our operation different is the continuous coordination provided by our licensed Cusco-based team. We organize the Sacred Valley visits, Ollantaytambo train connection, accommodation, Machu Picchu entrance schedule, and return transfer as one seamless journey.
Tour Highlights
- Two Destinations in One Journey: Experience the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu without returning to Cusco between visits.
- Pisac and Ollantaytambo: Visit two remarkable Inca archaeological sites with historical explanations from a professional guide.
- Scenic Train Connection: Travel from Ollantaytambo through the Urubamba Valley to Machu Picchu Pueblo.
- Overnight Near Machu Picchu: Stay in Aguas Calientes and prepare comfortably for your visit the following day.
- Guided Citadel Visit: Learn about Machu Picchu’s temples, terraces, and urban sectors along the official route confirmed for your entrance ticket.
- Locally Coordinated Service: Every transfer, ticket, and connection is organized by our Cusco-based operating team.
Itinerary
Detailed Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu Itinerary
Click any day to expand/collapse
Day 1
Cusco – Pisac – Urubamba – Ollantaytambo – Aguas Calientes
We begin with morning pickup from your hotel in Cusco and travel into the Sacred Valley. Our first visit is the Pisac archaeological site, where your guide will explain the purpose of its agricultural terraces, temples, and hillside structures.
After the guided visit, we continue to Pisac’s artisan market, where you will have time to see locally made textiles, ceramics, silverwork, and other traditional products. We then travel through the valley to Urubamba for a buffet lunch.
In the afternoon, we visit the archaeological complex of Ollantaytambo. Its extensive terraces, ceremonial areas, and precisely fitted stonework make it one of the most important surviving Inca sites in the Sacred Valley.
After the tour, we go to Ollantaytambo train station and board the service to Machu Picchu Pueblo, also known as Aguas Calientes. The journey takes approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes and follows the Urubamba River into the cloud forest.
Upon arrival, our representative will assist you with your hotel check-in. The remainder of the evening is available for dinner and rest before the Machu Picchu visit.
Day 1 at a glance
- Main visits: Pisac archaeological site, Pisac market, and Ollantaytambo
- Lunch stop: Urubamba
- Train route: Ollantaytambo to Machu Picchu Pueblo
- Train journey: Approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes
- Overnight: Hotel in Aguas Calientes
- Activity level: Moderate walking with stone steps and uneven surfaces
Day 2
Machu Picchu – Aguas Calientes – Ollantaytambo – Cusco
After breakfast at the hotel, we take the shuttle bus from Aguas Calientes to the entrance of Machu Picchu. The departure time will be coordinated with the admission schedule shown on your entrance ticket.
Your professional guide will lead an approximately two-hour visit through the areas included in your assigned circuit. Along the route, you will learn about the citadel’s history, construction techniques, agricultural terraces, temples, and residential sectors. There will also be opportunities to take photographs from the viewpoints available on your confirmed route.
Because Machu Picchu visits follow timed circuits, the places you see will depend on the ticket secured for your travel date. Our team will provide the corresponding route and entrance information before the tour.
After completing the visit, we take the shuttle bus back to Aguas Calientes. You will have time to purchase lunch and prepare for the return journey.
In the afternoon, we board the train to Ollantaytambo. Our driver will meet you outside the station and transfer you back to your hotel in Cusco. Arrival is normally expected in the evening, although the exact time will depend on the confirmed train schedule and road conditions.
Day 2 at a glance
- Machu Picchu visit: Approximately 2 hours
- Admission: Official circuit assigned to your entrance ticket
- Machu Picchu elevation: Approximately 2,430 m (7,972 ft)
- Return transportation: Shuttle bus, train, and road transfer
- Final destination: Your hotel in Cusco
- Activity level: Moderate walking on stone paths and stairways
Inclusions
What Is Included
Inclusions
- Hotel pickup in Cusco on Day 1
- Professional English-speaking guide for the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu visits
- Tourist transportation through the Sacred Valley
- Return transfer from Ollantaytambo station to your Cusco hotel
- Partial Cusco Tourist Ticket for Pisac and Ollantaytambo
- Buffet lunch in Urubamba on Day 1
- Round-trip Expedition or Voyager train tickets between Ollantaytambo and Aguas Calientes
- One night of hotel accommodation in Aguas Calientes
- Breakfast at the hotel on Day 2
- Round-trip shuttle bus tickets between Aguas Calientes and Machu Picchu
- Official Machu Picchu entrance ticket
- Pre-tour coordination and assistance with your confirmed schedules
Transportation and guiding services will be shared or private according to the service option selected. The Machu Picchu circuit and entrance time are subject to official availability when the reservation is confirmed.
What Is Not Included
- Dinner on Day 1
- Lunch and dinner on Day 2
- Drinks and additional snacks
- Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain entrance tickets
- Vistadome or Vistadome Observatory train upgrades
- Hotel upgrades or a single-room supplement
- Personal expenses
- Travel insurance
- Optional tips for guides and drivers
Optional Upgrades
The following services may be added when booking, subject to availability:
- Huayna Picchu Mountain entrance
- Machu Picchu Mountain entrance
- Panoramic Vistadome train service
- Vistadome Observatory train service
- Private guiding and transportation
- Higher hotel category or single-room accommodation
Packing List
Packing List for the Two-Day Tour
Train services have limited luggage space, so travel with a small overnight bag and leave your main suitcase at your hotel in Cusco.
Essential Documents
- Original passport used when making the reservation
- Valid physical university student card if you booked a student rate
- Booking confirmation and travel insurance information
- Cash in Peruvian soles for restrooms, snacks, drinks, and personal purchases
Clothing and Footwear
- Comfortable walking shoes with reliable traction
- Lightweight pants and breathable shirts
- Warm fleece or sweater for cool mornings and evenings
- Waterproof jacket or rain poncho
- Change of clothes for Day 2
- Extra socks and underwear
- Light sleepwear
Personal Essentials
- Small daypack that meets current Machu Picchu size restrictions
- Reusable water bottle
- Sunscreen with SPF 50 or higher
- Sun hat and sunglasses
- Insect repellent
- Personal medication
- Travel-size toiletries
- Phone or camera
- Charger or portable power bank
- Waterproof pouch for documents and electronics
Optional Items
- Lightweight sandals for the hotel
- Swimsuit if you plan to visit the hot springs in Aguas Calientes
- Small snacks for the journey
Leave in Cusco
- Large suitcases
- Oversized hiking backpacks
- Unnecessary valuables
- Drones, tripods, selfie sticks, and professional filming equipment without authorization
Restricted items and luggage rules may change. Our team will confirm the current requirements before your Machu Picchu visit.
Price
Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu Tour Prices
Prices are listed in US dollars and apply per person. Choose between a small-group service and a fully private experience.
Small-Group Service
| Traveler Category | Price per Person |
|---|---|
| 2–3 travelers | US$490 |
| 4 or more travelers | US$470 |
| University students | US$455 |
This option follows a coordinated schedule with shared guiding and transportation. It is recommended for solo travelers, couples, families, and friends looking for the best overall value.
A valid physical university student card must be presented when booking and carried during the tour.
Private Service
| Traveler Category | Price per Person |
|---|---|
| 2–3 travelers | US$550 |
| 4 or more travelers | US$530 |
| Children and students | US$500 |
The private service includes a dedicated guide and private ground transportation for your party. The pace can be adjusted to your group within the confirmed train schedules, attraction opening times, and Machu Picchu admission period.
Important Pricing Information
- All rates are in US dollars and apply per person.
- Student and child discounts require valid documentation before tickets are issued.
- Prices are based on the standard services listed in the tour inclusions.
- Train, hotel, and optional mountain upgrades cost extra.
- A single-room supplement may apply to travelers who do not share accommodation.
- Machu Picchu admission times and circuits are subject to availability when booking.
FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions About
Can solo travelers book this tour?
Yes. Solo travelers may join an existing small-group departure. The group service requires a minimum of two confirmed participants, so availability must be checked before booking. If there is no confirmed group for your date, our team can offer a private service or suggest another available departure.
Can I begin the tour from the Sacred Valley?
Pickup from Urubamba, Pisac, or Ollantaytambo may be arranged depending on your accommodation and the operating schedule. Send us your hotel details before booking so we can confirm the meeting point, pickup time, and whether an additional transfer charge applies.
Can I finish the tour in Ollantaytambo or Urubamba?
Yes, this may be possible if you prefer to stay in the Sacred Valley instead of returning to Cusco. The change must be requested in advance because the final transfer is organized according to the destination provided in your reservation.
Is pickup available from every hotel in Cusco?
Pickup is available from most hotels in central Cusco. If your accommodation is outside the regular pickup area or located on a street that vehicles cannot access, we will arrange a nearby meeting point. Provide the complete name and address of your accommodation when booking.
Should I arrive in Cusco before the tour begins?
Yes. Arriving in Cusco at least one day before departure is strongly recommended. Do not schedule your flight to Cusco for the same morning as the tour. Flight delays or cancellations could cause you to miss the Sacred Valley departure and the reserved train connection.
Does the tour operate during the rainy season?
Yes. Departures are available throughout the year, subject to Machu Picchu tickets, train seats, hotel availability, and local operating conditions. Rain is more frequent from November through March, but tours normally continue unless authorities or transportation companies suspend service for safety reasons.
Which train company will be used?
The standard service uses either the PeruRail Expedition or Inca Rail Voyager category. The selected company depends on availability and the schedule that connects correctly with the rest of your itinerary. The train company and departure times will appear in your final confirmation.
Can I join the tour if I already purchased my Machu Picchu ticket?
Possibly. Send us a copy of your entrance ticket before making the reservation. Our team must verify that its date, admission time, and route are compatible with the train schedule and guided service. If compatible, we can prepare an adjusted quotation.
Concierge & Local Guide
Available in Cusco
John Taqquere
Local Tour Guide
Travel specialist in Machu Picchu
“I grew up surrounded by the Andes, and I love sharing the history, traditions, and hidden stories of my home with travelers from around the world.”Text John Taqquere on WhatsApp → (opens in a new tab)
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