Home » Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu Tour 2 days
Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu Tour 2 days
Explore the best of the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu in a 2-day tour. You will visit Awanacancha Alpaca Farm, Pisaq Market, Pisaq Inca Site, the town of Ollantaytambo, travel by train to Aguas Calientes, and visit Machu Picchu the next day for sunrise.
Tour Overview
The Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu tour is one of travelers’ favorite experiences in Cusco. On the first day, you will visit Awanacancha (Alpaca and Llama farm), the ancient tombs of Pisaq, the handicraft market, and the town of Ollantaytambo. From Ollantaytambo, you will take the train to Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu Pueblo) and spend the night in a 3-star hotel.
On the second day, you will visit the World Heritage Site of Machu Picchu. Explore the most important terraces, palaces, temples, and viewpoints. Later in the afternoon, you will take the panoramic train back and continue by bus to Cusco.
Highlights of the Sacred Valley & Machu Picchu Tour
Itinerary of the Sacred Valley & Machu Picchu Tour
Day 1: Cusco – Sacred Valley – Machu Picchu Pueblo
We will pick you up from your hotel in Cusco at 8:00 am and drive for about 30 minutes with your private transportation and tour guide to Awanacancha Alpaca Center, where you will see llamas, alpacas, vicuñas, and guanacos. Your guide will explain the main differences between these South American camelids. You will also visit the textile center to learn about the weaving process, natural dyes, and you will have time to shop.
Then it is another 30 minutes to the Sacred Valley lookout point to enjoy a spectacular view of the Andes, the Urubamba River, and the Inca farmlands. Next, visit the Pisaq archaeological site, located on top of the mountains with impressive stone walls, agricultural terraces, irrigation systems, and one of the largest cemeteries of the Inca Empire.
After exploring the ruins, you will visit the Pisaq handicraft market, where artisans offer ceramics, textiles, jewelry, Andean instruments, alpaca products, and souvenirs. Later, drive for about 1 hour to Urubamba for lunch in a local restaurant with a buffet of typical Peruvian dishes prepared with fresh local ingredients.
After lunch, you will visit Ollantaytambo, the “Last Living Inca Citadel,” because the modern town is built on top of original Inca foundations. Locals still use the same stone bases and doorways, and the water channels have been running continuously since Inca times. Ollantaytambo also has an impressive archaeological site with temples, terraces, and storehouses, including one of the heaviest Inca monoliths transported from another mountain 5 km away.
After exploring the town and ruins, you will take the train to Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu Pueblo) and spend the night in a 3-star hotel.
- Entrance fees: Included
- Transportation: Private van and train
- Tour guide: Professional local guide
- Meals: Lunch and dinner
- Hotel: 3-star hotel in Aguas Calientes
Day 2: Machu Picchu – Cusco
Wake up early in your hotel, have breakfast, and take one of the first buses up to Machu Picchu. At the checkpoint you must show your original passport to enter the citadel. Your tour guide will first take you on a short hike to the Sun Gate or the Inca Bridge (depending on tickets and conditions), then begin a guided tour of about 3 hours, visiting the most remarkable terraces, storehouses, temples, and palaces. After the guided tour, you will have free time to explore on your own or, if you have booked in advance, take the extra hikes to Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain (optional and not included).
After exploring Machu Picchu, you will take the bus back down to Aguas Calientes, have lunch (not included), and then board the Vistadome panoramic train back to Ollantaytambo, followed by a modern private van to Cusco. Arrival time at your hotel is around 7:30 pm.
- Entrance fees: Included
- Transportation: Panoramic train and private van
- Tour guide: Professional guide
- Meals: Not included
- Hotel: Not included (you must book in Cusco for this night)
What’s Included
- Pick-up and drop-off at your hotel in Cusco.
- All transportation included from hotel to hotel.
- Entrance fees to all Sacred Valley sites visited.
- Entrance ticket to Machu Picchu.
- One night in a 3-star hotel in Aguas Calientes (Intipunku or similar).
- Round-trip bus between Aguas Calientes and Machu Picchu.
- Professional tour guide for both days.
- Buffet lunch on Day 1 during the Sacred Valley tour.
- Vistadome train on the way back to Cusco.
- Tour starts and finishes at your hotel.
Places We Visit
Awanacancha (Llama and Alpaca Farm).
Located about 30 minutes outside Cusco, Awanacancha is a traditional farm where you will see llamas, alpacas, vicuñas, and guanacos. Your guide will explain the differences between these animals, the weaving process, and the techniques used to create natural dyes.
Pisaq Inca Site (The Largest Cemetery of the Incas).
Located on top of the mountains at about 2,975 m, Pisaq is one of the most beautiful archaeological sites in the Sacred Valley. It is surrounded by impressive walls, agricultural terraces, tunnels, bridges, storehouses, and a large cemetery considered one of the biggest pre-Columbian burial sites of the Inca Empire.
Pisaq Market.
Pisaq has one of the most famous markets in the Cusco region. Locals come to sell handcrafted ceramics, textiles, jewelry, Andean instruments, alpaca products, and souvenirs, attracting hundreds of visitors every day. A large part of the market is tourist-focused today, but on Sundays you can still see local communities arriving in colorful traditional clothing.
Ollantaytambo (Last Living Inca Citadel).
Ollantaytambo is located 94 km from Cusco and is the main train station for Machu Picchu. The modern town lies on top of ancient Inca structures, with narrow cobblestone streets and water channels still in use. Because it has been continuously inhabited since the 14th century, it is known as the “last living Inca citadel.” During the Spanish conquest, it served as a stronghold in the
Battle of Ollantaytambo.
Machu Picchu (Lost Inca City).
The Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu is nestled high on the slopes of the Andes, a unique testimony to the Inca civilization and a masterpiece of art, architecture, and engineering. Discovered in 1911 by American explorer Hiram Bingham III while he was searching for Vilcabamba, the last capital of the Incas, it is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.
What to Take on This Trip
- Original passport.
- Small carry-on or backpack with clothes for two days.
- Toiletries and sandals.
- Rain gear (poncho or umbrella).
- Sun protection (sunscreen, hat, long sleeves).
- Extra money for souvenirs and meals not included (around 300 soles).
- Personal medication.
Covid-19 Measures to Keep You Safe
- Temperature checks for all travelers may be required.
- Face masks required for travelers and staff in public areas when mandated.
- Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff at all times.
- High-traffic places and equipment sanitized regularly between uses.
- Printed material such as maps or vouchers will be minimized.
- 100% online payments with no booking fees.
- Flexible bookings during the COVID-19 outbreak.
Price, Deposit & Student Discount
Price
Price per person: 498 USD
Booking & Payment
To book the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu Tour, you need to make an initial payment of 200 USD per person. The remaining balance can be paid online, in installments, or in Cusco with any credit card, with no booking fees.
Student Discount
Student Discount: All travelers under 17 will receive a 35 USD discount. If you are 25 years old or under at the time of traveling, you can get the same 35 USD discount with a valid student ID. Please advise us by email so we can give you a discount code.
