2-Day Machu Picchu Sacred Valley Tour

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Sacred Valley Tour

The Sacred Valley is an extensive valley with many tourist attractions. A single day is not enough to visit them all, which is why Vilcabamba Tours has divided it into 2 options to tour it properly. Either of these options begins at 7:00 a.m. from your hotel in Cusco. See the options below and let us know which one you prefer:

Option A: Via Psac (Alpaca Farm, Psac Ruins, Psac Market, and Ollantaytambo)

We will pick you up in the lobby of your hotel in Cusco at 7:00 a.m. to begin the Machu Picchu and Sacred Valley tour with the agency’s team. Our first journey will be approximately 15 minutes to «Manos de la Comunidad,» which will be our first stop. Here you will have the opportunity to observe native camelids such as llamas, alpacas, and vicuas, visit a textile center, and see guinea pigs. We will spend approximately 40 minutes at this location.

Then, we will continue driving for about 30 minutes to the Taray viewpoint. At this stop, we will spend about 15 minutes enjoying impressive views of the Sacred Valley and the Urubamba River, as well as receiving an introduction to the cultural and historical importance of the valley. Afterward, we will take a 45-minute drive to Psac.

Upon arrival, we will explore the archaeological site with our guide for approximately one hour and ten minutes, visiting the most important and representative areas. At 11:10 a.m., we will leave the Inca site of Psac and drive about 20 minutes to the town of Psac, where we will spend about 30 minutes touring the vibrant artisan market. Next, we will drive approximately 50 minutes to Urubamba, where we will have lunch for about 40 minutes. After lunch, we will continue with a 30-minute drive to Ollantaytambo, arriving around 2:00 p.m.

We will explore the Ollantaytambo archaeological site for approximately one hour before heading to the train station, which is only a five-minute drive away. We will take the train managed by Vilcabamba Tours toward Aguas Calientes at 3:37 p.m. Upon arrival in Aguas Calientes, at approximately 5:00 p.m., we will check in at the hotel. You will spend the night in Aguas Calientes. (Note: The schedule may vary slightly depending on where we spend more time).

Option B: Via Maras (Chinchero, Moray, Salt Mines, and Ollantaytambo)

In this option, we will start by picking you up at your hotel at 7:00 a.m. in our comfortable transport. From there, we will drive approximately 50 minutes to the town of Chinchero, where we will spend about 1 hour and 10 minutes visiting, for example, the renowned textile center where you will have the opportunity to observe traditional weaving techniques as well as see local animals such as llamas, alpacas, and guinea pigs. We will also explore the Inca archaeological site of Chinchero. After our visit, we will continue the tour with a 40-minute drive to the Maras Salt Mines, arriving at approximately 10:00 a.m. We will spend about 45 minutes exploring this unique and historic site, known for its impressive salt terraces. Next, we will travel for 35 minutes to Moray, an important Inca site famous for its circular agricultural terraces. Here, we will spend approximately 40 minutes with our guide, learning about its historical and agricultural significance.

After the visit to Moray, we will drive about 40 minutes to the town of Urubamba, where we plan to arrive at the restaurant at approximately 12:40 p.m. You will have 40 minutes to enjoy lunch. After lunch, we will continue with a 30-minute drive to Ollantaytambo, arriving around 2:00 p.m. At this site, we will explore for approximately 1 hour, visiting the Temple of the Sun, the agricultural terraces, water fountains, and other key elements of this important Inca site.

At the end of the tour, we will drive 5 minutes to the Ollantaytambo train station, where we will board the train toward Aguas Calientes at 3:37 p.m. Upon arriving in Aguas Calientes, at approximately 5:00 p.m., we will check in at our hotel with the support of Vilcabamba Tours and spend the night there. (Note: The schedule may vary slightly depending on where we spend more time).

Day 2: Machu Picchu

The second day is the most magical: Machu Picchu. We will wake up early to take the first bus to Machu Picchu and see the sunrise over the ruins. Our guide will pick you up at your hotel, and then you will go to the bus station. The bus journey takes 30 minutes to Machu Picchu. Upon reaching the entrance, we will show our passport and the entrance ticket to Machu Picchu.

Then, the Vilcabamba Tours guide will take us to the Guardhouse, where we will take the classic postcard photo of Machu Picchu and spend about 15 minutes enjoying this modern world wonder, followed by a brief historical introduction. After this, our guide will take us on a tour of approximately 2 hours visiting the most important points of Machu Picchu, strictly following Circuit 2. Y

ou will visit the main gate, the Temple of the Sun, the Inca quarry, the main plaza, an Inca house, the sacred rock, the Temple of the Condor, among other important places. Afterward, if you pre-booked the option, you can do the hike to Huayna Picchu mountain (This entrance is with an additional ticket and costs $65 per person).

Finally, you will return by bus to Aguas Calientes, where you will have about 2 hours for lunch on your own, buying some souvenirs, and taking the train back to Ollantaytambo, and then a van to Cusco. Once in Cusco, the private transportation from Vilcabamba Tours will transfer you directly back to your hotel at 7:30 p.m.

Included

• Tour Guide: Professional native Spanish-speaking tourist guides will assist and accompany you during the 2-day excursion.
• Accommodation: 1 night of accommodation is provided in a 3-star hotel in Aguas Calientes, such as Tara Machu Picchu or a similar standard option.
• Transportation: An air-conditioned tourist van will be available for the Sacred Valley tour.
• Official Entrance Tickets: All entrance fees and access to the archaeological sites described in the Sacred Valley are included.
• Oxygen Tank: As a health preventative measure, the transfer van is fully equipped with an oxygen tank.
• First Aid Kit: The guide assigned by Vilcabamba Tours will carry a complete first aid kit for any minor emergencies en route.
• One-way Train Ticket: The official train ticket for Expedition service from Ollantaytambo station to Aguas Calientes is included.
• Return Train Ticket: The official train ticket for Expedition service back from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo is included.
• Up and Down Bus Ticket: The bus ticket for the journey from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu is fully provided, as well as the bus ticket back from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes (round-trip bus ticket).
• Meals: Breakfast on the second day is fully included at the hotel facilities in Aguas Calientes.
• Machu Picchu Ticket: The official entrance ticket to Circuit 2 of the Machu Picchu citadel is included.
• Guided Tour: Professional guided tour of Machu Picchu with a strict duration of 2 to 3 hours.
• Return Transportation: A tourist van from the agency will take you directly back from Ollantaytambo to the city of Cusco.
• Pickup and Return: Personalized transportation is provided to and from your hotel in Cusco.

Not Included

• Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner on the First Day (you can have breakfast at your hotel in Cusco; for lunch and dinner, you can freely choose among the many restaurants available at that time along the route).
• Lunch on the Second Day after concluding the visit to the citadel.
• Personal expenses, voluntary tips, or extra services at the hotels.
• Entrance Permit for Huayna Picchu Mountain: $65 USD per person.
• Entrance Permit for Machu Picchu Mountain: $65 USD per person.
• Upgrade to Vistadome panoramic train (One-way ticket only): $35 USD per person.
• Upgrade to Vistadome panoramic train (Round-trip ticket): $70 USD per person.