Cusco City, 2 days Sacred Valley & Machu Picchu

Cusco City, Day Sacred Valley 2 Day & Machu Picchu: Detailed Itenerary

Day 1:Transfer Airport  Cusco hotel –  Tour in the afternoon

Your guide will greet you at the Cusco airport and escort you to your hotel. In the afternoon, you will receive a guided sightseeing tour of the city – visiting the Main Square, the Cathedral and the Qorikancha (Temple of the Sun) as well as several other Incan sites central to Cusco. We’ll grab transportation and drive you to the outskirts of the city to visit the Inca sites of Tambomachay, Quenqo, Puca Pucara and the impressive Fortress of Sacsayhuaman – famous for its enormous carved stones, some of them standing over 26 ft high and weighing over 60 tons.

Day 2: Cusco – Sacred Valley of the Incas – Pisac – Ollantaytambo (B, L)

After breakfast at the hotel – your guide will pick you up for a day trip through the Sacred Valley, where you’ll be able to explore the history and culture of the surrounding area. The Sacred Valley was one of the main areas the Incas settled; there is an abundance of fertile plains in this high area of the Andes. You will also witness vast contour terracing and irrigation channels left behind by the Incas.

We’ll make our way toward the ruins at the outskirts of Pisac where you can wander through amazing works of stone art and impressive agricultural terraces before we head down to the town. You’ll have some free time to Pisac to roam through the bustling handicraft market full of Peruvian weavings, jewelry and pottery. You can also see a traditional Indian market where various goods are haggled for and traded daily – or peruse the local food market and try some of the local delicacies.

Moving on, we continue along the Urubamba River towards the historic Inca stronghold of Ollantaytambo. You’ll receive a guided tour of the ruins – then you are free to spend the rest of your night wandering around. Ollantaytambo has been transformed into the staging ground for travelers wishing to visit Machu Picchu or hike the Incan trial – so make some friends, do some shopping, or try some local pisco sours! It’s up to you.

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Day 2: Cusco – Tipon – Pikillacta – Andahuaylillas – Ollantaytambo (B, L)

After breakfast at the hotel – your guide will pick you up for a day trip through the Southern Valley, showcasing the Andean highlands and Incan ruins that permeate this area.

We’ll make our way towards Tipon, a sprawling Incan ruin that is one of the more elaborate examples of agricultural terracing and aqueducts created by the Incas. These tall terraces which run up the narrow valley are irrigated by an aqueduct from Pachatusan, the mountain above the site. After exploring for a bit, we’ll drive to Pikillacta, an adobe complex that is pre-Inca – dating back to the Wari and Rumicolca, a nearby Incan travel checkpoint where your guide will explain the history of the Wari to you.

Our last stop for the day is Andahuilillas, which is most known for it’s Baroque church called the “Sistine Chapel of Peru”, a church that is home to golden altars, paintings and many colored ceilings dedicated to St Peter. On our way to Ollantaytambo, if you are feeling adventurous, you can request we stop at Saylla (optional!) where there is a collection of restaurants that specialize in cuy (roasted guinea pig) – a local delicacy.

Day 3: Ollantaytambo – Chinchero – Moray – Maras (Salt Flats) – Aguas Calientes (B, L)

We’ll head out early to explore Chinchero, where you can see Inca terracing and learn how it was integral to their farming techniques, and a Spanish colonial church that was built on top of a Inca palace. We’ll also stop by a textile center to learn about the history of the textile trade in the region. From here we will drive to the Moray Inca Archaeological Center – where we learn how the Inca used Moray as a way to develop and perfect their farming techniques.

Next, we’ll move on to the Salineras/Maras salt mines, the main economic activity of the area. Here you’ll see over 3,000 salt pools here which act as evaporation chambers creating the unique mountain landscape.

After a full day – we will take you back to Ollantaytambo where you will board a train to Aguas Calientes, the closest access point to Machu Picchu. The train ride is scenic – feel free to relax and enjoy the spectacular views. Upon arrival we will check you into your hotel, and you can explore the city and grab dinner at your leisure.

Day 4: Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu – Cusco (B)

If you want to see the sunrise from the sun gate (weather and your entrance ticket time permitting), we’ll get up early and make our way to the overlook so you see the citadel of Machu Picchu materialize on the horizon! Once at Machu Picchu, your guide will give you a tour of the complex. After the tour, if you have booked permits to climb Huayna Picchu peak or the Machu Picchu mountain (both optional) we will make our way to the respective gates. No matter what you choose to do, you’ll still have additional time to explore Machu Picchu. Your guide will let you know when you need to be back so you can catch your transfers to Ollantaytambo and Cusco.

Note: The Huayna Picchu and Machu Picchu mountain entrance fees are not included in this tour and you must inform us in advance if you are interested – so we can purchase the tickets for you. There are limited permits provided each day by the Peruvian government and it is common for them to sell out. Also if you want to spend another day in Machu Picchu – just let us know. It is easy to extend your tour an extra day.

Day 5: Transfer hotel  to Airport  Cusco fly to Lima

Cusco City, Day Sacred Valley 2 Day & Machu Picchu: Included

• • Pre-departure briefing at your hotel the night before your tour.
  • Fluent English / Spanish guide that is very knowledgeable of the surrounding region and its customs.
  • Private transfer from and to your hotel.
  • All train and bus fares.
  • You have a daily meals, breakfast, lunch or box lunch. Water is including with the meals.
  • Entrance fee to Machu Picchu.
  • Overnight  lodging in Cusco and Aguas Calientes at 3 star hotel.

Cusco City, Day Sacred Valley 2 Day & Machu Picchu: Not Included

• Meals that are not referenced in the itinerary.
• Alcohol drinks
• Sleeping bag
• Travel Insurance
• Tips for your guide are not included and are optional

Note: The Huayna Picchu and Machu Picchu mountain entrance fees are not included in this tour and you must inform us in advance if you are interested – so we can purchase the tickets for you. There are limited permits provided each day by the Peruvian government and it is common for them to sell out. Also if you want to spend another day in Machu Picchu – just let us know. It is easy to extend your tour an extra day.

Cusco City, Day Sacred Valley 2 Day & Machu Picchu: Pricing

Pricing is primarily dependent on how many people are in your group. The amounts listed below are general rates so you can get an idea of how much things cost. These rates may go up or down based on a few different things (we’ve listed some common items below). When you reach out to request a booking, we will give you a specific rate quote at that time.

1-2: $1412

3-4: $1076

5-6: $992

7-8: $929

9+: $908

We recommend to take

• Original passport (International Student card (ISIC) if applicable)
• Day backpack for things needed during the day
• Comfortable walking boots
• Rain Gear: poncho/a good rain jacket for wet season
• Canteen or camel back
• Warm jacket for cool evenings
• Trousers, one waterproof of one normal
• T-shirts or light cotton shirts
• Hat with brim
• Personal medications
• Insect repellent
• Sun screen
• Binoculars, camera and film
• Extra money for drinks, tips, souvenirs etc (soles or dollars)
• Sunglasses
• Travel insurance is essential
• Bag for dirty clothes
• Toiletries, towel