Cusco City, Sacred Valley 2 Day & Machu Picchu
4 Days / 3 Nights

At 1 p.m., we will meet you at your hotel lobby to begin your tour. From here, you will head to Cusco’s Plaza de Armas, where you will visit the famous cathedral. Following, you will continue on foot through an ancient Inca-built street from the Plaza de Armas to the Q’oricancha, the Temple of the Sun. At the Q’oricancha you will be able to compare and contrast the building methods of the Incan culture and Catholicism. This was the key spiritual center of the Incas, which leads to all four quarters of the Inca Empire. There is also a bronze, high altar to be seen.

From Qoricancha, your group will walk down Avenida El Sol, where you will take your 25 minute bus outside of the city. You will arrive at the majestic Inca site, Sacsayhuaman, where your tour guide will show you around.

From Sacsayhuaman, you will take a short bus to the Quenqo Inca site to observe some altars from Incan times. Following, you will drive to Puca Pucara, a small circular Inca site, finished by a visit to Tambomachay, the temple of water. You will be driven back to Cusco and dropped off at your hotel.

We will pick you up from your hotel at 8 a.m. and head towards the Sacred Valley. Along the way, we will visit Awanacancha, a weaving center and alpaca farm.  You will observe the differences between llamas, alpacas, vicuñas and guanacos, as well as the different varieties of potatoes and corn, that are special to the Sacred Valley. Following, we will drive to the Pisaq Inca Ruins. We will see hundreds of terraces for agriculture, where the Incas farmed corn, potatoes, and quinoa. The religious and astronomical side of the Incas will be visible, at this sight.

Afterwards, we will descend into Pisaq market, the most traditional handicraft market. You will have the opportunity to try some of the local delicacies during our lunch break. After lunch, we will drive through the Sacred Valley to Ollantaytambo, an Incan checkpoint, where they protected Machu Picchu against any enemies. This is the best example of an intact Inca village, with its waterways running through the quaint streets of the town. Your tour guide will set you up in your hotel before you have a chance to explore, relax and enjoy dinner.

We would pick you up at 8am, then we will drive to Salineras/Maras Salt Mines. There are 3,000 salt pools, which act as evaporation chambers. They spill out of the mountain and down the mountainside at 12,000 feet above sea level. Owned by local farmers, these pools have become the main economic activity for all the locals.

After the mines, we will drive to Moray Inca Archeological Center. The Inca used Moray as a way to study farming. They built terraces and experimented with different vegetables. You will see each terrace of Moray and the differences in growth they provided.

We will then drive to Chincheros, where we will see some Inca terracing, used as the perfect location to farm potatoes. The entire Inca civilization got their supply of potatoes from here. We will also see one unique, colonial church, that was built by the Spaniards, on the top of the Inca palace. Finally, we will visit one final textile center called as Chinchero Textile center by chinchero people.

We will head back to Ollantaytambo, where you can enjoy dinner at one of local restaurants, the take amazing 2 hour train ride to Aguas Calientes where  you will be brought to your hotel, to prepare for your next day, visiting Machu Picchu.

(Please book in advance to secure the best Machu Picchu circuit options.)
Today is the highlight of your journey in Peru, as you will visit one of the Seven Wonders of the World: Machu Picchu. The site is highly regulated by the Peruvian government and UNESCO. Since the pandemic, authorities have implemented several circuits to better control visitor flow. These include:
– Circuit 1 (1A, 1B, 1C, 1D)
– Circuit 2 (2A or 2B)
– Circuit 3 (3A, 3B, 3C, 3D)

The most recommended circuits are 2 and 3, with Circuit 2 offering the most complete experience, especially the famous panoramic viewpoint. Circuit 3 follows a similar route but excludes the main viewpoint. To secure Circuit 2, it is essential to reserve well in advance.

Early Morning Start

You will wake up early at your hotel (often with a packed breakfast) to ensure an early arrival at Machu Picchu. Although the start is early, the experience is absolutely worth it.

Please leave your large luggage (suitcases and duffels) at the hotel. Bring only a small daypack with essentials such as:
– Sunscreen and mosquito repellent
– Hat
– Camera / phone
– Original passport (and student ID if applicable)
– Water
You will walk about five minutes to the bus station. The first bus departs at 5:30 AM, but it is important to line up early, as seating is first come, first served. The ride to the entrance takes around 25 minutes. There are public restrooms before entering (cost: 2 soles).

Inside Machu Picchu

– Travelers with Circuit 2 will begin at the main viewpoint near the Watchtower.
– Those with Circuit 3 will start at the agricultural terraces.

You’ll enjoy time for iconic photos, followed by a 15–30 minute introduction, and then a guided tour lasting approximately 2.5 to 3 hours through temples, terraces, palaces, fountains, and residential areas.

After the guided visit, you will have about 30 minutes of limited free time. If you wish to revisit the upper viewpoint and your original ticket is Circuit 3, you may purchase an additional Circuit 1 ticket, but this must be reserved in advance.

Optional: Huayna Picchu

Visitors who have booked Huayna Picchu will return to its entrance to begin the climb.
– Ascent: ~45 minutes
– Time at the summit: ~30 minutes
– Descent: ~45 minutes

This hike is limited to 400 visitors per day, so advance booking is required.

Return to Aguas Calientes

If you do not have Huayna Picchu or an extra ticket, you will exit the citadel after the guided tour and take the bus back to Aguas Calientes. Everyone, regardless of circuit or additional hikes, will exit from the same location.

You should plan to be back in town around 1 PM, with time for lunch (not included but highly recommended).

Train & Transfer Back to Cusco

Your Expedition Train to Ollantaytambo typically departs between 2:30 PM and 3:20 PM. This train offers beautiful scenery through large windows, perfect for photos. You may upgrade to the Vistadome, which includes live performances and alpaca fashion shows at an additional cost.

Once in Ollantaytambo, Alpaca Expeditions transportation will meet you and return you to Cusco. Upon arrival, smaller vehicles will take you directly to your hotel or Airbnb, usually by 8 PM. If you need an airport transfer, we can arrange that as well.

Final Note

Although this is a long and full day, it is truly unforgettable. Our team is committed to making your visit to Machu Picchu as smooth, enjoyable, and memorable as possible.