Cusco Sacred Valley Machu Picchu 3 Days 2 Nights Full Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Cusco – City Tour

We meet you at the Cusco airport and take you straight to your hotel in the city center. This first day is kept light on purpose, Cusco is high altitude, and starting slow helps you feel better for the rest of the trip.

Around 1:00 p.m., your guide picks you up for a relaxed city tour. You’ll walk through Cusco’s main square and historic streets, visit Qoricancha, and explore the famous Inca sites above the city: Sacsayhuaman, Qenqo, Puca Pucara and Tambomachay. It’s the perfect first look at the former Inca capital, and it helps you understand what you’ll see in the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu.

• Duration: Half‑day
• Entrance fees: Included for the places visited
• Meals: Not included
• Hotel: 3-star Hotel in Cusco
• Difficulty: Easy

Day 2: Sacred Valley – Maras & Moray – Aguas Calientes

After breakfast, we pick you up around 7:00 a.m. and head into the Sacred Valley. This is one of the most scenic days of the trip: mountain views, local culture, and beautiful Inca sites, all in one day.

You’ll visit a camelid center, enjoy viewpoints along the way, and explore Pisac (ruins and market). Then you’ll stop for lunch in Urubamba. In the afternoon, you visit Moray (famous circular terraces) and the Maras Salt Mines, one of the most unique landscapes in the valley.

The day ends in Ollantaytambo, a living Inca town with impressive stonework and a great atmosphere. After dinner, you board the evening Expedition train to Aguas Calientes and check into your hotel to rest for Machu Picchu the next morning.

• Duration: Full day
• Entrance fees: Included for the places visited
• Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
• Hotel: 3-star Hotel in Machu Picchu
• Difficulty: Easy

Day 3: Machu Picchu – Return to Cusco

We start early. After breakfast, we go to the bus line and ride up to Machu Picchu. Your guide leads your visit and explains the site in a clear, easy way, what each area was used for, how the water systems worked, and why this place still feels so powerful today.

After the guided tour, you’ll have time for photos. If you booked an extra hike in advance (Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain), you can do it after the guided visit (tickets are limited, and you can only hike one of them).

Then it’s time to head back: bus down to Aguas Calientes, Expedition train to Ollantaytambo, and private transport to Cusco. We usually arrive back in Cusco at around 7:30 p.m., and the tour ends on arrival.

• Duration: Full day
• Meals: Breakfast (hotel)
• Difficulty: Easy to Moderate

Machu Picchu Tour from Cusco 3 Days Price

We run small‑group tours for a smoother, more personal experience. Private tours are also available if you want your guide to travel with you from start to finish, ask us for a custom quote.

Price per person:

• From US$ 555 - Adults
• From US$ 555 - Children and students

Student Discount

• US$ 555 off

Applies to all travelers under 17 years old and students under 25 with a valid university ID. The ID must include:

• Student name, photo, and university name.
• Have a valid expiration date (expired IDs will not be accepted)
• ISIC cards are not valid.

The discount is applied automatically for children. For students, you must submit a copy of your student ID when booking; if your ID is rejected, you will be charged the adult rate. Please email us at info@trexperienceperu.com at the time of booking to receive your discount.

Booking and payment

• Deposit: US$ 555 per person (to reserve your spot).
• The remainder can be paid online or at our office in Cusco, using any credit card, PayPal, or wire transfer.
• Contact us to see alternative payment options.

How to book

To book this tour:

1. Click on the BOOK NOW button, choose your travel date, and select the tour option of your choice (group or private service).
2. Fill in all the requested details with your passport data.
3. Finally, enter your credit/debit card details and make the payment.
4. Our team will contact you shortly to reconfirm your payment and give you more information.

Best of Cusco Sacred Valley Machu Picchu Tour - Packing List

You’ll travel around Peru with larger luggage, but on this tour, you only need what you’ll use each day, plus a small overnight bag for Aguas Calientes.

Train companies have strict luggage limits, so we recommend a carry-on of about 5 kg (11 lb). You’ll need to move it yourself between the vehicle, hotel, and train.

Essentials

What to wear

What to put in the Daypack?

Machu Picchu Tour from Cusco 3 Days - Travel Information

Altitude in Cusco

Cusco is high altitude, so take Day 1 slowly: drink water, avoid heavy meals, and walk at an easy pace. The Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu are lower, so most people feel better as the trip goes on.

Machu Picchu Tickets, Circuits & Entry Times

Your ticket has an entry time and an assigned circuit. You must follow the official route on your ticket, and re‑entry is not allowed once you exit. We aim for Circuit 2 when available. If it sells out, we reserve the best official alternative (Circuit 1 or 3).

Train Schedules

Train times can vary based on availability. We book the best schedule we can, and your guide confirms meeting times clearly each day so you always know what’s next.

Train Luggage Rules

Trains allow small carry‑on luggage only. Pack a light overnight bag for Aguas Calientes, and leave large luggage at your Cusco hotel (or in storage).

Weather

Weather changes quickly: sun, clouds, and light rain can happen on the same day. Bring layers, and always keep your rain jacket in your daypack.

Optional Hikes & Upgrades

Optional add‑ons (subject to availability, must be booked in advance):

• Panoramic train upgrade (Vistadome)
• Private tour option (guide with you from start to finish)
• Huayna Picchu Mountain: US$68 per person (about 2 hours round trip)
• Machu Picchu Mountain: US$68 per person (about 3 hours round trip)
  You can hike only one of these mountains.

Cusco Sacred Valley Machu Picchu 3 Days 2 Nights - Frequently Asked Questions