Embark on a captivating 3-day journey combining the mystical allure of the Sacred Valley with the legendary Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. Discover the heart of the Incan empire as you explore ancient ruins, vibrant cultures, and breathtaking landscapes. This once-in-a-lifetime adventure to Machu Picchu is perfect for those seeking to immerse themselves in history and natural beauty, all within a manageable time frame. Experience the magic of Peru's most sacred sites in an unforgettable expedition that will inspire and exhilarate.
Sacred Valley and Short Inca Trail 3 days
The Sacred Valley of the Incas, nestled between Cusco and Machu Picchu, is a region of breathtaking beauty, rich with some of the most impressive Inca ruins. The Short Inca Trail is an ideal choice for those looking to experience the highlights of the Classic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu without the commitment of a multi-day hike. Your journey begins in Cusco and takes you through a series of remarkable sites, including Pisaq, Moray, the Salinas of Maras, Ollantaytambo, the Short Inca Trail itself, the Sun Gate, and finally, the majestic Machu Picchu.
Tour Highlights:
- Explore the best of Sacred Valley with Maras & Moray
- Hike the Short Inca Trail and visit the Sun Gate
- Visit Machu Picchu twice (Sunset and sunrise)
- Board the Panoramic Vistadome trains.
Sacred Valley and Short Inca Trail at a Glance:
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Day 1: Super Sacred Valley Tour - Ollantaytambo
- 7:00 AM: Departure from the hotel.
- Places we visit in the morning: Awanacancha Alpaca Center, Mirador of Taray, Pisaq Inca site, and Pisac handicraft market.
- Buffet Lunch in a local restaurant in Urubamba.
- Places we visit in the afternoon: Moray terraces, Salineras of Maras, and Ollantaytambo.
- Duration: 9 hours.
- Accommodation: Tunupa Lodge or similar.
- Difficulty: Easy.
- Includes Transportation, entry fees, and lunch.
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Day 2: Ollantaytambo - Km 104 - Sun Gate - Machu Picchu
- Early Morning: Breakfast and hotel pick-up
- Expedition Train to Km 104 (Chachabamba)
- Places we visit: Chachabamba, Wiñaywayna, Sun Gate, Machu Picchu
- Maximum Altitude: 2,720m / 8,923ft.
- Hiking Distance: 15km / 9.3 miles.
- Hiking Duration: 6 - 7 hours.
- Meals: Box Lunch, snacks, dinner.
- Accommodation: Susanna INN or similar.
- Difficulty: Moderate.
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Day 3: Explore Machu Picchu - Return to Cusco
- Morning: Breakfast and bus to Machu Picchu
- Guided tour: 3-4 hours in Machu Picchu.
- Optional hikes: Huayna Picchu or Montaña (not included).
- Transportation: Vistadome Train and private van back to Cusco
- Meals: Breakfast.
- Difficulty: Easy.
Included:
- All transportation included during 3 days
- Super Sacred Valley tour with Maras Moray
- Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu tour
- Admission tickets to the Sacred Valley
- Inca Trail and Machu Picchu entries
- Professional tour guide for 3 days
- 1-night 3-star hotel in Ollantaytambo
- 1 night 3-star hotel in Aguas Calientes
- Expedition train from Ollantaytambo to Km 104
- Vistadome Panoramic train back to Ollantaytambo
- 2 lunches, 2 breakfasts, 1 dinner
- 3 bus tickets in Machu picchu
Not Included:
- Meals not mentioned itinerary
- Huayna Picchu Tickets: $75 USD per person
- Montaña Machu Picchu: $75 USD per person
- Travel Insurance
Full Itinerary of Sacred Valley + Short Inca Trail 3 days
Day 1: Sacred Valley tour - Ollantaytambo.
Your tour guide will meet you at your hotel in Cusco at 7:00 am for a full-day exploration of the Sacred Valley. The journey begins with a 40-minute drive to Awanacancha Alpaca Center and Mirador of Taray, offering breathtaking views of the Sacred Valley, the Urubamba River, and the Andes Mountains. Next, you'll visit the Pisac Inca site, where stunning agricultural terraces and ancient constructions await. Following this, a trip to the lower village of Pisac reveals a bustling handicraft market. After scouring the market for bargains, you'll enjoy a buffet lunch at an Andean restaurant in Urubamba.
After lunch, the tour takes you to the circular terraces of Moray and the Salineras of Maras, where locals have harvested salt using traditional techniques since Incan times. The day concludes with a visit to Ollantaytambo, a living testament to Inca culture, where you can explore ancient streets still used by locals. The night will be spent in a hotel near the town.
- Highest altitude: 3300m / 10925ft
- Duration: 9 hours
- Meals: Buffet Lunch
- Accommodation: Tunupa Lodge (or similar)
- Difficulty: Easy
- Transportation, entry fees, and lunch included
Day 2: Ollantaytambo - Km 104 - Sun Gate - Machu Picchu
After breakfast, we will pick you up from your hotel around 5:30 AM, and you will board one of the first trains to the Inca Trail at Km 104 (Chachabamba). The train ride, taking around 1.2 hours, moves from the highlands into the cloud forest. Upon arrival at Km 104 (Chachabamba), you will disembark, cross a hanging bridge, and reach the first checkpoint, where you must show your original passport. Then, you will prepare for the trek.
The Short Inca Trail begins with a guided tour of the Chachabamba Inca site, followed by a 3 to 4-hour gradual ascent to Wiñay Wayna, the most famous Inca site along the Classic Inca Trail. Your tour guide will lead you through the most important buildings, including temples, waterfalls, gardens, storehouses, watchtowers, and agricultural terraces, and you will enjoy an organized box lunch at the nearby campsite.
The second part involves a more leisurely 1-hour hike to the Sun Gate, where you will be greeted with your first and most spectacular views of Machu Picchu, Huayna Picchu, the Urubamba River, and the Andes Mountains. You will spend some time enjoying the sunset over Machu Picchu. Then, you will continue to the upper part of Machu Picchu for another hour to capture magnificent photographs with fewer visitors in the afternoon.
Lastly, there is a 30-minute bus drive to the town of Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu Pueblo). Dinner is served in a local restaurant, and we will spend the night in a 3-star hotel.
- Highest altitude: 2720m / 8923ft
- Distance: 15km / 8 miles
- Duration: 6 to 7 hours
- Meals: Lunch, snacks, and dinner
- Accommodation: Susanna INN (or Similar)
- Difficulty: Moderate
Day 3: Explore Machu Picchu - Return to Cusco
On the last day of the tour, explore the 'Lost City of the Incas,' Machu Picchu. After breakfast at the hotel, you will board one of the first buses and arrive at Machu Picchu before sunrise. On the guided tour, you will spend about 3 hours exploring Machu Picchu, visiting the main temples, palaces, farming terraces, and most important buildings. You will also have time to explore on your own or participate in an additional mountain hike, such as Huayna Picchu Mountain or Machu Picchu Mountain (not included - permits need to be booked in advance).
After visiting Machu Picchu, you will return by bus to Aguas Calientes, enjoy lunch, and then board the afternoon Vistadome Panoramic trains back to Ollantaytambo. Our team will wait for you there and transfer you back to your hotel in Cusco via private vehicle. The expected arrival time is around 7:30 PM.
- Highest altitude: 2400m / 7874ft
- Duration: 3-4 hours tour in Machu Picchu
- Meals: Breakfast (hotel)
- Difficulty: Easy