Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu 2-Day Tour Full Itinerary

Day 1: Cusco – Sacred Valley – Expedition Train – Machu Picchu Pueblo

We’ll pick you up from your hotel in Cusco at approximately 7:00 a.m. and begin the drive into the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Our first stop is an alpaca center, where you will see llamas, alpacas, vicuñas, and guanacos up close. Your guide will explain why these animals are so important to Andean culture, textiles, and daily life.

Next, we continue to the Taray viewpoint, one of the best places to see the Sacred Valley from above. From here, you can enjoy wide views of the Urubamba Valley, the Andes, and the green agricultural lands that made this region so important to the Incas.

Then we visit the Pisac Archaeological Site, an impressive Inca complex located above the town. You will explore terraces, temples, water channels, and ancient structures while learning how the Incas adapted their architecture to the mountain landscape.

After the archaeological site, we descend to the colorful Pisac Market, where local artisans sell handmade textiles, ceramics, jewelry, and traditional crafts. This is a great place to experience living Andean culture and support local families.

Our next stop is Urubamba, in the heart of the Sacred Valley, where you’ll enjoy a buffet lunch with fresh local ingredients. After lunch, we continue to the circular terraces of Moray, often described as an Inca agricultural laboratory because of its unique design and microclimates.

We then visit the famous Maras Salt Mines, where thousands of salt pools are still worked by local families using traditional methods. The white salt terraces create one of the most beautiful and unusual landscapes in the Sacred Valley.

To finish the day, we explore Ollantaytambo, one of the most important Inca towns in the valley. You will visit its archaeological site, walk through original Inca streets, and see stone channels that are still part of local life.

Dinner will be served at a local restaurant before you board the Expedition train to Aguas Calientes, also known as Machu Picchu Pueblo. Upon arrival, you will check into your comfortable hotel and rest before your early visit to Machu Picchu.

• Pick-up time: Approximately 7:00 a.m.
• Entrance fees: Included
• Transportation: Tourist van and Expedition train
• Tour guide: Professional bilingual guide
• Meals: Buffet lunch and dinner
• Accommodation: 3-star hotel in Aguas Calientes

Day 2: Explore Machu Picchu – Return to Cusco

We will wake up early for the most important day of your trip. After breakfast at the hotel, you’ll board one of the first buses up to Machu Picchu. At the entrance, you must present your ticket and original passport.

Once inside, your expert guide will lead you through the best areas allowed by your assigned circuit. You’ll explore terraces, temples, plazas, sacred spaces, viewpoints, and the main Inca structures while learning the history and meaning of Machu Picchu.

The guided visit usually lasts around 2 to 3 hours. We request Circuit 2 by default when available because it offers one of the most complete experiences. If Circuit 2 is sold out, we will secure the best official alternative available, usually Circuit 1 or Circuit 3.

After the guided tour, and if booked in advance, you may hike Huayna Picchu Mountain or Machu Picchu Mountain. These extra hikes are not included in the standard price, require separate tickets, and depend on official availability.

After Machu Picchu, take the bus back down to Aguas Calientes. You will have free time for lunch at a restaurant of your choice before boarding the afternoon Expedition train back to Ollantaytambo. From there, our van will take you back to your hotel in Cusco, arriving around 7:30 p.m.

• Tour duration: Full day
• Machu Picchu guided tour: Approximately 2 to 3 hours
• Transportation: Bus, Expedition train, and van
• Meals: Breakfast at the hotel
• Return: Cusco hotel drop-off around 7:30 p.m., depending on train schedule and traffic
• Difficulty: Easy to moderate, with stairs and uneven stone paths

Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu Tour 2 Days Price and Booking

Join one of our premium small-group departures for a smooth and well-planned Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu Tour 2 Days. Prices vary depending on the room type you select: single, double, or triple, based on the number of travelers in your party.

You can also request train upgrades, hotel upgrades, private service, or small itinerary adjustments. Contact us if you have a special request before or after booking, and our team will help you choose the best option for your travel style.

Small-Group Tour:

Student and Child Discount

• US$30 off per person

This discount applies to travelers under 17 and students under 25 with a valid university ID. To qualify, the ID must include:

• Student name, photo, and university name.
• A valid expiration date. Expired IDs will not be accepted.
• ISIC cards are not accepted.

The child discount is applied automatically. Students must send a copy of their student ID when booking; if the ID is not accepted, the adult rate will apply. Please email us at info@trexperienceperu.com at the time of booking to receive your discount.

Booking and Payment

• Deposit: US$200 per person to reserve your spot.
• The remaining balance can be paid online or at our office in Cusco using any credit card, PayPal, or wire transfer.
• Contact us if you would like to verify alternative payment options.

Before You Book

• Train schedules, Machu Picchu entry times, hotel availability, and circuits depend on availability at the time of booking.
• Your passport must be valid and match the information used for your train and Machu Picchu tickets.
• If you have dietary restrictions, please let us know when you make your reservation.

How to Book

1. Click the BOOK NOW button and choose your travel date on our calendar.
2. Select the tour option that best fits your travel style.
3. Fill in all requested details using your passport information exactly as shown on your passport.
4. Enter your credit or debit card details and complete the payment.
5. Our team will contact you shortly to confirm your payment and send the final tour details.

Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu Tour 2 Days Packing List

For the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu 2 Days tour, travel with a small carry-on and a comfortable daypack. You will visit archaeological sites, markets, salt mines, take the train to Aguas Calientes, spend one night in a hotel, and visit Machu Picchu early the next morning.

Train companies have luggage limits, so we recommend a small carry-on of about 5 kg / 11 lb. Your large suitcase should stay at your hotel in Cusco or with TreXperience if you are changing hotels after the tour.

Essentials

Original passport

Plastic Rain Coat

Toiletries

Warm down jacket

Peruvian soles cash

Good-quality daypack

Water bottle

Power bank

Lip balm

Sunscreen

Hand sanitizer

Wet wipes and tissues

Walking shoes

Fleece

What to Put in Your Daypack?

Your daypack should stay with you during the Sacred Valley visits and Machu Picchu tour. Keep it light and practical, with the items you need during the day.

• Original passport.
• Machu Picchu ticket and train ticket.
• Water bottle.
• Rain jacket or poncho.
• Sun protection: hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen.
• Comfortable walking shoes.
• Light warm layer for early morning and evening.
• Personal medication.
• Camera or phone with enough battery.
• Extra cash in Peruvian soles for drinks, snacks, bathrooms, souvenirs, or lunch on Day 2.

What to Pack for the Night in Aguas Calientes?

Pack only what you need for one hotel night and the next morning at Machu Picchu. Your carry-on goes with you on the train and stays at the hotel in Aguas Calientes while you visit the citadel.

• Change of clothes.
• Sleepwear.
• Toiletries in small travel sizes.
• Phone charger and power bank.
• Light jacket or sweater.
• Personal medication.

Luggage Tips

Check out of your Cusco hotel and store your large suitcase there if needed. Most hotels can store luggage for free. If you are switching hotels after the tour, TreXperience can store your large bag and return it when you arrive back in Cusco.

In Aguas Calientes, leave your carry-on at the hotel reception while you visit Machu Picchu with just your daypack. After the visit, pick it up before boarding the train back.

Waterproof and windproof jacket

Sun hat or cap with neck cover

Sunglasses

Insect repellent

Camera + extra batteries

Snacks

Personal Medication

Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu Tour 2 Days - Travel Information

Here you’ll find the most useful information to prepare for your Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu Tour 2 Days: the places we visit, tickets included, train service, hotel night, Machu Picchu circuits, optional hikes, packing tips, and responsible travel.

Places We Visit During the Sacred Valley + Machu Picchu Tour

This 2-day experience connects the best of the Sacred Valley with an early guided visit to Machu Picchu. You’ll visit living Andean culture, impressive Inca sites, traditional markets, salt pools, scenic viewpoints, and finally the most famous Inca citadel in Peru.

Llama and Alpaca Farm

Start with a living introduction to Andean culture near Cusco. See llamas, alpacas, vicuñas, and guanacos up close, and learn how local families spin, dye with natural colors, and weave fine textiles. This stop is simple, visual, and perfect for understanding the role of camelids in food, transport, textiles, and Andean traditions.

Taray Viewpoint

Located on the road between Cusco and Pisac, Taray offers one of the best panoramic views of the Sacred Valley. From here, you can see the Urubamba Valley, high Andean mountains, farming lands, and ancient terraces carved into the hillsides. It is a beautiful first photo stop before entering the heart of the valley.

Pisac Archaeological Site

Pisac is one of the most impressive Inca sites in the Sacred Valley. Its terraces, temples, water channels, ceremonial spaces, and mountain views show how the Incas adapted their architecture to the landscape. Your guide will help you understand why Pisac was important for farming, defense, and spiritual life.

Pisac Market

After exploring the ruins, we visit Pisac town and its famous market. This is a great place to see handmade textiles, pottery, jewelry, alpaca products, and local crafts. It is also a chance to support local artisans and experience the living culture of the Sacred Valley.

Moray Terraces

Moray is one of the most fascinating places in the Sacred Valley. Its circular terraces create different microclimates, and many experts believe the Incas used this site as an agricultural laboratory to test crops and adapt them to different conditions. It is a powerful example of Inca knowledge, design, and connection with nature.

Maras Salt Mines

The Maras Salt Mines are one of the most unique landscapes in the Sacred Valley. Thousands of salt pools are fed by a natural salty spring, and local families still harvest salt by hand using traditional methods. It is a beautiful place to see living heritage, community work, and one of the valley’s most photogenic views.

Ollantaytambo

Ollantaytambo is one of the most important Inca towns in the Sacred Valley and a perfect final stop before taking the train to Machu Picchu. You will explore its terraces, temples, stone streets, and water channels that are still part of daily life. This living Inca town connects the Sacred Valley with the train route to Aguas Calientes.

Machu Picchu

On Day 2, you will visit Machu Picchu, the legendary Inca citadel located above the Urubamba River. Your expert guide will lead you through the most important areas allowed by your assigned circuit, including terraces, temples, viewpoints, sacred spaces, and the most iconic parts of the site.

Sacred Valley to Machu Picchu Tour Frequently Asked Questions