From US$627 per person (2-star hotel, triple room), up to US$1157 per person (5-star hotel, single room). Prices are per person in US dollars and depend on hotel category and room occupancy.
Sacred Valley Classic & Machu Picchu 2 Days
- Sacred Valley highlights: Explore the breathtaking archaeological ruins of Pisac and the living Incan fortress of Ollantaytambo.
- Scenic sunset rail: Board the train in the late afternoon to Aguas Calientes, witnessing the dramatic change in scenery.
- Morning citadel entry: Discover Machu Picchu during the early shifts to experience the sanctuary with fewer crowds.
- Stress-free logistics: Skip all the ticket lines with round-trip transport, train seats, permits, and expert guides pre-arranged.
Discover the best of the Peruvian Andes with the 2-Day Classic Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu Tour, an immersive journey designed to combine Inca history, Andean culture, and breathtaking landscapes. Explore the main attractions of the Sacred Valley of the Incas, including the impressive Pisac Archaeological Site, its traditional artisan market, the town of Urubamba, and the magnificent Ollantaytambo Fortress, considered one of the finest examples of Inca architecture and engineering. End the first day with a spectacular scenic train journey to Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu Pueblo), enjoying extraordinary views of the Sacred Valley and the Urubamba River along the way.
The following day, explore the magnificent Machu Picchu Citadel, one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Accompanied by a professional guide, discover its ancient temples, agricultural terraces, ceremonial spaces, and fascinating mysteries while enjoying breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding Andes. This tour is an excellent choice for travelers who want to experience the most iconic destinations around Cusco in a single journey, combining comfortable transportation, scenic train travel, hotel accommodation, local gastronomy, and an unforgettable cultural experience in the heart of the Inca Empire.
At a glance
- Days: 2
- Highest point: 3740 m
- Price: From US$627 per person
Itinerary
Day 1: Cusco, Sacred Valley, Aguas Calientes
Altitude: 2792 a 3740 m · Meals: Buffet lunch · Overnight: Aguas Calientes (2040 m)
The Classic Sacred Valley + Machu Picchu 2 Days Tour begins with hotel pickup in Cusco between 07:30 and 08:00 a.m. Our first visit will be to the impressive Pisac Archaeological Center, where you will discover agricultural terraces, Inca temples, and spectacular views of the Sacred Valley of the Incas. We will then head to Urubamba, where we will enjoy a buffet lunch with the best of Peruvian cuisine, before continuing to the historic fortress of Ollantaytambo.
We continue to **Urubamba**, where you will enjoy a *buffet* lunch featuring the best of Andean cuisine. In the afternoon we arrive in **Ollantaytambo**, the last living Inca town, where you will walk its spectacular terraces, temples, and cobblestone alleys. At the end of the tour, you will board the train to **Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu Town)**, where our staff will assist you to reach your hotel, with the evening free to rest or stroll around town.
Day 2: Machu Picchu, Return to Cusco
Altitude: 2430 m · Meals: Breakfast · Overnight: Cusco (3400 m)
Very early, after breakfast, you will take the bus to the entrance of **Machu Picchu**, entering just in time to see the sunrise illuminate this sacred city. With your official guide, you will explore the main sectors of the sanctuary during a guided visit of approximately **2 to 3 hours**, visiting temples, terraces, plazas, and spectacular viewpoints. *Optional:* if you booked in advance, you can hike **Huayna Picchu** or **Machu Picchu Mountain**, both with impressive views of the site and surrounding valley.
Afterward, you will return by bus to **Aguas Calientes** for lunch *(not included)* and a short time to explore the town. In the afternoon, you will take the train back to **Ollantaytambo**, where our transportation will be waiting to take you back to your hotel in **Cusco**.
What is included
- Entrance Tickets and Permits Cusco Tourist Ticket with partial access to archaeological sites and Machu Picchu entrance ticket, Circuit 2, the most complete and popular route for exploring the citadel. Advance booking is highly recommended due to high demand and limited availability.
- Service and Safety Pre-departure briefing, certified and experienced bilingual professional guides, medical first-aid kit with emergency oxygen available, and 24/7 customer support.
- Accommodation 1 night in a 3-star hotel in Machu Picchu Pueblo (Aguas Calientes). Luggage storage at our Cusco office is available at no additional cost.
- Meals 1 breakfast and 1 buffet lunch, according to the itinerary.
- Transportation Transport hotel and train station transfers. Train tickets from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes (Expedition) and return (Vistadome). Round-trip tourist bus tickets between Aguas Calientes and Machu Picchu.
What is not included
- Optional Mountain Hikes Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain, cost US$75.00 per person each (book in advance).
- Meals Not Mentioned Lunches, dinners, and other meals not specifically mentioned in the itinerary.
- Personal Expenses, Tips, and Travel Insurance Personal clothing and hiking equipment. Tips for guides, drivers, and service staff are optional but recommended. Travel insurance is not included.
- Extra Costs or Delays Beyond Our Control Landslides, adverse weather conditions, itinerary changes for safety reasons, strikes, road closures, or other unforeseen events beyond our control.
Frequently asked questions
What does the Sacred Valley Classic 2 days cover?
Day 1 visits the Sacred Valley (Pisac, Ollantaytambo, Chinchero) and overnights in Aguas Calientes. Day 2 is the Machu Picchu visit with a guide. It is the minimum package to see the citadel comfortably.
Where do we stay overnight between the two days?
The night between the two days is spent in Aguas Calientes (also called Machu Picchu Pueblo), the town at the foot of the citadel. A 3-star hotel with breakfast is included.
Are archaeological entrance fees included?
Sacred Valley entries (Pisac, Ollantaytambo, Chinchero) require the tourist ticket. Machu Picchu entry is included in the package. Check details when booking.
How do we get to Machu Picchu?
The train departs from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes (approx. 1h 40 min). The next day, a local bus goes up in 25 minutes to the Machu Picchu gate. Both are included.
What meals are included in the package?
Hotel breakfasts are included. Day 1 lunch in the Sacred Valley is also included. Dinners and other lunches are at the traveller's expense.
What is the Sacred Valley of the Incas?
The Sacred Valley of the Incas is the fertile corridor of the Urubamba River between Pisac and Ollantaytambo, Cusco. It was the agricultural, spiritual and administrative heart of the Inca Empire. Its stepped farming terraces, ancestral markets, fortresses and Andean textile villages make the Sacred Valley one of the culturally richest destinations in all of South America.
Why is the Sacred Valley the ideal prelude to Machu Picchu?
The Sacred Valley prepares the traveler for Machu Picchu in every sense: the Machu Picchu train departs from Ollantaytambo (the last fortress of the Sacred Valley), the sites visited are part of the same Inca network, and gradual acclimatization in the valley (2,800 m) helps before descending to Machu Picchu (2,430 m). It is the most logical and enriching route.
What is Ollantaytambo and why is it important?
Ollantaytambo is an Inca fortress built in the 15th century by Inca Pachacútec that successfully resisted the Spanish invasion in 1536 (the only significant Spanish military defeat in the Andes). It is also one of the Andean towns where the original Inca urban structure has been preserved as-is for 600 years. The train to Aguas Calientes and Machu Picchu departs from here.
Is the 2-Day Sacred Valley tour suitable for families?
Yes. The 2-Day Sacred Valley is one of the most recommended packages for families with children over 7. The Pisac market, llamas at Ollantaytambo and the excitement of the train to Aguas Calientes are experiences children love. The pace is manageable and the Aguas Calientes hotel adds a different and exciting overnight stay.
What is the best time for the 2-Day Sacred Valley?
The Sacred Valley can be visited year-round. The dry season (May, October) offers clearer skies and better photos. In the rainy season (November, April) the valley is intensely green and beautiful; the train and Machu Picchu operate normally. Only extreme rain days are avoided, which are rare even in the wet season.
How does the 2-Day Sacred Valley differ from the 2-Day Train and the Maras, Moray & Machu Picchu packages?
All three packages include Machu Picchu on the second day and use the train from Ollantaytambo. The difference is in the first day. The 2-Day Sacred Valley visits Pisac (market and mountain ruins), the Sacred Valley and Ollantaytambo. The 2-Day Train includes Chinchero, Maras and Moray on day one. The Maras, Moray and Machu Picchu package has a specific focus on the salt pans and agricultural terrace circles. Choose based on your interest: market and majestic ruins (Sacred Valley), Inca geometry and salt (Maras/Moray), or more relaxed train time and Machu Picchu (2-Day Train).
Related tours
- Machu Picchu Day Trip from Cusco by Train, from US$317 per person
- Machu Picchu & Cusco 3 Days, from US$727 per person
- Machu Picchu & Cusco 4 Days, from US$774 per person