Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu 2 days

Day 1: Cusco – Sacred Valley of the Incas – Aguas Calientes

Sacred Valley of the Incas Tour: Chinchero, Moray, Maras and Ollantaytambo on the way to Machu Picchu

Your tour through the Sacred Valley towards Machu Picchu begins early with pickup from your hotel in Cusco. From there, we will take a scenic drive of about 45 minutes to Chinchero, one of the cultural gems of the Sacred Valley of the Incas.

Chinchero

Chinchero, located just 30 kilometers from Cusco, is one of the most traditional towns in Peru, recognized for its textile traditions. It is home to skilled Andean weavers who keep ancestral techniques alive. During the visit, you will have the opportunity to enter a local weaving center, where women shear llama and alpaca wool, dye it with natural pigments, and transform it into beautiful ponchos, scarves, and tapestries.

Next, you will tour the archaeological site of Chinchero, which preserves part of the ancient summer palace of the Inca emperor Pachacutec. Although the original construction was destroyed during the conquest, a colonial white-walled church was built on its remains, symbolizing the fusion of two cultures.

In addition to its historical wealth, Chinchero is known for having the most fertile soils in the Sacred Valley, making it a key place to understand the Incas’ innovative agricultural methods. Here you can admire perfectly designed terraces still used to grow potatoes, corn, and quinoa.

Moray

The next stop will be Moray, a mysterious archaeological complex near Maras. Here you will discover the famous circular terraces of Moray, a unique agricultural system in the world. Each level has a different temperature, which allowed the Incas to recreate various microclimates and experiment with crops such as potatoes, corn, and quinoa.

For this reason, Moray is considered the first Inca agricultural laboratory, an impressive example of advanced engineering and knowledge of nature possessed by our ancestors. During the rainy season, the terraces turn a vibrant green, creating one of the most beautiful landscapes in the Sacred Valley of the Incas.

Maras Salt Mines

Continuing the tour through the Sacred Valley towards Machu Picchu, we will arrive at the famous Maras Salt Mines, one of the most impressive and photographed landscapes in the region. This complex consists of more than 3,000 geometric salt pools, used since pre-Inca times for salt extraction.

Local villagers still preserve the ancestral technique: salty water from a natural spring is channeled into the pools, where it evaporates under the sun, leaving behind salt crystals that are then collected by hand. This artisanal process has made Maras a unique place where tradition and nature harmoniously combine.

The salt of Maras is known for its characteristic pink color and distinctive flavor, making it highly valued in both Peruvian and international cuisine. During your visit, you will have time to walk among the terraces, admire the surrounding mountain landscape, and capture unforgettable photos of this unique setting in the Sacred Valley of the Incas.

Urubamba

After exploring Chinchero, Moray, and the Maras Salt Mines, we will continue the journey to Urubamba. Here we will stop at a local restaurant to enjoy a buffet lunch prepared with fresh ingredients grown in the area. The restaurants in Urubamba are often run by local farming families, ensuring an authentic, nutritious meal with traditional Peruvian flavors.

This will be the perfect time to recharge your energy and enjoy a unique culinary experience before continuing to Ollantaytambo.

Ollantaytambo

After our lunch in Urubamba, we will head to Ollantaytambo, one of the most fascinating towns in the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Known as the former administrative and military capital of the Incas, it is strategically nestled between two mountains that protect impressive archaeological remains.

During the guided visit, you will tour the archaeological complex of Ollantaytambo, famous for its impressive Inca temple, its gigantic perfectly carved stone walls, and its agricultural terraces climbing the mountain. We will also explore the main square, ceremonial fountains such as the Ñusta’s Bath—a finely crafted stone fountain associated with purification rituals for the Inca nobility—the Temple of Water, and the religious sectors that were considered sacred during the Inca Empire.

In addition to its historical importance, Ollantaytambo is a place that conveys the living essence of Andean culture: its cobblestone streets, traditional houses, and water channels transport us to the past, making it an essential stop before continuing to Machu Picchu.

Aguas Calientes

After visiting Ollantaytambo, you will board the tourist train to Aguas Calientes, the gateway to the wonder of the world, Machu Picchu. During the ride, you will enjoy a spectacular landscape, passing through deep canyons, green valleys, and snow-capped mountains while the train snakes alongside the Urubamba River.

Upon arrival in Aguas Calientes, our representative will be waiting for you at the station to take you to your hotel, where you will have a comfortable room with a private bathroom. This will be your place to rest for the night before the grand experience of the next day: the guided visit to Machu Picchu.

The tranquility of the town, surrounded by mist-covered mountains and the sound of the river, will allow you to relax and prepare for one of the most anticipated moments of the entire trip: discovering the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu the following day.

• Tour difficulty level: Easy – moderate
• Minimum altitude: 2,040 m a.s.l. (Aguas Calientes)
• Maximum altitude: 3,762 m a.s.l. (Chinchero)

Day 2: Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu – Cusco

Guided tour of Machu Picchu from Aguas Calientes with return to Cusco

The second day of the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu tour will begin very early in the morning. After enjoying a nutritious breakfast at your hotel in Aguas Calientes, we will board the tourist bus that takes only 40 minutes along a winding road to reach the main entrance of the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu.

At the gate, your tour guide will assist you with entry while the authorities check your Machu Picchu ticket together with your original passport.

Machu Picchu Tour

Once inside, you will experience an unforgettable moment: the first rays of sunlight illuminating the stone walls of the ancient Inca city. Our two-hour guided tour of Machu Picchu will begin with an introduction to its history and spiritual meaning, followed by the exploration of its main sectors.

During the visit, you will explore the main square, ceremonial temples, royal residences, the Intihuatana (sun clock), and other sacred areas, while your guide shares the secrets of Andean architecture and worldview.

At the end of the tour, you will have free time to wander at your own pace, take unique photographs, or simply sit and contemplate the majesty of this wonder of the world.

If you booked in advance the hike to Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain, your guide will show you the start of the trail, provide safety recommendations, and explain the approximate time needed to complete the hike.

After the visit, you will descend by bus to Aguas Calientes, where you’ll have free time for lunch at a local restaurant or to relax in the town’s hot springs before departure.

In the afternoon or evening, you will board the tourist train back to Ollantaytambo, once again enjoying the landscapes of the Sacred Valley. There, our representative will be waiting at the station to take you by private transport back to Cusco and drop you off at your hotel.

This concludes this unforgettable 2-day tour of the Sacred Valley of the Incas and Machu Picchu, an experience that combines history, culture, and landscapes that will remain in your memory forever.

• Tour difficulty level: Easy – moderate
• Minimum altitude: 2,040 m.a.s.l. (Aguas Calientes)
• Maximum altitude: 2,430 m.a.s.l. (Machu Picchu; can reach up to 2,720 m at Machu Picchu Mountain or 2,693 m at Huayna Picchu, depending on the additional booking)