3-Day Sacred Valley & Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu

Our journey begins at 7:30 am, when your guide collects you from your hotel in Cusco in a private van. We head towards the Sacred Valley of the Incas, starting with Pisac. Our first stop is the Mirador of Taray, offering expansive views of the Urubamba Valley and its traditional farming communities. Witness how agriculture in the Sacred Valley has remained largely unchanged for centuries. Next, we visit the archaeological site of Pisac, renowned for its impressive Inca cemetery featuring over 2,000 tombs. Admire the intricately engineered farming terraces carved into the mountainside, explore the Inca tunnel, and visit the religious precinct of this significant site. After approximately 2 hours of exploration, we proceed to the colorful Pisac market for a brief 20-minute visit before heading to Urubamba for lunch (not included).

Our journey continues to the archaeological site of Moray, often called “The Greenhouse of the Incas.” This site features a deep bowl-shaped basin with terraced levels, designed by the Incas to study optimal growing conditions and experiment with crop hybridization.

We then drive to the colonial town of Maras, where we can view the ancient pre-Inca salt “mines” known as salineras. These salt pans have been utilized for salt extraction since pre-Inca times. A hot spring at the valley’s top provides a stream of highly saline water, which is channeled into the pans to evaporate, producing salt. It is one of the few places globally where naturally pink salt can be found!

Finally, we arrive in Ollantaytambo to explore this Inca village that has preserved its historical integrity since Inca times. Our guide will take you on a tour of the extensive Inca ruins, including the impressive Sun Temple situated atop formidable terraces. Learn about the site’s significance during the early Spanish conquest. You will spend the night at a hotel in Ollantaytambo, preparing for the Inca Trail the following day.

2 Accommodation:* Veronica View Hotel or Tunupa Lodge
3 Accommodation:* Pakaritampu Hotel or El Alberge
Meals: Dinner

This exciting day starts early with your guide departing the hotel at 5:30 am. At the train station, you will receive a lunchbox for your daypack. The train departs Ollantaytambo at 6:10 am, and you’ll have over an hour on board to enjoy the scenery before reaching the trek’s starting point. Your hotel can provide a box breakfast, or you can bring your own.

At Km104, where the hike begins (2,000m/6,560 ft. above sea level), you will cross the Urubamba River via a scenic footbridge. You’ll need to present your passport at the checkpoint and visit the first Inca archaeological site nearby. The first 90 minutes feature a gentle ascent with various shelters for resting from the sun or rain. Enjoy expansive views of the Urubamba River and traverse through different microclimates, including cloud forests. The subsequent 90 minutes involve a steeper ascent, culminating in a beautiful waterfall.

As you walk beneath the waterfall, take in the magnificent Wiñay Wayna (2,600m/8,500 ft. above sea level). These remarkable Inca ruins have an intriguing history, with some parts still concealed by dense jungle. The trail leads through lush subtropical jungle. Your guide will share insights about the ruins and the local flora and fauna before a short 5-minute walk to the lunch spot.

Post-lunch, you will have a mostly flat hike to the Sun Gate, with a few steep stairs just before arriving. Passing through the Sun Gate, you will be greeted by your first spectacular view of the Machu Picchu Citadel. Enjoy this moment and take photographs. The final hour down from the Sun Gate offers more opportunities for photos from a unique perspective. Several significant Inca sites lie between the Sun Gate and Machu Picchu, so take your time and ask your guide questions about these historical locations as you continue to Machu Picchu.

Upon reaching Machu Picchu, you’ll have time to take additional photos from the viewing platforms above the site, including the “House of the Guardians,” where you can capture iconic images of Machu Picchu. Arriving in the afternoon, you’ll benefit from fewer tourists for better photo opportunities in the afternoon light. Afterward, take the bus down to Aguas Calientes to check into your hotel. Enjoy a delightful dinner and explore the charming town, visit the hot springs, or simply relax at your hotel after an exhilarating day.

Meals Included: Breakfast at your hotel, lunch, and dinner in Aguas Calientes
3 Accommodation:* Ferre´ Hotel Machu Picchu
Difficulty: Moderate
You will leave an overnight bag at the Ollantaytambo train station for direct transfer to Aguas Calientes.

The day you’ve been waiting for has arrived! After an early breakfast at your hotel, board one of the first buses to Machu Picchu to witness the sunrise. It’s a truly remarkable sight not to be missed! Your guide will conduct a two-hour tour of Machu Picchu, covering many key areas of the Citadel.

Once you’ve soaked in the incredible views of Machu Picchu, return by bus to Aguas Calientes for lunch (not included). Depending on your train departure time, you might also have time for shopping, sightseeing, or visiting the museum or hot springs.

The Expedition train will return you to Ollantaytambo at either 2:55 pm or 3:20 pm, following the picturesque Urubamba River. As the train approaches Ollantaytambo, enjoy views of the narrow canyon and beautiful whitewater sections. Look out for Wiñay Wayna on the steep canyon wall! Upon arrival at Ollantaytambo, your driver will meet you to transfer you back to your hotel in Cusco, with an expected arrival time of 7:00 pm.

Meals Included: Breakfast at your hotel
For those who booked in advance, an extra hike up Huayna Picchu is available, though it does not include a guide.

IMPORTANT:

• On the 2-day Inca Trail, you will follow circuit #3 or #4. It is not possible to take another circuit unless an additional Machu Picchu entrance is purchased.
• You can upgrade to the Vistadome Train for the same departure times, 2:55 pm or 3:20 pm, or at 4:22 pm or 4:43 pm. The cost is $67 USD.
• Early train departures can be arranged upon request at the time of booking.
• Huayna Picchu Mountain Hike availability depends on demand; inform us at the time of booking.