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Embark on a tour of Peru’s iconic sites like the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu, explore the Andean culture, the most beautiful and impressive ancient Inca ruins in the Sacred Valley of the Incas like Pisac, Moray, the Salt mines and Ollantaytambo on your way to Machu Picchu, along with its amazing landscapes and bohemian life. The Sacred Valley Tour and Machu Picchu 2 days offer you great amount of the beauty and history over 2 days and is perfect for those with limited time but looking to explore the Sacred Valley of the Incas as much as possible. Above all, accompanied by a professional friendly local guide who speaks English

Let´s explore the Sacred Valley of the Incas on our Machu Picchu tour, and enjoy the world’s greatest travel destination, with the best Local team, in a small group with private transport. In this tour, you will also get to know the villages of The Sacred Valley of the Incas such as Pisac, Urubamba, Ollantaytambo.

You will be amazed by breathtaking and panoramic views of the Sacred Valley of the Incas and the most mystical places of Machu Picchu. We have all arranged for you, you just need your hiking shoes and the desire to have the best trip ever.

ITINERARY FOR THE SACRED VALLEY TOUR & MACHU PICCHU 2 DAYS?

Day 1: Cusco – Pisac – Moray – Salt Mines – Ollantaytambo – Aguas Calientes

Your guide will pick you up from your hotel lobby at 7am. First, we drive to a close-by Camelid farm. Here you have an opportunity to feed and pet different breeds of alpacas, llamas and vicuñas (a rare and national animal of Peru). Watch local women using wool from the animals around to weave beautiful garments with different patterns. They have their natural dyeing process with all the organic material needed on full display. Visit their museum and souvenir shop with the option of purchasing a good selection of fair-trade alpaca and vicuña apparel. Best part is that inside the shop, there are shopping assistance to answer all your question but they do not pressure you into purchasing anything. Be sure to grab your certification if you purchase merchandise made with Vicuñas wool, they are protected by the government of Peru.

Next stop is the Mirador of Toray. Enjoy unspoiled views of the valley below, with its lush vegetation and the serene Urubamba River gently curving its way through the entire the Sacred Valley. Perfect spot to stop for selfies, this area has the most panoramic views of the valley and the lighting is perfect at this time of the morning.

After a short uphill drive, we make our way to the historical Archeological site of Pisac. Learn about the agricultural practices of the Incas. How they used the different terraces below with varying micro-climates for their farming and then built their living quarters and food storage warehouses at the top of the hills, to take advantage of the cooler temperatures in order to preserve their produce. Discover at this Sacred Valley entry point the value this region had in terms of sustenance to the Incas and modern Cusco alike. The biggest Inca cemetery is also located here, with thousands of niches wrapped around the mountain side adjacent to the archeological site. According to local legend, there are still human remains inside some of the gravesites.

We follow that with a scenic drive through the valley, passing small rural town, with locals going about their normal day to day lives. We stop on the outskirts of Sacred Valleys´ commercial town of Urubamba for our lunch. Enjoy a scrumptious buffet lunch, with an impressive spread. The food is in abundance, with a great selection for different dietary needs. (Lunch is not included)

After feeling up our bellies, we head over to the Pre-Inca Salt Mines of Salineras. As you approach the salt mines you will be met by thousands of salt pans that has the valley coated in white and a murky brown color. The locals have been mining salt for generations. They have full ownership and rights to these pans and have passed them from one generation to the next. The small stream at the top fills up all the salt pans and once the water evaporates, they cultivate the salt to be sold for profit. Over 90% of the salt consumed in Peru comes from this humble small town. Any salt bought from the vendors at the mines, directly supports this small local community.

Next, we visit another set of Inca Ruins. The ruins of Moray are a great example of how advanced the Incas were for that period. Even though they did not build initial structure, they did however see the opportunity to use this as a natural ¨greenhouse¨. Each layer has different temperatures, they used these different micro-climates to test the optimum growing point of their crops. They brought in different samples of soil from the Empire to achieve maximum results. The sun also hit each level at different angles, making sun absorption different at every section, they also built an intricate irrigation system. The locals were still using this for farming until it was reserved for tourism in the 70s.

Finally, we head to the bustling town of Ollantaytambo, the gateway to Machu Picchu and the world-famous Inca trail. Watching over the town is the Archeological site of the same name. This is where the last and greatest battle was fought between the Incas and the Spanish Invaders. Even though, the Incas won this battle, they later retreated further into the jungle because their numbers had been continuously depleting from the Spanish flue and the many wars they had endured. The site has many boulders that had been carved, which had either been damaged from the war or a sign that this site was still incomplete at the time of the invasion. Your guide will give a comprehensive tour of this site and share all the important history associated with it.

Then at 7pm, we will take the train to Aguas Calientes where we will spend the night in our hotel, to ready ourselves for an exciting day ahead.

  • Hotel Accommodation: Ferre Hotel
  • Meals: Lunch ONLY

Day 2: Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu – Cusco

Bursting out with excitement on your final surreal day, we take the 5.30am bus to the Machu Picchu archeological site, arriving in time for the sunrise, to tour this New 7 Wonder of the World and UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site. On your 3 hours private tour, your guide will expertly direct you through the energetic ruins and its diverse main streets. Then on your own, you can wonder around the town squares of the world’s spiritual center of esoteric wisdom as well as climb the intricately carved stairways made of stone until the end of your session time.

If you wish to indulge in a few of the following activities on your own, you can (not included in the price)

  • Climb up Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain and appreciate the beauty and magnificence of Machu Picchu (An additional fee)

After exploring Machu Picchu, you will descend to Aguas Calientes. You can take in a leisurely lunch or explore Aguas Calientes handicraft market and board the Expedition train by 14:55pm for the return trip to Cusco. Disembark at the Ollantaytambo Train Station and then you will be driven back to your hotel in our private van, arriving around 8:30pm.

  • Meals: breakfast.

EXPEDITION CLASS TRAIN

The Expedition service is designed for traveller’s comfort, being able to share  your experience with four passenger seats located opposite each other. Find a luggage compartment above the seats offered for that faithful backpacker. Andean music is played throughout the journey with panoramic windows, air conditioning and heating.

WHAT IS INCLUDED IN THE SACRED VALLEY & MACHU PICCHU TOUR?

INCLUDED

  • Pick up at your hotel.
  • Entrances to the archeological sites
  • Private transportation by van from Cusco to Ollantaytambo
  • Roundtrip Expedition Train Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes and back
  • Hotel accommodation in Aguas Caliente
  • Meals as indicated in the itinerary
  • Roundtrip bus ticket Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu
  • Entrance fees to Machu Picchu
  • Guided tour of Machu Picchu
  • English speaking guide

NOT INCLUDED

  • Meals not included in itinerary
  • Entrance fee to the hot springs in Aguas Calientes optional (10 soles)
  • Tips

BEST PRICE FOR THE SACRED VALLEY & MACHU PICCHU TOUR?

“The Sacred Valley & Machu Picchu tour is available on any date that is best for you, as long as we have a minimum of 2 hikers”

  • US$457 per person with hotel 
  • US$437 per person without hotel 

Small groups with English speaking guide of an average of 5 and not exceeding 8!

DISCOUNTS

  • Under 18 years old: US$20 Please send us a copy of your passport at the time of booking.
  • Under 12 years old: US$30  Please send us a copy of your passport at the time of booking.

EXTRAS 

  • Huayna Picchu Hike: US$75. Needs to be booked in advance, let us know about it at the time of booking.
  • Machu Picchu Mountain: US$75. Needs to be booked in advance, let us know about it at the time of booking.
  • Upgrade to Vistadome Train: US$67

QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

Please read the following information carefully; it will help you answer all of your questions about our services and the Sacred Valley & Machu Picchu tour

WELCOME TO CUSCO

You will be welcomed at the airport in Cusco and taken to your hotel, please ensure that you inform us of your full flight details at least 14 days prior to your trek. Look out for our representative holding an orange board with INCA TRAIL HIKE at the arrivals terminal. It can be done on any date that is best suited to you!

THE BRIEFING

It will take place the night before the trekking departure at 6pm in our office which is located at Garcilaso Street 210 , Office Nº:213 (2nd Floor) in the la CASA DEL ABUELO shopping center.

CAN I STORE MY LUGGAGE AT YOUR OFFICE:

Of course! During the Sacred Valley & Machu Picchu tour your main luggage can be store at our office or at your hotel, both are free. Please don´t  pack anything you will need for your hike in your stored luggage

MAY I CHANGE THE DEPARTURE DATE AFTER THE TICKETS HAVE BEEN BOUGHT?

Unfortunately the answer is “No”. Once the tickets have been bought the government does not allow any changes, so we can’t change any departure date after the tickets has been bought. Tickets are also not transferable nor refundable.
If you cancel your Sacred Valley & Machu Picchu tour, the deposit is non-refundable!

ARE WE DROPPED AT OUR HOTEL AFTER THE TOUR?

Absolutely! Included in our packages is dropping you off at your hotel on the return from your trek or tour. If you have booked your hotel in the Sacred Valley, in towns like Ollantaytambo or Urubamba, we will drop you off there too!

If you spend the night at Ollantaytambo before the trek, we will pick you up from there as well.

TIPPING

If you’re happy with the services provided, a tip – though not compulsory – is appropriate. While it may not be customary to you, it’s of great significance for the people who will take care of you during the tour.  It inspires excellent service and is an entrenched feature of the tourism industry across many INCA TRAIL HIKE destinations. Of course you are free to tip as much as your budget will allow, depending on your perception on the quality of service and the length of your tour. Remember, a tip is not compulsory and should only be given when you receive excellent service.

ARE YOU SUSTAINABLE?

Yes, we are a local sustainable & responsible tourism operator for that we incorporate the universal principles of tourism: protect the environment and benefit the local communities respecting their culture and religion. With this in mind, we have trained all our staff to know, understand and respect the local places and it´s people.

PACKING LIST

WHAT YOU SHOULD BRING?

  • A small backpack or carry bag 20 to 30 liters (larger bags not allowed on the train or in Machu Picchu)
  • A change of clothing for the second day
  • Comfortable shoes or runners
  • Camera
  • Water to drink
  • Rain jacket or poncho
  • A fleece or jacket,
  • Basic toiletries,
  • Sunscreen,
  • Insect repellent for mosquitoes
  • Hat for the sun
  • Some extra money for lunch, snacks and souvenirs
  • Original passport (cannot enter Machu Picchu without it)
  • ISIC Card if applicable.

Travel Tips for The Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu Tour.

Planning Ahead

Traveling to the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu region in the high season ( April, May June, July, August) requires months of advanced planning because services fill up quickly. Trip logistics include airfare, hotel reservations, tours, train tickets and entrance tickets if you go to Machu Picchu.

Packing List

1.-Clothing. The weather in the Sacred Valley changes quickly, so bring a lot of layers to be prepared. Pack t-shirts and add warmth with long-sleeve clothing and a fleece jacket. Lightweight pants for trekking.
2.-Footwear. Comfortable hiking boots or athletic sneakers with good traction are ideal for walking up to and around the Inca archaeological complexes. Multi day hikes you will definitely want the boots for ankle support.
3.-Sun protection. Don’t forget your hat, glasses, and sunblock for sun protection.
4.-Day excursions. Bring a daypack with snug straps to carry your water, camera, and other personal belongings.

***Rainy season. During the rainy season months, pack a waterproof jacket or a travel size umbrella. Plastic ponchos are also available to buy in Cusco and the Sacred Valley.

Altitude Sickness

Altitude sickness is a common health concern for travelers planning a trip to the Sacred Valley region. Most visitors will only experience minor symptoms (shortness of breath, headache, nausea) as a result of the elevation. Take it easy the first couple days while you acclimatize and don’t overexert yourself. Towns in the Sacred Valley are actually lower in elevation than Cusco, so some travelers actually plan to spend their first few nights in the valley to reduce the onset of altitude sickness symptoms.

Money

Peruvian currency (called soles) is used to pay for taxi rides, small purchases, and tips for guides and porters. As of May 2023, $10 USD is roughly S/ 37 soles.
It’s good to carry around small bills and coins in the Sacred Valley because market vendors and small stores may not have adequate change to break larger notes.
You are more apt to get better exchange rates in Cusco than in small Sacred Valley towns. There are ATMs in Pisac, Urubamba, and Ollantaytambo that dispense both US dollars and local currency.

Luggage Restrictions for Train to Machu Picchu

If you are taking the train to Machu Picchu or doing a multi day trek, then you will likely need to store your heavy luggage at your hotel for this leg of the trip. Each train passenger is permitted one bag or backpack weighing up to 11lbs (5kg). Fortunately, all of our recommended hotels in the Sacred Valley and Cusco provide free luggage storage for their guests.

Is the Sacred Valley worth it visiting?

Definitely. You have to pass through the Sacred Valley to get to Machu Picchu from Cusco anyway, so it is absolutely worth it to explore since you will already be there. There are some incredible ruins in the Sacred Valley, like in Ollantaytambo, Moray, the Salt mines, Chinchero and Pisac.

How long does it take for exploring the Sacred Valley?

We recommend having a full day or two full days in the Sacred Valley. While one full day is enough for standard touring, typically people, especially nature lovers, love their hotel so much that they usually wish they had more time to just relax and just enjoy the surroundings.

Gallery Sacred Valley Tour & Machu Picchu 2 Days

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