The Most Famous Hike in Peru & South America
3 Days & 2 Nights
Experience the perfect blend of culture, history, and adventure on this luxury 3-day journey through the Sacred Valley and the Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. This premium itinerary is designed for travelers who want to explore the most important Inca sites and walk an original section of the legendary Inca Trail — all with high-quality services and expert guidance.
Begin with a full Sacred Valley exploration, visiting remarkable sites such as Pisac, Moray, the Maras Salt Mines, and Ollantaytambo, surrounded by spectacular Andean landscapes. Then follow the Short Inca Trail from Km 104, hiking through cloud forest, archaeological complexes like Wiñay Wayna, and reaching the iconic Sun Gate (Inti Punku) for your first panoramic view of Machu Picchu.
Your experience culminates with a guided visit to Machu Picchu, discovering its temples, terraces, and ceremonial spaces with a private guide. With boutique hotels, scenic train journeys, and carefully coordinated logistics, this tour delivers a refined Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu experience in just three unforgettable days.
We will begin the tour at 7:00 a.m., picking you up from your hotel in Cusco and heading towards the fertile Urubamba Valley. Our first stop will be the Taray Viewpoint, where we will enjoy a spectacular panoramic view of the Sacred Valley. Our guide will explain the importance of its ancestral crops such as corn, quinoa, and amaranth, as well as the sacred role of the Vilcanota or Wilkamayu River.
Next, we will visit the Pisac Archaeological Site, where we will explore its impressive temples, water channels, Inca cemetery with thousands of tombs, viewpoints, and terraced agricultural systems that made the expansion of agriculture possible during the Inca era.
Afterward, we will continue to Urubamba, where we will have our buffet lunch.
Afterward, we will head to the famous Maras Salt Mines, with more than 3,000 salt ponds used since ancient times. We'll descend to the lower area for incredible photos and a historical explanation.
Then we'll visit the Inca agricultural laboratory of Moray, known as "the greenhouse of the Incas."
Here we'll observe the concentric rings, each with distinct microclimates that allowed for experimentation with crops at different altitudes.
Finally, we'll head to the fortress of Ollantaytambo, one of the most important military and ceremonial complexes of the Inca civilization. Here we'll see structures such as the Temple of the Sun, the Baths of the Ñusta, and defensive terraces that were key to the resistance against the Spanish.
At the end of the tour, we'll go to the train station to board our Expedition train to Aguas Calientes to rest and prepare for the next day's visit to Machu Picchu.
RECOMMENDATION: Bring extra clothes and a small backpack with essentials for the tour, plus cash for snacks or souvenirs. Also, bring your passport for entry to the various archaeological sites.
Maximum height: 3,500 m / 11,483 ftMinimum height: 2,040 m / 6,692 ft
Climate: Cold - Sunny
Difficulty: Moderate
Approximate walk: 3 - 4 hrs
We start the day very early, picking you up from your hotel at 5:40 am and taking you to the Ollantaytambo train station to board the 6:10 am Expedition train.
During the journey, you'll enjoy spectacular scenery: snow-capped mountains, valleys, Inca terraces, and subtropical rainforest.
We'll get off at kilometer 104, also called Chachabamba (2,100 m), where we'll begin our hike. We'll ascend for three hours to the Wiñay Wayna archaeological complex, which we'll visit and explore with our guide. Here, we'll also have the opportunity to enjoy our delicious boxed lunch.
Then we'll continue to the most exciting point of the day: the Sun Gate (Inti Punku) (2,730 m), from where you'll have your first magical panoramic view of Machu Picchu. An unforgettable moment.
Afterward, we'll descend by bus to Aguas Calientes, where we'll have dinner and spend the night.
RECOMMENDATION: To enter Machu Picchu, you must present the original ID or passport you used to book your ticket. Without this document, you will not be allowed to enter the archaeological site.
Today you will explore the majestic Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu. Very early, around 5:30 a.m., we will board one of the first buses to the citadel to enjoy a more tranquil atmosphere and, weather permitting, witness the sunrise over the mountains surrounding Machu Picchu. Upon arrival, you will have time to appreciate the panoramic view and connect with the energy of the place before beginning your guided tour. Our guide will accompany you for approximately two hours, exploring the most important points of the citadel, its main streets, ceremonial sectors, agricultural terraces, and temples.
Optional activities (not included and require advance booking):
After the visit, we will take the bus back to Aguas Calientes, where you will have time for lunch on your own. Finally, we'll head to the station to board the Vistadome Observatory train for the ultimate train experience to Ollantaytambo. Our private transportation will be waiting there to take you to your hotel in Cusco. We'll arrive in the city at approximately 8:30 p.m., concluding this unforgettable experience. Additional information:
RECOMMENDATION: To enter Machu Picchu, you must present the original ID or passport you used to book your ticket. Without this document, you will not be allowed to enter the archaeological site.
The price of the Luxury Sacred Valley & Machu Picchu Tour – 2 Days varies depending on the selected hotel category, travel season, and level of exclusivity you prefer. This premium short journey is designed to deliver exceptional value while ensuring comfort, safety, and a fully curated Andean experience across the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu.
Every aspect of your trip is carefully arranged — from professional bilingual guides and scenic train tickets to quality accommodations and precise logistics — so you can explore these iconic destinations with complete confidence and comfort.
If you would like a personalized quote, hotel upgrades, or a private luxury departure, our team will be happy to assist you.
(Envíame los precios exactos y los coloco.)
Enhance your itinerary with the following premium upgrades:
Your price is 100% guaranteed after booking.
No hidden fees. No unexpected increases. No surprises.
Before confirming your reservation, we recommend reviewing:
Our team ensures your experience is smooth, premium, and unforgettable — from your first pickup to your return from Machu Picchu.
Machu Picchu is one of the world’s most spectacular archaeological sites and a bucket-list destination for millions of travelers. Before…
Read More
Cusco sits at 3,400 meters above sea level, and many travelers experience mild altitude sickness upon arrival. Before heading to…
Read MoreThis 2-day luxury tour includes hotel pickup, Sacred Valley guided tour, visits to Pisac, Moray, Maras Salt Mines, and Ollantaytambo, scenic train to Aguas Calientes, Machu Picchu entrance ticket, round-trip bus to the citadel, professional bilingual guide, tourist transportation, and one hotel night.
Yes. Machu Picchu entrance tickets are included and booked in advance according to availability, usually Circuit 2 for the most complete guided route.
The overnight stay is in Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu town) in a selected hotel category. You may choose standard, superior, or luxury hotel upgrades.
Day 1 includes key Sacred Valley highlights such as Pisac archaeological site, Moray circular terraces, Maras Salt Mines, and Ollantaytambo fortress.
Yes. The tour includes round-trip tourist train service. You may upgrade to the Vistadome panoramic train for enhanced views and onboard experience.
The tour is considered easy to moderate. Most visits involve walking through archaeological sites with stairs and uneven paths, but no technical trekking is required.
Yes. This luxury 2-day itinerary is suitable for families and senior travelers. The pace is comfortable and guided, with rest stops and assistance available.
Yes. These mountain hikes can be added as optional upgrades, subject to permit availability. Advance booking is strongly recommended.
We recommend spending at least one day in Cusco before the tour to adapt to the altitude and enjoy the experience more comfortably.
We recommend booking at least several weeks in advance, especially in high season, to secure Machu Picchu tickets, train schedules, and preferred hotels.
3500 msnm / 9776 ft M.S.N.M
Up to 2 - 8 people People
Group
Adventure - Culture - Hike
Moderate
Meta Peru Travel is a licensed and certified luxury travel agency recognized by Peru’s leading tourism and sustainability organizations, ensuring every journey meets the highest international standards.
