Cusco to Machu Picchu: 2-Day Tour with Sacred Valley & Train

Overview

The transition from the colonial stone of Cusco to the high-altitude terraces of Pisac happens within the first hour of this expedition. This two-day route is built for the traveler who wants to decompress in the Sacred Valley before standing at the gates of Machu Picchu. You won't just rush to the ruins. You’ll spend the first day navigating the vertical agricultural terraces of Pisac and the massive rock fortifications of Ollantaytambo, where the face of the god Wiracocha is carved directly into the mountain. The overnight stay in the village of Aguas Calientes allows you to wake up at the base of the sanctuary, avoiding the long morning commute from Cusco. By the time you reach the Citadel on day two, you already have the historical context of the Inca Empire's heartland. Permits for the "Classic Route" (Circuit 2) are the first to disappear each season, so book your Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu Guided tour early to secure the most comprehensive access to the ruins.

What's Included

Itinerary

1. Your guide meets you at your Cusco hotel between 7:30 and 7:45 AM. The drive heads north, stopping first at Awana Kancha where you can see the distinct differences between llamas, alpacas, and wild vicuñas. From the Taray lookout, the Sacred Valley opens up - a flat floor of green cornfields flanked by steep Andean ridges. You’ll spend the afternoon at the Pisac ruins, walking through the cemetery and residential sectors perched on the mountain's edge, before descending to the village market to see local pottery and textiles.
2. After a midday break in Urubamba, you continue to the Archaeological Park of Ollantaytambo. This is a living Inca town where the original street layout remains intact. You’ll climb the massive stone steps of the fortress to see the Sun Temple and the complex water channels. In the late afternoon, you board the train at Ollantaytambo station. The tracks follow the Vilcanota River into the high jungle. You arrive in Aguas Calientes around 6:00 PM, checking into your hotel with the rest of the evening free to explore the village's thermal baths or riverside cafes.
3. Day two starts with an early breakfast before heading to the bus station for the 25-minute climb to the sanctuary. Your guide leads a three-hour exploration of the Main Plaza, the Circular Tower, and the Sacred Sun Dial. You'll see how the Incan masons shaped granite to mirror the surrounding peaks. After the guided tour, you return to the village for lunch. The return journey involves a train ride back to the valley and a private vehicle transfer, arriving at your Cusco hotel door by approximately 6:00 PM.