Sacred Valley VIP + Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu 3 Days

4.9 (76 reviews) Cusco, Peru
Duration3 days
Instant confirmationYour booking is confirmed right away
TicketMobile or paper ticket accepted
LanguagesEnglish, Spanish
Group sizeUp to 16 travelers
Pickup offeredSee the meeting and pickup details below

Overview

Discover the magic of Peru on a 3-day journey through stunning landscapes and ancient history. Visit remarkable sites in the Sacred Valley, then set out on a scenic hike along the Short Inca Trail, passing breathtaking viewpoints and archaeological wonders before arriving at the iconic Machu Picchu. With comfortable accommodations, delicious meals, and expert guidance, everything is taken care of, so you can simply enjoy the adventure.

HIGHLIGHTS:

• Travel with trusted local experts specializing in the Inca Trail.
• Hike the Short Inca Trail and enter Machu Picchu through the Sun Gate.
• Explore Sacred Valley treasures: Pisac, Moray, Maras, and Ollantaytambo.
• Visit Machu Picchu twice, at sunset and sunrise, with fewer crowds.
• Rest in carefully selected hotels for comfort and convenience.
• Return aboard the panoramic Vistadome train for a scenic journey.

What's included

  • 03 bus tickets for rides within the Machu Picchu complex
  • Entrance tickets to the Sacred Valley: Moray, Maras, and Ollantaytambo
  • All transportation and a professional tour guide for the full 3 days
  • Lunch
  • Entrance tickets for the Inca Trail and Machu Picchu (Circuits 1 & 3)
  • Dinner
  • Breakfast
  • Guided tours of the Super Sacred Valley, Short Inca Trail and Machu Picchu
  • 01 night in a 2-star hotel and 01 night in a 3-star hotel in Aguas Calientes
  • Expedition train to Km 104 and Vistadome panoramic train for the return
  • (Optional) Meals not covered in the itinerary can be conveniently found in Aguas Calientes town.
  • (Optional) Machu Picchu Montaña or Waynapicchu entrance ticket are not mandatory but must be booked ahead of time to ensure availability. If you’ve booked them, please let us know.

What to expect

Day 1: Sacred Valley VIP with Salineras Maras & Moray
  1. Cusco
    1h
    Begin the day with hotel pickup in Cusco around 7:00 a.m. and travel through the picturesque landscapes of the Sacred Valley.
  2. 1h
    Your first stop is at an Alpaca Center, where you can feed and interact with llamas, alpacas, and vicuñas while learning how their wool has been used for centuries in Andean culture.
  3. 20m
    Continue to the Taray viewpoint for wide, open views of the valley and the Urubamba River.
  4. Parque Arqueologico Pisac
    1h · Admission ticket included
    Explore the archaeological site of Pisac, known for its impressive hillside terraces, ceremonial temples, and hidden Inca tunnels, while enjoying sweeping views of the Valley that showcase its strategic importance.
  5. Maras Moray Tours
    2h · Admission ticket included
    After lunch, we'll visit Moray, an ancient Inca agricultural laboratory with perfectly designed circular terraces once used for crop experimentation.
  6. Salinas de Maras
    1h · Admission ticket included
    Nearby, marvel at the Salineras of Maras, a spectacular patchwork of salt ponds where local families continue to harvest salt by hand using traditional methods passed down since Inca times.
  7. Ollantaytambo
    1h
    Conclude the day with a guided visit to Ollantaytambo, a living Inca town where narrow streets and stone canals remain unchanged since the 15th century. Spend the night in a comfortable hotel in Ollantaytambo.
Day 2: Ollantaytambo - Short Inca Trail - Machu Picchu
  1. Ollantaytambo
    Pass by
    We'll pick you up from your hotel and take a short 10-minute drive to the train station, where we'll embark on a breathtaking journey along the Urubamba River. As the train winds through the valley, watch the scenery transform, from rugged highland terrain to the vibrant greenery of the cloud forest.
  2. Pass by
    Disembark at Kilometer 104, where you'll complete your registration and fuel up with a hearty breakfast before setting off. Cross a suspension bridge spanning the Urubamba River, then pass through the checkpoint to begin your unforgettable journey along the Short Inca Trail.
  3. 40m
    Your first stop is Chachabamba, a ceremonial site where carved stone structures and water channels reveal its role in honoring sacred water.
  4. 3h
    Follow the ancient stone path as it climbs steadily through lush vegetation and mountain landscapes. Arrive at Wiñay Wayna, an extraordinary Inca site with temples, aqueducts, agricultural terraces, and waterfalls. Here you will enjoy a freshly prepared picnic lunch crafted by your trekking chefs.
  5. 30m
    Continue the hike along a gentle trail to the Sun Gate, the original entrance to Machu Picchu, where your first breathtaking view of the citadel unfolds.
  6. 1h · Admission ticket included
    Walk down to the upper terraces of Machu Picchu to capture afternoon photos in golden light with fewer visitors around.
  7. Aguas Calientes
    Pass by
    As evening approaches, take the shuttle bus down to Aguas Calientes, where you’ll enjoy dinner in a local restaurant and spend the night in a comfortable 3-star hotel.
Day 3: Explore Machu Picchu - Return to Cusco
  1. Aguas Calientes
    2h
    Begin with an early breakfast at your hotel before taking one of the first buses up to Machu Picchu. Arriving before sunrise for a magical start to your day.
  2. 2h · Admission ticket included
    Enter the citadel as the sun rises and admire the peaceful atmosphere before most visitors arrive. Your expert guide will lead a 2–3 hour walking tour through the most remarkable parts of the site, including temples, ceremonial plazas and the iconic terraces carved into the mountainside.
  3. Aguas Calientes
    2h
    Return to Aguas Calientes by bus, where you can relax and enjoy lunch at your leisure.
  4. 2h
    In the afternoon, board the Vistadome panoramic train with large windows for a comfortable ride through the Andes back to Ollantaytambo.
  5. Cusco
    Pass by
    A private transfer will bring you to your hotel in Cusco.

Meeting and pickup

Pickup details

We also provide pick-up from any apartment, Airbnb or other location within the historic center of Cusco around 7:00 a.m.

Additional information

  • Specialized infant seats are available
  • Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
  • Not recommended for pregnant travelers
  • Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
  • Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness

Cancellation policy

All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.

Reviews

4.9 (76)
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