Sacred Valley VIP with Connection to Machu Picchu 2 Days

Trip Summary

The VIP Sacred Valley Tour with Connection to Machu Picchu combines the VIP tour of the Sacred Valley with an excursion to Machu Picchu. It is ideal for you if you want to see as many attractions in the Sacred Valley in one day. Additionally, upon arriving at Ollantaytambo you can catch your train to Aguas Calientes at the scheduled time on your ticket, and you will visit Machu Picchu on the second day.

We will begin by visiting Chinchero, Moray, and the Maras Salt Mines. Then, we will enjoy a buffet lunch in the heart of the Sacred Valley and finally proceed to Ollantaytambo. Here we will board the train to Aguas Calientes.

Aguas Calientes is a charming small town divided by the Allcamayo and Vilcanota rivers, and it is full of restaurants, craft shops, and hotels. The advantage of staying overnight in Aguas Calientes is that you can wake up early and be among the first to enter Machu Picchu the next day, enjoying the citadel with fewer tourists. We recommend scheduling this activity between April and September.

Day 1 Itinerary Summary

Departure from Cusco at 7:00 a.m.
8:30 a.m. Demonstration of craftsmanship and textile work in Chinchero (half an hour)
9:00 a.m. Visit to the Chinchero archaeological site
10:30 a.m. Visit to the Moray rings
11:30 a.m. Visit to the Salt Mines
12:20 p.m. Buffet lunch in the Sacred Valley
2:00 p.m. Visit to the Ollantaytambo archaeological site
3:00 p.m. Wait for the train at 4:36 p.m. or 7:00 p.m. to Aguas Calientes (1 hour 45 minutes journey)

Day 2 Itinerary Summary

5:00 a.m. Breakfast at the hotel
5:30 a.m. Bus ride to Machu Picchu
6:00 a.m. Visit to Machu Picchu
9:00 a.m. Return to Aguas Calientes
Rest of the day free
2:30 p.m. Departure by train to Ollantaytambo
4:00 p.m. Arrival at Ollantaytambo and transfer to Cusco
6:00 p.m. Arrival in Cusco

Travel Itinerary

Day 1: VIP Sacred Valley with Connection to Machu Picchu

On this day, we will pick you up from your hotel between 6:35 a.m. and 6:45 a.m. to begin our tour of the Sacred Valley of the Incas. The Sacred Valley is located at an altitude of 2790 meters above sea level and includes Chincheros, Moray, Salineras, Urubamba, Ollantaytambo, and Pisac. Each of these locations houses archaeological remains built by different Incas. The Sacred Valley holds great historical significance as one of the main agricultural centers, renowned for its fertile lands that produce the best corn in the region.

Our first stop will be Chinchero, a place that has preserved its traditional textile and ceramic art. We will spend about 40 minutes here, and we will visit the colonial church, known for its prominent paintings from the 15th and 17th centuries. Next, we will visit Moray, an agricultural research center where cultivation experiments were carried out at different altitudes. Afterward, we will explore the Maras Salt Mines, also known as the Salt Pools of Maras.

Continuing our journey, we will arrive in Urubamba, where we will enjoy a buffet lunch. After lunch, we will visit the town of Ollantaytambo. Here we will board our train to Aguas Calientes at the time indicated on your train ticket.

The journey from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes takes approximately two hours. In Aguas Calientes, our representative will meet you at the train station and transfer you to your hotel. That night, our local guide will meet you and inform you about the itinerary for the next day.

About the Tourist Ticket

If you plan to visit most of the major tourist attractions in Cusco during your stay, we recommend purchasing the General Tourist Ticket to save on entrance fees and simplify your trip.

Tourist Ticket. To visit various cultural attractions in Cusco, you require either a Partial Tourist Ticket or a General Tourist Ticket.

General Tourist Ticket: S/. 130.00 Soles – Foreigners and S/. 70.00 Soles – Peruvians
- Includes admission to 16 tourist sites in Cusco, such as: Regional Historical Museum, Puca Pucara, Museum of Contemporary Art, Tambomachay, Museum of Popular Art, Pisac, Qorikancha Site Museum, Ollantaytambo, Qosqo Center of Native Art, Chinchero, Monument to Inca Pachacutec, Moray, Sacsayhuaman, Tipón, Q’enqo, and Piquillacta.
Partial Tourist Ticket: S/. 70.00 Soles – Foreigners and S/. 40.00 Soles – Peruvians
- Includes one-day admission to one circuit of attractions.
- There are three circuits: Circuit I (Sacsayhuaman, Qenqo, Tambomachay, Puca Pucara), Circuit II (Regional Historical Museum, Museum of Contemporary Art, Museum of Popular Art, Qorikancha Site Museum, Qosqo Center of Native Art, Monument to Inca Pachacutec, Tipón Archaeological Park, Pikillacta Archaeological Park), Circuit III (Pisac, Ollantaytambo, Chinchero, Moray)

Day 2: Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu – Cusco

After breakfast at the hotel, the guide will pick us up to start the tour at the designated time. We will take a bus from Aguas Calientes to the Machu Picchu citadel (25 minutes).

At the entrance, the guide will assist you with the security check. You will need to present your passport or ID and your entrance ticket.

We will take a guided tour of approximately two hours around the citadel, visiting the main Inca ruins, such as the main plaza, temples, and agricultural terraces.

After the tour, we will take the bus back to Aguas Calientes. Then we will board the train back to Ollantaytambo, where a representative will take you back to Cusco.

If you wish to climb Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain, it is recommended to book in advance. There is an additional cost.

Includes / Does Not Include

Includes

Hotel pick-up (from 4 a.m.)
Transportation Cusco – Train Station in Ollantaytambo – Cusco
Round-trip train tickets to Aguas Calientes
1 Night of accommodation in Aguas Calientes
1 Breakfast
Buffet lunch in Urubamba (variety of Peruvian dishes and desserts)
Professional guide (Spanish, English, or Portuguese)
Bus for the trip up and down to Machu Picchu
Entrance to Machu Picchu (circuit 2 or 3, depending on availability)

It is recommended to book 3 months in advance to secure schedules, routes, and the best views.

Does Not Include

Partial Tourist Ticket (S/. 70.00 for foreigners / S/. 40.00 for Peruvians)
Entrance to the Maras Salt Mines (S/. 20.00 for foreigners / S/. 10.00 for Peruvians)
Access to Machu Picchu Mountain or Huayna Picchu ($60.00 USD)
Upgrade to Vistadome train ($60.00 USD per journey)
Entry to the Hot Springs
Additional snacks, breakfast, or lunch
Tips (optional)

A Tourist Ticket is required to visit Pisac, Ollantaytambo, and Chinchero.