Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu
Pisac market, Ollantaytambo’s fortress and a sunrise at Machu Picchu, with the train through the Urubamba valley in between.
- Duration
- 3 days
- Group size
- Up to 14
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Minimum age
- 8+
- Guided in
- English
- Starts in
- Cusco
Overview
This three-day trip takes the scenic route to Machu Picchu. You spend a day in the Sacred Valley of the Incas, visiting a weaving village, the terraces of Pisac and the fortress town of Ollantaytambo, before the Vistadome train follows the river down into the cloud forest.
The next morning, you’re on the first bus up the mountain to see Machu Picchu as the mist lifts, with a guide who grew up in the valley.
Highlights
- The first bus up to Machu Picchu, before the day-trippers arrive
- A panoramic Vistadome train through the Urubamba canyon
- Pisac market and a weaving demonstration in Chinchero
- Climb the Inca terraces of Ollantaytambo
The route
6 stops, 251 km, about 7 hr 25 min on the move. Times are a guide and shift with the weather and the group.
Day 1
9am for 1 hr
Chinchero weaving village
See how alpaca wool is washed with roots, dyed with plants and woven on backstrap looms.
Minibus, 50 min, 40 km
11am for 2 hr 30 min
Pisac market and terraces
Browse the market, then walk the curved Inca farming terraces above the town.
- Meals: lunch
Minibus, 1 hr, 50 km
3:30pm for 2 hr
Ollantaytambo
Climb the temple fortress where the Inca won a rare victory against the Spanish.
- Meals: dinner
- Sleep: Hotel in Urubamba
Train, 1 hr 40 min, 43 kmVistadome train, sit on the left
Day 2
11am for 4 hr
Aguas Calientes
Free afternoon in the town at the foot of the mountain. Soak in the hot springs if you like.
- Meals: breakfast, dinner
- Sleep: Hotel in Aguas Calientes
Bus, 25 min, 8 kmFirst bus at 05:30
Day 3
6am for 3 hr
Machu Picchu
A guided circuit of the citadel: the Temple of the Sun, the Intihuatana stone and the classic view from the guardhouse.
- Meals: breakfast
Train, 3 hr 30 min, 110 kmTrain and bus back to Cusco
6pm
Back in Cusco
Drop-off at your hotel in Cusco.
Dates and prices
- Adult £549, Student £499
- 12% off when you book 90 days ahead
- 5% off for groups of 3 or more
Starts 8am
Back Sun, 27 Sept 2026
Guaranteed to run
8 seats left
£499
Starts 8am
Back Wed, 30 Sept 2026
Guaranteed to run
13 seats left
£499
Starts 8am
Back Sun, 4 Oct 2026
Guaranteed to run
9 seats left
£499
Starts 8am
Back Wed, 7 Oct 2026
Guaranteed to run
8 seats left
£499
Starts 8am
Back Sun, 11 Oct 2026
13 seats left
£499
Starts 8am
Back Wed, 14 Oct 2026
14 seats left
£499
Starts 8am
Back Sun, 18 Oct 2026
14 seats left
£499
Starts 8am
Back Wed, 21 Oct 2026
14 seats left
£499
What’s included
What’s included
- Vistadome train both ways
- Machu Picchu entry and bus up and down
- Two nights in hotels
- Guides throughout
- Two breakfasts, one lunch and two dinners
Not included
- Flights to Cusco
- Huayna Picchu mountain permit
- Tips
What to bring
- Your passport (needed at Machu Picchu)
- Rain jacket
- Sun hat and insect repellent
- A daypack for two nights
Good to know
Where to meet
Your hotel in Cusco
Pick-up anywhere in central Cusco
We collect you between 08:00 and 08:15. Send us your hotel name after booking.
Finishes: Your hotel in Cusco, around 18:00 on day 3
How fit do I need to be?
Moderate. Some long days on your feet and a few climbs.
Walking at altitude (2,000 to 3,400 m) with lots of uneven steps. Spend at least two nights in Cusco before the tour to adjust.
Where you’ll sleep
Boutique hotels in Urubamba and Aguas Calientes
Cancelling
Cancel up to 7 days before your departure for a full refund. Within 7 days, we can’t refund, but you can move to another date once for free.
Questions
How do I avoid altitude sickness?
Arrive in Cusco at least two days before the tour, drink lots of water and take it slowly. The Sacred Valley is lower than Cusco, which helps.
Can I climb Huayna Picchu?
Permits sell out months ahead. Tell us when you book and we’ll try to add one for you.