Discover the fascinating places in the Sacred Valley of the Incas, know our history with expert local guides, with beautiful landscapes and experience the Andean culture. Our 2 day Sacred Valley plus short Inca trail hike will show you the most important places outside the city of Cusco, Walk along the ancient Inca Trail on this 2-day trek that ends at the magnificent Machu Picchu ruins.
Itinerary
DAY 1: SACRED VALLEY OF THE INCAS (Pisac + Moray + Maras + Ollantaytambo)
We start this beautiful day at 7:30am, when your guide picks you up at your Cusco hotel in our private van. Our route to the Sacred Valley of the Incas leads us towards Pisac. We stop first at the Mirador of Taray to enjoy an expansive view of the Urubamba valley and its traditional farming villages. You will see how the agriculture in the Sacred Valley has changed little in the past five hundred years. Onward, we drive to the archeological site of Pisac, where you can see an impressive Inca cemetery with more than 2,000 tombs. There, we can admire the carefully engineered farming terraces carved into the mountain, explore the Inca tunnel and the religious area of this important citadel. Here, we will spend about 2 hours, exploring the Inca city. Then, we head down to the colorful market of Pisac, spend about 20 minutes visiting it and then drive to Urubamba for lunch.
Our next stop is the archeological site of Moray also known as “The Greenhouse of the Incas” a deep basin of architectural wonder. Levels of terraces are carved into a huge bowl, which was carefully engineered by the Incas. The terraces have varied microclimates depending on how deep into the bowl they are placed. Archeologists believe that they were used by the Incas to discover the optimal growing conditions for their crops and experiment in hybridization.
Continuing on our journey to the colonial town of Maras, we look down onto the pre-Inca salt “mines,” called salineras in Spanish. Thousands of salt pans have been passed down through countless generations and used for salt extraction since before Inca times. A hot spring at the top of the valley discharges a small stream of heavily salt laden water, which is diverted into salt pans and evaporated to produce salt. This is one of the few places in the world where you can find naturally pink salt!
Finally, we drive to Ollantaytambo, taking the time to explore the Inca village that has remained intact since Inca times and the massive Inca Ruins, with a tour provided by our guide. Visit the massive architecture of the Sun Temple at the top of the formidable terraces and learn about the importance of this site for the Inca during the beginning of the Spanish conquest. Here you spend the night at your hotel in Ollantaytambo, ready to start the Inca Trail the next day.
DAY 2: OLLANTAYTAMBO – Km104 – WIÑAY WAYNA – SUN GATE – MACHU PICCHU
We start this exciting day early; your guide will leave the hotel with you at 5:30am. When you arrive at the train station, your guide will give you your lunch to add to your daypack. Your train departs Ollantaytambo at 6:10am and you will have just over an hour on the train to enjoy the scenery before arriving to your trek start point. Your hotel can provide you a box breakfast to take with you or you can pack your own breakfast.
Your guide will get off the train with you at the famous Km104, where your hike begins! (2,000m/6,560 ft. above sea level) After crossing the Urubamba river on a picturesque foot bridge, you will be required to show your passport at the checkpoint and get to visit your first Inca archeological site nearby. The first hour and a half are a gentle trek upward, with several shelters along the way to pause for a bit, to get out of the sun, or rain, depending on the season. Along the way, you will stop at several outlooks where you have an expansive view of the Urubamba River. You will also pass through several microclimates, including cloud forest, so be ready for damp or even rain at any season of the year. The next hour and a half are a slightly steeper uphill trek with a beautiful waterfall as your reward at the end of the trail!
As you walk below the waterfall, be sure to gaze up at the spectacular Wiñay Wayna as you pass! (2,600m/8,500ft above sea level) These amazing Inca ruins have a fascinating history and some parts are still hidden by the dense jungle. This close to Machu Picchu, you are hiking through lush sub-tropical jungle. Your guide will tell you all about the ruins, plus the incredible flora and fauna of this microclimate and answer any questions you have before the short 5 minute walk to your lunch spot.
You will have lunch at the Wiñay Wayna campground, which is the last campground for those hiking the
Classic Inca Trail. Take your time enjoying your hearty, gourmet lunch and admiring the tropical flowers around the campground. Be sure to notify us of any food allergies or dietary restrictions when you book!
After lunch, you will have a mostly flat hike to the Sun Gate except for a set of steep stairs just before you arrive to the Sun Gate. As you walk through the Sun Gate and turn the corner, you will experience your first breathtaking view of Machu Picchu Citadel, so take some time to savor the moment and take photos. The last hour down from the Sun Gate provide many opportunities to take more photos of Machu Picchu from this unique vantage point. There are also a couple more important Inca sites between the Sun Gate and Machu Picchu, so make sure to go slowly, enjoy your time walking in the footsteps of the Inca on the Inca Trail and ask your guide questions about these historical places on the last bit of your hike to Machu Picchu.
Once you reach Machu Picchu, you will have time to take more photos from the viewing platforms above the site, the “House of the Guardians”where you can take the famous postcard pictures of Machu Picchu. You will arrive in the afternoon, as the archeological area starts to empty of tourists, which gives you the opportunity to take beautiful photos in the afternoon light with fewer people in your shots. Take your time to enjoy this magical experience before you take the bus down to Aguas Calientes to check into your hotel. Your will have a delicious dinner, then have time to walk around this picturesque little town, visit the hot springs or just go to your hotel to rest after such an exciting day.
DAY 3: AGUAS CALIENTES – MACHU PICCHU – CUSCO
This is the day you’ve been waiting for! After an early breakfast at your hotel, you’ll take one of the first buses up to Machu Picchu so that you can be there to witness the sunrise. It is a truly extraordinary site and not something you’ll want to miss! Your guide will give you a guided tour of Machu Picchu, which takes about two hours. You will see many of the most important parts of Machu Picchu Citadel.
After your tour, those who have booked in advance for an extra hike up Huayna Picchu will have time to enjoy those views on their own. When you have had your fill of the exceptional views of Machu Picchu, you will take the bus back down to Aguas Calientes for lunch (not included). Depending on your train departure time, you may also have time for some shopping, sightseeing or a visit to the museum or hot springs.
The Expedition train will take you back to Ollantaytambo at 2:55pm or 3:20pm, following the spectacular Urubamba River. Close to Aguas Calientes, the canyon is narrow and the river has many beautiful sections of whitewater. You can also see Wiñay Wayna from the train, if you look up high on the steep canyon wall! Back at Ollantaytambo, your driver will meet you at the exit from the train station to take you back to your hotel in Cusco in our private vehicle. You can expect to arrive at your hotel by 7:00pm.
Included
Sacred Valley Tour & Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu Include
English speaking professional guide experienced in cultural tour and trekking.
Private and comfortable transportation with a professional driver. The type of vehicle will be provided based on the size of the group (SEDAN, MINI-VAN or VAN); to tour of Sacred Valley of the Incas.
Trek briefing with your guide.
Pick up at your hotel.
One night of accommodation in Ollantaytambo Village (3 stars hotel).
Train from Ollantaytambo to Km 104.
A private transportation from Ollantaytambo to Cusco
Expedition train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo.
One night accommodation in Aguas Calientes (3- stars) hot shower, bathroom, private room and breakfast included.
Bus ticket from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes on day 1. Round trip bus ticket from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu on day 2.
Short Inca Trail Admission Tickets and Machu Picchu.
Private guided tour in Machu Picchu.
First-aid kit including an emergency oxygen tank.
One Box lunch and dinner In Aguas Calientes Village.
All local taxes.
Sacred Valley Tour & Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu Don’t Include
Entrance fees to the sites: Sacred Valley Tourist Ticket 70 soles.
Lunch in the Sacred Valley tour.
First-day breakfast (Usually served in Hotel), Last lunch at Machu Picchu.
Entrance to Wayna Picchu Mountain $ 70 per person.
Entrance to Machu Picchu Mountain $ 70 per person.
Vistadome Train to Cusco instead of Expedition Train, Please add US$50 per person – (For the return to Cusco Poroy at 4:43 pm).
Personal expenses.
Tipping for the guide.
Entrance to hot springs/ 10.
Price
English guided tour
Adults From US$ From US$ 577 per person (Minimum 2 persons; departures all year)
Not included
Entry to Moray: S/ 70 (usd 18.00) per person.
Entry to Maras: S/ 10 (usd 3.50) per person.
For us, Semi-Private journeys mean more intimate experiences with an average of 2 participants in a group and fully supported by private experienced staff. Select your travel date and join our upcoming amazing journeys. No problem if your date does not match with other listed fixed departures, we can open a new departure just with you on any date you wish. Feel free to email us or call us at +51 984804470, with any questions or to confirm availability over the phone.
Why With Us
100% LOCAL COMPANY - LOCAL STAFF, LOCAL OWNER AND LOCAL OPERATOR
Maras Moray Tours is a local company based in Cusco city. Our office is located half block away from the main square and easy to walk and in the center of Cusco.
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Maras Moray Tours leaders are rated 9.8 out of 10 by our guests. Our hiring, training, benefits, compensation and performance programs are world class.
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