Sacred Valley & Machu Picchu 2 Days Tour

Day 1: Chinchero – Maras Salineras – Moray – Ollantaytambo – Aguas Calientes

We start this beautiful day at 6:30 am when your guide picks you up from your Cusco hotel in our tourist van. Our route to the Sacred Valley of the Incas leads us towards Chinchero and its traditional farming villages. You will see how agriculture in the Sacred Valley has changed little in the past five hundred years. In the plaza, you will see an adobe colonial church dating from the early seventeenth century that has been built upon the foundations of an Inca temple or palace. The ceiling and walls are covered in beautiful floral and religious designs. Additionally, you will discover Inca archaeological ruins and agricultural terraces attributed to Inca Tupac Yupanqui, who possibly used Chinchero as a kind of country resort.

Our next stop is the archaeological 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. Archaeologists believe 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. We will spend about 20 minutes visiting before driving to Urubamba for lunch.

Finally, we drive to Ollantaytambo 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 Sun Temple at the top of the formidable terraces and learn about the importance of this site during the beginning of the Spanish conquest.

After visiting the archaeological site, we take the train to Aguas Calientes, where you spend the night in our hotel. The train departs Ollantaytambo at 15:30 and arrives in Aguas Calientes at 17:05.

Day 2: 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 to witness the sunrise. It is a truly extraordinary site and not something you'll want to miss! Your guide will give you a tour, which takes about two hours. You will see most of the important parts of Machu Picchu Citadel and learn about how Machu Picchu is divided into three sectors: agricultural, residential, and religious.

After your tour, those who have booked in advance for the extra hikes up Huayna Picchu Mountain 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 14:55 or 15:20 pm, 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 tourist vehicle. You can expect to arrive at your hotel by 20:00 hrs.

Included:

  • Tourist van round trip
  • Professional guide
  • Train tickets round trip
  • Bus consettur round trip
  • Entrance to Machu Picchu
  • 1 night in hostel Aguas Calientes
  • 1 lunch (1st day)
  • 1 breakfast (2nd day)

Not Included:

  • Entrance to the archaeological sites (70 soles)
  • Entrance to Maras (10 soles)
  • Meals and snacks