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

Overview

Day by day itinerary

1. 1Sacred Valley VIP with Salineras Maras & Moray⌄

   Begin the day with hotel pickup in Cusco around 7:00 a.m. and travel through the picturesque landscapes of the Sacred Valley.

   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.

   Continue to the Taray viewpoint for wide, open views of the valley and the Urubamba River.

   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.

   After lunch, we'll visit Moray, an ancient Inca agricultural laboratory with perfectly designed circular terraces once used for crop experimentation.

   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.

   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.

   Meals: Lunch: Buffet Lunch in Urubamba

   Overnight: Stay at Cocatambo hotel or similar accommodation

2. 2Ollantaytambo - Short Inca Trail - Machu Picchu⌄

   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.

   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.

   Your first stop is Chachabamba, a ceremonial site where carved stone structures and water channels reveal its role in honoring sacred water.

   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.

   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.

   Walk down to the upper terraces of Machu Picchu to capture afternoon photos in golden light with fewer visitors around.

   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.

   Meals: Breakfast: Picnic breakfast at the trailhead · Lunch: Picnic lunch prepared by our expert chef · Dinner: Dinner in a Local restaurant in Aguas Calientes

   Overnight: Ferre Machu Picchu or similar hotel in Aguas Calientes

3. 3Explore Machu Picchu - Return to Cusco⌄

   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.

   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.

   Return to Aguas Calientes by bus, where you can relax and enjoy lunch at your leisure.

   In the afternoon, board the Vistadome panoramic train with large windows for a comfortable ride through the Andes back to Ollantaytambo.

   A private transfer will bring you to your hotel in Cusco.

   Meals: Breakfast: Breakfast at hotel