Short itinerary
Day 01: Sacred Valley of the Incas (Maras and Moray)
- Early morning pickup at your hotel or meeting point in Cusco by Pakareqtampu Travel.
- Visit to the town of Chinchero to explore its colonial temple and participate in a traditional textile demonstration.
- Tour of the agricultural terraces of Moray and the artisanal extraction ponds at the Maras Salt Mines.
- Buffet lunch featuring typical Peruvian gastronomy in Urubamba.
- Exploration of the Ollantaytambo fortress and subsequent transfer to the station to board the train to Aguas Calientes.
- Reception by a Pakareqtampu Travel representative and transfer to the assigned accommodation.
Day 02: Machu Picchu
- Breakfast at the hotel and ascent by tourist bus to the main entrance of the Machu Picchu sanctuary alongside the guide.
- Detailed 2-hour guided tour through the residential areas, temples, and main terraces of the citadel.
- Free time to explore on your own, take photographs, or climb optional mountains with prior reservation.
- Descent by bus to Aguas Calientes, return train journey to Ollantaytambo, and overland transfer back to Cusco by Pakareqtampu Travel.
Detailed itinerary
Day 01: Sacred Valley of the Incas (Maras and Moray)
Today, the Pakareqtampu Travel team will pick you up from your hotel in Cusco or at a meeting point in the historic center. We start the adventure early, around 6:00 a.m. During the journey towards the Sacred Valley, you will enjoy panoramic views of the Andes, farm fields, and traditional towns that still retain their Inca charm. Our first stop will be Chinchero, known as «the town of the rainbow.» Here you will visit its colonial temple, built over ancient Inca walls, and a traditional textile center, where local women will show you the ancestral process of spinning, dyeing, and weaving with natural dyes. A living experience that connects history with Andean craftsmanship. We will continue to Moray, a unique archaeological site due to its concentric circular terraces. It is believed that the Incas used it as an agricultural laboratory, as each level presents a different microclimate. This ingenious design demonstrates the advanced agricultural and ecological knowledge of the Inca Empire. A few kilometers away, we will descend to the impressive Maras Salt Mines, a collection of more than 3,000 ponds still used for the artisanal extraction of salt. You will observe how the locals continue to apply methods inherited from their ancestors. The contrast between the white ponds and the reddish mountains creates an ideal landscape for spectacular photographs. At noon we will arrive in Urubamba, the heart of the Sacred Valley, to enjoy a buffet lunch with a selection of typical Peruvian dishes prepared with local products. A perfect break to recharge your energy before continuing to Ollantaytambo. In the afternoon, we will visit Ollantaytambo, one of the most authentic living towns of the Inca period. Its imposing ceremonial fortress and agricultural terraces offer an impressive view of the valley. After the visit, you will head to the train station to board the train to Aguas Calientes (train type subject to quote). During the journey, you can enjoy the landscapes of the Urubamba River and the forests that announce the entrance to the high jungle. Upon your arrival, a Pakareqtampu Travel representative will wait for you at the station to accompany you to your accommodation and provide the necessary instructions for your visit to Machu Picchu the next day. You will have the afternoon free to rest or visit the local thermal baths.
Day 02: Machu Picchu
The day begins very early with breakfast at your hotel in Aguas Calientes. Then, together with the Pakareqtampu Travel guide, you will board the tourist bus to the historic sanctuary of Machu Picchu, a journey of approximately 25 minutes along a path surrounded by high jungle and spectacular views of the sunrise over the Andean mountains. Upon entering the archaeological complex, you will begin a guided tour of approximately 2 hours through the highlights of the Inca citadel: the Guardian’s House, one of the most iconic viewpoints for panoramic photographs; the Temple of the Sun and the Inca’s House, examples of ceremonial architecture; the Water Fountains, Stairways, and Sacred Rock, which show hydraulic engineering and Inca symbology; and the agricultural terraces and residential sectors that reveal how the ancient inhabitants of the Tawantinsuyo lived. During the visit, your guide will share details about the history, the Andean worldview, and the mysteries surrounding this wonder of the modern world. After the guided tour, you will have free time to continue exploring on your own, relax, and take photographs. If you have additional tickets, you can climb Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain, from where you will enjoy an impressive view of the archaeological site (optional activity and subject to availability). At the indicated time, you will descend by bus to Aguas Calientes, where you can have lunch or walk around the town before boarding the return train to Ollantaytambo. During the journey, you will once again appreciate the beautiful landscape of the Urubamba Valley. In Ollantaytambo, Pakareqtampu Travel’s transport will be waiting to take you back to Cusco, where the adventure will end at your hotel or at a central point in the historic center.
Inclusions
Includes
- Tour guide from Pakareqtampu Travel.
- Hotel pickup by Pakareqtampu Travel.
- Tourist transport.
- Buffet lunch on the first day.
- Trains in Expedition category.
- Entrance to Machu Picchu.
- Consettur ticket.
Does not include
- Dinner on the first day.
- Tourist ticket (Boleto Turístico).
- Meals on the second day.
- Others.
We recommend bringing
- Comfortable clothing for 2 days.
- Documents for entrance to Machu Picchu.
- Sunscreen, hat, and water.
- Camera and cash.
- Light backpack for the hike.
