Sacred Valley & Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu – 3 Days
Places to visit
Explore the Sacred Valley & Hike the Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu 3 days
This exceptional tour package covers the entire Sacred Valley, rich with treasures and archaeological wonders to explore, followed by an unforgettable trek on the Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu! As you hike along the ancient Inca Trail, you'll encounter impressive Inca ruins, breathtaking mountain vistas, lush subtropical forests, and extraordinary ecological diversity.
The historic Inca Trail winds through the National Park, leading you through the iconic Sun Gate, where you'll be rewarded with stunning views of Machu Picchu! You'll journey through enchanting cloud forests and vibrant subtropical landscapes, arriving at the awe-inspiring Machu Picchu Citadel in the afternoon of your first day. The next morning, you'll have the chance to revisit and fully experience this world wonder!
This trek is perfect for those with limited travel time who still want to enjoy a taste of the legendary Inca Trail and the magic of Machu Picchu.
Itinerary
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Day 1: Cusco – Taray – Pisac – ollantaytambo
Sacred Valley is a vast valley where there are a lot of tourist attractions. One day is not enough to visit all of them, that’s why we have split it into 2 options to visit it properly. Any of these options start at 7:30 am at your hotel in Cusco. See the options below and let us know which option you want:
Option 01: By Pisac(Alpaca farm, Pisac ruins, Pisac Market, and Ollantaytambo).
We will pick you up from your hotel lobby at 07:30 am in Cusco for your Inca Trail 3 day tour. Then we will take a road that leads to Pisac. We will visit the 4 main sites, Awana Cancha where you see (Alpacas, Llamas, Vicuña, and Huanacos), Pisac Archeological site, Pisac Market and Ollantaytambo Archeological site. On the halfway, we will have our lunch in Urubamba, after lunch we can visit Brewery(optional) then we go to visit the Archeological center of Ollantaytambo. After visiting Ollantaytambo, we go to check in our Hotel, have dinner, and overnight in a hotel of 2 stars in Ollantaytambo town.
Option 02: By Maras( Chinchero, Moray, Salt Ponds, and Ollantaytambo).
On this option, we will also pick you up at 07:30 am from your hotel. The tour starts with a visit to the Textile center of Chinchero, then the Colonial town of Maras. From Maras, we keep going to the nearby Inca site of Moray, a magnificent series of terrace circles set into the ground that was once used by the Incas for experimentation with crops, then the salt mines which have been in use since Pre-Inca times. Water from a subterranean stream is channeled through pools where it evaporates and leaves behind pure salt crystals. With thousands of stark white pools stretching down the valley, the views are amazing. Our final destination is Ollantaytambo ruins where we will spend an hour. After visiting Ollantaytambo, we will go to check in our Hotel, have dinner, and spend the night in a hotel of 2 stars in Ollantaytambo town.
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Day 2: Ollantaytambo – Chachabamba - Wiñaywayna – Short Inca Trail - Machu Picchu
We will pick you up Pick from your hotel in Ollantaytambo and transfer to the train station. 2 hours a Train journey to km 104, along the Urubamba river, a guided tour of the Chachabamba archaeological site, then we hike gradually steep up with an impressive view.
Later on, we hike through the cloud forest, and on the way, we can observe orchids, birds, and waterfalls. After 3 hour’s hike, we arrive at Wiñay Wayna Inca ruin, the most well-preserved and beautiful sites. have our Lunch then we continue our trek for 2 more hours to get to the Sun Gate at Machu Picchu. We will enjoy an amazing sunset at the sun gate then we will keep walking to Machu Picchu for about 45 minutes. Afterward, we will take the bus down to Aguas Calientes to spend the night in a hotel.
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Day 3: Guided tour of Machu Picchu
After taking breakfast in your hotel, your guide will meet you at reception and escort you the bus station where you will board the tourist bus to Machu Picchu. The scenic route from Aguas calientes takes you on a 30 minute bus ride up the mountainside to the entrance of the Inca citadel. Once inside, you will be taken on a 3-hour journey through the rich history of Machu Picchu as you make your way through the Inca city with your personal tour guide. Aswell as visting the famous sites of the temple of the sun, the central plaza and the stepped terraces, you will have plenty opportunity to take the bucket list photos you came for atop the panoramic viewpoint of Machu Picchu. Before boarding the bus back down the mountain, your guide will also allow you time to explore the mysteries of the sanctuary alone.
Once you have regrouped with your guide and taken the bus back to Aguas Calientes, there will be time to take lunch in one of Machu Picchu towns’ many restaurants (optional extra), before boarding the train back to Ollantaytambo. There you will be greeted by your guide and private transportation who will take you on the 2-hour drive back to your hotel in Cusco. Arrival time in Cusco is approximatley 6.30pm.
*There will also be time to climb Huayna Picchu mountain or Machu Picchu mountain in this tour after your guided tour of the Inca citadel. However please be aware, this will be an extra cost of $75 USD per person and will involve an extra 2-hours hiking. Return to Cusco will therefore be aboard a later train and arrival time in Cusco will be approx 8.30pm.*
What’s Included in This Tour?
Included
- Pick up from the hotel in Cusco
- Professional English/Spanish speaking tour guide
- Entrance ticket to (Pisaq,Maras, Moray, Chincheros and Ollantaytambo)
- Entrance ticket to Inca trail and Machu Picchu
- Comfortable private transport in Sacred Valley
- Private transport from Ollantaytambo to Cusco
- Food: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch, 1 dinner
- Train ticket : Ollantaytambo – Kilometer 104
- Train ticket : Aguas Calientes – Ollantaytambo
- Round trip bus ticket : Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu
- 1 night hotel in Ollantaytambo (inc. breakfast)
- 1 night hotel in Aguas Calientes (inc. breakfast)
- Transfers from hotel to train station(s)
- First aid kit and oxygen bottle
Not Included
- Food not mentioned in the itinerary
- Trekking Poles : Can rent from agency : $ 20 USD for entire trip
- Optional buffet lunch in Urubamba, Sacred Valley : $ 20 USD (upon client request)
- Optional lunch in Machu Picchu town : $ 27 USD (upon client request)
- Hike to Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu mountain : $ 75 USD (upon client request)
- Optional entrance to thermal baths in Aguas calientes (S / .10 soles)
Huayna Picchu Mountain is optional trek within Machu Picchu Citadel which do not include a guide. The climb is usually done on your own after your tour of Machu Picchu Citadel. If you would like the extra hike to be guided, please request in advance.
Pricing
The fantastic tour with Inca trail included is available on any date that will suit you except in February when the Inca Trail is closed for maintenance! Join in with our group and get the best deals.
- $690 with 3 star hotel
All entrance fees are included and we operate our tours in small groups averaging 5 people with a maximum of 8!
Packing List
- Original passport – expiration date no less than 7 months
- Valid Student ID card (if student booking)
- Walking boots or shoes for Short Inca Trail
- Trekking poles (can be rented at agency) optional
- Canteen water bottle as you should drink plenty of fluid throughout the tour
- Waterproof trousers (for rainy season)
- Long sleeve shirts
- Long trousers
- Shorts suitable for hiking
- Insect repellent
- Sunscreen
- Wide-brimmed hat – UPV is strong at altitude
- Sunglasses
- Medicine/personal effects (eg. contact lense liquid)
- Camera or phone camera
- Portable battery charger
- Toilet paper (not usually found on trail)
- Small travel towel
- Cash/coins – small denominations – soles & dollars
Sacred Valley & Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu – 3 Days