Tour Machu Picchu by train + Sacred Valley of the Incas 2D/1N

Machu Picchu and Sacred Valley of the Incas Itinerary:

Once the tour is booked with Guru Explorers, we will take care of acquiring the train tickets and entrance tickets to the Machu Picchu attractions. Taking into account availability, we will adapt the itinerary to the schedule you choose.

DAY 1:

Pick up from accomodation – Sacred Valley – Taray Viewpoint

After you have breakfast at your accommodation, our Guru Explorers will pick you up around 7:00 – 8:00 am on the way to the Sacred Valley of the Incas. We will make our first stop at the Taray Viewpoint, which offers the most beautiful panoramic view of the Sacred Valley, its snow-capped peaks, ruins of fortified citadels, gorges, and crops. In case traffic causes delays in our departure, we will skip this small stop to avoid delays in the rest of the itinerary.

Pisaq Ruins

Later you discover the charm of the Ruins of Pisac, the most extensive citadel and fortress of the Inca civilization in the Sacred Valley, an example of the ability of these people to build an impressive ceremonial architecture in the middle of the natural landscape. This place was destined for astronomical studies, agricultural production, and more.

Here, the guide will provide an explanation for the whole group from the lower area and give you time to take the classic photos with the terraces in the background. Afterwards, those who feel comfortable may hike up to explore the upper sections, while those who prefer to avoid physical effort may remain in the lower area.

The Pisaq area is renowned for its outstanding silver craftsmanship, which preserves the tradition of Inca goldsmithing, fundamental to its culture and still present today. We will make a brief stop at an artisanal silver workshop to admire emblematic pieces, such as the famous Chakana, which locals continue to use as a symbol of their Inca heritage.

Lunch in Urubamba

We will continue to the town of Urubamba, where we will make a 45-minute stop to enjoy a delicious lunch at a lovely buffet restaurant (vegan and vegetarian options available). If you wish, you can upgrade your experience with lunch at the renowned restaurant “Tunupa” by adding it during the booking process.

Ollantaytambo ruins

After lunch, it will be time to visit the Ollantaytambo ruins, where we will arrive around 1:30 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. We will take a tour of this archaeological site, which features well-organized constructions made of megalithic stones and agricultural terraces built on the mountainsides. Some travelers prefer to enjoy the site from the lower area, while the more adventurous will climb the stairs to explore it from above. Depending on your train ticket, you may only be able to visit the lower part.

Finally, you will take the train to Aguas Calientes.

Note: This is a shared tour with other tourists. Some will have their final stop in Ollantaytambo to take the train, while others will continue directly back to Cusco, depending on the options each has chosen. Please follow the instructions provided by Guru Explorers in your reservation.

Aguas Calientes

Once there, you will head to your hotel to rest and prepare for the big day ahead.

You must spend Night 1 in Aguas Calientes or Ollantaytambo. You can add this hotel night as an extra during the booking process.

DAY 2:

7:00 – 13:00: Breakfast – Visit to Machu Picchu

After breakfast, you will board the tourist bus that will take you to Machu Picchu. Please remember that the line is individual, and each passenger must queue on their own. At the Machu Picchu ruins, the guide will be waiting for you to begin an unforgettable tour of its main temples, stairways, plazas, pathways, and other fascinating spaces within this archaeological complex.

Shared guided tour schedules:

• Shared service in English: available only for entry times at 8:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m.
• Shared service in Spanish: available for all entry times from 6:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

For private services (Spanish, Portuguese, and English), guided tours are available for all entry times.

At the end of the tour of the ruins, you will say goodbye to the guide and begin the return trip by bus to Aguas Calientes.

1:00 PM – 9:00 PM: Lunch – Return to Cusco

Depending on your entrance ticket to Machu Picchu, you will have the opportunity to have lunch either before or after visiting the ruins. Afterwards, you will need to return by train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo. After this train journey,  you will board shared transport to the central station in Cusco, where our private transport will be waiting to take you to your hotel. The day before, we will share an explanatory video to help you navigate quickly. If you prefer, you can request private and direct transport from the Ollantaytambo train station to your hotel in Cusco for an additional cost.

Note: The itinerary may vary depending on the train schedule you get when booking the tour, as well as the availability of the entrance tickets to Machu Picchu. It is recommended that passengers book as far in advance as possible, especially during high season (June – September) or holidays.

Price of the Machu Picchu Tour by train includes:

• Pick up from your accommodation in the Historic Center of Cusco. Sometimes, access is limited due to the narrow streets of the city; if that’s the case, the guide will suggest a nearby point for the pick-up.
• Shared tour of the Sacred Valley. The tour will be conducted in Spanish and English. The guide’s assistance on Day 1 ends at the Ollantaytambo ruins.
• Lunch in Urubamba on Day 1 (no beverages included)
• Round-trip Train Ticket Ollantaytambo – Aguas Calientes, Expedition Category or Round-trip Train Ticket Ollantaytambo – Aguas Calientes, Voyager Category. (Round-trip train tickets must be from the same company and category. You can request a category upgrade from our advisors.)
• Tourist bus ticket (round trip) Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu.
• Admission ticket to the Machu Picchu Archaeological Center.
• Shared tour with a professional guide in English and/or Spanish at Machu Picchu (for Portuguese or other languages, please check availability). The guide’s assistance on Day 2 takes place only inside the Machu Picchu archaeological site.
• Shared transport from Ollantaytambo Station to Cusco Station (you can request an upgrade to private transport from Ollantaytambo Station to your accommodation in the historic center of Cusco with our advisors).
• Private transportation from Cusco station directly to your accommodation in the historic center. If you wish to pick up luggage at another hotel or make additional stops, an extra cost will apply; please inform us in advance if you require this service.

Price of the Machu Picchu Tour by train excludes:

• Transfer from hotels outside the city of Cusco, such as Urubamba, Pisac or others available; you should check if there are any extra charges with Guru Explorers.
• Tip for the guide.
• Beverages.
• You must spend the first night in Aguas Calientes or Ollantaytambo. You can add this hotel night as an additional option during the booking process.
• Breakfast, lunch, dinner or other food not specified in the itinerary.
• Sacred Valley Tourist ticket.
• Entrance ticket to Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain.
• Entrance ticket to hot springs in Aguas Calientes.

Tourist Ticket:

• The Cusco Tourist Ticket (BTC) allows entry to different attractions. It can be purchased at the entrance of each tourist destination we visit (consider that they only accept payment in cash and in local currency).
• For this tour, you will need the Circuit III – Partial Tourist Ticket, which covers the attractions of Pisac, Chinchero, Moray and Ollantaytambo.
• Prices:
  • Partial Tourist Ticket – Foreigners S /. 70.00
  • Partial Tourist Ticket – Peruvians S /. 40.00

See more information about the Tourist Ticket in this Article.

What to Bring to the Machu Picchu Tour:

• Consider that Machu Picchu and Aguas Calientes are above (2,000 masl / 6,561 ft); its climate varies according to the time it is visited.
• It is recommended to choose: comfortable shoes, light clothing, hat, gloves, sunglasses, sunscreen, water, rain gear (especially in November – April).
• Repellent against insects (important in Machu Picchu)
• Passport or DNI.
• ISIC card if you are a student.
• Travel insurance.
• Bathing suit and towel (optional for the hot springs in Aguas Calientes).
• Devices for audiovisual recording (cell phone, camera, video cameras).
• Cash (local currency).

What considerations should you have when making the trip to the ruins of Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley?

What does it mean that the tour is shared?

• It means that you can share the tour with a group of tourists from different nationalities and ages, both from Guru Explorers and other operators. It’s an excellent opportunity to connect with travelers from various parts of the world! If you prefer a tour where you do not share with others, please request the Private Tour option.
• In the shared tour option, the duration of the tour may vary depending on the pace of the group members. The return time may also fluctuate depending on traffic in the area; therefore, we provide an approximate schedule. Please remember that both traffic and the pace of tourists are not the responsibility of Guru Explorers.

Other Considerations:

• The entrance ticket included in this tour corresponds to Circuit 2. If this circuit is not available, alternative options will be offered, subject to availability, which may involve an additional cost. Please consult our travel advisors for more details.
• The train schedule and access to Machu Picchu may vary depending on availability. We recommend making reservations as far in advance as possible.
• Due to train company regulations, large backpacks, suitcases, or bags are not allowed. Only small bags or backpacks up to 5–6 kg are permitted. Larger luggage may cause issues and could result in missing the tour with no possibility of a refund. Train companies offer luggage storage services; please check their operating hours in advance.
• For the transfer from Cusco, you should consider that sometimes, access is limited by the narrow streets of the city; if this is the case, the guide will suggest a nearby pick-up point.
• Minors must be accompanied by an adult.
• Due to environmental, climatic or other factors, beyond our control, the travel itinerary may vary. If so, it will be notified promptly.
• “Guru Explorers” values ​​your time and strives to respect the tour schedule; however they may vary for reasons beyond our control (weather, natural disasters, field conditions, among other demonstrable.
• Remember that, since these are outdoor activities, the natural features of the landscape may vary depending on weather conditions and the natural daylight. Each visit is an authentic experience, where nature reveals itself in unique and unrepeatable ways.

Not allowed:

• Pets.
• Smoking.
• Large suitcases or bags.

Not recommended for:

• People in wheelchairs

According to Peruvian regulations, foreign tourists may be exempt from the local tax IGV (VAT). As a formal and registered travel agency, we are required to submit to the local authorities a copy of the document you used to enter the country, as well as your date of entry. For this reason, a few days before your arrival, we will contact you to request a photo of that document and ask you to let us know the date you entered Peru. If we do not receive this information, we will be required to add the 18% corresponding to the IGV tax. 

Thank you for your cooperation!

Cancellation Policies:

• More than 15 days: The penalty is 130 USD.
• Between 7 and 15 days: The penalty is 180 USD.
• Less than 7 days: The penalty is 100% of the total.

Date Changes:

• More than 15 days: The penalty is 80 USD.
• Between 7 and 15 days: The penalty is 100 USD.
• Less than 7 days: The penalty is 100% of the total.

There will be no refunds in case of delayed flights, train delays, bad weather, or other external factors.

Force Majeure Policy

• Guru Explorers values your time and makes every effort to follow the itinerary. However, it may be affected by force majeure events such as weather conditions, rain, natural disasters, protests, roadblocks, or other circumstances beyond our control. In such cases, no refunds or compensation will be provided, as these are unforeseeable and unavoidable situations. Nonetheless, we will do everything possible to offer efficient alternatives and solutions for your enjoyment. Any additional costs resulting from changes or alternative activities will be the responsibility of the client and not Guru Explorers.