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Cusco, Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu 4 Days
Discover Cusco, the Sacred Valley, and Machu Picchu in 4 days—designed for first‑time visitors who want the essentials done right. Travel in a small group with a friendly local guide. Your trip includes airport transfers, a half‑day Cusco city tour, a full day in the Sacred Valley (Pisac, Moray, the Maras Salt Mines, and Ollantaytambo), and a morning visit to Machu Picchu on Circuit 2 (subject to availability).
We handle the details—tickets, trains, buses, and comfortable 3‑star hotels—so you can relax and enjoy the views and stories. Upgrade to the Vistadome panoramic train or request a private departure. It’s our most efficient way to see the best of Cusco and Machu Picchu in a long weekend, guided by a 100% Peruvian team that knows every detail on the ground.
This 4‑day, 3‑night trip covers Cusco, the Sacred Valley, and Machu Picchu at an easy pace. Day 1: arrive, settle in, and join a guided Cusco City Tour to get your bearings and the backstory. Day 2: explore the Sacred Valley—Pisac, Moray, the Maras Salt Mines, and Ollantaytambo—then take the evening train to Aguas Calientes. Day 3: ride one of the first buses up for a guided visit to Machu Picchu on Circuit 2 (subject to availability), with softer morning light and typically fewer people; return to Cusco by train. Day 4: free time as your flight allows and an airport transfer.
We include what matters for a smooth trip: airport pick‑ups and drop‑offs, entrance tickets, trains and buses, and comfortable 3‑star hotels—two nights in Cusco and one in Aguas Calientes. Travel in a small group with a friendly local guide, and add upgrades if you like: the Vistadome panoramic train or a fully private program. Timings are sensible and the flow is calm, so you can relax and soak up the views.
Day 1: Arrival in Cusco – City tour (half-day)
Our Staff will pick you up from the airport in Cusco and whisk you away to your hotel. Get ready for the most incredible afternoon on the amazing City Tour! You simply have to visit Plaza de Armas (main square), important streets, Koricancha, Sacsayhuaman, Quenqo, Tambomachay, Puca Pucara, and Cristo Blanco! Finally, spend the night in Cusco!
Day 2: Sacred Valley – Maras Moray – Aguas Calientes (Full day)
After a delicious breakfast at your hotel, your tour guide will collect you at around 7:00 am to drive to the Sacred Valley, where you’ll visit a center for South American camelids, there you’ll see llamas and alpacas! Next, we’re off to the millennial Pisac Inca Site, followed by a trip to its vibrant market. Next, we’re off to the awesome Maras, Moray, and Salineras! After, we’ll head to Ollantaytambo, where we’ll have a tasty dinner and board the Expedition train to Aguas Calientes, where you’ll spend the night.
Day 3: Machu Picchu – Cusco (Full day)
Enjoy a tasty breakfast and hop on the first bus to Machu Picchu to catch the sunrise over the Inca Citadel. Your expert guide will show you the absolute best of Machu Picchu through circuit 2 on a 2-3 hour guided tour. Then, you can hike Huayna Picchu or Montaña (on your own). Later in the afternoon, you will return by Expedition train and a Van to Cusco, ready for rest in your hotel.
Day 4: Transfer out (At any time)
Once you’ve enjoyed breakfast at your hotel, you will be transferred to the airport or bus station.
Take Note:
The train schedules and the circuit to Machu Picchu indicated will depend on the time you book. If tickets for Machu Picchu Circuit 2 are sold out, we offer tickets for Circuit 1 or 3. We strongly suggest that all guests secure their Machu Picchu trip as early as possible, as tickets to Machu Picchu are sold on a first-come, first-served basis, and the best circuits and schedules sell out first.
We’ll meet you at Cusco airport and take you straight to your hotel in the city center. After check-in, enjoy a relaxed morning to settle in (We recommend getting a flight that arrives early to the city). Around 1:00 PM, your guide will pick you up from your hotel to start exploring Cusco, the former capital of the Inca Empire.
This afternoon covers the essentials: Plaza de Armas and its main landmarks, characterful streets and quarters, the famous Twelve-Angled Stone, Loreto Street, and the Qorikancha. Then we’ll drive to the hilltop sites: Sacsayhuaman, Qenqo, Puca Pucara (passing visit), Tambomachay, and the Cristo Blanco viewpoint (passing visit). We expect to be back in the city around 5:30 PM, an exciting first day and a smooth lead-in to some of the best Machu Picchu tours.
At 7:00 AM, after a delicious breakfast, This morning, we will pick you up early from your hotel and head to the beautiful town of Chinchero (3,762 m / 12,343 ft), where you will find amazing Inca constructions and a textile art demonstration. Then, we will continue to the impressive archaeological site of Moray (3,385 m / 11,106 ft), consisting of a series of circular terraces that are believed to have been used for experimental agriculture and for studying the growth of different crops at different altitudes.
We will continue to the famous Maras Salt Mines, a collection of over 3,000 pools that have been used since pre-Hispanic times to extract salt from naturally flowing saltwater in the area. This salt has a pinkish hue and is known for its healing properties and delicious taste. It’s a great gift for someone back home and perfect for cooking.
We continue through the Sacred Valley to Urubamba for a buffet lunch at a local restaurant and a taste of regional flavors.
Next, we will head to Urubamba to enjoy a buffet lunch with different traditional dishes of your choice. After a well-deserved break, we will go to Ollantaytambo to board the train that will take us to Aguas Calientes.
Upon arrival in Aguas Calientes, you will head to your hotel to rest, or, if you prefer, you can stroll around the small town before dinner. It’s also a good idea to enjoy the thermal medicinal baths with the same name as the town. Tonight, we recommend sleeping early as tomorrow you will explore the impressive Inca citadel of Machu Picchu.
For the grand finale of your sacred valley Machu Picchu tour, we’ll rise before dawn and get ready for an unforgettable morning at Machu Picchu, the Lost City of the Incas. After breakfast, we’ll head straight to the line to catch one of the first buses, aiming to enter before sunrise in the Inca citadel.
Your guide will lead a detailed 2–3 hour visit through the most notable bits of the citadel, like the viewpoints, the Guard House, the terraces, temples, and palaces through circuit 2. Afterward, enjoy free time to take amazing photos, or hike Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain on your own (permits should be secured well in advance). When your visit wraps up, you’ll take a bus to go down to Aguas Calientes and take the Expedition Train back to Ollantaytambo and continue by private van to Cusco, arriving at around 7:30 PM.
Day 4: Transfer out (At any time).
After breakfast in your hotel, you will be transferred to the airport or bus station.
Take Note:
Please keep in mind, If tickets for Circuit 2 at Machu Picchu are already sold out, don’t worry; we’ll offer you the best available alternative, like Circuit 3 or Circuit 1. To make sure you get your preferred option, we highly recommend booking your Machu Picchu trip as early as possible. Tickets are limited and sold on a first-come, first-served basis, so the most popular circuits and times go quickly!
At Pacha Peru Explorers, we specify the included and non-included services under all the tour itineraries listed on our website. We take care of all the logistics, but please pay attention to the details to avoid missing anything. Some items may be different for specific programs, so please read carefully before booking with us.
For take one of the best Machu Picchu tours, it’s important to bring items that are comfortable for hiking. Early mornings in Cusco can be very cold, but the weather warms up once you reach Machu Picchu’s cloud forest. Wear layers of warm and light clothing, and carry a small backpack where you can put snacks, water, jackets, and any other essentials you’ll need during the trip.
Packaging the essentials is important to make your visit comfortable and memorable.
When packing for Machu Picchu, there are certain items that you may want to leave to travel more comfortably and responsibly. Here are some things that you should avoid packing for your trip to Machu Picchu:
“Machu Picchu Express 4 Days” can leave any day of the week, from Janueray through December.
2025 Land Cost
Group Price: US$ 680.00 per person
Required Pre-payment: US$ 380.00 per person
Balance (Cusco): US$ 300 (Commonly paid in Cusco after the briefing).
This small-group journey is guaranteed to operate with just two guests.
Notice that PayPal, credit cards charge a 6% fee for the use of their secure payment gateway. This tax is just for online and card payments. You can also pay the remaining balance in cash (the briefing day) without charges.
Price Guarantee
Once your booking has been confirmed, we guarantee the Price won’t increase, whatever the circunstances. So please, before booking, ensure you’ve read all our important tour information.
Student Discount
US$20.00
Student discounts apply to anyone 17 years old or younger. To receive the discount, we require a copy or clear photo of the passport at the time of booking. It must be valid and not expire within the travel dates. Please send it to [email protected]
You’ve booked this amazing tour with us and are ready to go…but what exactly will you visit at Machu Picchu? Don’t worry—we’ve got you covered. Here are the key travel details. Sit back, relax, and let us help you get ready for the trip of a lifetime!
The Machu Picchu Tour on day 3 follows Circuit 2, which takes you through the citadel’s most complete side and key buildings, including the observatory, temples, houses, the Sacred Rock, the Temple of the Condor, and more. If Circuit 2 isn’t available, we’ll offer an alternative that fits your schedule. Please note: circuits are subject to availability depending on the season and visitor demand.
Circuit 2 machu picchu | Pacha Peru Explorers
Machu Picchu entry: circuits, time slots, one‑way routes
There are 3 circuits split into 10 one‑way routes. Your ticket shows your circuit and start time, and you must follow that route. No re‑entry after you exit.
We aim to book Circuit 2 (the classic citadel route). If it’s sold out for your date/time, we’ll book the best available option. Book early for more circuit choices and morning slots.
Trains to Machu Picchu are carry‑on only. Both PeruRail and Inca Rail allow one small backpack/handbag up to ~8 kg (17–18 lb) with a max linear size of ~115–118 cm (height + length + width). Large suitcases aren’t accepted on board—plan to travel light on the train day. Pack the essentials: water, light layers, rain jacket, sunscreen, camera/phone, and meds. Keep your passport and Machu Picchu ticket/booking handy.
Where to leave big luggage:
Cusco hotel or our office (most hotels keep bags safely for returning guests).
Ollantaytambo: if you ride Inca Rail, there’s a luggage custody service at the station (bring a lock). Otherwise, ask your Sacred Valley hotel to store your suitcase—then board with a daypack only.
Pro tips for an easy ride
Wear your warmest layer on the train (nights and tunnels can feel cool), and stash a compact rain layer on top of your bag.
Label your daypack; keep valuables on you.
The luggage rules are the same across Expedition/Vistadome/360° categories—upgrades change comfort and windows, not the baggage limit. When in doubt, we’ll double‑check your specific train before departure.
The Consettur shuttle links Aguas Calientes ↔ Machu Picchu in ~25–30 minutes along the Hiram Bingham road. Buses run frequently; in high season they roll every 5–10 minutes. The first uphill bus is around 5:30 am; last uphill ~3:30 pm. For the return, buses run until ~5:30 pm. Your ticket is valid for the day (no assigned bus time), so you simply queue and board the next bus. Buy online or in town; bring your passport to purchase/board.
How to Beat the Lines
For early entry slots (6–8 am), line up 45–60 min before your ticket time. In peak months (Jun–Sep), add a little buffer.
Midday often sees the longest queues; carry water, sun protection, and patience.
Returning down? Lines tend to swell after 2 pm. If you’re done earlier, descend before the rush; otherwise, enjoy the site and return after 4 pm for a calmer queue.
Where to buy: online at Consettur’s official site or at their Aguas Calientes office near the bridge (Avenida Hermanos Ayar). We can also handle bus tickets with your tour.
Good news: Machu Picchu (2,430 m) and Aguas Calientes (≈2,040 m) are much lower than Cusco (≈3,400 m), so you’ll likely feel better as the trip goes on. Still, plan smart.
Day 1 – Arrive & take it easy: Light meals, drink water, skip alcohol, and walk slowly. A gentle Cusco City Tour in the afternoon is perfect. Early night.
Day 2 – Sacred Valley day: The Sacred Valley (e.g., Ollantaytambo ~2,792 m) is lower than Cusco, which helps. Keep hydrating, eat simple carbs, and use sunscreen—the sun is strong at altitude.
Day 3 – Machu Picchu day: You’re at lower elevation now. Have a good breakfast, bring water and a light snack, and pace your steps on the terraces. If you’re eyeing Huayna Picchu/Machu Picchu Mountain, save energy and let us know in advance (permits limited).
Day 4 – Fly out / explore more: You should feel adapted. If mild symptoms show up anytime (headache, short breath), rest, hydrate, and slow down. If you have heart/lung conditions or past altitude issues, speak with your doctor before travel about preventive options.
Quick checklist: steady water intake, small frequent meals, layers for cold mornings/warm middays, and sun protection year‑round.
Expect two seasons: rains (Nov–Mar; peak Jan–Mar) and dry (May–Sep), with shoulder months Apr & Oct. Cusco is coolest and driest (nights can be near‑freezing in Jun–Aug). Aguas Calientes/Machu Picchu Pueblo is milder and more humid year‑round. The Valley sits in between. Pack in layers.
Month‑by‑month quick guide
Jan–Mar: wettest period. Expect showers and cloud cover. Bring a waterproof jacket/poncho, quick‑dry pants, and shoe covers.
Apr–May: shoulder into dry season—greener views, fewer showers. Light fleece + shell works well.
Jun–Aug: dry, sunny days; cold mornings and nights in Cusco. Pack a warm mid‑layer (fleece or packable puffer), hat/gloves for early starts, and high‑SPF sunscreen.
Sep–Oct: warming up; occasional afternoon showers return—keep your rain layer handy.
Nov–Dec: rains ramp back up; expect slick steps—grippy footwear helps.
What to wear any month: Comfortable walking shoes with tread, sun hat, sunglasses, and a light rain layer in your daypack.
Remember: UV is strong at altitude, even on cool days. We’ll confirm your exact packing list a week before the tour based on the forecast.
Your ticket is personal and timed. The name and passport number must match your passport, and tickets are valid only for the date/time purchased. As per the Peruvian State platform’s terms, changes, refunds, or re‑issues aren’t allowed once paid—so double‑check your details before purchase and travel with the same passport you used to book (bring the old passport too if you renewed).
Student discounts: available to undergraduate students under 25 with a physical university ID (plastic card with name, photo, and validity). ISIC is not accepted. You must present the same card at the entrance together with your passport. Minors also receive discounts with valid ID.
A few important reminders
Tickets are sold via the Peruvian State platform; circuits and time slots are enforced at the gate. No re‑entry once you exit the citadel.
If your name has accents/middle names, use the passport format. For any mismatch or a new passport, tell us ASAP so we can advise the cleanest solution before your visit.
This checklist avoids last‑minute surprises and keeps your entry smooth—just bring your passport, printed/e‑ticket, and (if applicable) student ID.
Thank you for your interest in having and adventure travel experience in Peru curated by Pacha Peru Explorers. Please take a moment to complete our short form, so one our friendly Adventure Consultants could provide you all the information for your trip of a lifetime in Peru.
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Remember | One of our Travel Experts will contact you soon to confirm the availability of the trip you chose, give you more information, and/or provide you alternative options. Once availlability is established, we will ask for a deposit and a completed online registration to confirm your spot on the trek. Please call us at (+51) 950 705034 with any questions or to confirm availability over the phone.
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Experience the famous Inca Trail for 4 amazing days, and pass through the Sun Gate for that first magical sighting of Machu Picchu …
Price, From
$ 795.00
per person
Inca Trail ( Classic ) 4D/3N Group tour
Experience the famous Inca Trail for 4 amazing days, and pass through the Sun Gate for that first magical sighting of Machu Picchu …
Price, From
$ 795.00
per person
Inca Trail ( Classic ) 4D/3N Group tour
Experience the famous Inca Trail for 4 amazing days, and pass through the Sun Gate for that first magical sighting of Machu Picchu …
Price, From
$ 795.00
per person
Pacha Peru Explorers is a 100% peruvian, separates ourselves by our dedication to both our customer and our team. We work very hard to make sure that all our clients needs are taken care of throughout the tour with us. At the same time, we never forget about our brothers and sisters working tirelessly for us to make all of this possible. Responsible and sustainable tourism that gives as much to our community as to our clients.
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