These are the absolute highlights! If you only have three days, this is the perfect tour package. Hiking the Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, you get to discover the Sacred Valley´s treasures and its most fascinating archeological sites. Walk in the footsteps of the Inca to arrive at Machu Picchu through the Sun Gate. On the Inca Trail you visit the astonishing Wiñay Wayna on your way to Machu Picchu!
Sacred Valley & Short Inca Trail Package to Machu Picchu – ITINERARY
DAY 1: SACRED VALLEY OF THE INCAS (Pisac + Moray + Salt mines )
Mirador of Taray
We will pick you up at your Cusco hotel at 7:30am, with our private van and head towards the Sacred Valley of the Incas, taking the direct route to Pisac. First, we stop at the Mirador of Taray to enjoy a classic view of the Urubamba valley and its traditional farming villages. You will see how the agriculture in the Sacred Valley has changed little in the past five hundred years.
Pisac and Urubamba
Onward, we drive to the archeological site of Pisac, where you can see the biggest Inca cemetery with more than 2,000 tombs. There, you can admire the incredible farming terraces carved into the mountain, explore the Inca tunnel and the religious area of this important citadel. We will spend about 2 hours here, exploring the Inca city. Then, we head down to the colorful market of Pisac, spend about 20 minutes here and then drive to Urubamba for lunch. There are many restaurants to choose from. Just tell your guide what you’re in the mood for! (Lunch is not included).
Archeological site of Moray
With timeless charm, we visit the archeological site of Moray also known as “The Greenhouse of the Incas,” a deep bowl of architectural wonder. Levels of terraces are carved into a huge basin, which was excavated by the Incas. The terraces have varied microclimates depending on how deep into the bowl they are placed. Archeologists believe that they were used by the Incas to experiment with hybridization and to discover the optimal growing conditions for their crops.
Maras
Continuing on our journey to the colonial town of Maras, we look down onto the pre-Inca salt mines. Thousands of saltpans have been passed down through countless generations and used for salt extraction since before Inca times. A hot spring at the top of the valley discharges a small stream of heavily salt laden water, which is diverted into saltpans and evaporated to produce salt. This is one of the few places in the world where you can find naturally pink salt!
Ollantaytambo
Finally, we drive to Ollantaytambo. Here you spend the night at Veronica View Hotel in Ollantaytambo, ready to start the Inca Trail the next day!
- Accommodation: Veronica View Hotel
- Meals: Not included
DAY 2: OLLANTAYTAMBO –KM 104 – WIÑAY HUAYNA – SUN GATE – MACHU PICCHU
With a compacted 2 days of excitement ahead, we depart the Veronica View at 5:30am, and drive you to the train station nearby. You will have an hour and 20-minute ride on the Expedition train to KM 104 (2,100m/6,927ft), where you will begin your trek and show your passport at the first checkpoint. Afterwards, we initiate a moderate climb for three hours to the remote archeological site of Wiñay Wayna (2,650m/8747ft). Admire the fountains that have been flowing for hundreds of years and gaze down the spectacular, sheer mountainside, plunging down to the Urubamba River. After enjoying the architectural wonder of this ancient Inca site, we merge onto the traditional four day Inca Trail. We have lunch at the Wiñay Wayna campground, then continue onward towards the Sun Gate (2,730m/9,007ft). Following the ancient remote footpath, we finally get our first spectacular view of Machu Picchu in all its brilliance and majesty. As we move closer to the Citadel of Machu Picchu, you will enjoy views of the enigmatic ruins the whole length of the trail. After some time taking photos of the citadel from above, we take our bus to Aguas Calientes, where we spend the night in our hotel.
- Meals included: Breakfast, picnic lunch & dinner in a restaurant in Aguas Calientes
- 3* Accommodations: Inti Punku Hotel or Waman Machu Picchu
- Difficulty: moderate
DAY 3: AGUAS CALIENTES – MACHU PICCHU – CUSCO
This is the day you’ve been waiting for! We take the first bus at 5:30am to Machu Picchu archeological site, making sure we tour every nook and cranny of this New 7 Wonder of the World and UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site. The Citadel of the Incas, Machu Picchu, what a magical experience! Your guide will walk you through the rediscovery of these enigmatic ruins. After the tour, take some time to stay still and find the peace within as you admire your unforgettable surroundings.
You may wish to add on a few of the following activities on your own (not included in the price):
- Climb Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain– appreciate the beauty and magnificence of Machu Picchu from above. These extra hikes sell out quickly and must be requested at time of booking.
- Other optional activities in Aguas Calientes include a visit to the new local museum or the hot springs. (entrance fee apply)
When you are ready, you will descend to Aguas Calientes, have a leisurely lunch on your own, and later board the train at 14:55 for the return trip on the Expedition train to the Ollantaytambo train station to catch our private van back to your Cusco hotel. You will arrive in Cusco by 8pm.
- Meal included: Breakfast
