5 Day Cusco Sacred Valley Machu Picchu

Highlight of the day: You’ll discover the majesty of the Sacred Valley by visiting Ollantaytambo, Pisac, and their impressive terraces.

The day begins when we pick you up from your hotel bound for the Sacred Valley. But before reaching Pisac, we’ll stop at kilometer 22 to visit the Cochahuasi Animal Sanctuary, a refuge that cares for animals in vulnerable situations or in danger of extinction, such as the Andean condor, alpacas, and pumas.

Continuing with our itinerary, we arrive at the Pisac Archaeological Park (3,430 m/11,253 ft). It stands out for its terraces, which harmoniously rise from the base of the mountain to its summit, and includes platforms, aqueducts, bridges, etc. You’ll also see its unique Intiwatana, considered Pisac’s Temple of the Sun, famous for predicting the solstice and equinox that determined the Incas’ agricultural calendar. It is located at the very top of the mountain. Then we will descend to its small artisan market, where you can see—and purchase as souvenirs—handmade items.

Once the tour is complete, we head to Urubamba (2,871 m/9,419 ft) to enjoy a delicious lunch.

In the afternoon, we’ll visit the Ollantaytambo Archaeological Site (2,792 m/9,160 ft), which was a strategic military, religious, and agricultural center featuring water fountains, large terraces, temples, and more. You’ll see the best-preserved example of a typical city built by the Incas, with narrow cobblestone streets. Today, Ollantaytambo is known as the “Living Inca City.”

Finally, we’ll board the train at Ollantaytambo station bound for Aguas Calientes, where a staff member of the Golden Sunrise Hotel (3 stars) will be waiting to escort you to your comfortable accommodation for the night.

• Minimum altitude: 3,399 m / 11,152 ft
• Maximum altitude: 3,762 m / 12,342 ft
• Meals: Breakfast (at the hotel) and Lunch (Urubamba)
• Accommodation: Aguas Calientes

Highlight of the day: You’ll explore the majestic Inca citadel of Machu Picchu, an impressive lost city set high in lush mountains.

Day three begins early to make the most of our visit to Machu Picchu (2,430 m / 7,972 ft). After breakfast, you will take one of the first buses to the entrance of the Inca citadel.

Your guide will show you around Machu Picchu, explaining the history of the Incas’ lost city, its temples, altars, and most important sites, such as the Classic Machu Picchu Viewpoint, the Guardian’s House—offering a spectacular view of the entire Inca citadel—as well as the Temple of the Sun viewpoint, the Temple Square, the Sacred Rock, and the Water Mirrors Complex.

After finishing the tour of this Wonder of the World, you’ll head back down to the town of Aguas Calientes (2,050 m/6,725 ft) for another night at the Golden Sunrise Hotel.

Note: If you have purchased an additional ticket for one of the extra hikes such as Huayna Picchu, Huchuy Picchu, or Machu Picchu Mountain, you can visit these iconic attractions. Remember that these are optional activities with an extra cost, and they must be booked in advance as spaces are limited.

• Minimum altitude: 2,050 m / 6,725 ft
• Maximum altitude: 2,430 m / 7,972 ft
• Meals: Breakfast (at the hotel)
• Accommodation: Golden Sunrise Hotel (3 stars)

Highlight of the day: You’ll travel across Andean landscapes, admire the Maras salt mines, the Moray agricultural terraces, and learn about Chinchero’s textile art.

We will board the return train to Ollantaytambo station. There, our private transportation will be waiting to head to our next destination: the Maras Salt Mines (3,500 m / 11,483 ft).

In Maras, you can admire more than 3,000 natural salt ponds fed by an underground spring that has existed for millions of years. Without a doubt, it’s a unique and impressive landscape for taking incredible photographs.

We’ll continue to Moray (3,500 m / 11,483 ft), where we’ll marvel at the fascinating terraces or platforms arranged in an amphitheater shape. These form an extraordinary Inca agricultural laboratory, and our guide will explain its history in detail.

We’ll finish our journey in the picturesque town of Chinchero (3,762 m / 12,342 ft), surrounded by beautiful Andean scenery, corn fields, and imposing mountains. Here, we’ll witness a demonstration of the ancestral textile art still practiced by skilled local weavers, who use entirely natural dyes to create their beautiful pieces—upholding a centuries-old tradition.

Finally, we will return to the city of Cusco.

• Minimum altitude: 3,500 m / 11,483 ft
• Maximum altitude: 3,762 m / 12,342 ft
• Meals: Breakfast (at the hotel)
• Accommodation: Cusco

Highlight of the day: You’ll witness the city of Cusco’s iconic monuments, streets, and plazas.

On your last day in Cusco, we will begin the guided tour by visiting the Plaza de Armas, the heart of the city, to admire its imposing Cathedral in Baroque style—composed of three contiguous buildings: the main cathedral, the Iglesia del Triunfo, and the Iglesia de la Sagrada Familia. Next, we’ll head to the Plaza Nazarena, located just 300 meters from the Plaza de Armas.

Later, we’ll stroll through the traditional San Blas neighborhood, with its cobblestone streets and colonial houses. A must-see stop is the Stone of the Twelve Angles, a unique historical monument.

The tour ends at the San Pedro Market, where we’ll observe the daily life of locals and have the chance to purchase souvenir items.

In the afternoon, we will transfer you to the airport for your return flight.

Note: We suggest purchasing a flight departing after 5:00 p.m., allowing enough time to rest and arrive at the airport 2 hours before your flight, which is recommended to complete check-in and security procedures without any issues.

• Minimum altitude: 3,399 m / 11,151 ft
• Maximum altitude: 3,800 m / 12,467 ft
• Meals: Breakfast (Hotel)

The Cusco Sacred Valley Machu Picchu tour is a very popular sightseeing itinerary in Peru, including visits to the following places:

• Cusco: The ancient capital of the Inca Empire and a UNESCO Cultural Heritage site. We’ll visit the 4 ruins (Sacsayhuamán, Qenqo, Puca Pucará, and Tambomachay).
• Sacred Valley: A fertile valley surrounded by impressive mountains and Inca agricultural terraces. We’ll visit the Cochahuasi Animal Sanctuary, Pisac Archaeological Park, Ollantaytambo Archaeological Site, Maras Salt Mines, Moray, and the district of Chinchero.
• Machu Picchu: The most famous Inca citadel in the world, declared one of the 7 New Wonders of the Modern World. You will explore its iconic attractions on a guided tour.

All our travel packages include pickup from the airport. Depending on the chosen package and according to the itinerary, in this case, pickup would be from the Alejandro Velasco Astete Airport in Cusco or the bus terminal. Upon arrival, a Waman Adventures representative will be waiting for you with a sign bearing your name.

Likewise, at the end of your package, and according to where our services conclude in the itinerary, our transportation will take you to the designated airport at the time of your flight. For this purpose, we will coordinate with you regarding the pickup time from your hotel or your current location. We also recommend that you provide our sales agents with your detailed flight information so we can coordinate all relevant details.

It is recommended to do the Cusco Sacred Valley Machu Picchu Tour during the dry season or when there is less rainfall in the Cusco region, which is from mid-April to the end of October. June to August are the most favorable months to visit Cusco.

• April – May: The beginning of the dry season, with very little rainfall. The weather is quite pleasant with sunny days.
• June – August: The driest months with almost no rain and more stable weather—sunny days and cool nights. Ideal months for trekking and visiting outdoor attractions.
• September – October: Still relatively dry, but afternoon showers may occur. The weather becomes slightly more humid.
• November – March: The rainy season, with frequent and sometimes torrential downpours, especially in January and February.

Our travel packages include accommodations depending on trip length, based on double occupancy. We can offer double rooms with two single beds or one double bed. For groups of three travelers, we can provide a triple room with three single beds or any arrangement you prefer. Please contact our sales agents to discuss specific accommodation needs.

The accommodation we provide in Lima is at the Miramar Hotel. In Cusco, it’s at the Ayni Cusco Hotel or a similar property. In Machu Picchu Pueblo (also called Aguas Calientes), accommodations are at the Golden Sunrise Hotel or a similar property. All hotels are 3-star category.

If you come from sea level or a very low altitude (below 1,000 m above sea level), acclimatizing to Cusco’s altitude (3,350 m above sea level) is very important.

We allocate the first day of our travel package for acclimatization. It’s highly recommended to stay well-hydrated upon arrival in Cusco to help your body adjust. Coca-based products such as chocolate, beverages, or candies are advisable for their properties in combating altitude sickness.

Yes, because our hotel rooms are based on double occupancy (2 people per room). If you are traveling alone, you must pay a single supplement.

At Waman Adventures, we work with passengers arriving from all over the world and focus on the services we provide within Peruvian territory. Therefore, we currently cannot include international airline tickets. However, our trained staff will gladly help you find and organize your flights in the best possible way.

Visitation hours for the Intiwatana inside Machu Picchu are limited. Access is only allowed from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m., and entering outside this schedule is not permitted. The restricted hours are for conservation reasons, as this stone is of great ceremonial and astronomical importance to the Incas.

Each of these extra hikes offers its own particular view of Machu Picchu. Huayna Picchu is a high-altitude trek with unique scenery, while Machu Picchu Mountain features abundant local flora and fauna.

Both hikes have limited permits. Huayna Picchu typically sells out faster than Machu Picchu Mountain. We recommend booking at least 2 to 3 months in advance. The cost for either of these additional routes is US$85.00.

The last day of our tour is generally a free day for you to explore the city of Cusco or simply rest before your return flight.

Our driver will pick you up at your hotel at the previously coordinated time to take you to the airport.

Once at the airport, our services end.

We understand your concern about guaranteed departure dates. Only under extreme circumstances such as dangerous weather conditions or natural disasters would we be forced to postpone a departure date for safety reasons. Apart from such exceptional cases, your tour date is 100% guaranteed.

As for the minimum number of people to book in a group, we require a minimum of 2 travelers to guarantee departure.

The initial deposit allows us to secure all necessary services for your Cusco Sacred Valley Machu Picchu tour. This includes:

Archaeological site tickets that must be reserved in advance.

Staff, including guides and drivers, who must also be booked in advance.

Tourist transportation and logistics exclusively for the group.

Accommodations in specific locations for 4 nights.

By receiving your (30% of the total tour cost) deposit, we can ensure availability of top services for your tour dates and prevent last-minute issues.

Note that the 30% deposit is non-refundable and non-transferable.

The remaining balance must be paid in cash (recommended), preferably in US dollars (you can also pay in Peruvian soles, subject to the exchange rate of the day), directly at our Cusco offices no later than 24 hours before the start of your tour. Otherwise, you must pay the balance on the same day your tour begins, directly to your guide.

It is very important to settle the remaining balance to ensure that all tourism services are properly coordinated.

Payments can also be made via:

a) PAYPAL:

Use the PayPal option on our website and follow the steps. Note that PayPal charges a 6% fee for this transaction, which is automatically added.

If you decide to transfer directly from your PayPal account, remember to add the 6% fee. You can send the deposit to this account: info@wamanadventures.com

b) VISA:

If you use the VISA option on our website, follow the steps. Note that VISA charges a 5% fee for this transaction, which is automatically added.

c) WESTERN UNION:

You can pay at their offices abroad or online (http://www.westernunion.com/):

1. Receiver’s First Name: Alex Marco
2. Receiver’s Last Name: Huaman Levita
3. Receiver’s City: Cusco
4. Country: Peru

If you use this method, email us to confirm the deposit amount and the transaction number (MTCN) you were given.
NOTE: THE CLIENT ASSUMES ALL TRANSACTION FEES.

The recommended minimum age for these experiences is 8 years old, and it is not advised for children between 0 and 7 years of age. Additionally, all minors must be accompanied by a responsible adult (18+) at all times.

At Waman Adventures, we offer our services in small groups. The minimum number of travelers for the packages or tours we offer is TWO (02). You may join a group of up to 17 travelers. If the group has more than 12 people, there will be one main guide and one assistant guide.

Yes, of course, but they must be accompanied by an adult, as the agency is not responsible for any potential incidents.

Extras:

• Children between 6 and 9 years old get a special discount of US$85.00
• Children between 10 and 16 years old get a special discount of US$25.00

We strongly recommend that travelers inform us before their trip if they have any injuries or special conditions. It is essential to consult with your doctor regarding whether you can perform the planned activities. With this information, our guides will carry first-aid kits. If you have personal medication, you must bring it along on the tours and communicate constantly with your guide about your condition or any issues that might arise.

With some exceptions, most countries do not need a visa to enter Peru as tourists.

Tourists are allowed to stay for 30 to 90 days. The exact length of stay is determined by the Superintendencia Nacional de Migraciones (National Migration Authority).

What if I lose my migration card?

Be careful not to lose your tourist card, or you will have to queue at the Migration office to get a replacement. It’s a good idea to keep your passport and TAM with you at all times, especially when traveling in remote areas. By law, you need them for the Inca Trail.

For safety, make a copy of both documents and store them in a separate place from the originals.

In Peru, the voltage is 220 V, and the frequency is 60 Hz.

Generally, most devices—such as cell phone chargers, laptops, and cameras—can handle both 110 V and 220 V, so they do not require a converter, only a plug suited to Peru’s two-flat-pin outlets.

However, we recommend reviewing the specifics of your home country, as the need for an adapter or converter depends on the voltage, frequency, and plugs of your country of residence.

What are the standard outlets?

In Peru, the most common outlets are Type A (two parallel rectangular pins), Type B (the same two parallel pins plus a circular grounding pin), and Type C (two round pins).

For greater comfort, it is recommended to leave heavy luggage at your accommodation in Cusco. Most hotels offer complimentary luggage storage.

When traveling by train (a mandatory part of getting to Machu Picchu quickly), you will use Peru Rail or Inca Rail, both allowing only 5 kg of luggage. Therefore, for your convenience, you should bring only a light backpack or small bag with essential items for your overnight stay and the visits you’ll make away from your Cusco hotel, where you will eventually return.

Because these factors are beyond the immediate control of the travel agency, please contact our sales agents immediately.

Rail companies—whether Peru Rail or Inca Rail—do not always allow travel agencies to choose specific seats on their trains. Seats are generally purchased and assigned randomly based on availability for your chosen travel date. The agency will always prioritize obtaining tickets for your travel date first, with specific seat numbers being a secondary concern.

Both trains follow the same route over the same distance, with similar schedules.

However, if you want a bit more space and more panoramic views, the Vistadome train is recommended. The scenery changes dramatically during the train ride, going from mountain areas to the edge of the jungle (from Ollantaytambo to Machu Picchu Pueblo). Unlike the Expedition train, the Vistadome has larger windows on its walls and ceiling.

The Vistadome train also offers slightly more spacious seating and, on the return trip from Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu Pueblo) to Ollantaytambo, features a dance show and a fashion show featuring baby alpaca garments.

Our passengers’ comfort is our priority, so we always use cutting-edge tourist transportation, suitable for both private and group services. These vehicles undergo weekly technical inspections and are no more than 5 years old, in accordance with the current tourism regulations.

Yes, at Waman Adventures we can book extra nights in the hotels we work with based on the particular requirements of our travelers.

For more information or to finalize extra night bookings, please contact one of our sales advisors.

Note: We arrange hotel reservations 30 days in advance of your booking date.

Yes, you will have internet access at the hotels included in your travel package. All of our partner hotels offer Wi-Fi service. Alternatively, you can buy a local SIM card with a data package starting at about 15 soles—depending on the type of plan you choose.

Drone use is permitted during the tour, provided certain restrictions are respected. For example, you can record the journey in the city of Cusco and on the way to the Machu Picchu citadel. However, drone use is strictly prohibited inside the citadel itself. In the Sacred Valley, drone use may be possible with prior coordination with your guide.