4-Day Cusco, Sacred Valley & Machu Picchu Tour Package

Summary

Guided Peru Adventure: City Tour, Sacred Valley & Machu Picchu

You’ll walk ancient streets in Cusco, explore Inca ruins in Sacred Valley, and stand among clouds at Machu Picchu—all with guides who know every shortcut and story. This trip covers must-see sites plus plenty of real moments: local markets, mountain air, even a chance to taste pisco sour if you want.

What’s the experience like?

The air in Cusco hit me right away—thin and crisp, with a hint of wood smoke drifting from the nearby houses. Someone from the team met us at the airport, holding a little sign with my name. I was glad for the slow morning at the hotel; honestly, you feel that altitude in your bones. Around two, our guide scooped us up for the city tour. First stop: Qoricancha. The sunlight bounced off those old stone walls—hard to believe this was once covered in gold. Our guide explained how the Spanish built their church right on top of it. After that, we drove out to Sacsayhuaman. The stones there are massive—like something out of a storybook—and you can see all of Cusco laid out below if you turn around. We wandered through Qenqo’s carved tunnels (it’s chilly inside), then checked out Puca Pucara’s reddish stones before ending at Tambomachay where water still trickles through ancient channels. By evening, I was wiped but happy to be back in town as dusk settled over Plaza de Armas.

The next morning started early—Peruvian coffee helps! We set off for the Sacred Valley just as the sun crept over the hills. Pisaq’s terraces looked like green steps cut into the mountain; we watched a few women selling potatoes and corn by the entrance. Lunch was in Urubamba—a buffet with more types of potatoes than I knew existed. Ollantaytambo came next: climbing those steep steps is no joke at this altitude, but worth it for the view and stories about Inca battles our guide shared. Later that afternoon, we caught the train to Aguas Calientes—the ride follows a river and you’ll spot locals waving as you pass.

Machu Picchu day means an early wake-up (the village is quiet except for birds and people lining up for buses). The mist hung low when we arrived at the site—it slowly lifted to reveal those famous stone terraces and llamas munching nearby. Our guide walked us through circuit 1 (tickets depend on what’s available), pointing out hidden corners I’d have missed alone. Afterward, there was time to grab lunch back in Aguas Calientes before catching our train and bus combo back to Cusco.

On our last morning, I took it easy—just wandered around looking for souvenirs near Cusco Cathedral before heading to the airport. If you’ve got extra time, there’s even an option to try your hand at making pisco sour or sample local dishes with a chef.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Airport Pickup and Cusco City Tour

• Airport pickup and hotel transfer
• Visit Koricancha (Temple of the Sun)
• Travel to Sacsayhuaman
• Guided tour of Sacsayhuaman
• Visit Qenqo ritual center
• Visit PucaPucara (Red Fort)
• Visit Tambomachay (Inca Bath)
• Return to Cusco

Day 2 — Sacred Valley Tour and Train to Aguas Calientes

• Travel to Pisaq ruins
• Guided tour of Pisaq ruins
• Buffet lunch in Urubamba
• Visit Ollantaytambo archaeological site
• Train to Aguas Calientes

Day 3 — Machu Picchu Guided Tour

• Bus to Machu Picchu ruins
• Guided tour of Machu Picchu
• Lunch in Aguas Calientes
• Train to Ollantaytambo and bus to Cusco

Day 4 — Departure and Optional Gastronomy Tour

• Free morning and optional gastronomy tour

Top questions

Are Machu Picchu tickets guaranteed?

Tickets depend on availability from Peru's Ministry of Culture; if none are left for your dates, you'll get a full refund.

Is this tour suitable for everyone?

It's suitable for most fitness levels but not recommended if you're pregnant due to altitude and walking involved.

What kind of hotels are included?

You'll stay in comfortable 3-star hotels each night—breakfast included.

Can I add extra activities?

If you have free time on your last day, there's an optional Peruvian cooking or pisco sour class available.

What’s included

Your package covers all entrance fees (including Machu Picchu if available), guided tours each day with local experts, three nights in 3-star hotels with breakfast, air-conditioned transport throughout, airport pick-up and drop-off—plus help booking trains and buses as needed.