Sacred Valley & Machu Picchu: 2-Day Tour with Train & Hotel

Summary

From Cusco to Machu Picchu by train through ancient Inca valleys

You’ll feed alpacas near Cusco, wander ancient terraces in the Sacred Valley, ride a train through cloud forest to Aguas Calientes, and stand quietly as Machu Picchu appears from the mist. With local guides, hotel stay, meals and transport included, it’s two days that linger long after you’re back home.

What’s the experience like?

There’s this moment at the Awanacancha alpaca farm outside Cusco — you hear the low humming of the animals before you even see them. Our guide, Maribel, handed me a handful of grass and just grinned while I tried to figure out who was an alpaca and who was a llama (I’m still not sure I got it right). The wool felt softer than I expected. They showed us how they dye it with plants; one woman crushed cochineal beetles in her palm and my friend gasped at how red it turned. We smelled faint smoke from somewhere behind the weaving hut. I bought a scarf for my mom — hope she likes purple.

Driving through the Sacred Valley, we stopped at a lookout above Pisaq where everything looked impossibly green. Maribel pointed out terraces curling around the mountains like fingerprints. Lunch in Urubamba was simple — quinoa soup and chicken — but honestly? It hit the spot after all those steps at Ollantaytambo. That site is wild: huge stones stacked like puzzle pieces, sun beating down on my neck, some little kid running past yelling “¡Vamos!” The train to Aguas Calientes felt surreal after all that history; suddenly you’re gliding through jungle shadows with windows open to mist and the river below.

I barely slept in Aguas Calientes (nerves or maybe just listening to rain on the roof). Early morning bus up to Machu Picchu — everyone quiet except for one couple arguing about ponchos. When we finally walked through that stone gate and saw clouds peeling off the citadel… yeah, I didn’t say anything for a while either. Maribel told stories about Pachacuti and showed us where water channels still work after centuries. There’s this spot overlooking Huayna Picchu where she made us close our eyes for ten seconds. Not sure what I felt exactly — just that I wanted to stay longer.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Sacred Valley tour and train to Aguas Calientes

• Pick up from hotel at 8am
• Visit Awanacancha Alpaca farm
• See traditional Inca animals and weaving
• Drive to Sacred Valley Lookout Point
• Visit Pisaq Inca Archaeological site
• Drive to Urubamba for lunch
• Visit Ollantaytambo Inca site
• Take train to Aguas Calientes
• Stay overnight in 3-star hotel

Day 2 — Machu Picchu tour and return to Cusco

• Early breakfast in Aguas Calientes
• Bus to Machu Picchu site
• Guided tour of Machu Picchu Citadel
• Optional Huayna Picchu hike
• Return to Aguas Calientes
• Lunch in Aguas Calientes
• Train to Ollantaytambo
• Drive back to Cusco hotel

Top questions

Is hotel pickup included in this Sacred Valley & Machu Picchu tour?

Yes, hotel pickup in Cusco is included at 8am on day one.

How long is the guided tour at Machu Picchu?

The guided tour of Machu Picchu lasts about two hours.

Are meals included during this 2-day trip?

Lunch and dinner on day one and breakfast on day two are included.

What kind of accommodation is provided in Aguas Calientes?

You’ll stay in a comfortable 3-star hotel in Aguas Calientes village.

Is entry to both Sacred Valley sites and Machu Picchu covered?

Yes, all entry fees for Sacred Valley sites and Machu Picchu are included.

Do I need to book Huayna Picchu tickets separately?

Yes, Huayna Picchu tickets cost extra ($75) and must be booked in advance.

How do we travel from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes?

You’ll take an Expedition Tourist Class train from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes.

Is this tour suitable for all fitness levels?

The tour is suitable for most fitness levels but involves some walking at archaeological sites.

What’s included

Your journey includes hotel pickup in Cusco, private transportation throughout both days, entry fees for all Sacred Valley sites plus Machu Picchu itself, lunch and dinner on your first day along with breakfast at your hotel on day two. You’ll stay overnight in a 3-star hotel in Aguas Calientes village before returning by train and car transfer back to your Cusco hotel.