6:15 – 6:45 AM: Hotel Pick-Up in Cusco
Your Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu 2 Days Tour from Cusco begins with pick-up from your hotel or Airbnb between 6:15 AM and 6:45 AM. The exact time will be confirmed one day before departure.
You will travel by tourist transportation from Cusco to Chinchero, a journey of approximately 45 minutes, while enjoying views of the Andes, traditional communities, and agricultural landscapes.
Guided Visit to Chinchero
The first stop is Chinchero, an important Andean town known for its Inca heritage, colonial architecture, traditional textile production, and living culture. Accompanied by your professional guide, you will visit the archaeological area and learn about Chinchero’s historical importance during the Inca period. Depending on the confirmed route and opening conditions, the visit may also include views of the colonial church and surrounding terraces.
You will then visit a local textile center, where community artisans will demonstrate traditional techniques used to clean, spin, dye, and weave alpaca and sheep wool. This cultural experience provides an authentic introduction to the ancestral textile traditions of the Cusco region.
Visit to the Moray Archaeological Site
After Chinchero, the tour continues to Moray, one of the most distinctive archaeological sites in the Sacred Valley. Moray is famous for its impressive circular terraces built at different levels below the surrounding landscape. Your guide will explain the site’s possible agricultural purpose and how the Incas may have used the varying temperatures of each terrace to study crops and growing conditions.
You will have time to explore the authorized areas, enjoy the panoramic views, and take photographs before continuing to Maras.
Visit to the Maras Salt Mines
From Moray, you will travel by vehicle to the Maras Salt Mines, also known as the Salineras de Maras. The transfer takes approximately 30 to 45 minutes, depending on road conditions. At this remarkable site, thousands of salt pools extend across the mountainside and are supplied by a natural saline spring. Local families have managed these pools for generations using traditional harvesting methods.
Your guide will explain the cultural and economic importance of salt production in the region. You will also have time to take photographs and purchase locally produced salt or other regional products.
1:00 PM: Buffet Lunch in Urubamba
After visiting Maras, the journey continues to Urubamba for a buffet lunch at a local restaurant. Lunch is generally served at approximately 1:00 PM and includes a selection of Peruvian and international dishes. Vegetarian, vegan, and other dietary options may be available when requested in advance. This stop provides time to relax before continuing to Ollantaytambo.
Guided Visit to Ollantaytambo
After lunch, you will travel approximately 30 minutes to Ollantaytambo, one of the most important archaeological and historical towns in the Sacred Valley. During the guided visit, you will explore the impressive terraces, stone structures, ceremonial sectors, and defensive areas of the archaeological complex. Ollantaytambo is also considered a living Inca town because many of its original streets, canals, and foundations remain in use today.
At the end of the visit, you will be transferred to the Ollantaytambo train station.
Train from Ollantaytambo to Machu Picchu Pueblo
Your train to Machu Picchu Pueblo, also known as Aguas Calientes, will depart at approximately 3:30 PM or 4:30 PM, depending on the schedule confirmed for your reservation. The train journey takes approximately 1.5 to 1 hour and 45 minutes. Along the way, you will follow the Vilcanota River and pass through the dramatic landscapes of the Sacred Valley and Urubamba Canyon. Train times and companies are subject to availability at the time of booking.
Arrival in Machu Picchu Pueblo and Hotel Check-In
Upon arrival at the Aguas Calientes train station, a hotel representative will be waiting with a sign displaying your name. They will accompany you to your accommodation and assist with check-in.
The tour generally includes one night at Andino Machu Picchu Hotel or another hotel of a similar category, depending on availability. Your room will include the basic services confirmed in your reservation, allowing you to rest before the Machu Picchu visit the following morning.
7:30 PM: Pre-Tour Briefing with Your Machu Picchu Guide
At approximately 7:30 PM, your Machu Picchu guide will meet you at the hotel to explain the schedule for Day 2. During the briefing, the guide will confirm your meeting time, bus departure, Machu Picchu entrance time, assigned circuit, required documents, and important recommendations for the visit.
After the meeting, you will have the rest of the evening free to explore Machu Picchu Pueblo, enjoy dinner, or rest at the hotel.
Day 1 Schedule at a Glance
- 6:30–7:00 AM: Hotel pick-up in Cusco
- Morning: Chinchero, textile demonstration, Moray, and Maras Salt Mines
- Approximately 1:00 PM: Buffet lunch in Urubamba
- Afternoon: Guided visit to Ollantaytambo
- 3:30 or 4:30 PM: Train to Machu Picchu Pueblo
- Evening: Hotel check-in and free time
- Approximately 7:30 PM: Briefing with your Machu Picchu guide
All times are approximate and may change due to traffic, weather, road conditions, train schedules, visitor flow, and operational circumstances.
