- 4 Day/ 3 Night
- Cusco - Machupicchu
The Sacred Valley Tour and Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu combines two of Peru’s most rewarding experiences into a single, unforgettable Machu Picchu tour: a full day discovering the Sacred Valley of the Incas, followed by a two-day trek along the original Inca stone path.
The journey begins with a full day in the Sacred Valley, visiting Chinchero, the agricultural terraces of Moray, and the Salineras de Maras. You’ll spend the night in Ollantaytambo, a historic Inca town at the foot of the mountains — the starting point for the Inca Trail the following morning.
On day two, you’ll take the train to the trailhead and begin the Short Inca Trail, a two-day alternative to the Classic 4-Day Inca Trail that still follows the original Inca route. The trail passes through cloud forest and the archaeological site of Wiñay Wayna before reaching Machu Picchu through the Sun Gate (Inti Punku) — the traditional Inca entrance to the citadel.
This itinerary is ideal for travelers who want to experience the Inca Trail and the Sacred Valley without committing to the full four-day trek.
| Day | Location | What You’ll See |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 — Sacred Valley | Chinchero | Colonial church, traditional weaving demonstrations, Andean village |
| Day 1 — Sacred Valley | Moray | Concentric Inca agricultural terraces |
| Day 1 — Sacred Valley | Salineras de Maras | Ancient salt pans, still in use today |
| Day 1 — Sacred Valley | Ollantaytambo | Inca fortress and archaeological park; overnight stay |
| Day 2–3 — Short Inca Trail | Chachabamba | Inca archaeological site along the trail |
| Day 2–3 — Short Inca Trail | Wiñay Wayna | One of the most spectacular Inca sites on the route |
| Day 2–3 — Short Inca Trail | Sun Gate (Inti Punku) | Original Inca entrance to Machu Picchu |
| Day 2–3 — Short Inca Trail | Machu Picchu | Guided tour of the citadel |
Only 250 permits per day are issued for the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, a limit set and enforced by Peru’s Ministry of Culture. These permits also apply to this 3-day Sacred Valley and Short Inca Trail package. During high season (May to September) permits can sell out weeks or months in advance, so we recommend booking at least 2–3 months ahead.
Machu Picchu and the Inca Trail form part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which is why access is strictly regulated and bookable only through a licensed tour operator.
This Sacred Valley Tour and Short Inca Trail combines the two best parts of a Machu Picchu trip into one efficient itinerary:
Your exciting Peru tour to Cusco, the Sacred Valley, and Machu Picchu begins with an in-person briefing one day before your adventure starts. Our professional tour guide will provide you with all the information about your Sacred Valley and Inca Trail tours to Machu Picchu. By the end of the briefing, all your questions will be answered, and this is also when you’ll make your final payment to the company before starting your adventure.
Already explored the Sacred Valley? Book our standalone Short Inca Trail tour and hike to Machu Picchu in just 2 days.
At 8:00 AM, we’ll pick you up to start an unforgettable journey through the breathtaking Sacred Valley of the Incas. Our first stop is the beautiful Chinchero archaeological site, where you’ll explore its rich history and stunning landscapes.
Next, we’ll visit the Maras Salt Mines, a natural wonder with spectacular views of the Andean mountains. From there, we head to Moray, an impressive Inca agricultural laboratory, before continuing to Ollantaytambo, a fascinating archaeological site that marks the gateway to Machu Picchu.
This Sacred Valley tour offers a deep dive into the origins of the Inca civilization, setting the stage for your visit to the legendary Machu Picchu.
We will pick you up from Ollantaytambo or Cusco and transfer you to the train station in Ollantaytambo, where you’ll take the train to the starting point of the Short Inca Trail. At the trailhead, we’ll pass through a checkpoint to enter Machu Picchu National Park.
Once the hike begins, we’ll visit two remarkable sites along the way: Chachabamba and Wiñay Wayna, also known as the «mini Machu Picchu.» From there, we continue toward the breathtaking Sun Gate (Inti Punku), your first view of Machu Picchu.
Enjoy a spectacular guided tour of Machu Picchu. Early in the morning, after breakfast at your hotel, we’ll take a 30-minute bus ride to the Machu Picchu archaeological site. Our tour guide will show you the most iconic areas of this ancient Inca city, including the Sun Temple, the Royal Palace, the Temple of the Condor, the agricultural terraces, and the priest’s house.
After the guided tour, we’ll return to Aguas Calientes for lunch before taking the train back to Ollantaytambo and continuing by van to Cusco.
