The Treasures of Southern Peru: Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu
Embark on a unique adventure to discover the Incas' fascinating history and delight in Cusco's most breathtaking landscapes. Discover the treasures of the Sacred Valley, visiting the must-see places of Chinchero, Moray, the Maras Salt Mines, and Urubamba. Then, board the train in Ollantaytambo and let yourself be amazed by the legendary citadel of Machu Picchu, one of the most majestic sites in the world. Accompanied by your expert guide, you will feel the energy that emanates from this sacred place. When you return to Cusco, you will be filled with unforgettable memories of a true experience.
2-Day Adventure in Maras Moray and Machu Picchu Trip Map
- Overview
- Itinerary
- Inclusions
- Before You Go
- Packing List
- Pricing
- Enquire Now
Do you want to visit the most amazing places in Cusco but need more time in the city? This program is perfect for you. Discover the best of the Sacred Valley of the Incas and end your excursion with a guided visit to Machu Picchu. Whether you are traveling alone, with a partner, or in a group, we plan your itinerary in detail so you can enjoy it to the fullest.
This tour will take you to the most important sites in southern Peru while learning about the history of the Incas. You will start with a visit to Chinchero, where you will admire its Inca constructions and learn about the famous textile art. Next, you will arrive at the impressive archaeological site of Moray, a series of circular terraces used for agriculture since Inca times.
Your next destination will be the Maras Salt Mines, with more than 3,000 ponds that have been used since pre-Hispanic times to extract salt. Remember to take this product, considered one of the best in the world. Then, you will make a stop in Urubamba to enjoy a traditional buffet lunch before heading to Ollantaytambo to board the train to Aguas Calientes.
On the last day, your heart will be thrilled when you arrive at the majestic Inca citadel of Machu Picchu, where you can recharge your energies and take the best photos during your guided visit. You will be among the first to enter the complex, so enjoy every minute in this sacred place. Finally, we will take you back to your hotel so you can rest after our epic excursion in Cusco.
Itinerary at a Glance
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Day 01
Cusco | Chinchero - Moray - Maras Salt Mines - Urubamba - Ollantaytambo - Aguas Calientes
You will leave early to visit the most significant places of the Sacred Valley of the Incas and learn about its unique history. Afterward, we will board the train in Ollantaytambo, heading to Aguas Calientes, where you will spend the night in a hotel.
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Day 02
Aguas Calientes | Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu - Ollantaytambo - Cusco
You will wake up before sunrise to be one of the first to visit Machu Picchu on a guided tour. In the afternoon, you will board the train to Ollantaytambo, where private transportation will be waiting to take you back to Cusco.
What's it like
Highlights
- Enjoy stunning panoramic views of the Peruvian Andes as you delve into the mysterious archaeological sites of the region.
- Walk through the most important places of the Sacred Valley of the Incas and discover its history.
- Explore ancient Inca trails and appreciate their impressive architecture.
- Learn about the traditions and customs of the local communities.
- Uncover the secrets of the mystical Machu Picchu, one of the Wonders of the World and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Why Travel with us
Cusco | Chinchero - Moray - Maras Salt Mines - Urubamba - Ollantaytambo - Aguas Calientes
Highlight of the day: Explore the most impressive sites in the Sacred Valley.
Immerse yourself in the culture and history of the Inca's Sacred Valley
We will pick you up early in our private transport to head to our first destination, Chinchero, a picturesque town known for its textiles and Inca ruins. We will continue the journey by visiting the archaeological site of Moray, an impressive complex of circular terraces that are believed to have been used for agricultural experimentation during the Inca era. The next destination will be the fascinating Maras Salt Mines, where you can appreciate the ancestral process of salt collection.
Later, we will go to Urubamba to enjoy a delicious buffet lunch of Peruvian dishes and rest briefly before continuing our incredible journey to Ollantaytambo, the starting point to get to Machu Picchu. There, we will board the train to Aguas Calientes. Upon arrival, you will check into your hotel and have the afternoon free to relax in the thermal baths or explore the town before enjoying a delicious dinner and resting for your Machu Picchu adventure the next day.
This morning, we will pick you up early from your hotel and head to the beautiful town of Chinchero (3,762 m / 12,343 ft), where you will find amazing Inca constructions and a textile art demonstration. Then, we will continue to the impressive archaeological site of Moray (3,385 m / 11,106 ft), consisting of a series of circular terraces that are believed to have been used for experimental agriculture and for studying the growth of different crops at different altitudes.
We will continue to the famous Maras Salt Mines, a collection of over 3,000 pools that have been used since pre-Hispanic times to extract salt from naturally flowing saltwater in the area. This salt has a pinkish hue and is known for its healing properties and delicious taste. It's a great gift for someone back home and perfect for cooking.
Next, we will head to Urubamba to enjoy a buffet lunch with different traditional dishes of your choice. After a well-deserved break, we will go to Ollantaytambo to board the train that will take us to Aguas Calientes.
Upon arrival in Aguas Calientes, you will head to your hotel to rest, or, if you prefer, you can stroll around the small town before dinner. It's also a good idea to enjoy the thermal medicinal baths with the same name as the town. Tonight, we recommend sleeping early as tomorrow you will explore the impressive Inca citadel of Machu Picchu.
Aguas Calientes | Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu - Ollantaytambo - Cusco
Highlight of the day: Enter Machu Picchu and experience its powerful energy for the first time.
Explore the enigmatic trails of Machu Picchu and uncover its secrets
At last, the day to explore the Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu has arrived. You'll wake up before sunrise to take a bus to the Wonder of the World and avoid crowds of tourists. Upon arrival, you'll have a guided tour of approximately two hours to the most significant places in the complex. If you book your tickets in advance, you can climb one of the additional mountains to get an impressive panoramic view of the citadel.
After this incredible experience, you'll return to Aguas Calientes to have lunch at a restaurant of your choice before boarding the train back to Ollantaytambo. There, our transport will be waiting for you to take you back to your accommodation in Cusco and rest after these adventurous days.
The day you've been eagerly waiting for has finally arrived. Today, you'll be able to explore the magical and mysterious streets of the Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu. To ensure a unique experience and avoid crowds of tourists, you'll start your tour early in the morning. You'll board a bus that will take you about 25 minutes to the entrance of the Inca citadel.
Upon arrival, you'll immerse yourself in the vibrations and impressive view of one of the World's New Seven Wonders. For about two hours, you'll explore the most critical places on a guided tour and feel the powerful energy emanating from this sacred place. If you have an additional entrance ticket, you can climb the imposing Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu mountain to enjoy a fantastic panoramic view of the entire complex.
After your great visit, you'll return to Aguas Calientes, where you'll have free time to have lunch at the restaurant of your choice and stroll around this beautiful town before boarding the train back to Ollantaytambo at sunset. Remember to be there half an hour before departure time.
From Ollantaytambo, our private transport will be waiting for you to take you back to your hotel in Cusco, where you can rest and remember your experience in Machu Picchu.
At Salkantay Trekking, we specify the included and non-included services under all the tour itineraries listed on our website. We take care of all the logistics, but please pay attention to the details to avoid missing anything. Some items may be different for specific programs, so please read carefully before booking with us.
What Is Included?
Permits & Entrance Tickets
Entrance Ticket to Maras Salt Mines
Entrance ticket to Machu Picchu Archaeological Site (Circuit 2)
High Quality Service & Safety
Pre-departure Briefing - The day before the trip, at 5:00 pm you will meet your trekking guide.
Experienced Tour Guide - All our guides have professionalism, experience, responsibility, seriousness and passion, which will make your trip safe and comfortable.
English and spanish speaking official tour guide. All our guides are graduates of the professional career of Tourism of the National University San Antonio Abad of Cusco. We choose them for their professionalism, experience, responsibility, seriousness, unbridled passion for exploring, and sincere desire to proudly share in our culture and history. He or she will keep you safe, sound, and comfortable on your trek so that you can enjoy your time worry-free!
Medical Kit or First AID Kit - Our guides are trained to deal with basic emergencies.
All Salkantay Trekking guides have received specialized training in first aid. We hold mandatory training sessions with our guides every February. Your guide will always carry a first aid kit to face basic emergencies (altitude sickness, travelers' diarrhea, cuts, scrapes, etc.) as well as oxygen. If necessary, we’ll evacuate you from the path as quickly as possible and ensure that you arrive at a clinic for treatment.
24/7 Customer Service - We have 24 hours a day telephone service.
We have telephone service available 24 hours/day for ease of communication with Salkantay Trekking leading up to your tour.
Accommodation
Hotel in Aguas Calientes
You will spend one night in a comfortable hotel in Aguas Calientes, including luggage storage while you visit Machu Picchu. Accommodation is in double, twin, and triple rooms.
Meals
Day 1: Buffet Lunch in the Sacred Valley and Dinner in Aguas Calientes.
Day 2: Breakfast at the hotel
Transportation
Transfers
- Day 1: We will pick you up at your hotel to explore the Sacred Valley, before heading to Ollantaytambo station, where you will take the train to Aguas Calientes.
- Day 2: Transfer from Ollantaytambo train station to your hotel in Cusco.
Train Tickets
- Day 1: From Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes (Expedition Train).
- Day 2: From Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo (Expedition Train).
Round-Trip Bus Ticket Aguas Calientes - Machu Picchu
What Is Not Included?
Boleto Turistico or Cusco Tourist Ticket
This ticket is required to access many of the most popular attractions in Cusco and the Sacred Valley, including archaeological sites and museums (Applies to Day 1).
- From PEN 70.00 (US$ 20.00) to PEN 150.00 (US$ 45.00) per person.
Huayna Picchu Mountain - If you want to visit this famous mountain it has an extra cost of US$ 60.00 per person (remember to book at least one month in advance).
You can climb the famous mountain you always see in the photos behind the archaeological site of Machu Picchu. It’s 45 minutes uphill, and coming back down can be scary if you fear heights. You can take this excursion once your guided tour to Machu Picchu ends. The permit must be issued at least one month in advance due to high demand. Consider that there could be changes to protect your integrity, mainly due to weather conditions.
- The ticket for Huayna Picchu Mountain has an extra cost of US$ 60.00 per person.
Machu Picchu Mountain- If you want to visit this famous mountain it has an extra cost of US$ 60.00 per person (remember to book at least one month in advance).
Machu Picchu Mountain is another of the mountains that surround the archaeological site of Machu Picchu. It offers less steep, wider, and visually less frightening trails than Huayna Picchu, and it takes 1.5 hours to reach the top. This walk requires an entrance ticket which we can secure for you if we have time in advance.
- The ticket for Machu Picchu Mountain has an extra cost of US$ 60.00 per person.
Day 1: Breakfast
Day 2: Lunch in Aguas Calientes and Dinner in Cusco
Travel Insurance
Tips for our staff
Tipping is usual on any excursion to Peru. Although we pay good salaries to our team, something extra is always welcome.
Additional costs or delays beyond our control
Landslides, bad weather conditions, itinerary modifications due to a safety concern, illness, pandemia, government policy changes, political instability, strikes, act of God, etc.
We want to make your trip to Peru as memorable and as carefree as possible. In this section, you’ll find the answers to all the questions you have about traveling with Salkantay Trekking in one place. Please read the following information carefully – it will help you with any questions about our services.
Pre-departure Briefing
The evening before your trip, our staff will contact you to provide you with full instructions before your departure (between 6 to 8 pm, by phone call and Whatsapp).
Please, ensure you are available at that time. Otherwise, please contact us by email or phone to schedule another time, or visit the Salkantay Trekking Office.
Trek Balance Payment (in Cusco)
If you still have a pending balance, you must pay it 2 days before your hike/tour. Otherwise, your trip reservation will not be confirmed.
If possible, it would be greatly appreciated if you could settle the remaining balance for the trek/tour in cash, either in US dollars or the local currency, at our office in Cusco. You can withdraw funds from various ATMs located along Avenida Sol, offering both US dollars and Peruvian Soles. Alternatively, you have the option to pay using a credit/debit card or PAYPAL, either online or in person, but please note that a 5% service charge will be applied by our payment gateway (Niubiz) and PAYPAL. We regret to inform you that we are unable to accept bank checks or traveler's checks as forms of payment for the balance.
Can I store my luggage at your office?
Of course! During the trip, your main luggage can be stored at our office (you can organize it with us on the briefing day or by email) or at your hotel, both free of charge.
Any equipment that you won’t need on the trek can be stored safely in your hotel. Nearly every hotel will provide this service. Don’t leave items of value with your bags; put them in the hotel safe and obtain an itemized receipt (in the unlikely case of theft, many insurance companies require that you have a copy of the receipt itemizing everything). It’s best to put items such as credit cards inside a sealed, signed envelope for extra peace of mind.
Pick up of guests
All pickups are within Cusco City. Please also note:
- We recommend booking a hotel in the historic center for its convenient location.
- The pickup time is confirmed the day before the tour.
- Due to traffic, the pickup time may vary between 30 and 45 minutes.
- Cusco is an old city; thus, it has many narrow cobbled streets. Some hotels and Airbnbs may be located on streets without access to cars or on long, steep slopes, making it difficult to transport luggage. For such reasons, we strongly advise you to book accommodation with good access.
Return to Cusco
Returning from Machu Picchu requires quite a bit of logistics, but don't worry. Everything is included in your tour!
- From Machu Picchu, you'll board a bus for 25 minutes to the town of Aguas Calientes. The buses are boarded according to arrival.
- In Aguas Calientes, you'll board a train to Ollantaytambo. Your guide will give you the train tickets with the boarding time. Make sure you're on the platform 30 minutes early. The train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo takes 1:45 hours.
- Once you arrive at the station, our representative, identified with the Salkantay Trekking clothing, will be waiting to transfer you to Cusco. The trip from Ollantaytambo to Cusco takes 1:30 hours.
- In Cusco, we'll drop you off directly at your hotel and, depending on your hotel's location, as close as possible.
Group Tours
Group tours are made up of different types of people, then physical conditions and ages can vary. By agreeing to be part of a group tour, you also accept that some people may be faster or slower than you. Therefore, each person can go at their own pace on the route.
It may be the case that a group wishes to modify the tour; however, the guide will be the one who decides, after consulting with all the participants, if such modifications are possible.
Strikes and demonstrations
Strikes and demonstrations are common in Peru, and this may interrupt some of our tours. Roads can be blocked, and train tracks can be taken over. However, we will try to keep your trip as originally planned, even if it means leaving the night before the scheduled date.
Under these circumstances, tours may also be canceled. In case of changes or cancellations, everything will be coordinated with you by our operations department. Your safety is our highest priority, and our decisions will be made to protect it.
Lost objects
Please pay attention to where you leave your belongings and remember to take everything once you leave a place or a transport. You’re the only one responsible for your objects during the tour.
WHAT SHOULD YOU BRING?
ESSENTIAL
CLOTHING
EQUIPMENT
RECOMMENDED
The "Maras, Moray and Machu Picchu" can leave any day of the week, the whole year.
2024 Land Cost
Group Price: US$ 450.00 per person
Required Pre-payment: US$ 200.00 per person
Balance (Cusco): US$ 250.00 (Commonly paid in Cusco after the briefing).
This small-group journey is guaranteed to operate with just two guests.
Notice that PayPal charges a fee of 5%, which we ask the client to cover since it's due to the use of its service. This tax is just for online deposits so that you will pay the remaining in cash (the briefing day in Cusco) without charges.
Extensions & Offers
There are several extensions you can include to your Peru Adventure.
- Rainbow Mountain: US$ 100.00 US$ 80.00
- Sacred Valley: US$ 100.00 US$ 80.00
- City Tour: US$ 50.00 US$ 40.00
Price Guarantee
Once your booking has been confirmed, we guarantee the price won’t increase, whatever the circumstances. So please, before booking, ensure you’ve read all our important tour information.
Student Discount
US$20.00 off
Student discounts apply to anyone 17 years old or younger. To receive the discount, we require a copy or clear photo of the passport at the time of booking. It must be valid and not expire within the travel dates. Please send it to info@salkantaytrekking.com.
Thank you for your interest in having an adventure travel experience in Peru curated by Salkantay Trekking. Please take a moment to complete our short form, so one our friendly Adventure Consultants could provide you all the information for your trip of a lifetime in Peru.
Our Pledge | Your privacy is respected and protected. The Salkantay Trekking Company will never share, sell, or make public any of your personal contact information to third parties.
Remember | One of our Travel Experts will contact you soon to confirm the availability of the trip you chose, give you more information, and/or provide you alternative options. Once availability is established, we will ask for a deposit and a completed online registration to confirm your spot on the trek. Please call us at (+51) 958 191 179 with any questions or to confirm availability over the phone.
Note | Due to the rainy season and trail maintenance, we don't offer this trek during the whole month of february. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause you, we are working to provide you a better service!
Feel free to reach us via email at info@salkantaytrekking.com or by calling us directly at (+51) 958 191 179
Every Day: 9:00 am to 7:00 pm
Triunfo Street 346 - Main Square of Cusco, Peru
