Sacred Valley to Machu Picchu: 4-7 Day, Private Guided Tour from Cusco

From the famous Machu Picchu Inca ruins to high-mountain villages in the Sacred Valley, this flexible 4–7 day guided tour takes you to the heart of Peru. 

Start in Maras and Moray, explore the Sacred Valley, and experience the magic of Machu Picchu. This flexible itinerary allows you to choose between hiking the iconic Inca Trail or riding the scenic train.

Next, visit a local organic farm before ending with a complete tour of the historic Inca capital, Cusco. Stay longer and add a visit to the jaw-dropping Rainbow Mountain or Lake Humantay and its picturesque glacier.

This Sacred Valley to Machu Picchu tour is perfect for travelers seeking a blend of adventure, culture, and comfort. You may be short on time, but not on adventure.

Discover Peru’s Top Highlights in Just 4–7 Days

We’ve not been awarded TripAdvisor Travellers' Choice for travel for the last four years running for no reason.

• Flexible itinerary so you visit Peru your way

• Fully guided tour of Machu Picchu ruins

• Option to hike the Inca Trail (2-days or 4-days)

• Wander the Moray Inca terraces and Maras Salt Flats

• Visit an organic farm and try chicha

• Watch traditional weavers at Chinchero

• Scenic train journeys as you explore the Sacred Valley

• Add the beautiful Rainbow Mountain

Our English-speaking guides and Cusco-based bilingual team organize all the logistics so you can enjoy your Peru vacation to the maximum.

The Sacred Valley and Cusco await you, with scenic train journeys, Inca Trails, culture, and, of course, the Machu Picchu ruins. We offer a personalized service, helping you design your perfect Peru trip.

Immerse yourself in Cusco and the Sacred Valley’s top attractions, and let your guides bring Peru’s Inca and Andean history to life in the present.

Sacred Valley to Machu Picchu Tour: A quick overview

• Duration: 4-7 days/3-6 nights

• Difficulty: Easy, or moderate with the 2-day Inca Trail trek

• Guide: Professional, licensed English-speaking guide from Km104

• KM zero: 100% local licensed company.

• Altitude: Max 3,000m / 12,139 ft (Sacsayhuaman)

• Starts: Cusco airport

• Ends: Ollantaytambo/Cusco

• Accommodation: 3* hotels in Ollantaytambo, Aguas Calientes, and Cusco—please ask about upgrades

• Meals: 4 breakfasts, one lunch (or boxed lunch), one dinner in an organic restaurant in Aguas Calientes (vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, and more dietary requirements available)

• Departures: Daily

• Acclimatization: Acclimatization is built into the itinerary as we move through the Sacred Valley, with the highest points reached at the trip's conclusion.

• Group Size: Max 10 people

• Best Season: April to October

• Price: Please contact us.

• Payment: We accept PayPal and Visa

Sacred Valley to Machu Picchu Tour Itinerary

The 2-day Inca Trail hike to Machu Picchu requires two full days to complete. You'll walk 6-8 hours on the first day, and then have a 2-3 hour tour of Machu Picchu on the second day.

Day 1: Transfer Cusco airport to Chinchero → Weaving display → Visit Maras and Moray → Ollantaytambo hotel

Day 2: Choose your own adventure today.

Day 2, option A, Inca Trail trek: Wiñay Wayna ruins, Sun Gate (Inti Punku) → bus to Aguas Calientes → dinner at local organic restaurant → Sleep at Aguas Calientes, OR

Day 2, option B, Machu Picchu by train: Train from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes → transfer to hotel → dinner at local organic restaurant → Sleep at Aguas Calientes

Day 3 ( for both trek and train option): 0600 Breakfast → 0700 bus to ruins → Two-hour guided tour (options to climb others) → Bus to Aguas Calientes → Hot springs (optional) → Train to Ollantaytambo.

Day 4: Pick up from Ollantaytambo at 0830 → Explore Ollantaytambo town and ruins → Visit to Sacred Valley organic farm → traditional pachamanca lunch → Pisac market and ruins → Arrive Cusco around 5 p.m.

Day 5: Pick-up from hotel around 0830→ Walk to San Pedro Market to haggle for local products and try local juices → Walk to Plaza de Armas → Coffee break → Visit Cusco Cathedral → Tour Qoricancha Sun Temple → Enjoy a traditional Cusco lunch in a hand-picked local restaurant → Drive 15 minutes to Sacsayhuaman → Explore Sacsayhuaman fortress → Drive back to your Cusco hotel or airport, ends

Remember: this is a fully flexible itinerary tailored to your exact requirements. Add the 4-day Inca Trail, Lima, Amazon, or more.

Top acclimatization tips: Walk slowly, avoid sudden movements, drink coca tea, stay hydrated, and avoid alcohol, caffeine, and heavy meals.

Optional extensions 

Days 6 or 7: Add Rainbow Mountain, Lake Humantay, or request additional options, such as Amazon or Ausangate.

Sacred Valley to Machu Picchu: Detailed Tour itinerary

Day 1:  Land Cusco (AM), transfer with guide and visit Chinchero, Maras and Maray.

Overnight in Ollantaytambo (no meals included today)

Today is the start of your visit to Peru's Highlights. Our English-speaking guide and support team are available throughout your stay to ensure a seamless experience.

We pick you up from your hotel in Cusco or the airport upon arrival in Cusco. From both, it's a 45-60 minute drive through beautiful Andean mountains and farmlands to the town of Chinchero.

Centro de Textiles Tradicionales del Cusco

Founded in 1996, the Centro de Textiles Tradicionales del Cusco (CTTC) is a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving local weaving traditions.

This women’s weaving cooperative, based in Chinchero, brings together ten local weaving communities to support indigenous weavers in their chosen trade. The aim is the long-term preservation of Cusqueñan textile traditions.

Upon arrival, we observe a demonstration of local weavers using traditional Inca techniques for dyeing fabric and weaving intricate patterns. The local community has utilized its internationally renowned weaving skills to regenerate the village.

We have time to bag some of their fantastic products, from Inca-style purses to colorful tablecloths, wall hangings, and many more exquisitely patterned artisanal goods.

Visiting Maras Salt Mines

Next, we drive to the spectacular Maras site. This collection of salt mines has been used since pre-Inca times and is a vital part of the Sacred Valley's sustainable food production.

Furthermore, Maras’ unique pink salt is much sought after by leading chefs and kitchens worldwide. Its high mineral content only adds to its allure.

For centuries, workers at Maras have channelled an underground stream into various salt ponds. There are approximately 5,000 separate salt ponds, although not all of them are in use simultaneously. The intense Andean sun evaporates the water, leaving the highly prized salt.

Some salt is white, some is red, and some is brown, and you can find Maras salt for sale in the area. Its quality rivals that of the more famous Himalayas; be sure to buy some to take home as a tasty souvenir.

Visiting Moray Ruins, Sacred Valley

We’ll head high next, to Moray, which sits at 3,500m/11,500ft.

Remember: Walk slowly at Moray to help with acclimatization.

Moray is an unusual and spectacular set of Inca ruins, consisting of concentric circles that are thought to have formed an Inca agricultural laboratory. Some of the terraced circular depressions are 30m (98ft) deep, creating a wide variety of temperatures within them.

This greenhouse, with its varying microclimates, may also have served as an Inca amphitheater for Inca rituals and ceremonies. 

With our minds opening to the ingenious way the Incas sculpted their natural environment, we hop into our private vehicle and head to Ollantaytambo and our hotel for the night.

Ollantaytambo (2,792m/9,160ft) is one of the best-preserved Inca towns in all of Peru. Many of the original 15th-century buildings are still standing. Ollantaytambo was a significant town – it was home to the Inca emperor Pachacuti – and served as the base for military victories against the Spanish.

Day 2:   2-day Inca Trail or 2-day Machu Picchu tour, overnight Aguas Calientes (B,L,D)

Today, we push towards the Machu Picchu ruins.

We can approach this most sacred of Inca Trail sites on foot (2-4 days) with a hike or by train (1-2 days). Please let us know your preferences, and we will design the ideal itinerary for you.

By train: choose a 1 or 2 day visit

1-day Machu Picchu visit: 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. in total, with easy walking (2-3 hours), suitable for those short on time.

2-day Machu Picchu visit: Suitable for those with more time, this tour allows for exploration of Aguas Calientes' hot springs and optional extra hikes at the Machu Picchu ruins, with a less intense daily itinerary than a 1-day tour.

Inca Trail Hike Options (2-4 days)

2-day Inca Trail hike: a full-day walking (6.3 miles / 10 km) on the Inca Trail followed by a second day exploring Machu Picchu ruins. Requires a permit and booking (2-8 weeks in advance). Perfect for families and those who want to experience the Inca Trail with a moderate day hike.

4-day Inca Trail hike: The complete 26-mile/43-kilometer Inca Trail takes you through some of Peru's most amazing Andean scenery. A moderate-to-strenuous hike that requires a permit and advance booking (1-5 months). We can also offer this as a slower 5-day option.

Aguas Calientes hot springs

The town of Aguas Calientes sits at the foot of Machu Picchu. It is named after the warm, thermal waters that come to the surface. If you have time, it’s well worth paying the entry fee for an hour or two to soak in the warm waters.

More Sacred Valley trekking options

Hiking lovers can also choose from several other hikes in and around the Sacred Valley. These include:

• Huchuy Qosqo, 2-3 days, remote ruins, moderate

• Salkantay, 5 days, high mountains, moderate-to-strenuous

• Lares Valley, 3-5 days, mountains and weaving communities, moderate-to-strenuous

Day 3:  Tour Machu Picchu, return to Ollantaytambo (B)

Today is dedicated to exploring the Lost City of the Incas — Machu Picchu.

It's an early start because we want to enjoy the sunrise at Machu Picchu. We wake up at 05:30 and have breakfast at 06:00. We'll board a bus for the 20-minute bus ride to the Machu Picchu ruins entrance, passports in hand for the checkpoint.

Your guide will take you on a two-and-a-half-hour tour around one of the world's most important temples. Have your camera ready.

Machu Picchu Tour Timings

06.00   Breakfast

07.00   Bus to Machu Picchu

08.00   Guided tour

10.00   Ask about optional climbs of Huayna Picchu, Machu Picchu Mountain, Huchuy Picchu, and The Inca Bridge. (Permits required in advance, limited supply).

11.00   Free time/return to Aguas Calientes (optional hot springs visit)

3 p.m. Train back to Ollantaytambo

5.30 p.m. Arrive Ollantaytambo, transfer to hotel

Machu Picchu Tour highlights include:

• Intihuatana (Sun Clock): Beautiful sundial carved into the rock.

• The Temple of the Sun: An Enormous rock and the most sacred of all Machu Picchu's temples.

• Temple of the Condor: A natural rock formation sculpted into a magnificent flying condor image.

• Temple of the Three Windows: A temple in Machu Picchu’s Sacred Plaza.

Explore the different walking circuits at Machu Picchu

There are ten Machu Picchu circuits, which can be divided into three main sections. This helps limit the number of visitors on site at any time and protects Machu Picchu. Please let us know which option you prefer so we can secure the best permits for your tour.

Circuit 1: The Panoramic Circuits

This suits people who want to take the iconic photograph of Machu Picchu from the Sun Gate, which we will have already visited, or who want to hike up one of the mountains surrounding the Machu Picchu ruins. That does mean visiting relatively few ruins with Machu Picchu.

Circuit 2: The Classic City Circuits

The classic circuits are aptly named; they are the most popular circuits thanks to their superb overview of Machu Picchu. Visitors can wander the lower and upper terraces and take an iconic selfie in front of the ruins.

Circuit 3: The Royalty Circuit

The Royalty Circuit is the most accessible because it has relatively few stairs. Highlights include the Royal Palace and the Temple of the Sun.

You can add extra hikes to enjoy after your visit to Machu Picchu. These vary from gentle climbs to fantastic vantage points, to challenging stairs, and airy lookouts. We'll need to purchase permits for these walks in advance, as spaces are limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis.

The most popular extra Machu Picchu routes:

Huayna Picchu: A challenging two-hour climb up steep steps which leads to a beautiful view over Machu Picchu.

Machu Picchu Mountain: Climb 652m/2,139ft above Machu Picchu on an original stone Inca Trail for breathtaking views of the ruins and the surrounding valleys.

Huchuy Picchu Mountain: A gentle climb of 50m/165ft on Inca stairs with birds, orchids, and views for company.

More about extra walking routes in Machu Picchu

Decide which extra walking route suits you best, if any, and we can organize the permits.

Huayna Picchu

Huayna Picchu sells out a long way in advance.  

It is well worth the entry fee. It's an energetic 1-2 hour walk to the top, featuring steep staircases and steel cables for support at points. In wet weather, it can be slippery. Once you reach the top, you gain a new and wonderful perspective of Machu Picchu. Huayna Picchu also offers access to the Temple of the Moon, one of the three main temples at Machu Picchu.

The peak of Huayna Picchu sits at 2,693 m (8,835 ft), approximately 260m (850ft) higher than Machu Picchu.

Top tip: Huayna Picchu is not recommended for people with vertigo or a fear of heights. There are some steep stairs and vertiginous areas.

Machu Picchu Mountain

Machu Picchu Mountain doesn’t sell out as fast as Huayna Picchu. However, it is still recommended to buy the ticket as soon as possible.

The Machu Picchu Mountain trek is considered to be a moderate to challenging hike. You follow the original Inca Trail up to its peak, at 3,082m/10,111ft, which offers breathtaking views of the ruins and valleys, and is approximately 652m/2,139ft above Machu Picchu. 

We recommend around 90 minutes to climb up and an hour to descend. During the wet season, the trail can become more slippery. Again, this is not suitable for people with a fear of heights; in places, the track is very steep and often follows the mountain edge.

Huchuy Picchu Mountain

Huchuy Picchu's name translates to "small mountain," but that belies its true beauty. The peak is 50 metres (164 feet) above Machu Picchu.

Walkers head along Inca stairs and pathways lined with orchids and bird song for about one kilometer. You need to be in reasonable physical shape for the stairs, and the entire path takes around an hour to an hour and a half to complete.

Returning to Aguas Calientes and Ollantaytambo

With our Machu Picchu tours complete, we take the 20-minute bus ride back down to Aguas Calientes. Depending on schedules, there may be time to soak in the town’s healing hot springs (entry fee not included).

We’ll board a PM train to Ollantaytambo, where you'll disembark, and we'll take you to your hotel, where you can relive the magical experience of your Machu Picchu visit.

Day 4:   Ollantaytambo and Sacred Valley farm (chakra) visit, drive to Cusco (B,L)

Today, we blend Inca culture and ruins with a visit to see how their descendants continue to incorporate ancient techniques into organic farming.

We start by exploring the ruins at Ollantaytambo.

Ollantaytambo Ruins and Town

Ollantaytambo was a significant Inca town, home to the Inca emperor Pachacutec, and served as the base for military victories against the Spanish.

Highlights at Ollantaytambo

• Inca terracing

• Fountains

• Aqueducts

• Ruins that surround the town

• Temple Hill with its Sun Temple

• Wall of the Six Monoliths

• Pinkuylluna Inca storehouses

Visit a Farm in Sacred Valley

We hop into the car and drive 20 minutes to the nearby town of Yanahuara to visit a local organic farm.

Here, you’ll experience Andean farming life, helping to cut alfalfa to feed guinea pigs. These animals are a common sight in Peruvian kitchens and gardens as they are often cooked for special occasions throughout the Andes.

There's also the opportunity to help make Inca maize beer, known as chicha. You’ll hear how this beer was vital to the Inca Empire, how it’s made, and help kickstart a batch. Chicha varieties include maize, quinoa, yucca, and even potato. People still use it in ceremonies and rituals, and chicha is drunk on special occasions.

For non-drinkers, there is the purple Chicha Morada. This non-fermented brew is made from purple maize. It’s common to be served with meals in local restaurants.

We follow our farm visit with a private gourmet picnic lunch prepared by our chef. It will feature local organic produce, including some of the farm's crops. Enjoy a leisurely lunch outside, taking in splendid views over the Sacred Valley.

Farm visit gallery

Urubamba Market

After lunch, we go to the local market in Urubamba. Local families hawk fruits, vegetables, flowers, and natural medicinal plants. Ask your guide to let you taste Peruvian fruits and foods such as passion fruit, lucuma, and chirimoya—anything that takes your fancy as you move around.

Pisac Market and ruins

Next, it's a tour of the Pisaq ruins and markets.

Pisaq, also written Pisac, features majestic ruins and views from the terraces. These ruins served a variety of essential functions, including religious, astronomical, and military purposes. Highlights at the Pisac Archaeological Park include:

• Qantus Raqay: Residential and military area featuring terraced structures. 

• K'alla Q'asa: A large zone with towers and a short tunnel. 

• Intiwatana: Pisac’s principal ceremonial and religious area with a carved ritual rock, a sun observation building, and temples. 

• Terraces: Extensive agricultural terraces.

• Cemetery: The largest Inca cemetery in South America is at Pisac. 

• Towers: Numerous observation and communication towers, known as pucaras. 

We’ll also see water management systems, a seldom-used Inca Trail, and a tunnel before making our way to Pisac market.

Pisac Market Tour

A Pisac handicraft market tour is the ideal spot to find souvenirs.

Browse ceramics, jewelry, and woven items abound. Feel free to haggle when buying anything from textiles like ponchos and blankets to alpaca scarves and hats.

There are some delicious Peruvian drinks and snacks to try as you weave around the various stores. Sunday is traditionally the busiest day, and Tuesdays and Thursdays also feature craft fairs.

Remember your camera: Pisac market is perfect for photo opportunities.

Day 5:   Cusco city and Sacsayhuaman tour (B)

Today, we tour the ancient Inca capital, Cusco, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

There’s nowhere else like it in the world. The conquering Spanish built Baroque palaces and churches atop Inca foundations to create a unique city.

Our full-day Cusco city tour highlights include:

• Cusco Cathedral

• Qoricancha Temple

• Sacsayhuaman fortress ruins

• Cusco’s Plaza de Armas

• San Pedro market

• Local Cusco restaurants

Our Cusco City Tour Itinerary

Our Cusco City full-day tour lasts around eight hours and includes a coffee and lunch stop. All our Cusco tours are private and can be adapted to suit your interests. It suits people who like exploring cities on foot.

Pick-up from hotel → Walk to San Pedro Market to haggle for local products and try local juices → Walk to Plaza de Armas → Coffee break → Visit Cusco Cathedral → Tour Qoricancha Sun Temple → Enjoy a traditional Cusco lunch in a hand-picked local restaurant → Drive 15 minutes to Sacsayhuaman → Explore Sacsayhuaman fortress → Drive back to your Cusco hotel, ends.

Cusco City Tour Timings

• 08.30 a.m. Pick up from your Cusco hotel

• 09.00 a.m. San Pedro Market

• 10.00 a.m. Plaza de Armas and a coffee stop

• 11.00 a.m. Cusco Cathedral

• Noon    Qoricancha Temple

• 1 p.m. Lunch in a typical Cusco restaurant

• 2 p.m. Drive to Sacsayhuaman (15 mins) and tour the fortress

• 4.30 p.m. Drop off at your Cusco hotel. The tour ends

Read the full itinerary for a complete overview.

Extend your Sacred Valley to Machu Picchu tour

These days spent together will have provided you with a comprehensive overview of Cusco and the Sacred Valley's archaeological, natural, and architectural wonders.

However, there’s plenty more to see in and around Cusco if you have more time. Here are some options.

• Transfer out to the airport for an afternoon/evening flight home or to Lima.

• Spend a night in Cusco, and perhaps try the Planetarium tour

• Sign up to see multi-colored Rainbow Mountain or the dramatic glacier and turquoise waters at Lake Humantay.

Perhaps the Amazon? Or the rich culinary delights of Lima? Ask us for ideas.

Why choose Valentin’s Pachamama Journeys?

• Local, licensed expert guides

• Fully flexible itinerary to suit your Sacred Valley plans

• We organize all the permits, trains, buses, porters, and logistics

• Eco-conscious and culturally respectful staff for small private groups

• Choose vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, or other dietary options

• 24/7 support in Cusco and the Sacred Valley

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