Machu Picchu and Sacred Valley - 2 days guided tour from Cusco
Overview
Available languages
2 days
Mobile ticket
Make your dream of visiting Machu Picchu come true with Howlanders. We specialize in high-quality tours that stand out for their small group sizes, comfortable transport, top-rated guides, and well-planned itineraries.
Unlike other tours, this 2-day experience lets you explore the highlights of the Sacred Valley — including Pisac, Urubamba, and Ollantaytambo — before discovering the wonder of Machu Picchu, all without feeling rushed or overwhelmed by large crowds.
With years of experience operating tours to Machu Picchu, we take care of every detail so you can focus on enjoying the journey.
Additional Info
Public transportation options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Cancellation Policy
All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.
What To Expect
Cusco - Sacred Valley - Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu village)
Accommodations
3-star standard hotel in Aguas Calientes
Food and Drinks
LUNCH
Lunch
**The day before your tour, our local coordinator will meet you at your hotel—or another location of your choice—for a brief orientation.** During this short meeting, you'll receive all the important details about your Machu Picchu & Sacred Valley tour, including your exact pickup time. We’ll also provide your train tickets and Machu Picchu entrance ticket. *Please note: Machu Picchu entrance is only included when booking this specific option.*
Pisac
**Your tour begins with pickup at your hotel between 7:00 and 7:30 AM.** You'll travel in a comfortable shared van with your guide and fellow travelers. After about an hour, you’ll reach your first stop in the Sacred Valley: the town of Pisac, known for its artisan shops and colorful crafts. If you’re interested in exploring more of the town, feel free to ask your guide—they can show you how to get to the local market, *Mercado de la Plaza* or *Mercado Tradicional de Pisac*, just a short walk away and well worth the visit. Next, you'll head to the Pisac archaeological site. Your guide will provide a historical introduction, and then you’ll have time to explore the ruins on your own. Don’t worry if you don’t yet have the Cusco Tourist Ticket—it’s required for entry, and your guide will assist you in purchasing it on-site.
Urubamba
Next, we’ll head to Urubamba for a traditional Peruvian lunch at one of the area’s top-rated restaurants. Many of our travelers say it’s one of the best meals they’ve had in Peru!
Ollantaytambo
After lunch, you’ll hop back on the minibus for the final stop on your Sacred Valley journey: the impressive fortress of Ollantaytambo. Enjoy a guided tour of this stunning archaeological site, rich in history and Inca architecture. When the tour ends, the minibus will drop you off at Ollantaytambo’s main square, just a 5-minute walk from the train station. From here, your guide will return to Cusco, and you’ll have some free time to relax before boarding your train to Aguas Calientes.
Aguas Calientes
You’ll ride this iconic train for about an hour and a half, following the Vilcanota River through stunning scenery—from snow-capped peaks to semi-tropical landscapes and high jungle. A light snack will be served on board for you to enjoy during the journey. Upon arrival in Aguas Calientes, a local representative will meet you and take you to your accommodation. They’ll let you know your exact pickup time for the next morning, based on your Machu Picchu entrance schedule. You’ll then have free time to enjoy dinner on your own and relax for the night.
Aguas Calientes - Machu Picchu - Cusco
Aguas Calientes
You’ll have breakfast at the hotel, and at the scheduled time, your guide will pick you up and take you to the bus departure point for Machu Picchu.
Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu
Once at Machu Picchu, you’ll enjoy a two-hour guided tour in a small group of no more than 8 travelers. The route of the guided visit depends on your assigned entrance, as there are several official circuits. After the tour, you’ll have some free time to explore certain areas on your own, but please note that free movement throughout the site is restricted to help protect and preserve the area.
Aguas Calientes
At the end of the guided tour, your guide will say goodbye to the group, and you’ll be free to decide when to take the bus back down to Aguas Calientes, where you can enjoy lunch on your own at one of the many local restaurants. Later, you’ll board the train to Ollantaytambo. The train schedule is subject to availability and will be confirmed during your pre-tour briefing.
Cusco
Upon arrival in Ollantaytambo, a minibus provided by the train company will take you back to your accommodation in Cusco, where you’ll arrive around 9:00 PM (depending on your train schedule).
What‘s Included
Hotel pickup + transportation
1 night at 3* Hotel + breakfast
Roundtrip train Ollantaytambo - Aguas Calientes
Ticket to Machu Picchu (depending on selected option ) + guided tour
Lunch
Aguas Calientes - Machu Picchu roundtrip bus
Sacred Valley guided tour
Day 1 Dinner & Day 2 lunch
Cusco tourist ticket (prices vary by ticket)
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
Options
With Machu Picchu ticket
Machu Picchu ticket included
Pickup included
Without Machu Picchu ticket
No Machu Picchu ticket: This option does not included the entrance ticket to Machu Picchu
Pickup included
Reviews
11 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Great trip in January with a lovely driver
JRPLondon,Feb 12, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Cusco / sacred valley amazing . We stayed at Palacio del Inka, lovely. Tambo del Inka, another great choice. Machu was excellent.The weather was perfect !!! . We were lucky to meet a lovely kind driver/guide, English speaking who lives near Tambo del Inka. Highly recommend Jose Diaz his number is +51984923101
trip of lifetime
alibali85,Jun 7, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00it was absolutely amazing one of best seven wonders of world i cryed when i got to top of macchu picchu my guide carlos was brilliant he had to wait for me couple of times but he was cool with that
Excellent Tour with a Couple of Considerations
Angelee R,May 11, 2024
- Review from Viator
5.00INCREDIBLE. The 2 day tour is where it's at. Every destination is more breathtaking than the next. All of the guides were professional and courteous. Ulysses was our guide at Machu Picchu and he was excellent. Very funny, animated, and informative. Be prepared for lots of time spent in busses and trains. You will almost certainly arrive at least 1 hour later than expected to every place so keep that in mind when planning return flights, etc. This wasn't the fault of the tour organizer, just seems to be the way peru operates. Expect large crowds at every site and tons of vendors trying to sell you things at every turn. The hotel we got in Aguas Calientes, Machu Picchu Adventure, was not great. Very loud and very bright. If you need a good sleep consider booking your own hotel as there are some nice ones around. We also booked the panoramic train option but didn't get it. We got refunded for the error but ultimately, the train we got was just fine with lots of huge windows to observe the incredible landscape. Final tips: read the Google reviews for restaurants in Aguas Calientes carefully as some of them are terrible and sketchy. Also buy your souvenirs in Ollatayntambo as they will be much cheaper than Aguas Calientes and its all the same stuff.
Just wow!
Jane W,Feb 17, 2024
- Review from Viator
5.00The whole trip was amazing and so well organised. We really enjoyed the sacred valley, but nothing topped Machu Piccu. We were lucky with the weather and got some great shots.
Excellent ezperience
Carmen M,May 21, 2023
- Review from Viator
5.00The Trip to the sacred valley, Pisac, Ollantaytambo was excellent. Jimmybour guide expressed himself very well and knew a lot. Then we took the train to Aguas Calientes and the next tour had a great guide, Fernando, who allowed us to take our time in Machu Pichu. Fernando was the best guide we had so far.
Exceptional Quality and Service
mic2470,Mar 8, 2022
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Everything exceeded our expectations. All of the guides were wonderful, the lunch spot was fantastic, and all the details were meticulously planned & carried out. We met a couple of folks from other tours with similar itineraries and ours was clearly a step above the rest. The only thing I might change is not going with the Velodrome as it didn't seem like that much of a difference from the regular passenger area.
Totally recommend it
Cecibrezmes,Dec 21, 2021
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Even when there was a strike and we had to move the experience Ronald took care of it amazingly well. We basically had an individual tour guide and we always had someone to pick us up. I was so relieved I had them and would totally recommend
Still a fan !..
FootlooseSA,Mar 27, 2020
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Yes!,.. our initial booking and pre-tour assistance for a May adventure was all one could ask for, but as importantly, the inevitable termination of our travel plans due to COVID-19 restrictions was handled very professionally, and resolved most amiably , and quickly, given the circumstances. We fully commend Howlanders and staff for their handling of what must have been very trying times for them. We certainly look forward to re-engaging with them when things return to 'open skies', and encourage others, thinking of their revised plans when the time comes, to include these guys.
Cancellation policy
celinep741,Mar 23, 2020
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I had to cancel our trip because of Covid-19. Howlanders employees were very cooperative in cancelling the trip and refunding us almost the entire amount paid. If we decide to make our trip later we will certainly do business with Howlanders. They're really professional.
Machu Picchu Adventure
John P,Oct 22, 2019
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The entire two days was perfect and we’ll operated. The local lunch was fabulous. Recommend this tour for all.
From US$445.21
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