



Extended Sacred Valley Tour & Machu Picchu – 2D/1N
The Sacred Valley of the Incas is an incomparably beautiful stretch of small villages and ancient ruins spread across a broad plain and rugged mountain slopes northwest of Cusco. The Sacred Valley is the main valley of Cusco, the capital of the Inca Empire.
The valley was of great value to the Incas due to its special geographical location and ideal climate. It was the best place for maize production in Peru as well as a great source of natural wealth.
Through the valley rolls the Urubamba river (called the Willcamayu by the Incas; today part of it is also called the Vilcanota), a vital religious element of the Incas’ cosmology.
The Incas not only believed that the flow of the Urubamba was inevitably tied to the constellations and the mountain peaks, but also that the river was the earthbound counterpart of the Milky Way.
Machu Picchu is considered a masterpiece of architecture and engineering. Its unique architectural features and landscape contribute to a veil of mystery woven around much of the literature published about the site.
The magic and mystery of Machu Picchu is internationally recognized and it has been on the List of World Heritage Sites of UNESCO since 1983 as part of a cultural and ecological site known as the Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu.
One of the most frequent questions we get asked is, “I have two days in Cusco, what do I NEED to see?” The answer is the Sacred Valley trip (Ollantaytambo and Pisac in particular) and Machu Picchu.
However, the Maras Salt Mines and Moray archeological site are close behind. Now, we have developed this tour that allows you to visit Maras, Moray, Pisac, Ollantaytambo, and Machu Picchu and as a bonus the Ccochahuasi Animal Sanctuary … in two days. This tour packs an incredible amount of beauty and history into a short time frame.
Eco Andes Trekking is highly recommended by TripAdvisor.
Join hundreds of happy trekkers who have experienced the adventure of a lifetime!
ITINERARY
Pre-trek briefing: You will have a thorough briefing with your guide 1 or 2 days before your trip. Your guide will meet you at our office or at your hotel in Cusco and you can take this opportunity to ask questions and make any final preparations.
Day 1: Cusco – Ccochahuasi Sanctuary– Pisac – Maras/Moray – Ollantaytambo – Aguas Calientes
We will pick you up at your hotel around 7 a.m. and our first stop is the Ccochahuasi Animal Sanctuary. This is an organization dedicated to rescuing and looking after animals which have suffered mistreatment of any kind from former owners or poachers and illegal hunters who commercialize protected species. Many of the animals they shelter are endangered.
One of the species at risk of extinction is the Andean Condor. The sanctuary has a dedicated program for this amazing bird, where they encourage their reproduction and later release the young Condors.
After our visit, we are off to Pisac to see our first Inca ruins of the tour. At Pisac you can see magnificent Inca remains. The ancient architecture and engineering of the Inca temples is breathtaking and will sweep you off your feet.
Our guided tour of Pisac lasts about 2 hours. Then we will head back to the town of Pisac to visit the most colorful and traditional local market in the Cusco region and where you can buy traditional textiles at low prices.
After our visit to the market, our sightseeing continues as we drive along the beautiful Sacred Valley. This is a good time to enjoy the deluxe box lunch we provide for the tour.
Located near the town of Urubamba, we find the Moray Inca Site and the Maras Salt Mines. The Moray Inca site is a fascinating display of terraces It boasts three amphitheater-like terraces. These terraces, which are carved deep into the earth in a bowl shape, were thought to be used to determine the optimal conditions for growing crops.
When we finish exploring Moray, we will head to the salt mines of Maras. This village is known as a former salt-producing center that dates back all the way to colonial times. The salt mines were used by the Incas and continue to be used to this day.
There are over 3000 salt pools carved into the mountain side, being filled daily by a little stream of water. The area is amazing and beautiful.
Back on the road, it is an approximately 30 minute drive to get to the last Inca ruins on our tour, known as Ollantaytambo (Inca palace). This ruin was built with pink granite rocks and is another impressive example of Inca craftsmanship.
Here you can see the second biggest rock from the Inca times (90 tons), which was used as part of the Temple of the Sun. We will have a guided tour of the site.
We will have dinner at a fantastic restaurant in Ollantaytambo featuring authentic Peruvian cuisine.
After dinner, we will go to the train station. We will take the train to Aguas Calientes. During the trip you will see many glaciers and snow-capped peaks, lush green valleys and Incan farming terraces on both sides of the valley.
Upon arrival to Aguas Calientes you will check in to your hotel room and relax before your exciting visit to Machu Picchu the next day.
Day 2: Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu – Aguas Calientes
You will have breakfast at your hotel before we take the bus along the winding road to Machu Picchu, the city that was lost to the jungle but rediscovered in 1911 by Hiram Bingham. Declared a UNESCO world heritage site in 1983, Machu Picchu exceeds all expectations.
Perched high on an inaccessible hilltop the citadel is protected by huge cliffs and the raging Urubamba River. Once there you will be given a 2-hour walking tour of the site.
After you have concluded your guided tour of the site, you will have some time to be at Machu Picchu before you return to Aguas Calientes by bus.
When you arrive in Aguas Calientes you will board the expedition train to either Ollantaytambo or to Poroy.
From Ollantaytambo or Poroy, you will travel by private van to Cusco and we will drop you off at your hotel. Arrival time in Cusco depends on the time of your train ticket, however is generally between 8 and 9 p.m.
INCLUDED:
- Professional English speaking bilingual guide
- Transport from your hotel to sites of the Sacred Valley and the Ollantaytambo train station
- Expedition train ticket from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes
- Expedition train ticket from Aguas Calientes to either Ollantaytambo or to Poroy
- Bus tickets from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu round trip
- Entrance fee to Machu Picchu.
- Deluxe box lunch on day 1
- Dinner on night one in Ollantaytambo
- Transportation from the Ollantaytambo train station to your Cusco hotel
- Breakfast on Day 2
- One night lodging in Aguas Calientes (double occupancy)
NOT Included:
- Breakfast on day 1
- Lunch on day 2
- Tourist ticket for entrance to Sacred Valley archeological sites (US $21 per person)
- Entrance fee for Maras salt mines (10 soles / US $3 per person)
- Entrance to Cochahuasi (20 soles / US $7 per person)
- Huayna Picchu Permit (USD $75 per person).
- Tips for staff
- Travel Insurance
What to bring:
- Original passport
- Backpack
- Tourist ticket
- Sturdy Hiking boots
- Layers for variable temperatures
- Sun protection (sunscreen/sun hat/sunglasses)
- Insect repellent
- Rain poncho or rain jacket
- Toiletries / toilet paper / small towel
- Bathing clothes for the hot springs (optional)
- Water bottle
- Personal medication
PRICES & ADD-ONS
Group: USD $600 per person
Private: USD $650 per person
Group versus Private Treks: What’s the difference?
- Depending on the number of people in your booking, additional people may join the trek to make a full group.
- If you choose “private”, no additional people will be joining your group, no matter the size.
- Minimum booking size is two people; one person may book a group trek if Eco Andes Trekking is able to join that person with additional groups.
Discounts
- Under 18 years discount: UDS $20 per person
Upgrades
- Return Vistadome train – USD $60 per person
- Return Hiram Bingham train– USD $420 per person
- Sumaq Machu Picchu Hotel (5-star hotel) – USD $255 Per person per night (double occupancy)
- Inkaterra El Pueblo Machu Picchu Hotel (5-star hotel) – USD $250 Per person per night (double occupancy)
- El Mapi Hotel by Inkaterra (4-star hotel) – USD $115 Per person per night (double occupancy)
- Tierra viva Machu Picchu (3+ star hotel) – USD $50 Per person per night (double occupancy)
PRICE PER PERSON IN USD:
Group: $600
Private: $650
DURATION:
2 Days / 1 Night
AVAILABLE ADD-ONS
- Huayna Picchu Permit – USD $75 per person
- Return Vistadome train – USD 60 per person
- Return Hiram Bingham train– USD 420 per person
- Sumaq Machu Picchu hotel (5-star hotel) – USD 255 Per person per night (double occupancy)
- Inkaterra El Pueblo Machu Picchu hotel (5-star hotel) – USD 250 Per person per night (double occupancy)
- El Mapi hotel by Inkaterra (4-star hotel) – USD 115 Per person per night (double occupancy)
- Tierra viva Machu Picchu (3+ star hotel) – USD 50 Per person per night (double occupancy)
INQUIRE ABOUT THIS EXPERIENCE
WHY WE'RE DIFFERENT
Your Full Satisfaction or Your Money Back
We understand planning a big trip like ours at EAT takes a lot of trust, and we’re here to make sure that trust pays off from the moment you book to the day your adventure wraps up. We’re fully committed to making your experience unforgettable. If something doesn’t go as planned—whether it’s an issue with the service or something unexpected along the way—we’ll step in to fix it.
That even includes offering a refund if needed so you can book with total peace of mind.
Your Peruvian adventure means the world to us, and we’ll go the extra mile to make sure it not only meets but exceeds your expectations. With our satisfaction guarantee, you can relax and focus on taking in all the incredible beauty and culture Peru has to offer.
We Help You Experience Peru Through The Eyes of a Local
We’re 100% locally owned and operated, with guides, porters, and chefs who grew up in the Cusco region. Fluent in Spanish, English, and Quechua, our team brings unmatched cultural and historical knowledge to share with you. Traveling with us means gaining insight into Peru’s traditions, landscapes, and stories from those who know them best.
We Work With Professional Guides Who Provide Exceptional Service
Our guides are the best of the best. Truly skilled experts with at least 5 years of experience, every guide we employ is ready to share their expertise on Peru’s trails, culture, and history. Our porters are no exception. They work hard to make your journey one for the books, while our chefs will prepare you delicious meals along the way. With a 99% recommendation rate, we’re dedicated to making every detail of your trip unforgettable.
We’re Committed to Our Team
Our porters and horsemen are easily the backbone of every trek. That’s why we are fully committed to prioritizing their well-being. We ensure they’re paid above-average wages—higher than those offered by most tour companies—recognizing their hard work and dedication to the team. Beyond fair pay, we truly care for their well-being, providing proper gear, meals, and working conditions so they’re not just safe but comfortable, too.
We Look Out for Our Community
A portion of every trek we sell supports local projects, like helping fund a much-needed school roof in Sacsayhuaman, where many of our team live. For years, children in the area had no nearby school and faced grueling four-hour walks in harsh conditions to get an education. Today, thanks to these contributions, they have a local school, and we continue to donate to its upkeep—because making an impact goes beyond the trek.
We Customize Our Adventures to Suit Your Travel Style
We want every trip to feel like it was made just for you. Whether you’re keen on hiking the famous Inca Trail, exploring lesser-known spots in the Sacred Valley, or tackling our one-of-a-kind Ancashcocha + Inca Trail trek, we’ll plan your adventure to fit your travel style. To keep things personal, we keep group sizes small—and if your group is larger than eight, we’ll bring in an extra guide so no one misses out on the experience.
We Travel with Purpose – Serving the Women, Children, & Men of Peru
Every journey with us has a ripple effect. Your adventure supports ethical tourism, fair wages for porters, and opportunities for female trekkers–many of whom are breaking barriers on the Inca Trail–and children. We’re passionate about creating opportunities for local children to grow up healthy and learn about everything their heart desires. Through initiatives like repairing schools, donating educational materials, and funding projects, we make it a mission to build a brighter future for kids in the Cusco region. Every trek you take with us contributes to this mission. When you book with us, you’re not just exploring Peru; you’re investing in it and setting a standard for all other tourism companies and tourists.
Our Reputation is Built on Trust
Year after year, Eco Andes Trekking has earned top ratings on TripAdvisor and the prestigious Certificate of Excellence. We’ve worked hard for these awards and are proud to see our hard work recognized. Even prouder to know our travelers leave with unforgettable memories and stories worth sharing.
We Travel Sustainably & Responsibly
Peru’s landscapes are magnificent. That’s why we work so hard to protect them. We prioritize sustainable traveling by working with our local communities and employing indigenous guides––thus promoting economic empowerment and preserving cultural heritage. Along the journey, we’ll always encourage travelers to embrace responsible practices as advocates for the environment.