Sacred Valley Living Culture & Machu Picchu Train Tour 2D/1N

Availability: Available now
Group size: 2-10
Tour Type: Historical/traditional and informative
Max. Elevation: 3300

440 USD Per person

Sacred Valley Living Culture & Machu Picchu Train Tour 2D/1N

The sacred valley living culture and tour in train to Machu Picchu, its a perfect combination of ancient history with currently Andean life traditions. The sacred valley is a very picturesque area. It was highly appreciated by the Incas; due to its perfect climate and fertile soil. Throughout this valley; there exist a lot of interesting Inca ruins. However, your sacred valley trip will be more enriching if to your historical and archaeological visit, you add traditions, folklore and living culture.

The first day you will visit the fabulous Inca citadel of Pisac and explore it from corner to corner. Then you will go to Urquillos, a beautiful town in the sacred valley of the Incas, to see guinea pigs in local houses and harvest about the products that are grown in the valley and learn to prepare Chicha, the most traditional beer in the Peruvian Andes. You will also visit the local market of Urubamba and the impressive Inca ruins of Ollantaytambo. At the end of the day you will go by train to Aguas Calientes, where you will spend the night.

Finally, on the second day, the wonder of Machu Picchu will be visited. You will have a guided tour of 3 hours, where your tour guide will share interesting facts about the Inca citadel and will guide you from corner to corner in the Inca citadel. In the afternoon we return by train to Cusco, where we will arrive around 7 pm.

Sacred Valley Living Culture & Machu Picchu Train Tour Trip Overview

Tour localization: Sacred Valley of the Incas & Machu Picchu
Tour type: 2 days and 1 night Machu Picchu & overnight journey by train
Good for: Everybody, done in small groups or privately
Difficulty: Not hiking, but a lot of walking around the inca site.
Train Type: Perurail Expedition Train.
Highlights: Explore the fabulous Inca site of Pisac. Visit a local farm. Participate in making Chicha. Feed guinea pigs. Harvest and sow seasonal fruits and veggies. Try Pachamanca, a traditional Andean barbecue. Blow your mind in Ollantaytambo, and visit the cherry on the cake: Machu Picchu.
Language: All our tours are done only in English; If you need a Spanish tour, it must be booked privately and done at the initial booking.
Season: All year around

Day 1. Pisac Ruins – Local Farm – Feed Guinea Pigs – Chicha Preparation –Pachamanca – Ollantaytambo – Aguas Calientes.

To start the Sacred Valley Living culture & Machu Picchu Train Tour. We pick you up at 7:30 am. from your accommodation in Cusco. Then you will be driven for 1 hour to Pisac ruins; along the way we’ll make a stop, on a beautiful Sacred Valley overlook. From this viewpoint you will contemplate all sacred valley mountains and food fields in all its splendor. Upon your arrival to Pisac, you’ll be astonished for its geographical and archaeological beauty. Get ready to explore the spot and learn about its history. Pisac was built in the fifteenth century under the command of the Inca Pachacutec at a height of 3,300 meters above sea level, while the Inca Empire was growing by leaps and bounds. But with the arrival of the Spanish, Pisac was invaded and its inhabitants fled trying to save their lives. After the invasion, the buildings in the Andean town were irreparably damaged and time did the rest. Despite this, the archaeological complex of Pisac continues to be an architectural wonder and an example of engineering that demonstrates the handling of materials and spaces by the ancient Peruvians.

Then you’ll be transported for 40 minutes to Urquillos, where is located a family local farm. Here you will participate in the harvesting of seasonal fruits and veggies of the sacred valley of the Incas. You will sow corn and potato with Andean and ancient techniques. Then together with the local family you will prepare Pachamanca, a traditional Andean barbecue cooked with preheated stones and underground. Pachamanca is a delicacy in the Andes and it is one of the most important Peruvian flagship dish. Pachamanca is a Quechua words that means! food from the land! as it is cooked underground. In the Andes, the Pachamanca is not only a dish, but also a ritual of gratitude to mother earth (Pachamama) for the food provided. While your Pachamanca is cooking, you will go to the farm to cut alfalfa and feed guinea pigs who are living in the kitchens of locals. Also you’ll visit a local family, to learn and participate in making Chicha: the most traditional corn beer in the Peruvian Andes.

After having your delicious lunch, you will continue with this experiential sacred valley Machu Picchu tour. You’ll be driven for 1 hour to Ollantaytambo. This Inca ruin is a typical example of the extraordinary urban planning of the Incas. Its cobbled and winding streets, the ruins scattered everywhere and its agricultural terraces are attractions that stand out in themselves and the visitor can appreciate it in all its splendor. Ollantaytambo is known as an Inca living city due its modern houses are built on Inca stone foundations. Around 18:00 pm. You will enjoy a delicious, dinner in a local restaurant and then you will head to the train station to board the train at 6.55 pm. The train journey to Aguas Calientes, takes 1 hour and 45 minutes. Upon your arrival to Aguas Calientes your tour guide will drop you off at your hotel.

Important note: If you would like to upgrade the train; to the vistadome class service. This train service leaves Ollantaytambo town at 3.36 pm. so you’ll need to start the Sacred Valley Living culture & Machu Picchu Train Tour, at 6:00 am.

Day 2. Aguas Calientes- Machu Picchu- Cusco

Meals Included: Breakfast Only

In order to get well rested and have plenty of time to enjoy the views, pictures and guided tour at Machu Picchu; we suggest you to wake up by 5:00 in the morning, get ready, pack the essentials and take the bus from Aguas Calientes town to Machu Picchu citadel. This will be a ride of 30 minutes until reaching the Inca citadel at 6:15 am. more or less. Thus, you will have the chance to see the sunrise on this magnificent location. Your guide will give enough time to take pictures into the most beautiful spots of the Inca citadel, share information about this amazing Incan masterpiece and display you the most impressive details of Machu Picchu.

Then we take the bus back at more or less 12:00 pm. Down to Aguas Calientes to enjoy without rush our lunch. This lunch is optional and not included. At lunch, your guide will deliver out train tickets, so if you opt to skip this; please arrange to get these train tickets before leaving your tour guide at Machu Picchu citadel. Unless you requested for an upgraded train, we will book the Expedition class train departing Aguas Calientes at 3:20 p.m. or 4:22 p.m. This will be a 2-hour drive to Ollantaytambo or 4 hours to Poroy (this is based on which train you board). At Ollantaytambo or Poroy, our IncaGo Expedition driver will meet you and drive you back to Cusco, then we drop you off at the door of your hotel or the closest possible if there is not car access until your accommodation. You will arrive to your hotel in Cusco around 6:30 pm.

** Our Sacred Valley Living culture & Machu Picchu Train Tour has a door to door service.

Important note: Important note: If you would like to upgrade the train to the Vistadome class. This train class leaves Aguas Calientes town at either 4:43 p.m. or 5:23 p.m. Both train schedules, take you for four hours to Poroy station; where our IncaGo Expedition driver will collect you and drive you back to Cusco.

Included on the Sacred Valley Living Culture & Machu Picchu Train Tour

Professional local english speaker Guides: all our super leaders grew up in cusco region and studied tourism for five years at cusco’s university; they are friendly, funny charming, knowledgeable, professional and will care your safety into our sacred valley of the incas & train to machu picchu tour.

Permits: As soon as we get your details and deposit; we will purchase your permits for the inca ruins located into the sacred valley of the incas; that also includes an entrance to Machu Picchu.

Hotel: This Sacred Valley Living Culture & Machu Picchu Train Tour. Includes one night in a three-star hotel in Aguas Calientes; the town at the foot of Machu Picchu. The hotel you book will be listed on your invoice; and upgrades are always available.
It is also possible to book this tour without hotel; for $50 off our indicated price (per person). Our price is based on rooming two people per room. There is a $50 surcharge for a single room.

It is also possible to book this tour without hotel for $50 off our indicated price (per person). Our price is based on rooming two people per room. There is a $50 surcharge for a single room.

Briefing: you should come to our office at least one day prior to your tour to pay the balance; and provide exact information about your accommodation and receive some details for the tour.

Transportation: Incas Path will be providing all transportation for this Sacred Valley Living Culture & Machu Picchu Train Tour. You will be picked up from your hotel at 8 am. and taken into all the inca sites located in the valley. In addition, we included your round trip bus ticket from Aguas calientes to Machu Picchu.

Train Tickets: Train tickets will be book in the expeditions class service. Your train from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes will be at 7:00 pm. and from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo at 4.20 pm. If you are interested in upgrading to the Vistadome class service; it will be $75 one way and $125 round trip. These train times will be 3.37 pm. from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes and 4.43 pm. from Aguas Calientes to Poroy.

Food: During the Sacred Valley tour; we will have an organic buffet lunch in the local farm. Dinner will be at a restaurant in Ollantaytambo. Breakfast will be available at your hotel. All three of these meals are included in your tour.

Details: We profess that it is the attention to small details that separates us from other travel agencies. Each tourist will receive an umbrella for rain that you can also use for protection against the sun; due the solar radiation is very high, in places located near the equator.

First Aid: Every guide has got training in first aid from a clinic and firemen. We elaborate mandatory training sessions every February on our tours; which every Incas Path tour guide must attend. Your tour leader is going to have always a first-aid kit for basic medical problems.

Not Included on the Sacred Valley Living Culture & Machu Picchu Train Tour

Huayna Picchu Mountain (tickets need to be booked in advance).
Machu Picchu Picchu Mountain (tickets need to be booked in advance).
Gratuities for our staff: Incas Path ensures all staff are fairly paid and therefore gratuities are optional and at your own discretion
Travel Insurance: Highly recommended for all tourist
Daypack: We suggest you to use a daypack, that not exceed 25L to carry: passport, water, sun hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, bug spray, rain jacket and a warm jacket
Water bottle
Flight tickets
Hotel in Cusco

Additional options

Huayna Picchu: is the mountain that stands next to Machu Picchu. It is 2 hour hike to the top. While this hike is on your own, your guide will show you the entry. Huayna Picchu is an additional entrance ticket that we must secure for you with advance. The ticket is $75 per person.

Machu Picchu Mountain:is the other mountain that stands above the Machu Picchu site. as Huayna Picchu it offers also spectacular views, this extra hike takes 3 hours round trip. This is an additional entrance ticket that we must secure for you in advance. This ticket is $75 per person.

Vistadome Train:The vistadome class service, which is an upgraded train that offers slightly larger seats and windows, some entertainment and snack.
To include the vistadome class service in your sacred valley of the incas & train to machu picchu the price for one way is $75 and the price for round trip is $125

Prices

We would love to tour the Sacred Valley of the Incas and Machu Picchu with you and your loved ones and take care of immortalizing your visit to the lost city of the Incas.

We can leave any day of the year as long as we meet at least two people, our train tours can leave any day of the week, twelve months a year.

$445 per person

Hotel:

We include a three (3) star hotel and we use: Retama Machu Picchu, Inti Punku Machu Picchu Hotel & Suites, or Waman Hotel Machu Picchu (based on availability at booking). Rooms are based on double or triple occupation; and there is a single room surcharge of $50 US per person if you book lonely. Rooms all include private bathrooms with hot showers,breakfast and wifi. We could also upgrade your hotel, if you like better something more luxurious. Please remind the service in Aguas Calientes is not as good as in Cusco. Below there is a list of potential upgrade choices, If you want any other hotel, just let us know.

El Mapi: +$80 US pp shared (+$160 for a single)
Sumaq : +$220 US pp shared (+$380 for a single)

Solo travelers:

+ $ 50 US per person

For those who would like a single room or travel alone; there is a $ 50 room charge to cover the total cost of the room. We do not join hikers alone in a double room. This covers three star hotels and will be more expensive for upgraded hotels.

Student Discount:

– $ 25 discount per person

Student discounts apply to anyone who has a valid International Student Card (ISIC) at the beginning of the hike or who is 17 years old or younger. For those who use an international student card or for children under 17, we need to see a copy of their card or passport at the time of booking to receive the discount of Machu Picchu.

Please send everything to info@cuscodigital.com

We suggest you to carry lightweight backpack that the is key to feeling good during this sacred valley of the incas & train to machu picchu

Essentials:

Original Passport ,
STUDENT CARD (if you booked as a student)
Good daypack (the smaller, the better)
Comfortable athletic shoes (lightweight with good soles)

Inside Your Daypacks:

Daypacks can be any size for walking, but we always recommend the smaller, the better. Some items are listed below

Sunhat
Rain gear
Fleece
Rain jacket
Camera
Music (IPhone)
Handsanitizer
Extra Money for Souvenirs, Drinks & Tips
Personal medication
Sunscreen
Handsanitizer

Journey Info

Arriving to Cusco

The airport in Cusco at the present time is only for domestic flights, so all international travelers by plane must disembark in Lima and go through Customs. Even if your flight to Cusco is the same day by the same airline carrier, you must grab your bags in Lima and then check them back in.

The best way to arrive to Cusco is by air and there are several options in airlines. LATAM tends to be the most expensive, but has the most options and flights.

Expect delays or flight cancellations; due to the high altitude of Cusco, it tends to be difficult to land and any weather inconvenience will stop air traffic.

Bus travel is always available and while the trip can be long, especially from Lima, the buses company such as Oltursa, Cruz del Sur, etc, are very well maintained and comfortable; this option is strongly encouraged if coming from a city closer to Cusco, like Puno or Arequipa.

Luggage Storage

Even though this is an overnight tour by train to Machu Picchu, your luggage allowance is still limited due to restrictions on the train; all bags brought to Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu) need to be carry on size.

Any extra luggage you have with you, can be left safely in Cusco at either your hotel or with us at the Incas Path deposit while you enjoy your tour: We will grab the extra luggage from you the morning of your tour and return once you are back in Cusco.

Make sure your suitcase have some kind of identification on them so they are easy to locate.

Altitude

As soon as people book their trip to Peru, specifically Cusco, they start wondering about altitude sickness. The air at high altitudes contains less oxygen than at sea level and forces your body to work harder to get the oxygen it needs. Over several days at high altitude, your body adjusts to the lower amount of oxygen in the air; that is why we advice you to arrive in Cusco three days prior your trek begin or taking a tour of easy physical demand.

With altitude sickness, you may first feel like you have the flu or a hangover. You may have a headache, tiredness, loss of appetite, nausea or vomiting, dizziness, trouble sleeping, trouble breathing during exercise. If any of these effects become severe, please contact our representatives and we will help you get to a physician.

Most of the time, these symptoms will be mild. We always recommend easing into activity slowly, allowing your body to adjust, drink plenty of fluids such as water, electrolites or coca tea: coca tea has been used since ancient times to help prevent altitude sickness, leaves from the coca plant contain alkaloids like the globulin alkaloid which helps creating red cells in your body that captures the oxygen faster, so helping your body avoid the effects of altitude sickness.

Avoid drinking a lot of alcohol it will cause you to urinate more often and become dehydrated, avoid smoking due it will make more difficult for your body to get oxygen and also avoid sleeping pills because it may cause shallow breathing at night, making it more difficult for your body to absorb oxygen while you sleep.

Your healthcare provider may prescribe medicines, such as acetazolamide better know as the brand Diamox and dexamethasone, to help prevent altitude sickness; start medication two days prior you get to a high altitude and continue to take it while you are at high altitude.

Weather

Of course weather is unpredictable. Typically the dry season in Cusco is from April through October, but this does not stop rain from falling in June or the sun from coming out in December, just be prepared; no matter what month you are doing the trek or tour, please make sure that you have rain gear that includes a waterproof jacket, pants, poncho and waterproof gloves.

Travel Insurance

To protect your journey investment, we highly recommend the purchase of travel insurance; acquiring travel insurance before you leave home, is strongly encouraged and very easy.

Vaccinations

The body’s immune system helps protect against pathogens that cause infection; most of the time, it’s an efficient system, it either keeps microorganisms out or tracks them down and gets rid of them.

However, some pathogens can overwhelm the immune system; when this happens, it can cause serious illness.

The pathogens most likely to cause problems are the ones the body doesn’t recognize:

vaccination is a way to “teach” the immune system how to recognize and eliminate an organism; that way, your body is prepared if you’re ever exposed.

Vaccinations are an important form of primary prevention; that means they can protect people from getting sick, vaccinations have allowed us to control diseases that once threatened many lives, such as: measles, poliotetanus, and whooping cough.

You may require some additional vaccinations before traveling to Peru; it is adviced you consult to your physician specially if your are taking any trip to the jungle.