Complete Sacred Valley & 2 Day Inca Trail

3 Days/ 2 Nights

SACRED VALLEY  & SHORT INCA TRAIL TO MACHU PICCHU

DAY 1: SACRED VALLEY OF THE INCAS (Pisac + Moray + Salt mines + Ollantaytambo)

We will pick you up at your hotel at 7:30am, with our private van and head towards the Sacred Valley of the Incas, taking the direct route to Pisac.  We stop first at the Mirador of Taray to enjoy a classic view of the Urubamba valley and its traditional farming villages. You will see how the agriculture in the Sacred Valley has changed little in the past five hundred years. Onward, we drive to the archaeological site of Pisac, where you can see the biggest Inca cemetery with more than 2,000 tombs. There, we can admire the incredible farming terraces carved into the mountain, explore the Inca tunnel and the religious area of this important citadel. Here, we will spend about 2 hours, exploring the Inca city. Then, we head down to the colorful market of Pisac, spend about 20 minutes visiting it and then drive to Urubamba for lunch.

With timeless charm, we visit the archeological site of Moray also known as “The Greenhouse of the Incas” a deep bowl of architectural wonder. Levels of terraces are carved into a huge bowl, which was excavated by the Incas. The terraces have varied microclimates depending on how deep into the bowl they are placed.  Archeologists believe that they were used by the Incas to discover the optimal growing conditions for their crops.

Continuing on our journey to the colonial town of Maras, we look down onto the pre-Inca salt “mines” called salineras in Spanish. Thousands of saltpans have been passed down through countless generations and used for salt extraction since before Inca times. A hot spring at the top of the valley discharges a small stream of heavily salt laden water, which is diverted into saltpans and evaporated to produce salt. This is one of the few places in the world where you can find naturally pink salt!

Finally, we drive to Ollantaytambo, having time to explore the age old and bustling Inca village and the massive Inca Ruins, with a tour provided by our guide. Visit the ruins of the Sun Temple at the top of the formidable terraces and learn about the importance of this site for the Inca during the beginning of the Spanish conquest. Here you spend the night at your hotel in Ollantaytambo, ready to start the Inca Trail the next day.

• 2* Accommodations: Veronica View Hotel or Tunupa Lodge
• 3* Accommodation: Pakaritampu Hotel or El Alberge
• There are no 4* hotels in Ollantaytambo

DAY 2: OLLANTAYTAMBO –KM 104 – WIÑAY HUAYNA – SUN GATE – MACHU PICCHU

With a compacted 2 days of excitement ahead, we pick you up from your hotel by 5:30am, and drive you to the train station nearby.  You will have an hour and 20-minute ride by Expedition train to KM 104 (2,100m/6,927ft), where you will begin your trek and show your passport at the first checkpoint. Afterwards, we initiate a moderate climb for three hours to the chiseled remnants and remote archaeological site of Wiñay Wayna (2,650m/8747ft). Admire the fountains that have been flowing for hundreds of years and gaze down the spectacular, sheer mountainside, plunging down to the Urubamba River. After enjoying the architectural wonder of this ancient Inca site, we merge onto the traditional four day Inca Trail. We have lunch at the Wiñay Wayna campground, then continue onward towards the Sun Gate (2,730m/9,007ft). Following the ancient remote footpath, we finally get our first spectacular view of Machu Picchu in all its brilliance and majestic monumentality. As we move closer to the Citadel of Machu Picchu, you will enjoy views of the enigmatic ruins the whole length of the trail. Then we take our bus to Aguas Calientes, where we spend the night in our hotel.

• Meals included: Box lunch, dinner in a restaurant in Aguas Calientes
• 2* Accommodations: Inti Punku Tambo or Wiracocha Inn
• 3* Accommodations: Inti Punku Machu Picchu or Waman Machu Picchu or Retama Inn
• 4* Accommodation: El Mapi  or Tierra Viva Machu Picchu (superior room)
• Difficulty: moderate

You will leave an overnight bag at the Ollantaytambo train station to be sent by train directly to Aguas Calientes.

DAY 3: AGUAS CALIENTES – MACHU PICCHU – CUSCO

This is the day you’ve been waiting for! We take the early bus to Machu Picchu archeological site, making sure we tour every nook and cranny of this New 7 Wonder of the World and UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site. The Citadel of the Incas, Machu Picchu, what an unforgettable experience! On your 2.5 hours private tour, your guide will expertly direct you through the enigmatic ruins and its most important sites. You will see the Temple of the Sun, Temple of the Condor, Temple of Three Windows, Sun Dial, Quarry, the House of the Inca, the urban areas, agricultural terraces and many different types of architecture.

You may wish to indulge in a few of the following activities on your own (not included in the price):

• Climb Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain– appreciate the beauty and magnificence of Machu Picchu from above. These extra hikes sell out and must be requested at time of booking.
• You will be given some time to walk to the Sun Gate, also called Inti Punku. (No additional fee)
• Other optional activities in Aguas Calientes include a visit to a local museum or to the hot springs. (entrance fee)

When you are ready, you will descend to Aguas Calientes, have a leisurely lunch on your own, and later on board the train at 14:55 or 15:20 for the return trip with the Vistadome train to the Ollantaytambo train station where you will catch our private van back to Cusco and your hotel. You can expect to arrive at your hotel by 19:00.

• Meals included: Breakfast

WHAT IS INCLUDED

• Transfer in from Cusco airport
• Sacred Valley Tour
• Entrances to the Inca cities and archeological sites
• Professional guide for three days.
• Expedition train from Ollantaytambo to KM 104 and from Aguas Calientes to Poroy Vistadome Train except in rainy season January to May.
• Two nights hotel accommodation with private room, bathroom and breakfast included.
• Meals a indicated on the itinerary
• Bus tickets from Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu -Aguas Calientes.
• Personal assistance
• Transfer out to the Cusco airport

WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED

• Hotel – optional upgrades
• Huayna Picchu Tickets: $75 USD per person
• Machu Picchu Mountain: $75 USD per person
• Tips for your guide

**Huayna Picchu and Machu Picchu Mountain are optional treks within Machu Picchu Citadel which do not include a guide. The climb is usually done on your own after your tour of Machu Picchu Citadel. If you would like the extra hike to be guided, please request in advance. There is an extra cost for this extra guided tour. 

ADDED VALUES FOR FREE

• Transfers from the airport to hotel. (Cusco hotels only)
• SMALL GROUPS: up to 8 hikers
• EARLY TRAIN: for the return to Cusco from Aguas Caliente

***The Sacred Valley & Inca Trail Package to Machu Picchu tour is available on any date that its best for you (except February when it is closed for maintenance). This trek still takes you into Machu Picchu by walking through the SUN GATE, you will get to explore some amazing Inca ruins along the way like the magical Wiñay Wayna Inca ruins.

***The fantastic tour with Inca trail included is available on any date that will suit you – Join in with our group and get the best deals.

Price: $637 USD per person without hotels

Price: $745 USD per person with 2 nights 2* hotels

Price: $797 USD per person with 2 nights 3* hotels

Price: $867 USD per person with 2 nights 4* hotels

***Ollantaytambo does not have a 4* hotel option. 

***Private service is available for $100 USD more per person.

***All entrance fees are included and we operate our tours in small groups averaging 5 persons with a maximum of 8!  

DISCOUNTS

• 18 to 25 years old: $30 USD. Information required on student card: name of university, student name, photo of student, expiration date etc. A copy of the card at booking is required & government approval for discount.
• Under 18 years old: $30 USD. Please send us a copy of your passport at the time of booking.
• Under 11 years old: $40 USD.  Please send us a copy of your passport at the time of booking.

EXTRAS

• Huayna Picchu Mountain: $75 USD per person
• Machu Picchu Mountain: $75 USD per person
• Single Supplement: $40USD 2* and $60 USD 3*, $100 USD 4* for single travelers

**Huayna Picchu and Machu Picchu Mountain are optional treks within Machu Picchu Citadel which do not include a guide. The climb is usually done on your own after your tour of Machu Picchu Citadel. If you would like the extra hike to be guided, please request in advance. There is an extra cost for this extra guided tour. 

WHY CHOOSE SAM TRAVEL 

SAM Travel Peru is a family owned travel agency and a local tour operator based in Cusco with personal experience over many years of trekking. SAM Travel Peru is a 1oo% Cusqueñian Company without any shareholders.

 Our dream as a locally based company is to create small personalized tours & treks strictly and only operated by local professional staff catering in PERSONALIZED and HIGH QUALITY SERVICE.  

We take pride in having a reputation as being a RESPONSIBLE & SUSTAINABLE tour operator. Our staff are our extended family. We ensure they are supported financially by offering them a fair salary. We are proud of our team without them , we wouldn’t be able to offer the best service and lifetime experiences to our clients.

SAM Travel Peru knows how important it is to trust in a reliable honest operator to create your adventure of a lifetime while in Peru. Check out our reviews and certificates of excellence on, TRIPADVISOR for yourself! Also we are highly recommended on Conde Nast Travelers,  Lonely Planet and by many blogs like: Salkantay/Inka Trail ! July 14th to 20th 2016  Trek de Lares 4 hours, “It’s the journey, not the destination…”, Lares Pass – Day 3, Trekking in the Sacred Valley.

SMALL GROUPS

In an effort to provide a more personalised service to our passengers, we in SAM Travel Peru have a policy that our groups will not exceed 8 people. This fact alone sets us apart from other companies that operate departures with bigger groups.

OUR TOP TOUR GUIDES

We are so proud of our guides! They are highly professional and speak fluent English. They are very knowledgeable and passionate for Incan heritage and history.  Our guides are dedicated to continuous personal and professional development. They do research to ensure that you receive accurate and recognized theories in Incan and Andean culture. Our crew is fun loving, great sportsmen and well-educated. They all hold degrees in one of the following: Archaeology, Tourism, Botany, History or Anthropology.

OUR SERVICE PROJECTS

SAM Travel Peru has always believed that we should give back to the communities we pass through on our treks. Therefore, as part of our commitment in responsible tourism, we socially support and employee from these communities.

SAM Travel Peru is proud to be able to support these beautiful people, not only in hiring them for work but to bring things back to grassroots, to share  in their home and families. This makes us  happy to have a holistic approach with our highland employees and their families!

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Please read carefully the following information as it will help you answer all of your questions about our services and Sacred Valley & Inca Trail Package.

WELCOME TO CUSCO

You will be welcomed at Cusco airport and taken to your hotel, please ensure that you inform us of your full flight details at least 14 days prior to your trek. Look out for our representative holding an orange board SAM Travel Peru at the arrival terminal.

THE BRIEFING

Your briefing will take place the night before your tour. It will be held at our office at 6 or 6:30pm, depending on your confirmation email details.  The office is located at Calle Santa Teresa  Nº383 ; office 107 (second floor). We are next to Subway sandwich shop and share a lobby with Hotel Casona Corrales.

CAN I STORE MY LUGGAGE AT YOUR OFFICE?

Of course! During the Sacred Valley & Inca Trail Package, your main luggage can be store at our office or at your hotel, both are for free.

HOW TO BOOK 

FIRST, to book your Sacred Valley & Inca Trail Package to Machu Picchu, we need you to fill out our booking form by clicking on BOOK NOW on our homepage or click here the link BOOK NOW.

Please be ready with the following information (FROM EACH PARTICIPANT in your group).  We cannot purchase an Inca trail permit, entrance to Machu Picchu or the train without the following information:

• Personal information (your full name, exactly as on your passport):
• Gender
• Passport number
• D.OB. (dd / mm / yyyy)
• Nationality

SECOND, we require a deposit of $211.00 USD per person in order to purchase a your Sacred Valley & Inca Trail Package permits, entrance to Machu Picchu and train ticket.  You can make you deposit by clicking on the VISA or PAYPAL symbols on the top of our home page, or you can click on the VISA or PAYPAL symbols on our booking page..

WHAT ABOUT THE BALANCE?

It would be greatly appreciated if you pay in cash at our office (US dollars or Peruvian soles) here in Cusco. We have many ATMs within the historical center to withdraw money.  You can also pay by VISA or PAYPAL online but you will have to pay a 5.5% service charge, charged by VISA and PAYPAL.  To pay your balance through PAYPAL, you need to log into your PAYPAL account using our email address of samtravelperu@gmail.com. 

MAY I CHANGE THE DEPARTURE DATE AFTER THE TICKETS HAVE BEEN BOUGHT?

Unfortunately the answer is No. Once the tickets have been bought the government does not allow any changes, so we can’t change any departure date after the tickets has been bought. Tickets are also not transferable nor refundable. If you cancel your Sacred Valley & Inca Trail Package, the deposit is not refundable at all!

DO I NEED MY ORIGINAL PASSPORT 

Yes! You have to bring your original passport and it is very important that it is the same passport number you sent to us to book your entrance to Machu Picchu, train ticket, other entrances and reservations.

In case you are renewing your passport or changing your name, go ahead and send us your old passport information to secure your permit, and we can change it when you get your new passport number or updated your name for a fee of $25 USD per person.  We must have a copy of your old and new passport to make the change.

If you do not wish to pay this fee you will need to bring both passports to Peru with you.  You can enter Peru with your new passport but you will need to show both passports, old and new to be to enter into Machu Picchu or the train.  If you do not have both you will not be allowed to enter into Machu Picchu or get on the train.

TRAIN INFORMATION

Our package includes the 14:55 or 15:20 Vistadome train for the way from Aguas Calientes to Poroy or Ollantaytambo, then we drive you back to Cusco in our van, arriving 19:00 – 19:30. If you have an extra hike up Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain, we will buy the later Vistadome train at 15:20 or 16:22.

TIPPING

If you’re happy with the services provided, a tip – though not compulsory – is appreciated. While it may not be customary to you, it’s of great significance for the people who will take care of you during the tour.  It inspires excellent service and is an entrenched feature of the tourism industry across many SAM Travel Peru destinations. Of course, you are free to tip more or less as you feel, depending on your perception of the quality and the length of your tour. Remember, a tip is not compulsory and should only be given when you receive excellent service.

ARE YOU SUSTAINABLE?

Yes, we are a local, sustainable & responsible tourism operator for that we incorporate the universal principles of tourism: protect the environment and benefit the local communities by respecting their culture and religion. With this in mind, we have trained all our local staff to know and understand, respect the places and the local people.

The Sacred Valley & Short Inca trail Package to Machu Picchu  does not include extra porter, so, you will need to carry all your thing, please try to pack as light as possible which is the key to enjoy this amazing trek.

What you have to take with you for the Sacred Valley & Short Inca trail Package to Machu Picchu

• Original Passport (it has to be the same you have used for booking your trek)
• Valid university card (if you booked as a student)
• Good daypack (the smaller, the better)
• Water storage:  2-3L (Camelbaks are encouraged)
• Comfortable hiking boots with ankle support
• Toilet Paper
• 2 t-shirts
• 1 hiking pants at least
• Undergarments
• Hiking socks
• Polar or sweater
• Jacket if cold season
• Waterproof gloves – rainy season
• Large plastic bags will be provided at the office — Please ask for them
• Face moisturizer
• Hand Sanitizer
• Wet wipes
• Toothbrush and toothpaste
• Personal medications
• Sun Hat
• Sunscreen
• Wool hat if cold season
• Rain gear  – rainy season
• Snacks like chocolate bars, cereal bars or any dry fruit
• Rain plastic poncho (provided by SAM)
• Camera
• Extra money for souvenirs, drinks & tips