Two days from Cusco delivers Inca engineering, mountain vistas, and a guided visit to Machu Picchu. Expect two busy days of walking, an overnight in Aguas Calientes, and scenic train travel through the Urubamba Valley.
More ways to explore the area's outdoor wonders
Dawn in the high Andes feels immediate: thin air, a cool wind that moves through terraced slopes and the call of a distant bell. You leave Cusco around 8am and the road loosens the city’s stone-grid into pasture, puna grasses, and terraced Inca fields. The first day unfolds through hilltop lookouts at Qorao and Taray, then Pisaq’s agricultural terraces and lively handicraft market. By afternoon the fortress of Ollantaytambo rises like a stepped engine room of stone, a living Inca town that keeps the valley’s rhythm.
Difficulty
moderate
Duration
2 days
Fitness Level
Light to moderate fitness; must be able to walk for several hours on uneven ground and climb steep stone steps.
Wildlife
History
The Sacred Valley was a vital agricultural and ceremonial zone for the Inca Empire; sites like Pisaq and Ollantaytambo show adaptive terrace farming and military architecture.
Conservation
Visitor limits and timed entries at Machu Picchu reduce erosion and crowding; stick to marked paths and avoid single-use plastics to lessen impact.
Reserve your spot on the Tours Sacred Valley And Machu Picchu two days today and enjoy a trusted, highly rated experience designed to help you make the most of your adventure.
Acclimatize in Cusco first
Spend at least one night in Cusco before the tour to reduce risk of altitude sickness—move slowly and hydrate.
Book seats and permits early
Train seats and Machu Picchu entry are limited—reserve tickets well in advance, especially May–September.
Footwear for stone steps
Choose shoes with good grip and ankle support—ruins have steep, uneven stonework that gets slick in damp weather.
Carry small cash for markets
Pisaq and Aguas Calientes vendors prefer soles or cash for small purchases and snacks.
Sturdy hiking shoes
Provide traction and ankle support on wet, uneven Inca stone and terraces.
Light waterproof jacket
Afternoon showers are common in Peru’s wet season; a packable shell keeps you dry.
summer
Daypack with hydration
Carries water, snacks, camera, and layers for quick access during site visits.
Sun protection (hat & SPF)
High-altitude sun is intense—bring sunglasses, a wide-brim hat, and sunscreen.