2-Day Machu Picchu & Sacred Valley Classic Tour by Train

4.8
(1,281 reviews)
Cusco, Peru

2 days (approximately)
Pickup offered
Offered in: English and 1 more

Experience our premier 2-Day Machu Picchu & Sacred Valley Classic Tour (3-Star), a seamless journey connecting the heart of the Andes to the cloud forest. Begin by meeting native camelids at Manos de la Comunidad, then explore the sweeping terraces of Pisac and the legendary stone fortress of Ollantaytambo before boarding your scenic afternoon train to Aguas Calientes.

Rest comfortably in your choice of handpicked 2-star or 3-star lodging. On Day 2, beat the logistics stress with our pre-secured official entry passes and board the mountain shuttle to experience a comprehensive, guided tour of the Machu Picchu citadel along your designated circuit, completing your trip with a smooth return transfer to Cusco.

What's Included

Official Machu Picchu ticket (Priority given to Classic Circuit 2 based on real-time availability)
1 Bottle of water (on day 1)
1 Night in Aguas Calientes in your selected hotel category (private bathroom)
Breakfast
Expert guided tours of Sacred Valley Ruins and Machu Picchu citadel.
Round-trip train (selected class), Machu Picchu shuttle buses and all ground transfers.
Hotel pickup and drop-off (where vehicle access allows)
Sacred Valley Tourist Ticket (Boleto Turistico) paid in cash at the ruins
Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain tickets (Optional, subject to availability).
Day 1 breakfast, lunches, and dinners are excluded to dine freely
Personal Expenses & Tips (optional travel insurance, and gratuities for your crew)

Meeting and pickup

Pickup points
You can choose a pickup location at checkout (multiple pickup locations are available).
Pickup details:

Free Pickup: We provide morning pickup from centrally located Cusco hotels and Airbnbs. If your lodging is in a narrow street or a pedestrian-only zone with no car access, we will arrange a convenient meeting point just a short walk away.

Airport Arrival Option: If you prefer an airport pickup, your flight must land in Cusco no later than 6:40 AM on Day 1.

Drop-off is provided back to central Cusco. We aim to drop you off as close to your original pickup point as possible; however, due to strict city traffic restrictions and narrow historic streets, our vehicles will drop passengers off at a safe, central location near the main square (Plaza Regocijo or Plaza de Armas) if direct hotel access is blocked.

Itinerary

Duration: 2 days (approximately)
    Day 1

    Sacred Valley Highlights & Scenic Train Journey to Aguas Calientes

    9 stops
  • 1
    Cusco

    Your immersive journey into the Heart of the Incas begins with a morning pickup right from your hotel lobby by your expert guide. Relax inside our comfortable transit vehicle as we leave Cusco behind and head straight into the dramatic Andean landscapes of the Sacred Valley.

    15 minutes Admission ticket free
  • 2
    Manos De La Comunidad

    Enjoy a dedicated cultural stop at this community-run sanctuary designed to protect and highlight native South American camelids. Our primary goal here is to introduce you directly to friendly alpacas, llamas, and rare vicuñas in an educational environment. You will watch a live demonstration by local residents showcasing ancestral, organic weaving and wool-dyeing traditions. While the center features handmade crafts created by the community, this stop focuses entirely on heritage education and wildlife interaction.

    25 minutes Admission ticket free
  • 3
    Mirador Taray

    Pause at the iconic Taray Viewpoint to capture the most famous panoramic photos of the sprawling valley below. Take in the spectacular views of the winding Vilcanota River and the massive Andean mountain peaks framing the historic landscape.

    10 minutes Admission ticket free
  • 4
    Parque Arqueologico Pisac

    Journey up the winding mountainside to explore the high-altitude Inca terraces and well-preserved ceremonial sectors of the Pisac Archaeological Park. Your guide will lead you through its rich history before descending back down into the valley.

    40 minutes Admission ticket not included
  • 5
    Pisac Market

    Walk through the world-famous open-air handicraft market squares in the village of Pisac. This traditional setting offers an excellent opportunity to interact with regional artisans, observe local crafts, and discover unique hand-woven textiles and alpaca goods.

    25 minutes Admission ticket free
  • 6
    Urubamba

    Take a scenic drive to the heart of the valley to enjoy a relaxing lunch break. Your guide will introduce you to an excellent Andean buffet featuring fresh regional ingredients—a fantastic way to experience local specialties. Please note that lunch costs are paid directly to the venue by travelers.

    1 hour Admission ticket free
  • 7
    Archaeological Park Ollantaytambo

    Explore the "Living Inca City" of Ollantaytambo and its magnificent colossal stonework. Your guide will lead you up the impressive stone terraces of this ancient fortress and religious sanctuary, offering dramatic views of the surrounding valley

    1 day Admission ticket not included
  • (Pass by)

    We will escort you directly to the historic Ollantaytambo train station for your scenic rail journey. Standard tour departures typically utilize the early afternoon schedules (approx. 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM). The train follows the course of the sacred Urubamba River, allowing you to watch the Andean landscape beautifully transform into a lush cloud forest as you approach your destination.

    Admission ticket free
  • 8
    Aguas Calientes

    Step off the train into the bustling town of Aguas Calientes, typically arriving in the late afternoon or early evening depending on your selected train schedule. Our local team representative will greet you right at the station exit by the artisan craft market side and escort you on a short walk to your hotel. Enjoy a peaceful evening at leisure to relax, dine, or visit the local thermal springs.

    15 minutes Admission ticket free
  • Day 2

    The Machu Picchu Sanctuary Experience & Return to Cusco

    5 stops
  • 9
    Aguas Calientes

    Begin your morning with a complimentary breakfast at your hotel before meeting your expert local guide. Together, take a short walk to the bus station to board the official shuttle for a scenic, winding 30-minute ride up the mountainside directly to the main entry gates of the citadel.

    30 minutes Admission ticket free
  • 10
    Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu

    Step inside the legendary Inca citadel for a comprehensive, immersive 2.5-hour guided exploration. Your certified guide will unveil the deep history and architectural mysteries of this world-famous sanctuary. Please note that your guided experience will follow your officially designated circuit. To protect your booking, tickets are secured in real-time based on government availability, and your precise circuit assignment (such as Circuit 1, 2, or 3) will be confirmed to you upon booking.

    2 hours Admission ticket included
  • 11
    Aguas Calientes

    After exploring the historic sanctuary, descend back to the town of Aguas Calientes via the return shuttle bus. Enjoy an afternoon at leisure to purchase lunch at a local restaurant, explore the charming village streets, or browse the artisan handicraft market near the train platform.

    3 hours Admission ticket free
  • 12

    Head to the Aguas Calientes station to board your return train. Relax and enjoy the scenic ride back through the dramatic Urubamba river canyon as you leave the cloud forest behind and head back toward the Ollantaytambo station.

    30 minutes Admission ticket free
  • 13
    Cusco

    Upon exiting the Sacred Valley train station, our professional driver will meet you directly at the main exit gate holding a sign with your name. They will guide you straight to your waiting vehicle for a comfortable ground transfer back to the historic center of Cusco, completing your 2-day experience with a safe drop-off close to your hotel lodging.

    15 minutes Admission ticket free

Additional info

  • Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
  • Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
  • Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
  • Full passport details (Name, Number, DOB, and Country) are mandatory at the time of booking.
  • A physical, valid passport matching your booking details is required on the day of travel.
  • Vegetarian, vegan, and special dietary options can be accommodated upon request at booking.
Supplied by Machupicchu Latin America
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Overnight Tours
Multi-day Tours
Bus Tours
Private and Luxury
Cultural Tours
Historical Tours
Rail Tours
Archaeology Tours
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