Two days that connect the dots of Inca history.
Begin in Cusco itself, once the capital of the Inca Empire and today a city where Inca walls hold up colonial churches. You will explore the Temple of the Sun and the great fortress of Sacsayhuamán, understanding how the empire was built, how it worshipped, and how it defended itself.
The following day, you follow that story to its most famous chapter. Board the train in Ollantaytambo and travel down into the cloud forest to Machu Picchu, where everything you learned in Cusco suddenly makes sense.
This 2-day experience is ideal for travelers who want culture and history without high-altitude trekking, with all logistics managed for a smooth visit.
Cusco City Tour (Qoricancha & Sacsayhuamán)
Walk through the historic capital of the Inca Empire, where ancient foundations hold colonial streets. Visit Qoricancha, the Temple of the Sun, once covered in gold, and ascend to Sacsayhuamán, the massive fortress with stones weighing over 100 tons that guard the city from above.
Machu Picchu
Then journey by Expedition Train into the cloud forest for a guided tour of Machu Picchu. Explore its agricultural terraces, ceremonial temples, and sacred stonework, the 15th-century citadel that brings the full story of the Inca Empire together.
Where stone walls tell the story of an empire, from temple to fortress.
Early Hotel Pickup & City Tour Through Cusco’s Historic Heart
Your experience begins with pickup from your hotel in Cusco in the morning (9:00 AM) or afternoon (1:00 PM) for a half-day journey through the living capital of the Inca Empire.
Qoricancha & Sacsayhuamán – Temple of the Sun and the Fortress Above Cusco
Start with a visit to Qoricancha, the Temple of the Sun, the most sacred temple of the Inca Empire and the spiritual center from which all power radiated.
From here, continue to the hills above the city to explore Sacsayhuamán, the immense fortress famous for its massive, perfectly fitted stone walls weighing over 100 tons and commanding views over Cusco.
Ceremonial Valley – Q’enqo, Puka Pukara & Tambomachay
The journey continues through the surrounding ceremonial valley to:
Together, these sites show how the Incas combined engineering, defense and spirituality in one city.
Return to Cusco for Overnight
Return to Cusco in the late afternoon with a clear sense of how the empire was organized, ready for what you will see tomorrow at Machu Picchu.
Day 1 Stats: Start Time: 9:00 AM or 1:00 PM | Duration: Half Day | Max Altitude: 3,400m / 11,155 ft | Difficulty: Easy – walking on cobblestones and gentle sites | Overnight: Cusco
From the capital to the sanctuary. An early start marks the transition from city to cloud forest and one of the world’s greatest archaeological sites.
Hotel Pickup & Train Journey Through the Sacred Valley to Aguas Calientes
Pickup from your hotel around 4:00 AM and private transfer to Ollantaytambo station. Board the Expedition Train and follow the Urubamba River through the Sacred Valley as the landscape shifts from high Andes to lush cloud forest to Aguas Calientes.
Shuttle Bus to Machu Picchu Gate & Entrance
Arrive in Aguas Calientes and meet your guide at the station exit. From there, it’s a 30-minute shuttle bus up the switchbacks to the Machu Picchu gate. No waiting in ticket lines, your Machu Picchu entrance is pre-arranged.
Guided Tour Inside the Machu Picchu Citadel – Terraces, Temples & Sacred Stonework
Enter Machu Picchu, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, for a 2 to 3-hour guided tour exploring:
Your guide will bring context to the engineering, history, and purpose of the citadel, beyond the views.
Free Time, Return to Aguas Calientes & Train Back to Cusco
After the guided tour, enjoy free time to explore and take photos. Return by bus to Aguas Calientes with time for lunch before boarding the return train to Ollantaytambo. Private transport back to your hotel in Cusco.
Day 2 Stats: Tour Type: Machu Picchu by Train | Guided Tour: 2-3 hours + free time | Return Train: 3:20 PM – 6:20 PM departure | Arrival in Cusco: Evening
Cusco sits at 3,400 meters and Machu Picchu at 2,430 meters. This tour involves no high-altitude hiking, only gentle walking on cobblestones and archaeological paths. We still recommend arriving a few hours before your City Tour to rest and hydrate.
Upon landing in Lima, you must clear immigration and customs, collect your checked bags, and then re-check them for your domestic flight to Cusco. Allow at least three hours between flights.
You do not need to bring all your luggage to Machu Picchu. We provide secure, complimentary storage at our Cusco headquarters for the duration of your 2-day experience.
Cusco has sunny days and cold nights. Machu Picchu is warm, humid and can have afternoon rain year round. Layers and a light waterproof jacket are essential.
Carry some Peruvian Soles in small bills. You will need cash for the Qoricancha entrance 15 Soles, Boleto 70 Soles, and meals in Aguas Calientes, as small vendors rarely accept cards.
Ensure your travel policy includes medical coverage, trip cancellation and emergency evacuation. High-altitude coverage is not required for this itinerary.
Carry your original, valid passport. You need it to board the train and to enter Machu Picchu. Photocopies are not accepted.
Pack light. For Machu Picchu your daypack must not exceed 40 x 35 x 20 cm.
Both visit the same sites. Morning has better light for photos at Sacsayhuamán and Qoricancha. Afternoon is quieter and better if you arrive in Cusco that same morning. Choose based on your flight.
No. The Partial Tourist Ticket (70 Soles) for Sacsayhuamán, Q’enqo, Puka Pukara, Tambomachay and the Qoricancha entrance (15 Soles) are not included and are paid in cash on site. This gives you flexibility if you already have a ticket.
Easy. There is no trekking. It is gentle walking on cobblestones and short paths at archaeological sites. It is suitable for all ages, including children and older travelers.
Less than for hiking tours, but Cusco is still at 3,400 meters. We recommend arriving at least a few hours before your City Tour to rest. Machu Picchu itself is lower at 2,430 meters and feels easier.
Both days are small group with a maximum of 10 travelers, led by a bilingual guide. Private service with your own guide and transport is available on request.
It gives you the full context. When you see how the Incas built Qoricancha and Sacsayhuamán in Cusco, you understand the engineering and symbolism when you reach Machu Picchu the next day.
Your entrance is assigned based on train availability and is usually between 9:00 AM and 11:00 AM on Day 2. Your guide will confirm the exact time in your briefing.
Yes. You can upgrade to Vistadome train for panoramic windows or add Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain for $69. Both must be booked months in advance due to very limited space.
Yes, many travelers extend to 3 days to include the Sacred Valley between Cusco and Machu Picchu. Ask us about the Cusco, Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu 3-day option.
YOUR ADVENTURE. OUR EXPERTISE.
Guest Reviews
Real experiences from travelers who slept under the Andean sky
I never thought I could sleep in a luxury bed while staring at the Milky Way through a transparent dome. The Salkantay glacier right in front of you at sunrise — absolutely unreal. Worth every penny.
SkyDomeCamps - Sky DomeWe did the full Salkantay Trek and stayed at the dome on night two. After a hard day of hiking, coming back to a real bed, hot shower and that view of the mountain? Nothing compares to that.
SkyDomeCamps - Salkantay TrekI have camped across Patagonia and Nepal but nothing matched this. The dome is warm, beautifully designed and the silence at 4,600m is something else entirely. I woke up at 3am just to stare at the stars.
SkyDomeCamps - Sky Dome
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