Embark on an unforgettable journey through Peru's most iconic destinations in just 3 days and 2 nights tour. Experience the historic charm of Cusco, explore the scenic beauty and ancient ruins of the Sacred Valley, and finish with the legendary Machu Picchu. Discover rich culture, breathtaking landscapes, and a fascinating history on this perfect short adventure that will leave you with memories to last a lifetime.
Trip Details
Discover the Best of Peru in 3 Days and 2 Nights: Cusco, Sacred Valley & Machu Picchu
Embark on an unforgettable adventure through the heart of Peru in just three days and two nights. This journey will take you to the historic city of Cusco, the breathtaking Sacred Valley, and the world-famous Machu Picchu. Perfect for those with limited time, this tour offers a taste of Peru’s rich culture, stunning landscapes, and ancient history.
Highlights:
- Cusco: Wander through the historic streets and immerse yourself in the blend of Inca and Spanish colonial architecture.
- Sacred Valley: Discover the beauty and history of this fertile region, with its ancient ruins and vibrant markets.
- Machu Picchu: Experience the wonder of the Lost City of the Incas, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.
Best of Peru in 3 Days at a Glance:
Day 1: Arrival in Cusco
- Arrive in Cusco, the ancient capital of the Inca Empire.
- Enjoy a guided city tour, visiting Cusco City, Coricancha, Sacsayhuaman, and the 4 ruins.
- Spend the evening exploring the vibrant streets, sampling local cuisine, and acclimatizing to the altitude.
- Hotel in Cusco City.
Day 2: Sacred Valley Exploration
- Depart for the Sacred Valley, a region filled with picturesque villages, terraced fields, and archaeological sites.
- Visit the ancient ruins of Pisac and explore the bustling Pisac Market.
- Enjoy a traditional Peruvian lunch in the town of Urubamba.
- Explore Moray and Salineras Maras
- Continue to Ollantaytambo, a charming town with well-preserved Inca ruins.
- Board the train to Aguas Calientes, the gateway to Machu Picchu.
- Spend the night in Aguas Calientes.
Day 3: Machu Picchu Adventure
- Rise early to catch one of the first buses to Machu Picchu.
- Take a guided tour of the iconic site, learning about its history, architecture, and significance.
- After the tour, have free time to explore Machu Picchu on your own.
- In the afternoon, return to Cusco by train and bus, arriving in the evening
Arrive early in the morning at Cusco airport, where you will meet our guide and transfer to your centrally located hotel. In the afternoon, we start our adventure with a guided tour of the center of Cusco. We begin at the Plaza de Armas, the main square, where we admire the colonial buildings and feel the lively atmosphere. We walk around the Cusco Cathedral, which is filled with beautiful art and history, and visit the most important streets. Next, we explore the Coricancha, the Temple of the Sun, which was once the most important temple for the Incas and now shows a blend of Inca and Spanish architecture.
We continue our tour with a visit to Sacsayhuaman, an impressive Inca fortress with huge stone walls that offer great views of Cusco. We also explore the nearby ruins of Q'enqo, Puca Pucara, and Tambomachay, each with its own unique history. After visiting these sites, we head to Cristo Blanco, a giant white statue of Christ that overlooks the city. We will enjoy the panoramic views of Cusco from this vantage point.
In the evening, you will explore the vibrant streets of Cusco, try local dishes at one of the many restaurants, and enjoy the lively city vibe. We spend the night at our hotel in Cusco.
- Accommodation: 3-star hotel in Cusco
- Entry Tickets, Tour guide & transportation included
- Meals not included
After breakfast at your hotel, we start the journey to the Sacred Valley, known for its charming villages, terraced fields, and archaeological sites. We begin with a visit to an alpaca farm to see and learn about the four types of South American camelids (llamas, alpacas, guanacos, and vicuñas). Then, we drive to Mirador Taray for breathtaking views of the valley.
Next, we explore the ancient ruins of Pisac, with its impressive terraces and temples. We wander through the bustling Pisac Market, famous for its vibrant handicrafts and local products. We enjoy a traditional Peruvian lunch in Urubamba, a town in the heart of the Sacred Valley.
In the afternoon, we visit Moray, an archaeological site with unique circular terraces used for Inca farming experiments. Then, we see the ancient salt mines of Maras, where salt has been harvested from terraced ponds since Inca times. We continue to Ollantaytambo, a town with well-preserved Inca ruins and a historical fortress.
In the evening, we take the train to Aguas Calientes, the town near Machu Picchu. We enjoy the scenic ride through the lush Andean landscape. We spend the night in a hotel in Aguas Calientes, ready for our visit to Machu Picchu the next day.
- Accommodation: 3-star hotel in Aguas Calientes
- Entry Tickets, Tour guide & transportation included
- All meals included
We wake up very early to catch one of the first buses to Machu Picchu, ensuring we arrive in time to see the sunrise over this world-famous site. Upon arrival, we will start with a guided tour of Machu Picchu, where our guide will share fascinating stories and insights about the history, architecture, and cultural significance of this ancient Inca citadel. We learn about the Inca civilization and how they built this incredible city high in the Andes mountains.
After our guided tour, we have some free time to explore the site on our own. If we are feeling adventurous and have booked in advance, we might choose to hike up Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain for even more spectacular views. These hikes offer different views of the surrounding landscape, and the effort is well rewarded with stunning panoramic vistas.
In the afternoon, we return to Aguas Calientes. We take some time to relax and have lunch before boarding the train back to Ollantaytambo. Upon arriving in Ollantaytambo, we transfer to a bus that will take us back to Cusco. We enjoy the ride, reflecting on the incredible experiences of the past three days. We arrive in Cusco around 7 PM, giving us enough time to plan the rest of our evening.
Depending on our travel plans, we can book a bus or a flight out of Cusco for the following day. Alternatively, we might choose to stay another night in Cusco to rest and explore more of this vibrant city.
- Accommodation: Not included
- Entry Tickets, Tour guide & transportation included
- Only breakfast included
Inclusions
- Airport transfer to your hotel in Cusco
- 3-star hotel in Cusco (Day 1)
- 3-star hotel in Aguas Calientes (Day 2)
- Tickets: Coricancha, Sacsayhuaman, Q'enqo, Puca Pucara, Tambomachay
- Tickets: Pisac, Moray, Salineras, Ollantaytambo
- Train from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes (Day 2)
- Train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo (Day 3)
- Guided tour of Machu Picchu
- Entry tickets to Machu Picchu
- Professional tour guide for 3 days
- Transportation throughout the tours
- All meals on Day 2
- Breakfast on Day 3
Non-Inclusions
- Meals not mentioned in the itinerary:
- Accommodation on the last night in Cusco (Day 3)
- Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain hike (requires advance booking and extra cost)
- Personal expenses (souvenirs, laundry, additional snacks, etc.)
- Travel insurance (highly recommended)
- Tips for guides, drivers, and hotel staff
- Flights to and from Cusco
What is included in the tour package?
The tour package includes airport transfers, accommodation (3-star hotels in Cusco and Aguas Calientes), guided tours of Cusco, Sacred Valley, and Machu Picchu, entry tickets to all sites, transportation throughout the tour, professional tour guide, all meals on Day 2, and breakfast on Day 3.
