Cusco 3-day itinerary: the city, the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu
Three days is the sweet spot for a first visit to Cusco: enough to see the city, the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu, each with a guide, without a single rushed hour. The secret is the order — starting in the city, then going down into the valley before Machu Picchu — so the altitude works with you, not against you.
Three days at a glance
| Day | Plan | Tour price |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arrival, city tour and San Blas | From US $18 |
| 2 | Sacred Valley: Pisac, Ollantaytambo, Maras, Moray and Chinchero | From US $35 |
| 3 | Machu Picchu full day | From US $375 |
Day 1: arrival and the city
Fly in early if you can and keep the first morning quiet. The guided city tour (9:00 am to about 1:00 pm) visits Qorikancha, the Temple of the Sun, and the Inca sites on the hills above the city: Sacsayhuamán, Qenqo, Puca Pucara and Tambomachay. In the afternoon, stroll from the Plaza de Armas past the twelve-angled stone to the artisans’ quarter of San Blas. Our Cusco in 1 day plan has the detail.
Book your three days
City tour from US $18, Sacred Valley from US $35 and Machu Picchu in a day from US $375 — or the 3-day Cusco Express package.
Day 2: the Sacred Valley
A 6:00 am pickup takes you first to the terraces and ruins of Pisac, then to the Inca temple-fortress of Ollantaytambo. After a buffet lunch come the Maras salt pans, the circular terraces of Moray and, to finish, the weaving village of Chinchero, with the return to Cusco around 7:00 pm. The BTC and the Maras entrance are paid separately. The valley lies lower than Cusco, so this day helps you acclimatise before Machu Picchu.
Day 3: Machu Picchu
The longest day leaves Cusco at about 4:30 am. You drive to Ollantaytambo, ride the train to Aguas Calientes and take the bus up to Machu Picchu (2,430 m) for a guided tour, returning to Cusco around 9:30 pm. If your flight home leaves on day 3, swap days 2 and 3 — or, better, add a fourth day.
Do it yourself or take a package?
Booking the three day tours separately gives you the most flexibility. If you would rather have everything in one booking, two packages cover similar ground:
- Cusco Express, 3 days (US $490): city tour, Machu Picchu, airport transfers and accommodation, but no Sacred Valley day.
- Cusco Essential, 4 days (US $530): this same itinerary plus transfers, accommodation and a departure day.
Tips for three days in Cusco
- Book Machu Picchu first. Tickets are limited and sell out weeks ahead in the dry season; check availability before fixing the other days.
- Buy the BTC, which covers the city sites and most Sacred Valley sites; see our BTC guide.
- Keep evenings early on days 2 and 3: both start before dawn.
- Pack layers and rain gear; the weather shifts quickly. Our Cusco packing list covers the essentials.
Frequently asked questions
Yes, for a first visit: three days cover the city, the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu. Add more days for hikes such as Rainbow Mountain or Humantay Lagoon.
City first, Sacred Valley second and Machu Picchu third. The valley is lower than Cusco and helps you acclimatise.
The three day tours total about US $425 per person, plus the Cusco Tourist Ticket, meals and accommodation.
It is possible, but at 5,030 m it is hard on your first days. With three days, we recommend the itinerary above.
With only three days it is simpler to keep one base in Cusco, since all three tours start and end there.
