Sacred Valley & Machu Picchu (3 days)
With three days you can do the Sacred Valley justice and still finish at Machu Picchu. This cultural route adds the weaving town of Chinchero, the salt pools of Maras and the terraces of Moray to the classic valley sites — an unhurried journey that doubles as the perfect way to acclimatize before the citadel.
Why give it three days
The two-day trip is efficient, but it has to skip some of the valley's best places. A third day lets you slow down and add Chinchero, Maras and Moray — and because the valley sits lower than Cusco, those extra hours at moderate altitude make the whole trip more comfortable. It is the ideal opening to a longer Peru itinerary.
The route, day by day
Day 1 — Chinchero, Maras and Moray: a morning in Chinchero, known for its Andean weaving and colonial church, then the Maras salt mines and the concentric Inca terraces of Moray. Night in the valley.
Day 2 — Ollantaytambo and Pisac: the great fortress of Ollantaytambo and the ruins and market of Pisac (see the Sacred Valley sites guide), then the afternoon train from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes for the night.
Day 3 — Machu Picchu: an early guided tour of the citadel, with time for the classic views, then the train and transfer back to Cusco. Operators arrange the order slightly differently, but those are the pieces.
Who it is for
This route suits travellers who want depth rather than speed, and anyone starting a longer trip who would like to acclimatize gently. If you are tighter on time, the 2-day Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu covers the essentials, while a single day in the Sacred Valley works as a standalone taster.
See the Sacred Valley & Machu Picchu 3-day tour
Chinchero, Maras, Moray and the valley's fortresses, ending at the citadel.
Tickets, timing and what to bring
Entry to Machu Picchu is by timed ticket for a set circuit and sells out in high season — see tickets and circuits and the full Machu Picchu guide. On a guided package the tickets and train are handled for you. Bring layers for cool mornings and strong sun, comfortable shoes for the ruins, swim-free light clothing for the warm valley afternoons, and a small day pack — your main luggage can stay in Cusco.
Frequently asked questions
It covers more of the valley than the 2-day version — typically Chinchero, the Maras salt mines and the Moray terraces, plus Ollantaytambo and Pisac — before the train to Aguas Calientes and a guided tour of Machu Picchu on the final day.
The extra day means a slower pace and more sites, including Chinchero, Maras and Moray, which the 2-day route usually skips. It is the better choice if you want depth and time to acclimatize rather than the fastest possible trip.
Yes. The Sacred Valley sits lower than Cusco, so spending two days there before Machu Picchu gives your body more time to adjust to the altitude, which makes it a comfortable early choice in a longer trip.
Yes. Machu Picchu entry is by timed ticket for a specific circuit and sells out in high season. On a guided package this, along with the train, is arranged for you.