Sacred Valley and Short Inca Trail in 3 Days Walk into Machu Picchu through the Sun Gate
Explore Pisac and Ollantaytambo, hike the Short Inca Trail past Wiñay Wayna to the Sun Gate and tour Machu Picchu — permits, hotels and trains included, from $625.
This tour combines the Sacred Valley with the most rewarding way to arrive at Machu Picchu: on foot. Day one visits the terraces of Pisac and the temple-fortress of Ollantaytambo, where you spend the night right next to the station. On day two the train drops you at Km 104, and the original Inca road climbs through cloud forest to the terraces of Wiñay Wayna and the Sun Gate (Inti Punku), where Machu Picchu appears below you.
You descend to Aguas Calientes for the night and return to the citadel on day three for a full guided visit before the train back. The Inca Trail section needs a permit issued in your name, and dates are limited — book early, especially for May to September; the trail closes every February. All entrances, the permit, hotels, trains, buses and a guide are included for US $625. Read our Sacred Valley and Inca Trail guide.
Your first view of Machu Picchu from Inti Punku, as the Inca pilgrims saw it.
Wiñay Wayna
Curved terraces and fountains on the mountainside, reached only on foot.
Pisac and Ollantaytambo
The two great Inca sites of the valley, with a night in Ollantaytambo.
A full guided visit
A second day at Machu Picchu to explore the citadel from inside.
Hotels, not tents
Nights in Ollantaytambo and Aguas Calientes — no camping needed.
Permit and entrances included
The Inca Trail permit and every entrance are part of the price.
Day-by-day itinerary
Sacred Valley treasures, the Short Inca Trail to the Sun Gate, and two visits to Machu Picchu — the perfect blend of culture and trekking.
3 DAYS 2 NIGHTS
Itinerary · 3 Days / 2 Nights
Day 1Sacred Valley – Ollantaytambo. Pickup at 7:30 AM to explore the Pisac market and ruins and Ollantaytambo’s Inca remains, with free time in town and an overnight stay in Ollantaytambo.
Day 2Ollantaytambo – Km 104 – Wiñay Wayna – Aguas Calientes. Train to Km 104 and hike the Inca Trail past Wiñay Wayna to the Sun Gate for a first view of Machu Picchu, then descend to Aguas Calientes for the night.
Day 3Machu Picchu Tour – Cusco. An early return to Machu Picchu for a full guided tour of the citadel, then the train and transfer back to Cusco.
Good to know: A Short Inca Trail permit issued under your passport is required for Day 2, and dates are limited — book ahead and bring your original passport. The calendar shows live permit availability.
Inclusions & exclusions
Exactly what is covered in your Sacred Valley & Inca Trail 3D/2N tour — and what to budget separately.
What's Included
All transport — Cusco ↔ Ollantaytambo transfers & scenic train.
All entrance tickets (Sacred Valley, Inca Trail & Machu Picchu).
Private guide & refreshments.
Hotel in Ollantaytambo & Aguas Calientes.
Bus up & down at Machu Picchu & return train.
Lunch in Aguas Calientes, emergency medical supplies & final transfer to Cusco.
Not Included
Tips for guide and staff (optional).
Before you go
A few essentials we recommend to make your Sacred Valley & Inca Trail 3D/2N day the most rewarding possible.
Acclimatize & bring your passport
Day 2 needs a Short Inca Trail permit under your passport — book ahead. The first day in the Sacred Valley helps you acclimatize. Bring layers, a rain jacket and broken-in shoes.
Physical fitness
Moderate. Days 1 and 3 involve easy walking at Inca sites. Day 2 is the hike: about 12 km on the Short Inca Trail, with a steady climb of a few hours on stone steps from Km 104 to Wiñay Wayna and the Sun Gate.
Best time to go
Dry season: May to September, with the clearest views from the passes and the Sun Gate; April and October are excellent shoulder months. The Inca Trail closes every February for maintenance, and permits for the dry season sell out months ahead.
Sun & weather
The sun is strong even when it is cloudy. Bring sunscreen SPF 50+, a hat and sunglasses, plus insect repellent and a rain jacket or poncho for the humid cloud forest near Machu Picchu.
Cancellations & weather
You can cancel up to 24 hours before the tour if a verifiable emergency keeps you from joining — an illness, an accident or a cancelled flight, for example, with a document that shows it. If weather or road conditions make the trip unsafe, we will offer you a new date or a full refund. Machu Picchu tickets, train tickets and Inca Trail permits are personal and cannot be refunded once purchased. See our refund policy.
What to pack
Travel light but smart. Here's exactly what we recommend bringing for a comfortable, safe day at altitude.
Essentials
Passport — required for the entrance ticket.
Hiking boots (broken in) — terrain is rocky & uneven.
Transparent pricing — no hidden fees. The more travelers in your group, the lower the price per person.
Group Type
Group Size
Price / Person
What's Different
Shared Group Most popular
2 – 14 travelers
US $625 / pp
Mixed international group · set departure
Private Group ★ Best experience
2 – 6 travelers
US $120 / pp
Your group only · personalized pace
Family Package
4+ adults & kids
US $594 / pp
5% discount for adolescents & children
Group of 8+
8 or more travelers
From US $562 / pp
Automatic group discount at checkout
Group discounts apply automatically. Book 4+ travelers and we'll send a custom quote within 2 hours. Larger groups (10+) qualify for additional savings — message us on WhatsApp.
Payment & refund highlights
Secure online payment
Pay with Visa, MasterCard, American Express. All transactions SSL-encrypted via Izipay.
Cancellation policy
We accept cancellations up to 24 hours before the tour when a verifiable emergency prevents you from attending. Machu Picchu tickets, train tickets and Inca Trail permits are personal and cannot be refunded once purchased. Refunds go back to your original payment method and are processed by your bank, not by us: any bank fees are applied by the bank, and the money can take up to 30 business days to reach your account. Thank you for your patience. Read the full policy.
Frequently asked questions
Quick answers to the questions we hear most often. More? See the full FAQ page or reach us on WhatsApp.
Moderate: about 12 km with a steady climb of a few hours on stone steps from Km 104 to the Sun Gate. The altitude is lower than Cusco.
Yes. The Inca Trail section requires a permit in your passport name. We request it when you book; see Inca Trail permits.
This trek needs TWO bookings: the government Inca Trail permit (capped at 500 per day and sold out months ahead) and the Machu Picchu entrance ticket. Check both calendars before you book.
