After arriving and settling into your lodge, take a gentle introduction to the valley with a stroll through Pisac Market to browse textiles, ceramics, and local produce, followed by coffee and a light Andean breakfast at Café Mayu overlooking the Urubamba River. Continue with a short visit to the nearby Pisac Archaeological Park to walk its lower terraces and get panoramic views that orient you to the terrain you'll explore later in the trip.
Spend a leisurely afternoon visiting Taray for a riverside walk and then head to Chinchero to explore its colonial church and impressive textile cooperative, where you can watch dyeing demonstrations and try on handwoven ponchos. Finish with a relaxed late-afternoon stop at Moray Viewpoint to admire the circular agricultural terraces from above and savor a pisco sour at El Huacatay while the valley light softens into evening.
As dusk falls, enjoy a relaxed dinner at El Albergue Restaurant in Ollantaytambo (or its sister location if you're staying in Urubamba) where farm-to-table Andean dishes and local wines set a warm tone. Afterward, take a gentle moonlit walk to Pumamarca Lookout for sweeping valley views and star-gazing, or if you prefer a cultural evening, catch a live folk music performance at La Casa de la Cultura to hear traditional melodies and meet local artisans.
Begin with a sunrise drive to the high-altitude agricultural laboratory of Moray to walk its concentric terraces and learn about Inca crop experimentation, then continue to the salt pans at Maras to see centuries-old salt evaporation pools and try a pinch of mineral-rich salt. Finish the morning with a hands-on weaving workshop at Awana Kancha (the Andean camelid farm) where you can meet llamas and alpacas, watch natural dye demonstrations, and try simple backstrap weaving while sipping coca tea.
After a hands-on morning, spend the afternoon exploring the impressive hilltop fortress of Ollantaytambo Archaeological Site, wandering its massive stone terraces and imagining Inca military planning, then stroll through the living Inca town of Ollantaytambo Plaza to watch traditional life unfold and pick up artisan ceramics. Finish with a scenic short hike to Pinkuylluna Grain Storage Terraces for quieter panoramic views of the valley and a relaxed late-afternoon coffee at Café Mayu - Ollantaytambo while the sun softens over the ruins.
As evening settles, wind down with a soothing soak in the thermal pools at Aguas Calientes Hot Springs (not the Machu Picchu town-this refers to a quiet local spa near Ollantaytambo) followed by a dinner of Andean specialties at Tunupa Restaurant where seasonal vegetables and quinoa stews pair with a clean view of valley lights. Finish nightfall with a short, guided walk to Intiwatana Viewpoint to watch the valley glow under sunset hues and listen to a local storyteller share tales of Inca astronomy and mountain spirits.
Depart the Sacred Valley by early train from Ollantaytambo Station toward Aguas Calientes, enjoying riverside views and a light onboard breakfast featuring local bread and lucuma jam; upon arrival, check into your guesthouse and drop bags at Taypikala Boutique Hotel (or similar) for a quick freshen-up. Spend the late morning wandering the lush botanical walk along the Vilcanota River Promenade, visit the compact but informative Machu Picchu Museum (Manuel Chávez Ballón) to orient yourself to Inca history, and book your afternoon shuttle or uphill bus to ensure a relaxed arrival time at the citadel the next day.
After a relaxed lunch, take a guided stroll through the lush Mandor Gardens to spot hummingbirds, orchids, and small waterfalls, then walk the scenic River Trail upstream to the serene Mandor Waterfall for a quiet nature break and photo opportunities. Later, visit the local artisan market near Plaza Manco Capac to shop for hand-carved souvenirs and sample a coca-infused dessert at Indio Feliz Café, before returning to your guesthouse to organize gear and attend a short briefing with your guide about next morning's Machu Picchu logistics.
Enjoy a relaxed dinner at Tree House Restaurant or the riverside Tinkuy Buffet, then join a small-group guided twilight walk along the Hananpacha Trail to watch the Urubamba River canyon soften into dusk and learn local legends from your guide. Finish with a soothing soak and tea service at El MaPi Spa or an evening visit to the atmospheric Plaza Manco Cápac to sample artisanal chocolate and finalize gear checks for an early citadel start tomorrow.
Rise early and take the first shuttle up to Machu Picchu Citadel to arrive with the morning light; after entry, follow a knowledgeable guide through the sacred plazas, the Intihuatana stone, and hidden niches where the architecture meets the mist. After the main circuit, choose an optional uphill trek to Huayna Picchu Terrace for a quieter vantage point and sweeping views of the Urubamba gorge, then descend to savor a picnic breakfast on the lower terraces while watching clouds drift through the ruins.
After your morning circuit, descend to the lower terraces for a relaxed lunch at the shaded Casa del Guardián Picnic Area, then follow your guide on a quieter interpretive walk to the lesser-visited Inca Quarry to examine unfinished stonework and learn about ancient construction techniques. Later, continue along the peaceful Sun Gate Approach (descending route) to enjoy sweeping valley views and catch late-afternoon shifting light on the citadel before returning to Aguas Calientes for a restorative soak and dinner.
After descending from the citadel, unwind with a restorative visit to the Inca Hot Springs (Aguas Calientes Thermal Baths) for a soothing soak and optional herbal steam, followed by an alfresco dinner at Indio Feliz Bistro featuring Andean trout and quinoa risotto while you swap highlights from the day. Finish with a gentle twilight stroll along the Vilcanota Riverside Promenade, pausing at the Manco Capac Bridge viewpoint to watch the valley lights come alive and enjoy a warm cup of coca tea before turning in.
Pack an early light breakfast and depart Aguas Calientes, stopping en route in Yucay to stroll its peaceful central plaza and admire colonial balconies before visiting the nearby Hacienda Huayoccari for a short tour of its restored gardens and Andean herb demonstration. Continue with a gentle walk through the terraced slopes at Chawaytiri to see community-run irrigation channels and meet local farmers for an optional quinoa-tasting and conversation about contemporary Andean agriculture before boarding your transfer toward Cusco.
Spend a relaxed afternoon visiting the terraced ceremonial center of Saylla, where you can sample famous roasted cuy empanadas at the family-run Picantería El Huerto and stroll the town's peaceful stone streets. Continue to Calca to explore the lively municipal market for last-minute textile and spice purchases, then pause at the scenic Mirador de Taray for final panoramic valley views before transferring toward Cusco and bidding the Sacred Valley farewell.
Conclude your Sacred Valley journey with a leisurely farewell dinner at El Huerto de la Familia in Calca, savoring seasonal Andean dishes made from local produce while reflecting on the trip. Afterward, stop at the peaceful hillside Pucamarca Lookout for one last sunset panorama over the valley, then return to Ollantaytambo Train Station (or your Cusco-bound transfer point) for an easy evening departure, with time to pick up any final snacks or souvenirs at the station kiosk.
| Place / Activity | Cost |
|---|---|
| Pisac Market | Free |
| Café Mayu (breakfast, per person) | $8 |
| Pisac Archaeological Park (entrance fee) | $7 |
| Taray (riverside walk) | Free |
| Chinchero Colonial Church (entrance/workshop) | $3 |
| Chinchero Textile Cooperative (demonstration) | $10 |
| Moray Viewpoint (entry to Moray site) | $7 |
| El Huacatay (pisco sour, per person) | $6 |
| El Albergue Restaurant (dinner, per person) | $25 |
| Pumamarca Lookout (viewpoint) | Free |
| La Casa de la Cultura (folk performance, per person) | $8 |
| Moray (archaeological site) - duplicate omitted | |
| Maras Salt Pans (entrance fee) | $5 |
| Awana Kancha (Andean camelid farm - entry & demo) | $12 |
| Ollantaytambo Archaeological Site (entrance fee) | $7 |
| Ollantaytambo Plaza (town stroll) | Free |
| Pinkuylluna Grain Storage Terraces (hike) | Free |
| Café Mayu - Ollantaytambo (coffee, per person) | $4 |
| Aguas Calientes Hot Springs (local spa near Ollantaytambo) | $10 |
| Tunupa Restaurant (dinner, per person) | $18 |
| Intiwatana Viewpoint (guided walk) | $5 |
| Train Ollantaytambo → Aguas Calientes (standard class, per person round-trip estimate) | $70 |
| Taypikala Boutique Hotel (day-use/check-in incidental - per person estimate) | $0 |
| Vilcanota River Promenade (walk) | Free |
| Machu Picchu Museum (Manuel Chávez Ballón) (entrance) | $3 |
| Shuttle bus Aguas Calientes → Machu Picchu (one-way) | $13 |
| Mandor Gardens (entry) | $5 |
| Mandor Waterfall (walk) | Free |
| Plaza Manco Capac artisan market (shopping) | Free |
| Indio Feliz Café (dessert/coffee per person) | $4 |
| Tree House Restaurant / Tinkuy Buffet (dinner per person) | $18 |
| Hananpacha Trail (guided twilight walk) | $10 |
| El MaPi Spa (soak/tea per person) | $12 |
| Machu Picchu Citadel entrance (standard ticket) | $50 |
| Huayna Picchu ticket (optional hike) | $20 |
| Guided Machu Picchu tour (half-day private/group per person) | $30 |
| Picnic breakfast/lunch (per person) | $8 |
| Inca Quarry (interpretive walk) | Free |
| Sun Gate Approach (walk) | Free |
| Inca Hot Springs (Aguas Calientes Thermal Baths) | $6 |
| Indio Feliz Bistro (dinner per person) | $16 |
| Vilcanota Riverside Promenade (stroll) | Free |
| Yucay central plaza (stroll) | Free |
| Hacienda Huayoccari (garden tour/demonstration) | $10 |
| Chawaytiri community visit (optional tasting) | $5 |
| Saylla ceremonial center (visit) | Free |
| Picantería El Huerto (cuy empanada per person) | $6 |
| Calca municipal market (shopping) | Free |
| Mirador de Taray (viewpoint) | Free |
| El Huerto de la Familia (farewell dinner per person) | $20 |
| Pucamarca Lookout (viewpoint) | Free |
| Ollantaytambo Train Station kiosk (snacks/souvenirs estimate) | $5 |
| Estimated Total (per person) | $438 |