4-Day: All Included Excursion City Tour, Sacred Valley & MachuPicchu

Ancient stone waits above the clouds. This four-day Peru package gives you a tidy route through Cusco, the Sacred Valley, and Machu Picchu, with airport pickup, hotels, transport, guides, and selected meals arranged in advance. It is a good fit if you want to see the main Inca sights without piecing together trains, buses, and transfers yourself.

I like the small maximum group of 15, which should make the guided visits more personal, and I like the strong practical support from Chullos Travel Peru. The company keeps you updated about meeting points and tickets, and the Cusco hotel named in the feedback, La Casona Real, was praised for its old Spanish villa feel, comfortable beds, and central location.

The main caution is the phrase all included. Machu Picchu admission is subject to ticket availability and is listed separately from the included services, so you should confirm exactly what your $750 covers before paying. The schedule is also full, with an early Machu Picchu morning and long transport days.

Five useful things to know before booking

• Four days, not five: The package covers arrival day, the Cusco city tour, Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu, then a final morning.
• A small group of up to 15: You get more room to ask questions than on a large coach tour.
• The Sacred Valley leads naturally to Machu Picchu: You visit Pisaq and Ollantaytambo before taking the train to Aguas Calientes.
• Machu Picchu tickets need special attention: Circuits 1 and 2 depend on availability from Peru’s Ministry of Culture.
• The $750 price covers many basics: Airport transfer, accommodation, three breakfasts, two lunches, guided visits, and ground and rail transport are included as specified.
• The schedule begins gently: You have the first morning free to rest and adjust to Cusco’s altitude before the afternoon tour.

A sensible first afternoon in Cusco

Your arrival begins with an airport pickup by a Chullos Travel Peru representative. You are taken to the hotel, then given the morning to rest and acclimatize. That pause matters because Cusco sits high, and launching straight into a packed sightseeing day would be poor planning.

The city tour begins at 2:00 PM and returns around 7:00 PM. That gives you five hours for a first look at Cusco and the Inca sites just outside the center.

The first stop is Korikancha, also written Qorikancha, the Temple of the Sun. It is an important introduction because it shows the meeting of Inca and Spanish Cusco in one place. The tour then continues to Sacsayhuamán, where the guided visit lasts about an hour.

Sacsayhuamán is the large stone complex above Cusco, known for its massive fitted blocks. The scale of the stones gives you a quick sense of the engineering skill behind the Inca capital. Allow yourself time to look closely at the joints rather than simply taking a quick photograph.

Next comes Qenqo, a ritual center formed around a rocky outcrop. The description of the site emphasizes its mystical character, and the setting inside the rock gives this stop a different mood from the broad stone terraces at Sacsayhuamán.

After about 15 minutes of transport, you reach Puca Pucara, or the Red Fort. This was a military construction, and its position helps explain how the Inca monitored movement around Cusco.

The final stop is Tambomachay, known as the Bath of the Inca. Water worship ceremonies took place here, making it a useful counterpoint to the military purpose of Puca Pucara.

I like this first-day route because it covers several types of Inca site without asking you to hike for hours. The tradeoff is the amount of time spent in a vehicle between stops. At the end of the day, you return to Cusco by about 7:00 PM, so plan a quiet evening.

Pisaq and the Sacred Valley by midday

Pickup for the Sacred Valley begins at 8:00 AM. This is a long day, listed at about 12 hours, but it also sets up the next day at Machu Picchu by ending in the train town of Aguas Calientes.

After roughly 90 minutes of travel, you arrive at Pisaq for a guided visit of about an hour. The archaeological site is one of the key stops in the valley, and its terraces and elevated position help you understand how the Inca used steep mountain country for farming and settlement.

From Pisaq, the route follows the Willka Mayu, or Sacred River, toward Urubamba. You stop there for a buffet lunch with typical Andean food. Two included lunches add real value to a package like this, since you do not need to arrange a meal while moving between major sites.

After lunch, you travel about 30 minutes to Ollantaytambo. The guided visit lasts about an hour and includes the Temple of the Sun, the Intihuatana, the Princess Baths, and the Andean terraces.

Ollantaytambo is especially useful in this itinerary because it is both an archaeological site and the departure point for the train. You get to see its ceremonial and defensive features before continuing toward Machu Picchu, rather than making a separate return trip later.

The schedule is efficient, but not leisurely. You will have set time at each major site, and the 12-hour day includes road travel, lunch, walking, and the train connection. If you prefer slow meals and long independent visits, this may feel managed. If you value a clear route, it works well.

The train to Aguas Calientes

After Ollantaytambo, you go to the station for the train to Aguas Calientes, the town below Machu Picchu. Your overnight stay there puts you close to the mountain for the next morning.

The guide is scheduled to stop by your hotel in the evening and explain the next day’s arrangements. That meeting is important. Listen carefully to the departure time, bus plan, meeting point, and train details, and keep your ticket information easy to reach.

The package includes accommodation, but the supplied details do not name every hotel. The one Cusco property specifically praised was La Casona Real, described as an old Spanish villa with attractive furnishings, comfortable beds, and a good location. Ask for your confirmed hotel names before departure if that matters to you.

Aguas Calientes is treated mainly as a practical overnight base here. You have already spent much of the day on the move, so do not expect a leisurely evening built into the program.

Machu Picchu before breakfast crowds build

Day three begins very early with the bus up to Machu Picchu. The guided visit lasts about two and a half hours, giving you enough time for a structured introduction to the site and its main features.

This is the emotional center of the trip, but it is also the part that needs the most careful planning. The Machu Picchu admission ticket is not guaranteed in the package details. Tickets are controlled by Peru’s Ministry of Culture, and the tour specifies circuits 1 and 2 when available.

Other circuits may be available for an extra charge. If no Machu Picchu ticket can be obtained, the stated policy is a full refund for the reserved tour package. That is reassuring, but it is still wise to contact the operator before booking and ask whether your desired date has been secured.

The tour schedule gives you guided time first, followed by free time in Aguas Calientes for lunch. Lunch on this day is not listed among the two included lunches, so budget for it separately.

Afterward, you return by train to Ollantaytambo. A Chullos Travel Peru representative is supposed to meet you there with a sign bearing the company name, then take you by vehicle back to your Cusco hotel.

This connection is one of the package’s strongest practical features. A train ride alone is easy enough, but the handoff at Ollantaytambo removes the worry of finding your own onward transport after a tiring day.

A quiet final morning, with one optional add-on

The fourth day is deliberately light. You have the morning free, depending on your flight time, and the program mentions Cusco Cathedral as the day’s focus, with about three hours and no admission charge listed.

The wording leaves some flexibility, which is useful if your flight departs early. If you have a later departure, you can use the morning to rest, revisit the center, or spend time around the Plaza de Armas.

There is also an optional activity focused on Peruvian gastronomy and the preparation of a Pisco Sour. It is not part of the stated package price, so ask about the cost and schedule before accepting it.

Three breakfasts are included. Two lunches are included. Meals not specifically listed are your responsibility, including the Machu Picchu day lunch.

What the $750 price really buys you

At $750 per person, the value depends on how much support you want. The package includes airport pickup, accommodation, the Cusco city tour, guides, city-tour entrances, transport, the Sacred Valley program, Machu Picchu-related transport, three breakfasts, and two lunches.

That is a useful bundle for someone who does not want to coordinate several separate bookings. You are paying for a route that links Cusco, Pisaq, Urubamba, Ollantaytambo, Aguas Calientes, and Machu Picchu without leaving each transfer to chance.

The price is less attractive if you only need sightseeing. The Machu Picchu ticket issue is the biggest point to clarify, since the tour is promoted as all included while the ticket is marked not included and subject to availability.

I would ask these questions before booking:

• Is the Machu Picchu entrance ticket already secured for my date?
• Which hotel will I use in Cusco and Aguas Calientes?
• Are train tickets and the bus to Machu Picchu included?
• Which meals are included on each day?
• What happens if I want a circuit other than 1 or 2?

The tour is commonly booked far ahead, with an average lead time of 289 days. That is a useful warning for popular dates. It also makes early confirmation of Machu Picchu tickets especially important.

The guides and personal service

The supplied feedback gives the company high marks overall, with a 4.8 rating from 40 reviews and recommendation by 98 percent of customers. The most praised points are communication, guide quality, and the ease of handling tickets and meeting places.

No individual guide names are provided, so I cannot point you toward a particular person. I can say that the service is designed around frequent handoffs, and clear instructions matter at every stage.

The group limit of 15 is a good middle ground. You avoid the scale of a big bus group, while still getting the cost benefit of shared transport. A smaller group also gives you a better chance to ask about the sites, though the actual feel will depend on the group booked for your date.

Who should choose this four-day route

I would recommend this trip to you if you want the main Cusco and Machu Picchu sights in a compact package. It suits first-time visitors who prefer a guide, organized transport, and a set hotel plan.

It is also a good choice if you are nervous about the train connection and the return from Ollantaytambo to Cusco. The company representative waiting with a sign is a small detail, but it can make a long day much easier.

You may want a different plan if you want extra time in Cusco, more independent walking, or a slower Sacred Valley visit. The itinerary is full, and the second day lasts about 12 hours.

Most travelers can participate according to the supplied information, but the schedule still includes long days and early starts. Give yourself the first morning to rest, drink water, and adjust before sightseeing.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the experience begins for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not accepted for a refund, and the cut-off uses local time.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want one organized four-day framework covering Cusco, the main nearby Inca sites, the Sacred Valley, and Machu Picchu. Its best features are the small group, included transfers, clear route, and strong support with complicated connections.

Before paying, confirm the Machu Picchu ticket status in writing. If that ticket is secured and the hotels suit you, $750 can be a fair price for the amount of coordination included. If the ticket is still uncertain, treat the refund promise as important protection, not as a minor footnote.

FAQ

How long is the tour?

The experience lasts approximately four days. Day one includes airport pickup and the afternoon Cusco city tour, while day four provides free morning time depending on your flight.

What is included in the price?

The package includes airport pickup, accommodation, the Cusco city tour, city-tour guides and entrances, transport, the Sacred Valley program, Machu Picchu-related services, three breakfasts, and two lunches.

Is the Machu Picchu entrance ticket included?

The supplied details state that the Machu Picchu ticket is not included and is subject to availability. Tickets for circuits 1 and 2 are purchased through Peru’s Ministry of Culture, and other circuits may cost extra.

What happens if Machu Picchu tickets are unavailable?

If no Machu Picchu tickets are available, the stated policy provides a full refund for the reserved tour package.

How large is the group?

The maximum group size is 15 people.

Where do I stay before visiting Machu Picchu?

You spend the night in Aguas Calientes after taking the train from Ollantaytambo. The specific hotel name is not provided in the tour details.

Are meals included every day?

Three breakfasts and two lunches are included. Meals not mentioned, including the lunch after the Machu Picchu visit, are not included.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not refunded or accepted.