Private Tour 2 Days 1 Night Sacred Valley and Machupicchu by Train

Machu Picchu is only part of the story. This private two-day trip links Cusco with the Sacred Valley, Pisac, Ollantaytambo, and Aguas Calientes before reaching the Inca citadel by train and bus. I especially like the private transport, which keeps the schedule personal, and the chance to see both Pisac and Ollantaytambo instead of rushing straight to Machu Picchu. The main drawback is the pace: a 6:30 am start and a long second day demand energy.

I also like that the price covers the major moving parts: train tickets, Machu Picchu admission, buses, a guide, lunch, breakfast, and one night at Mantu Boutique Hotel. You should note that the $559 price is based on two people sharing a room, and the optional Wayna Picchu ticket costs extra and must be requested well ahead of time.

Key points at a glance

• A full Sacred Valley route: See Awana Kancha, Pisac, its artisan market, Urubamba, and Ollantaytambo before catching the train.
• A private experience: Only your own group takes part, with hotel pickup and drop-off included for hotels near Cusco’s main square.
• A useful overnight stop: Sleeping in Aguas Calientes puts you close to Machu Picchu for the early visit.
• Train travel included: Round-trip tourist or Expedition-class train tickets connect Ollantaytambo and Aguas Calientes.
• Warm guide service: Eli has been praised for clear explanations, friendly energy, and extra help beyond the planned route.
• A packed two-day plan: The itinerary covers a lot, but there is little spare time for slowing down.

Why this two-day route works from Cusco

The smart feature here is the order of the trip. You do not try to visit Machu Picchu as a frantic day trip from Cusco. Instead, the first day follows the Sacred Valley eastward, then ends at Ollantaytambo, where you board the train to Aguas Calientes.

That route makes sense geographically and gives you two different views of Peru. The Sacred Valley offers mountain scenery, farming towns, markets, and Inca sites. Machu Picchu supplies the grand finale. I like this approach because the famous destination gets context rather than appearing as an isolated photo stop.

It is also a private tour, so you are not tied to a large group’s questions, bathroom breaks, or slower walkers. Your guide can focus on your interests and help keep the connections moving. The service is offered in English, and guides may also speak Spanish or Portuguese.

The tradeoff is a demanding schedule. Pickup begins at 6:30 am, and the first day contains five sightseeing stops before the train. Day two includes Machu Picchu, the return bus, a train back to Ollantaytambo, and road transport to Cusco. You gain coverage, but you should not expect a lazy holiday.

Awana Kancha starts the day with alpacas and textiles

Your first stop is Awana Kancha Living Museum, an animal sanctuary and textile center. The visit lasts about 30 minutes and has no separate admission charge.

This is a short introduction to Andean life. You can see native camelid species and learn about traditional Peruvian textiles while your guide explains what you are seeing. It is a useful opening stop because the animals and weaving connect directly to the culture you will encounter across the Sacred Valley.

Do not expect a long visit. Thirty minutes gives you a taste rather than a detailed study. Still, it breaks up the early drive and offers an accessible first look at local craft traditions before the archaeological sites become the focus.

Pisac combines high ruins with a famous market

The Pisac Archaeological Zone sits at about 3,300 meters above sea level. You get roughly one hour at the ruins, with broad views across the Sacred Valley and time to hear about the site from your guide.

The altitude matters. Even if you have already spent time in Cusco, walking at 3,300 meters can feel more tiring than the distance suggests. Take the first few minutes slowly, drink water, and use the visit to look around rather than racing from one wall to the next.

Pisac gives you the dramatic setting people hope for in the Sacred Valley. The ruins sit above the valley, so the view is part of the experience. The site also lets you see how the Incas used steep terrain for settlement and defense.

Afterward, you spend about 40 minutes at the Pisac artisan market. This is a practical stop for handmade goods, produce, fruits, vegetables, and local color. The market is known as one of the largest in the area, so it can be a good place to look for a small textile or craft item.

The time limit calls for focus. If you want to shop, decide quickly what interests you. If markets are not your priority, use the stop to observe daily commerce and the range of goods on display. The inclusion of both the ruins and market gives the morning a good balance, though dedicated shoppers may want more than 40 minutes.

Lunch at Tunupa brings a scenic break in Urubamba

After Pisac, the group stops in Urubamba for lunch at Tunupa Restaurant. The meal lasts about an hour and is served buffet-style beside the Urubamba River.

This is one of the more comfortable parts of the day. A buffet lets you sample several Peruvian dishes without committing to one unfamiliar plate, and the riverside setting offers a pause after the morning’s walking and driving. Lunch is included, which helps the tour’s overall value.

You should still budget for food on the second day. Lunch in Aguas Calientes is not included and is listed at about $30. That detail matters because the second day is long, and you will want a proper meal after visiting Machu Picchu.

Ollantaytambo shows Inca planning at street level

Ollantaytambo is more than a train departure point. The archaeological park and town provide one of the best chances on this route to see Inca design woven into a living settlement.

You have about one hour here. The cobbled streets, old stonework, and open drainage channels show how carefully the town was planned. The drainage system is a small but telling detail. It demonstrates that Inca engineering was not limited to temples and terraces. It also shaped ordinary movement through the town.

I like this stop because it feels different from Pisac. Pisac gives you height and sweeping views. Ollantaytambo gives you close-up details, narrow streets, and a stronger sense of how a settlement functioned.

The short visit means you will not inspect every corner. Treat it as an introduction before your train rather than a complete study of the archaeological park. Keep an eye on the clock, since the evening train connection is an important part of the plan.

The train to Aguas Calientes makes the first day memorable

From Ollantaytambo Train Station, you take a tourist train to Aguas Calientes. The booking includes round-trip tickets in Tourist or Expedition class.

This train segment is valuable for two reasons. First, it avoids a long road transfer through difficult terrain. Second, it turns the journey itself into part of the trip. You can watch the Sacred Valley scenery change as the train follows the route toward the town below Machu Picchu.

The ride is listed as about 15 minutes in the stop description, but the next day’s return train is described as roughly two hours. Train schedules and service descriptions can vary, so confirm the exact departure and arrival times when your tickets are issued. The key point is that the train is included, and your accommodation is arranged in Aguas Calientes.

Once you arrive, a staff member meets you and takes you to Mantu Boutique Hotel. The overnight stay is based on double occupancy, so solo visitors should confirm the single-room price before booking.

An early bus ride leads to Machu Picchu

After breakfast at the hotel, you are picked up early for the bus from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu. The ride to the entrance takes about 30 minutes.

Your guide accompanies you and explains the Inca site, its history, and its mysteries during the visit. The total Machu Picchu portion is listed at about three hours, which includes the bus travel and guided time at the site. That is enough for a meaningful first visit, though not enough to explore every possible route at a slow pace.

The early start is a plus. Machu Picchu is a place where timing affects the whole day, and arriving early gives you more time before the return connections. It also means you should have breakfast promptly and be ready when the pickup arrives.

The tour includes your entrance ticket and round-trip bus tickets between Aguas Calientes and Machu Picchu. That removes two major pieces of planning. You still need to follow the assigned entry time and route rules, since access to Machu Picchu is controlled.

Wayna Picchu is optional. The extra ticket costs $50 and must be requested months in advance to check availability. If climbing Wayna Picchu is a priority, ask about it before paying for the tour. Do not assume it can be added at the last minute.

Returning to Cusco takes most of the second day

After Machu Picchu, you return by bus to Aguas Calientes, then take the train back to Ollantaytambo. The return train is described as about two hours, followed by private transport to Cusco. The full return segment is listed at roughly four hours.

This is the part of the plan that can feel tiring. You will have already been awake early, walked through Machu Picchu, and spent time on buses and trains. The advantage is that the transport is organized, and you are not left arranging separate tickets or finding your own way between Ollantaytambo and Cusco.

Lunch in Aguas Calientes is not included. Plan for that expense and leave enough time for the meal without risking your train. The hot springs are also optional and cost about $7, but the schedule may not leave much room for them. If soaking in the springs is important to you, ask exactly where it fits before booking.

What the $559 price really covers

At $559 per person, the price is not simply paying for a guide and a few stops. It includes a large package of costly logistics:

• Private transportation from and back to your Cusco hotel
• English-speaking professional guidance
• One night at Mantu Boutique Hotel
• Breakfast at the hotel
• Lunch at Tunupa Restaurant
• Round-trip train tickets between Ollantaytambo and Aguas Calientes
• Round-trip buses to Machu Picchu
• Machu Picchu admission
• Sacred Valley admission
• Guided visits in the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu

For two people sharing a room, that can be reasonable value, especially if you want one company handling the train, hotel, entrances, buses, and private road transport. The price is less attractive if you are traveling alone, because the stated rate is based on two people in one room.

You should add the cost of lunch in Aguas Calientes, the $7 hot springs if desired, and the $50 Wayna Picchu ticket if available. The non-refundable booking rule is also important. You cannot receive a refund or make changes after canceling, so check your dates, passports, hotel location, and Wayna Picchu plans first.

The personal service is part of the appeal

The strongest praise for this operator centers on attentive service. Eli is singled out for strong explanations, warm energy, and a willingness to help outside the basic sightseeing plan. One especially useful detail is that Eli helped obtain market products at dawn for a traveler’s return to Chile.

That sort of personal attention can matter on a short trip. You have several transfers, fixed train times, and major entrance tickets. A guide who communicates clearly and watches the details can reduce stress.

Elissa is also named in positive comments about kindness and careful organization. The wider team is praised for friendly drivers, prompt coordination, and help from the beginning of the trip. You should still confirm who your assigned guide will be, since a particular person cannot be guaranteed from the tour details.

The private format gives this service an advantage over a large coach excursion. You can ask more questions, move at your group’s pace within the fixed schedule, and receive direct help if something needs clarification.

Who should book this Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu trip?

I would recommend it to you if you have only two days, want a private experience, and prefer having the complicated parts arranged in one booking. It is especially suitable for couples, friends, parents and adult children, and small family groups who value a guide’s attention.

It also suits people who want more than a quick Machu Picchu visit. Pisac, the market, Urubamba, and Ollantaytambo give you a broader look at the region and help explain why Machu Picchu belongs in a larger Andean story.

I would hesitate if you need a slow schedule, want long market visits, or hope to spend extensive time in each archaeological site. The 6:30 am pickup and full return to Cusco on day two leave little room for unplanned stops.

Before you reserve, confirm that your Cusco hotel is near the main square. Pickup is offered there, and the vehicle carries the company logo. Also confirm the train class, exact departure times, hotel room arrangement, and the status of any Wayna Picchu request.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want an efficient private route that covers the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu without piecing together trains, buses, tickets, lodging, and guides yourself. The strongest reasons are the included transport, the overnight stay in Aguas Calientes, and the attentive service associated with guides such as Eli and Elissa.

Skip it if you prefer to linger, shop at length, or build your own timetable. For most people with limited time in Cusco, though, this is a well-organized way to connect the valley’s major stops with a properly planned visit to Machu Picchu.

FAQ

How long is the tour?

The experience lasts two days and one night. The first day covers the Sacred Valley and travel by train to Aguas Calientes. The second day includes Machu Picchu and the return journey to Cusco.

What time does pickup begin?

Pickup begins at 6:30 am. Transportation collects you from the reception of your hotel if it is close to Cusco’s main square.

Is this a private tour?

Yes. Only your own group participates in the tour.

Is transportation included?

Yes. Private transportation, hotel pickup and drop-off, round-trip train tickets between Ollantaytambo and Aguas Calientes, and round-trip bus tickets to Machu Picchu are included.

Is the Machu Picchu entrance ticket included?

Yes. The Machu Picchu entrance ticket is included, along with the bus tickets between Aguas Calientes and the entrance.

Is Wayna Picchu included?

No. Wayna Picchu is optional and costs $50. You must request the ticket months in advance to check availability.

Is lunch included on both days?

Lunch at Tunupa Restaurant on the first day is included. Lunch in Aguas Calientes on the second day is not included and is listed at about $30.