You may have asked yourself if it is possible to tour the sacred valley and Machu Picchu in one trip, and the answer would be, of course, that it is possible! In fact, the tour that links the sacred valley of the Incas and Machu Picchu is one of the most requested and convenient for the tourist. In this tour you can enjoy the first day visiting the best of the sacred valley, finishing the tour in Ollantaytambo, and then continue the trip to the town of Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu town).
How long does it take to visit the Sacred Valley?
Before you start: to establish the best itinerary in the Sacred Valley, I recommend that you decide beforehand where you will sleep before going up to the citadel of Machu Picchu: Ollantaytambo or Aguas Calientes? If you decide to stay the night in Ollantaytambo, after touring the Sacred Valley, it could be a good decision, but you will have to get up very early to board the train to Machu Picchu. On the other hand, if you decide to spend the night in Aguas Calientes, you will be able to rest longer before starting the climb to the citadel.
Visit to the Sacred Valley in 1 day
In a single day in the Sacred Valley, you will have to make decisions, but there are ways to have a full day!
Start in Pisac to visit its typical market and archaeological site.
Continue to Chinchero to discover its textile art and walk around the beautiful town.
Then you will head to Ollantaytambo. There you will have lunch (noon), then visit the ruins and even sleep there before heading to Machu Picchu the next day.
If you do not have much time, it is clear that the best option is to take a tour of the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu, and enjoy a maximum of things without worrying about transportation, you can even find luxury and economical transportation services.
But the must-see places in the Sacred Valley are Pisac, Ollantaytambo and Chinchero.
To guarantee your place, especially in high season, I recommend you to book in advance!
Accommodation in the Sacred Valley – Ollantaytambo
The Sacred Valley is very extensive and there are many accommodation options for every wallet, from budget backpackers to luxury hotels.
In Ollantaytambo you can get quite nice accommodations like
Janaxpacha. It is simple, beautiful and clean, but above all the welcome is really exceptional.
Hotel Intitambo: nice little hotel in a quiet area away from the tourist streets
Casa de La Chola: A beautiful bed and breakfast located on the outskirts of town, about ten minutes from the Ollantaytambo train station.
Accommodation in Pisac.
Paz y Luz Hotel & Healing Center: is a resource center where travelers come to participate in workshops, healing sessions such as Ayahuasca or San Pedro.
Chaska Pisac: with its beautiful garden, comfortable rooms overlooking the mountains and the river.
Allpawasi: a great favorite of Pisac! It is a rustic and chic looking hotel.
In Urubamba you can find very comfortable little hotels.
Ecolodge Ccatan: is a small and quiet rustic-looking hotel, surrounded by a garden with a hammock, wifi and a good breakfast.
Hotel Inti Ñan: beautiful and large gardens with sculptures, outdoor pool, comfortable rooms.
Casa Andina Private Collection Sacred Valley: is a luxury country style hotel located between Urubamba and Ollantaytambo. It offers rooms and a few villas – called Cabañas Andinas.
Sacred Valley by day and trip to Machu Picchu by night.
Perhaps the Sacred Valley tour will leave you feeling exhausted and you will want to rest in Ollantaytambo. This may be your best option, as hotels in Machu Picchu usually cost too much.
Most likely you will leave at dawn to Machu Picchu by train, from the Ollantaytambo station, it is all a matter of organization and convenient itinerary to enjoy the trip without any inconvenience.
Machu Picchu on the second day.
Touring Machu Picchu 1 day. If you spent the night in Aguas Calientes or Ollantaytambo, you will have to take the bus from the town of Aguas Calientes to the Inca citadel. It is recommended to make the climb very early, to enjoy the sunrise from the majestic huayna Picchu.
No matter if you bought group tours or private tours Machu Picchu, during the tour of the Inca citadel, will be in charge of professional guides, you can ask the questions you want, they will be very prepared to answer all the doubts.
You will have a couple of hours guided and then you can tour the citadel on your own to take the pictures you want.
In the afternoon you will have to prepare for the return trip by train to the station in Ollantaytambo, where according to your itinerary, they will be waiting for you to take the bus or private transportation from Ollantaytambo to the city of Cusco.
