2-Day Sacred Valley & Machu Picchu By Train Tour Review

Is the 2-Day Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu Tour worth it? Based on my experience, this post will review and go over the 2-day tour to the ancient city of Machu Picchu to help you decide.

Intro

If you’re in Cusco for a short time, then you have to visit Machu Picchu! To make the most of your time, the bet way to get to the ancient Incan city is by taking a tour from Cusco that brings you to Aguas Calientes, the nearest town to Machu Picchu. Taking a tour has all-inclusive logistics with shuttle, train, and bus transportation all taken care of! And if you’re willing to stay a night in Aguas Calientes, thentake a 2-Day tour that will explore the Sacred Valley heading towards Machu Picchu, and of course, Machu Picchu itself.

In this post, I will review and provide information on what to expect on this 2-Day Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu tour based on my own experiences. Don’t forget to check my tips out too!

Tour Tickets

I recommend booking a tour to explore this region as it takes the guesswork out of all the logistics since all transportation is included. It also includes a tour guide every step of the way so you won’t get lost or confused. To book your 2-Day through Sacred Valley and to Machu Picchu, click here or click “Book Now” in the widget below:

Sacred Valley & Machu Picchu Map

The above map shows all the stops on this 2-Day Tour to Sacred Valley & Machu Picchu. The points are color-coordinated as:

• Day 1 Points of Interest → DARK BLUE
• Day 2 Points of Interest → LIGHT ORANGE

HOW TO USE THE ABOVE SACRED VALLEY & MACHU PICCHU MAP:

Tour Experience

Day 1: Sacred Valley & Arrive Aguas Calientes

Hotel Pick-Up

The tour starts early morning with a pick-up from your hotel around 7 AM. Our hotel was located right next to Plaza Mayor de Cuzco and we were picked up at 7:15 AM. We then picked up other tour members around Cusco before heading to out first stop.

Awana Kancha

The first stop is at Awana Kancha, an alpaca and llama wool farm where they use their wool to make Peruvian textiles. We arrived here around 8 AM.

Our guide briefly went over each of the species that Awana Kancha is home to and the difference in their wool. We also got to see how the workers make their textiles, including coloring and weaving.

Making of Peruvian Textiles • photos by Jeanie A

Then we were given some free time to go around and feed the animals! During our visit, there were also resident condors, a very important symbol in Peruvian culture. After checking the animals out, we went through a textile museum where it showcases Peruvian textiles and pottery.

At the end of our time here, we then got to peruse the final products where I bought a Peruvian sweater made out of alpaca wool. This was such a cool spot and definitely one of my favorite stops on the tour.

Llamas, Alpacas, and Condors • photos by Jeanie A

Taray

Then after about an 1 hour drive back on the bus, we made it to Taray around 10 AM. Taray is a viewpoint of the Sacred Valley lined with mountains framing open fields and farmlands. We were only here for about 10 minutes but we took plenty of pictures.

Taray viewpoint • photos by Jeanie A

Pisac

The next stop was a 30 minute drive. We arrived at Pisac around 10:30 AM. Our guide provided information about the mountainside terraces and their history with ancient Incans. What’s crazy is that you can see these mountain terraces all throughout this valley. All, of course, are no longer in use but they are a reminder of the ancient Incan agricultural methods.

Urubamba

At around 11:30, we got to a Pisac market where we walked around and saw tons of Peruvian products including souvenirs, produce, textiles, pottery, and even got to buy cocoa leaves. Cocoa leaves aid with altitude sickness and helps alleviate any symptoms you may be feeling. We bought a small bag’s worth since we definitely felt the effects of the high altitude since our arrival in Cusco.

Urubamba Market • photos by Jeanie A

Urco

At around 12:15 PM, we got to an unexpected stop at Centro Arqueologico de Urco. Here, we went through the Incan ruins and our guide pointed out the water system that Incan used for rituals. Another reinder to the amazing intelligence of ancient Incans.

Urco Ruins • photos by Jeanie A

Ollantaytambo

Our last stop before we hop onto the train is at the Ollantaytambo Archeological Park. We were here from 2 PM to 3 PM, where we walked through and explored the park. Our guide pointed out unique architectural elements and what certain areas were used for. This was such a cool spot with amazing views of the surrounding valley, especially when near the top!

Ollantaytambo • photos by Jeanie A

Scenic Train to Aguas Calientes

Then we said farewell to our Sacred Valley guide as he dropped us off at the Ollantaytambo train station. We boarded at 3:20 PM and made our way to Aquas Calientes. The train was a nice and relaxing mode of transportation, and what I loved was that the windows were large and also had sun roof windows to maximize our view of the amazing surroundings. We passed through mountains and rode alongside the Urubamba river!

On the train we were served small lunch boxes and coffee and tea too! The ride took about 2 hours and arrived in Aguas Calientes around 5 PM.

Scenic Train to Aguas Calientes • photos by Jeanie A

Night in Aguas Calientes

We checked in at our included hotel where we got a view of the Urubamba River right outside our window! We then met with another guide who gave us information about the next day, like where to meet and at what time.

Then we set off to explore (on our own) the town of Aguas Calientes. We also went to the Hot Springs and enjoyed the warm relaxing waters of these natural hot springs.

After our relaxation time, we then found a restaurant to eat at. Must try food: Salmon Ceviche and Llama Meat! Then we headed back to the hotel to prepare for an early morning.

Aguas Calientes • photos by Jeanie A

Day 2: Machu Picchu & Return Cusco

Peaceful Walk to Meet-Up Spot

On Day 2 of the 2-Day Tour is a visit to the iconic and world-famous Machu Picchu! We were up early to walk to the meet up spot at 7 AM. There were a bunch of other people here too, so the meet up spot must be the main pick-up spot for several different tour companies. Our guide called our names and we followed him to our bus.

Bus to Machu Picchu

The bus climbed up the mountain, feeling dangerously close to the edge. But the higher we got, the more amazing the views became! We were practically driving in the clouds. Amazing! We then got to the the entrance of Machu Picchu around 8 AM.

Heading up the mountain • photos by Jeanie A

Explore Machu Picchu

Our guide brought us into Machu Picchu and walked us through the entire site! He gave us so much awesome information and facts about the area, including what areas and buildings were used for. We also waited at a viewpoint for the clouds to pass so that we can see the famous Machu Picchu mountain!

It’s common for the site to be covered in cloud especially in the morning, but a little waiting and patience will clear them! We waited about 5 minutes for the outline of the mountain to appear, and then another 10 minutes for the entire mountain to clear up! We got amazing views of Machu Picchu at 9 AM.

Machu Picchu is such an amazing feat of ancient Incan engineering and creativity. It really is no wonder it is one of the seven wonders of the world! I also definitely recommend going on a guided tour through the ruins since you get to learn so much about the site that you otherwise would not have learned if you explored on your own.

At the end of the tour, our guide left us to explore the grounds a bit on our own before deciding to hop on a bus back down. Just be mindful of the time it takes to get back into town, and the train departure time.

Machu Picchu • photos by Jeanie A

Lunch in Aguas Calientes

After spending a 2.5 hours at Machu Picchu, it was then time to head back down the mountain and return to Aguas Calientes. Of course we were hungry by now and found a cute streamside restaurant to eat lunch at. We also had a bit of free time to get some souvenirs in town!

Lunch in Aguas Calientes • photos by Jeanie A

Scenic Train back to Ollantaytambo and Bus to Cusco

At 1:15 PM, we were back on our train to Ollantaytambo. This time, our seats were directly in the front, so we got both front and side views of the ride! Unexpected but I loved it!

Scenic train back to Cusco • photos by Jeanie A

Overall Rating

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)

After the 2 hour train ride, we arrived at the Ollantaytambo train station where we met with our bus driver who brought us back to our hotel in Cusco.

The 2-Day tour through Sacred Valley and to Machu Picchu was AMAZING! Every step of the way was clear where we never felt lost or confused even though we switched guides at certain points. All the transportation was taken care of from all the buses and trains we took. Could not get any more convenient than that!

All our guides were extremely knowledgeable and funny, especially our Machu Picchu guide! When it comes to visiting historical and ancient sites, having a knowledgeable guide to talk through what you’re observing is unbeatable. I can’t recommend this tour enough!

Final Words: Absolutely Worth It!

This 2-Day tour to Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu was amazing! It really had it all from exploring ancient Incan ruins, to amazing views, and even an animal encounter. All the stops, the inclusions, and our guides made this tour absolutely worth it. I hope you consider going on it too when visiting Peru’s wonder of the world.

Did you take a multi-day to Machu Picchu tour from Cusco?
How was your experience – Let me know in the comments below!