Sacred Valley & Machu Picchu 2 Days

All briefings are done at our office at 5:00 PM one or two nights before your trek. If you are unable to make this time, you need to coordinate another time with a member of the Xtreme Tourbulencia office team. Briefings are approximately 40 minutes long.

Xtreme Tourbulencia is one of the only companies to pick you up directly from your hotel as long as it is in the center of Cusco city. We will coordinate this pickup based on a time that your guide will discuss at the briefing. Pick up times may vary 30 – 45 minutes based on traffic conditions and previous pickups. Since Cusco has narrow cobblestoned streets and some accommodations are on steep hillsides inaccessible to cars, we recommend booking hotels with better access.

Hiking one of the mountains next to the ruins is very popular. Huaynapicchu takes about 1 hour to the top and 45 minutes down (typically booked for the 2nd session, 10–11 AM). Machu Picchu Mountain takes 2 hours up and 1 hour down (usually booked for the 9–10 AM session). Note that 4-day trekkers cannot do Machu Picchu Mountain due to time constraints. Hiking either mountain grants extra time at the ruins afterward.

Entry times to Machu Picchu are fixed and non-adjustable. While a grace period is typically granted at the main gate of the Inca city (e.g., until 06:30 AM for a 06:00 AM ticket during peak season, or 06:45 AM during low season), entry at the control points of Machupicchu, Waynapicchu, and Huchuypicchu mountains does not have a grace period.

(*) Entry time at the main gate of the Inca city of Machupicchu.

(**) Entry at the control points of Machupicchu, Waynapicchu, and Huchuypicchu mountains does not have a grace period.

You must be honest with your guide about any health conditions. While guides are not medical professionals, they have first-aid training, and we work with a clinic in Cusco. You are responsible for assessing your fitness and consulting a physician. If you experience issues while hiking and cannot continue, a porter will accompany you to the closest road to wait for a car to the nearest health clinic. If you develop extreme altitude sickness, we can coordinate a train trip to Machu Picchu (subject to additional fees).

Group tours consist of diverse people with various hiking skills and ages. By agreeing to a group tour, you agree that some people might be slower or faster. Everyone can go at their own pace, and the guide will work with the group to accommodate everyone and make the best decisions.

Strikes are frequent in Peru and can block roads and stop trains. We will make sure your trek continues as planned, even if that means leaving the night before your start date. If tours must be canceled, our operations department will coordinate with you, prioritizing your safety above all else.

You are responsible for your items throughout the tour. Please be diligent and remove all items from vans, tents, restaurants, etc. Do not leave anything unattended during your hike, as other trekkers or teams might pick it up accidentally.

Tipping is optional and not obligatory, though appreciated. Typically, group participants pool tipping money together for the porters and chef (recommended $20 USD per person per trek), and porters/chefs prefer soles. Tipping for the guide is more personal, done separately based on your relationship, and guides accept USD, soles, or credit cards.

Travel insurance is inexpensive and strongly recommended. Adventure travel carries extra risk, and insurance protects the investment you made in your journey when planning months in advance. We can recommend an agent if needed.

Weather is unpredictable. While the dry season is April through October, rain can still fall in June or sun appear in December. Prepare for four seasons across microclimates by dressing in layers, including a waterproof jacket, pants, poncho, waterproof gloves, and a warm packable down jacket for cold evenings. Weather changes may also force guides to rework itineraries for safety.

We recommend spending at least two days in Cusco to acclimate. Symptoms can feel like the flu or a hangover (headache, nausea, dizziness, fatigue). Go slow, drink plenty of fluids like water or coca tea, and avoid alcohol, coffee, smoking, and sleeping pills. Your healthcare provider may also prescribe preventive medications like acetazolamide or dexamethasone. Always inform your guide right away if you feel sick.

Flying is the best option, though international travelers must disembark in Lima, clear customs, and recheck bags (even on connecting flights). LATAM has the most options, but delays and cancellations can happen due to high altitude and weather. Comfortable long-distance buses are also available and well-maintained, highly encouraged if traveling from nearby cities like Puno (though buses from Lima take about 20 hours).

It allows you to explore key archaeological sites in the Sacred Valley (Pisac and Ollantaytambo) and travel directly to Aguas Calientes that same afternoon. This optimizes your time, ensures better rest by staying overnight near Machu Picchu, and enables an early morning entry to the citadel without rushed travel from Cusco.

The difficulty level is low to moderate. It does not require multi-day trekking. At Pisac and Ollantaytambo, you will climb several stone steps, and at Machu Picchu, you will walk along paved stone trails for about 2 to 3 hours. It is easily accessible for families and people of almost all ages.

On Day 1, pick-up from your hotel in Cusco is usually between 6:30 a.m. and 7:30 a.m. On Day 2, you will return to Cusco approximately between 6:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m., depending on train schedules.

Ideally, you should spend at least 1 or 2 days in Cusco or the Sacred Valley beforehand to adapt to the altitude. Since the Sacred Valley and Aguas Calientes are at lower elevations than Cusco (approx. 2,800 m / 9,186 ft and 2,040 m / 6,692 ft, respectively), this itinerary actually helps ease altitude adjustment.

You should only pack a small daypack or carry-on bag (maximum 5 kg to 8 kg / 11 lbs to 17 lbs) with a change of clothes for one day, toiletries, and personal documents. Train companies strictly restrict large luggage. You can store your main luggage safely and free of charge at your hotel front desk in Cusco.

It is essential to carry your original valid passport (or national ID card, depending on your nationality) used during booking. You will be asked to present it at the Machu Picchu entrance checkpoint, on the train, and when boarding the shuttle buses.

Yes, the standard package includes 1 night's accommodation at a selected hotel in Aguas Calientes with breakfast included. If you prefer to book your own hotel or upgrade to a higher category (3★, 4★, or 5★), we can customize your reservation accordingly.

Yes, the buffet restaurant in Urubamba offers a wide selection of salads, legumes, side dishes, and vegetable-based meals suitable for vegetarians, vegans, and guests with dietary restrictions (such as gluten-free diets).

The guided tour inside the citadel lasts between 2 and 2.5 hours, following official circuits established by the Ministry of Culture to ensure site preservation.

Yes, it can be added, but it requires purchasing a special entry ticket several months in advance due to strict daily permits. Please keep in mind that these hikes require higher physical effort.

The exact time depends on your assigned ticket slot (usually scheduled during the early morning slots, between 6:00 a.m. and 8:00 a.m.). This allows you to enjoy the site with spectacular lighting and pleasant temperatures.

No. Restrooms and cafes are located exclusively outside the main entrance gate. It is mandatory to use them before entering, as re-entry is strictly prohibited once inside.

The standard service includes tourist trains such as Expedition / Voyager (operated by PeruRail or Inca Rail), featuring comfortable seats and panoramic windows. You can request an upgrade to the Vistadome service for an additional cost.

It is a 25 to 30-minute ride aboard eco-friendly tourist buses (Consettur) ascending a winding mountain road through lush cloud forest directly to the sanctuary entrance.

Yes, upon returning by train to Ollantaytambo, our private or group transport will be waiting to transfer you back to your hotel or near Cusco’s Plaza de Armas.

We recommend booking at least 2 to 3 months in advance (or 4 to 6 months ahead if traveling between May and August), as Machu Picchu entrance permits and train tickets have strict daily capacity limits.

The tour operates normally. You just need to come prepared with a waterproof jacket or rain poncho, sturdy footwear with good grip, and layered clothing. The Andean landscapes are remarkably green and beautiful during this time of year.

Sunscreen, insect repellent, rain poncho, hat or cap, camera, reusable water bottle, local currency in cash (Peruvian Soles for small purchases), and your original ID documents.

Yes, it is one of the most recommended options for families with children or seniors, as it avoids long high-altitude treks and maintains a relaxed, comfortable travel pace.

Machu Picchu entrance permits and train tickets are non-transferable and non-refundable by official Peruvian government regulations. Date changes or cancellations are subject to the terms and penalties outlined in our booking policies.