3-Day Machu Picchu Tour with Sacred Valley

Our 3 Day Machu Picchu Tour with Sacred Valley is a private, fully guided journey that integrates three perfectly paced experiences into one seamless itinerary. Day 1: a relaxed afternoon visit to Cusco’s main Inca and colonial highlights, designed to help you acclimatize and gain historical context (full details on our Cusco Half Day City Tour page).

Day 2: Sacred Valley through Pisac and Ollantaytambo, then scenic Inca Rail train to Aguas Calientes for overnight. Day 3: Sunrise entry to Machu Picchu, 2-hour private guided tour on Circuit 2 (Classic Route), and return by train and private transfer to Cusco. Maximum altitude reached is 3,765 m (12,352 ft).

The 3 Day Tour adds a half-day in Cusco on Day 1 that the 2 Day and Full Day options do not include. This extra afternoon is invaluable for two reasons: it gives you proper altitude acclimatization in Cusco (3,350 m) before going to lower-altitude Machu Picchu, and it provides historical context that makes the citadel infinitely more meaningful. The 2 Day Tour skips the city portion entirely, and the Full Day Tour skips both the city and the Sacred Valley. We recommend the 3 Day Tour for first-time visitors with arrival flights on Day 0 who want the complete cultural immersion at a relaxed pace.

Our 3 Day Tour uses Circuit 2 – Classic Route (Ruta 2), the most complete itinerary available to general visitors. This includes the iconic postcard photo from the upper terrace, the Temple of the Sun, the Sacred Plaza, the Intihuatana sundial, the Three Windows Temple, and the Sacred Rock.

Since 2024 Machu Picchu has been divided into three official one-way circuits — Panoramic (1), Classic (2), and Royalty (3). Choosing the wrong circuit means missing key sectors of the citadel, which is why we book Circuit 2 by default. If you prefer the Panoramic or Royalty circuit, tell us at booking and we will adjust your ticket.

For 2026 the official entrance fees set by Peru’s Ministry of Culture (Resolution Nº 000284-2025-MC) are: S/152 (~USD 40) for foreign adults on standard circuits, and S/200 (~USD 53) for circuits that include Huayna Picchu Mountain, Machu Picchu Mountain, or the Great Cavern. Starting May 1, 2026, SERNANP added a mandatory conservation fee of S/11 for foreign adults (S/5 for nationals and foreign minors), bringing the total to roughly S/163 / USD 48. Children under 3 enter free. All of these official tickets are included in the price of our 3 Day Tour, so you do not pay them separately.

The dry season from May to September offers the most reliable weather, with sunny days, clear views over the Sacred Valley, and minimal rain. June, July, and August are peak — book at least 3 months ahead. April and October are excellent shoulder months: greener landscapes, fewer crowds, stable weather. The rainy season from November to March brings frequent afternoon showers but also dramatic clouds, lower prices, and a more peaceful citadel; February is the wettest month and the Inca Trail closes for maintenance. Daytime temperatures in Cusco range 8–20 °C, in the Sacred Valley 10–22 °C, and at Machu Picchu 17–24 °C year-round.

This tour starts at Cusco’s 3,350 m (10,990 ft) and reaches a maximum altitude of 3,765 m at Sacsayhuaman on Day 1. By Day 2 you descend into the lower Sacred Valley (2,800 m) and by Day 3 you reach Machu Picchu at a comfortable 2,430 m. Arrive in Cusco at least 24 to 48 hours before the tour to acclimatize. Drink coca tea, eat light meals, avoid alcohol, and walk slowly the first day. If you have a history of heart or lung conditions, consult your doctor about Sorojchi Pills or Diamox before traveling. The progressive descent design of our 3 Day Tour helps your body adapt naturally.

The price includes: private hotel pickup and drop-off in Cusco; private transport throughout the 3 days; a guided half-day visit on Day 1 with Boleto Turístico de Cusco entrance fees; Sacred Valley partial Boleto Turístico for Pisac and Ollantaytambo; buffet lunch on Day 2 in Urubamba; round-trip Inca Rail Voyager train tickets; official Machu Picchu entrance ticket on Circuit 2 with the new SERNANP fee included; round-trip Consettur shuttle bus between Aguas Calientes and the citadel; certified private English-speaking guide for all three days; and all local taxes. Hotels in Cusco and Aguas Calientes, breakfasts, dinners, optional mountain hikes, and tips are not included.

Day 1 – Afternoon Acclimatization in Cusco: Hotel pickup at 13:30 for a relaxed half-day sightseeing of the most iconic Inca and colonial highlights around Cusco, accompanied by your private guide. Return to your hotel around 18:30 (see our Cusco Half Day City Tour page for the specific sites covered). Day 2 – Sacred Valley + Train to Aguas Calientes: Pickup at 07:30. Drive to Pisac, explore the Inca terraces and artisan market.

Buffet lunch in Urubamba. Visit Ollantaytambo fortress. Board the Inca Rail Voyager train at 16:36 to Aguas Calientes. Overnight in Machu Picchu Pueblo. Day 3 – Machu Picchu + Return: Consettur bus to the citadel for the 08:00 AM slot. 2-hour private guided tour on Circuit 2. Lunch in Aguas Calientes. Return train at 14:30 to Ollantaytambo, then private transfer to Cusco arriving around 20:00.

Bring your original passport (checked at every checkpoint), a small day backpack under 5 kg for the train, comfortable hiking shoes with good grip, light layers including a warm fleece for Cusco evenings, a waterproof jacket or poncho (essential from November to April), high-SPF sunscreen, insect repellent for the cloud forest, sunglasses and a wide-brim hat, a reusable water bottle, personal medication including any altitude pills, and around 300 to 500 soles in cash for tips, meals not included, and souvenirs. Leave drones, large tripods, and rigid-tip trekking poles at the hotel — they are not allowed inside Machu Picchu or most archaeological sites.

Your private guided tour at Machu Picchu lasts 2 hours, the regulation-mandated maximum time visitors can stay on Circuit 2 once the route begins. Your certified guide explains the history, astronomy, agriculture, and architecture of each main sector. After the guided portion ends you must exit the citadel — Machu Picchu is now strictly one-way and no re-entry is permitted on the same ticket. If you want extra time inside, you can purchase a second-entry ticket in advance (additional USD 75 per person); ask us before your trip and we will arrange it.

Yes. Since the citadel reform, every visitor must enter accompanied by an officially certified tour guide, with a maximum ratio of 16 visitors per guide. Independent entry is no longer permitted. Our 3 Day Tour always includes a private certified English-speaking guide who studied at a top Peruvian university. The same guide stays with you for all three days, giving narrative continuity from the Cusco temples to the Sacred Valley to the citadel itself. We can also arrange Spanish, French, German, Italian, or Portuguese-speaking guides on request.

Yes, both are available as upgrades and must be requested at booking. Huayna Picchu (the sharp peak in the postcard) has only 400 daily permits in two morning shifts (07:00–08:00 and 10:00–11:00); these sell out 3 to 4 months ahead. Hike is 2–3 hours round-trip with steep stone steps and exposed cliffs. Machu Picchu Mountain is the larger summit opposite Huayna Picchu, 3-hour ascent on a wider less vertiginous path; reaches 3,082 m and offers a sweeping panoramic view. Extra cost: USD 95 per person for either. We recommend Machu Picchu Mountain for travelers who want the views without exposure.

You stay 2 nights in Cusco (before Day 1 and after the City Tour on Day 1) and 1 night in Aguas Calientes between Day 2 and Day 3. Hotels are not included in the package, but we can book them for you as an add-on. For Cusco we recommend Casa Andina Premium, Palacio del Inka, JW Marriott (luxury), or Tierra Viva and Tikawasi Valley (mid-range). For Aguas Calientes we suggest El MaPi by Inkaterra, Sumaq Machu Picchu Hotel, or Tierra Viva Machu Picchu. The iconic Belmond Sanctuary Lodge sits at the very gate of the citadel for an unforgettable splurge.

Our 3 Day Tour handles all transport. Day 1: private vehicle within Cusco city and to the nearby Inca sites. Day 2: private vehicle from Cusco to Pisac (45 min, 32 km), Pisac to Ollantaytambo (1h25min, 60 km), then Inca Rail Voyager train from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes (1h30min, 43 km). Day 3: Consettur shuttle bus from Aguas Calientes to the citadel entrance (25 min, steep zig-zag road), then train back to Ollantaytambo (14:30) and private transfer to your Cusco hotel. No public transport, no taxis, no logistical stress for you.

Both Inca Rail and PeruRail enforce a strict luggage limit of 5 kg (11 lb) or one carry-on bag plus a small handbag per passenger. Suitcases and large backpacks must be left behind. We coordinate free luggage storage at your hotel in Cusco — your bags wait safely until you return on Day 3. Pack one small overnight bag for Aguas Calientes with a change of clothes, toiletries, rain gear, camera, passport, and a warm layer.

Yes. In 2026 Machu Picchu allows a maximum of 5,600 visitors per day in high season (January–November and December 30–31) and 4,500 per day in low season, distributed across 10 sub-circuits with specific entry time slots. Huayna Picchu permits are capped at 400 per day. We recommend booking the 3 Day Tour at least 6 to 12 weeks ahead; for Huayna Picchu permits, 3 to 4 months ahead. Your ticket has a fixed entry-time slot, with a tolerance of 30 minutes (low season) or 45 minutes (high season) — after that you cannot enter.

The only official channel is the Ministry of Culture website tuboleto.cultura.pe. Physical sales counters operate in Cusco (Casa Garcilaso, Calle Garcilaso s/n) and in Aguas Calientes (Pachacutec Av., Cultural Center), but in 2026 most tickets are sold online and physical offices often show “sold out” days in advance during high season. When you book the 3 Day Tour with Kondor Path Tours we secure your ticket on the date, circuit, and time slot of your choice as soon as your deposit is confirmed — you do not need to handle the official platform yourself.

The Day 1 half-day format is a deliberate design choice based on two strategic factors. Altitude acclimatization: arriving at Cusco’s 3,350 m can leave most travelers slightly breathless for 24 to 48 hours, so a relaxed afternoon start without strenuous activity helps your body adapt before the longer Day 2 drive into the Sacred Valley.

Historical context: the colonial and Inca highlights you visit on Day 1 give you the cultural foundation that makes the Machu Picchu citadel infinitely more meaningful when you arrive on Day 3. If you want a deeper, full-day exploration of Cusco as a separate experience, see our dedicated Cusco Half Day City Tour page. Within the 3 Day Tour, Day 1 focuses on giving you just enough context without exhausting you.

Yes. The tour is rated moderate physical level, with most walking on uneven Inca stone and stairs but no long hikes. Children aged 5 and older typically enjoy it; younger children can join when accompanied by a guardian over 21. We adjust the pace to your group, including breaks, snack stops, and shorter visits if needed. Children under 3 enter Machu Picchu free year-round; children 3–17 receive a discount of approximately USD 20 on the entrance fee. Train operators offer a 20% discount for children aged 3 to 11. Send us their IDs at booking and we apply all available discounts.

Yes. Full-time university students with a valid ISIC card receive a discount of approximately USD 20 on the Machu Picchu entrance fee. Citizens of Peru, Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Paraguay, Uruguay, and Venezuela pay the promotional Andean Community rate of S/64 general / S/32 reduced instead of S/152. PeruRail and Inca Rail also offer reduced fares for these passengers on selected trains. Send us a copy of your ID or ISIC card at booking and we will apply every discount you qualify for to your final 3 Day Tour price.

The tour operates rain or shine. From November to April expect short, intense afternoon showers; mornings are usually clearer, which is exactly when we visit Machu Picchu on Day 3. Bring a waterproof jacket or rain poncho and a waterproof cover for your camera and backpack. Cloud-forest mist can actually make the citadel more atmospheric and is great for photography. In the rare event the railway is suspended due to landslides or strikes, we coordinate alternate routes via Hidroeléctrica or arrange a refund of any unused portion of your package.

The natural thermal baths (Baños Termales) are located at the upper end of Pachacutec Avenue, about a 15- to 20-minute uphill walk from the main square of Aguas Calientes. Open daily from 05:00 to 20:30, entrance approximately S/20 (USD 5.50). The water is naturally heated to 38–46 °C with iron, calcium, and sulfur content. Bring a towel, sandals, and swimwear; lockers available. Many travelers visit on the evening of Day 2 after arriving by train, to relax before the early Day 3 Machu Picchu visit.

We recommend bringing 300 to 500 Peruvian soles (USD 80 to 135) in cash per person for the three days. Breakdown: meals not included on Days 1 and 3 (~S/200), water and snacks (~S/40), souvenirs at Pisac and Aguas Calientes markets (~S/120), tips for the guide and driver (suggested 10% of tour price, in USD or soles), restroom fees at archaeological sites (S/2 each), Aguas Calientes hot springs entrance (S/20), and an emergency reserve. ATMs exist in Aguas Calientes but charge high fees and sometimes run out — withdraw cash in Cusco before departure.

Bookings cancelled 30 or more days before departure receive a refund of 80% of the deposit (the remaining 20% covers non-refundable train tickets, Machu Picchu permits, and Boleto Turístico already issued in your name). Cancellations made 15 to 29 days before departure receive 50%. Cancellations within 14 days are non-refundable but the booking can be rescheduled within 12 months at no extra cost, subject to availability and any price difference. We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance — we suggest World Nomads or comparable providers. Full terms are on our Terms and Conditions page.

For high season (May to September and December 20 to January 5), we recommend booking 3 to 4 months in advance. This guarantees your preferred train schedule (the most popular Voyager and Vistadome services sell out first), hotels in Cusco and Aguas Calientes, and the Circuit 2 entry slot at the optimal 08:00 AM time. For Huayna Picchu Mountain permits, book 4 to 5 months ahead. For shoulder season (April, October, November), 6 to 8 weeks is usually safe. For January to March, 3 to 4 weeks is enough except around Peruvian holidays.