How to Take a Tour of the Sacred Valley of the Incas
A Two-Day Tour of the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu with Crossover Peru
For anyone looking to explore the Sacred Valley of the Incas and Machu Picchu, a two-day tour is the ideal way to experience these incredible sites. I booked my tour with Crossover Peru, which included entrance tickets to both Pisac and Ollantaytambo, a Machu Picchu ticket, round-trip train tickets to Aguas Calientes, and bus tickets to the entrance of Machu Picchu. Crossover Peru’s support was thorough, even providing me with a WhatsApp contact in case I had any questions.
It’s worth noting that Crossover Peru organizes the tour logistics, while the tour guides are contracted independently. Throughout the two days, I met several travelers on different packages, all enjoying their own tours of the Sacred Valley.
How to Take a Tour of the Sacred Valley of the Incas - Table of Contents
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Day One: Exploring the Sacred Valley of the Incas with Crossover Peru
Meeting My Guide, Alberto
The first day of my two-day Sacred Valley tour began with an early wake-up call at 6:30 am, as I was scheduled to meet my guide, Alberto, at 7:30 am. After packing lightly for the night and organizing a 20-liter bag for Machu Picchu (the bag size limit there), I met Alberto and boarded a comfortable bus with ample legroom.
During the ride, Alberto shared fascinating insights into Inca history in both Spanish and English, explaining the origins of the Inca Empire in the Sacred Valley and the golden rods that signified their chosen land. He also noted that many of the locals were not Incas but members of other tribes who contributed three months of labor annually as a form of taxation.
Mirador Taray Viewpoint
Our first stop was at the Mirador Taray Viewpoint, offering breathtaking views of the Sacred Valley of the Incas. A small collection of shops allowed us to browse local crafts and pose with Luminita, an adorable alpaca owned by a local woman. I captured a few photos and left a small tip. After a quick break, we continued to Pisac, the first set of Inca ruins on our tour.
The Pachamama Joyas Jewelry Store
Upon arrival in Pisac, we learned that a recent storm had temporarily closed the road to the Pisac ruins, delaying our visit by about an hour. During this wait, we visited the Pachamama Joyas Jewelry Store, where we saw a demonstration on silver mining and jewelry-making. While browsing, I bargained for a silver Tumi figurine and a pendant with local stones, eventually settling on a price of S/. 700 for both.
The Inca Ruins of Pisac
Finally, we reached the Inca Ruins of Pisac, one of three Inca sites included in the tour. I’ve created a separate page to share my experience exploring the Pisac ruins.
Lunch at Hatuchay Restaurant - A Great Place to Eat While Touring the Sacred Valley
After visiting Pisac, we stopped for lunch at Hatuchay Restaurant. This buffet-style restaurant offers local Peruvian dishes such as loco de pollo and lomo saltado for S/. 50 ($13).
As I finished eating early, I enjoyed a short walk around the beautiful gardens outside before our group continued to Ollantaytambo.
The Inca Ruins of Ollantaytambo
Our next stop was Ollantaytambo, where we toured the magnificent Inca ruins. I’ve created a dedicated page with more details on my visit to Ollantaytambo.
Taking the Voyager Train from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes
After exploring both Pisac and Ollantaytambo, we said goodbye to Alberto and boarded the Voyager Train to Aguas Calientes—the gateway to Machu Picchu. An employee from Crossover Peru met me at the station and guided me to my hotel, where I’d spend the night before visiting Machu Picchu the next day. For more on how to travel from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes, visit my Getting to Machu Picchu page.
Spending the Night In Aguas Calientes at Terraza de Luna
My accommodation, Terraza de Luna, was included in the tour package. The room was cozy, though the twin-size beds felt a bit small for me. The hotel also offered free breakfast, though I opted for a few extra minutes of sleep before setting out for Machu Picchu.
Day Two: Exploring Machu Picchu
The Town of Aguas Calientes
The highlight of the tour was, of course, Machu Picchu. I have created a dedicated page to showcase my experience exploring Machu Picchu. I will say that Machu Picchu is one of the most amazing places I have ever visited.
The Inca Ruins of Machu Picchu
The highlight of my two-day tour of the Scared Valley of the Incas was a visit to Machu Picchu. I created a separate page to highlight my experience visiting Machu Picchu.
Returning to Cusco
After a remarkable visit to Machu Picchu, I returned to Aguas Calientes for lunch, then picked up my backpack from my hotel before heading to the train station. A Crossover Peru driver awaited me at Ollantaytambo Train Station to drive me back to Cusco. Unfortunately, a minor accident with a bus delayed our return, but my driver handled it professionally, and I arrived back in Cusco safely, albeit a bit late.
Final Thoughts on Crossover Peru’s Sacred Valley Tour
My two-day Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu tour with Crossover Peru was an incredible experience. The company’s professional guides, seamless transportation, and attention to detail made the trip enjoyable and stress-free. From the Sacred Valley to the stunning Inca ruins, each part of the journey was memorable, and I would recommend Crossover Peru for anyone planning to visit Machu Picchu.
Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu Tours and Packages
Below are some tours and packages for visiting the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu. I tried to pick tours of all levels, from the two-week trek on the Inca Trail to a cheaper one-day visit to Machu Picchu.
Please note that as an affiliate of Viator, I will receive a small commission if you book using one of the links below. This commission is at no additional cost to you. Viator works with various tour agencies, and booking one of these packages does not ensure that you will be booked with Crossover Peru.
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