Into the heart
of the Inca world.
Machu Picchu is the destination, but Cusco and the Sacred Valley are part of the experience too. Our guide brings together that journey, experienced as a family.
How we connected the stops, what we needed to arrange before arriving and what we learned along the way. To help you plan your own route with a clear picture of the whole trip.
This is how we linked Cusco, the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu in January 2025 as a family. We had already travelled through the highlands: these four days describe our route, not an arrival plan straight from sea level.
A first day exploring the city. Overnight in Cusco.
We travelled through the valley by car and finished in Ollantaytambo, without returning to Cusco.
Train from Ollantaytambo and a night in Machu Picchu Pueblo before visiting the site the next day.
Machu Picchu in the morning. Then a train to Ollantaytambo and a transfer to Cusco.
Check Machu Picchu admission first: date, circuit, route and time slot. Then coordinate trains and overnight stops. The train ticket and site admission are separate purchases; check that all the timings work before paying.
We travelled through the Sacred Valley to Ollantaytambo, then took the train to Machu Picchu Pueblo, also known as Aguas Calientes. From the town, you still need to reach the site by bus or on foot. Staying there overnight meant we did not need to catch a train on the morning of our visit.
Your choice determines which areas you will visit. We followed route 2-A, but the routes offer different experiences. Before buying, compare the official route maps and availability for your dates.
We entered at 06:00 hoping to see the sunrise and found rain and fog. We waited almost two hours for the view: getting up early does not guarantee clear skies. With children, allow for waiting, keep raincoats handy and leave a buffer between your visit and the return train.
Before booking, check the official sources: Machu Picchu tickets ↗ · circuits and routes ↗
This is the outline. The guide shows how we put it into practice: transfers, accommodation and the details of each stage.
Our route through Cusco, the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu. The stages, transfers and practical decisions to help you plan your trip.
English edition · Downloadable PDF · 54 pages · KMZ map
How we connected Cusco, the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu. The route and practical decisions behind the journey.
The Bolivian Altiplano, Atacama and Machu Picchu. Three guides to plan the different stages of your journey through the Andes.
No. This is a digital PDF guide to read on your phone, tablet or computer.
The Bolivian Altiplano, Atacama and Machu Picchu guides together in one pack for €69.90 including VAT.