Self-Launched Sacred Valley & Machu Picchu — 2 Days from Cusco
2 days · Cusco, Sacred Valley & Machu Picchu, Peru
Haku Travel charges £315
No-markup version: ~£225 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Skip the group tour markup and do Peru's iconic Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu circuit on your own terms. This self-launched version follows the exact same route — Pisac ruins, Ollantaytambo fortress, the train to Aguas Calientes, and sunrise at Machu Picchu — using public transport, self-bookable train tickets, and local guesthouses. All costs are approximate estimates per person.
Day-by-day
Cusco → Sacred Valley → Aguas Calientes
Cusco / Sacred Valley / Aguas Calientes
Start early from Cusco (around 07:50). Take a shared colectivo minibus from Cusco's Puputi Street terminal toward Pisac (~45 min, ~£1.50). Explore the Pisac Archaeological Complex independently — buy the Partial Tourist Ticket (Boleto Turístico Parcial) directly at the site entrance (~£35, covers Pisac, Ollantaytambo and other Sacred Valley sites). Browse the famous Pisac artisan craft market at the main plaza. Head back to the road and flag a colectivo toward Urubamba (~30 min, ~£1) then another toward Ollantaytambo (~30 min, ~£1). Grab a buffet lunch at one of the local restaurants near the Ollantaytambo ruins for around £7–10. Explore the Ollantaytambo Fortress at your own pace — it's included in the Partial Tourist Ticket. In the afternoon, board the PeruRail or Inca Rail train from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes (Expedition class, ~£35–45 — book in advance at perurail.com or incarail.com). Arrive in Aguas Calientes (~1.5 hrs), check in to your guesthouse. Optionally soak in the hot springs in town (~£4 entry). Dinner at a local restaurant on the main street.
🚌Shared colectivo minibus Cusco→Pisac (~£1.50); colectivos Pisac→Urubamba→Ollantaytambo (~£2); PeruRail/Inca Rail train Ollantaytambo→Aguas Calientes (~£40)
🛏Budget guesthouse in Aguas Calientes — e.g. Hostal La Cabaña or similar (~£15–20/night)
- →Shared colectivo from Cusco to Pisac (~£1.50)
- →Pisac Archaeological Complex — buy Partial Tourist Ticket on-site (~£35)
- →Browse Pisac artisan craft market
- →Colectivo from Pisac to Ollantaytambo via Urubamba (~£2 total)
- →Buffet-style lunch in Sacred Valley (~£8)
- →Self-guided tour of Ollantaytambo Fortress (included in ticket)
- →PeruRail/Inca Rail Expedition train: Ollantaytambo → Aguas Calientes (~£40, book via perurail.com or incarail.com)
- →Optional: Hot Springs of Aguas Calientes (~£4)
Machu Picchu → Aguas Calientes → Cusco
Machu Picchu / Aguas Calientes / Cusco
Wake up early (around 04:30–05:00) and join the queue for the Consettur bus from Aguas Calientes up to Machu Picchu (~£15 return, buses run from ~05:30). Arrive early enough to catch the sunrise over the citadel — one of the most breathtaking experiences in South America. Book your Machu Picchu entrance ticket in advance online via the official portal (machupicchu.gob.pe, ~£40) — entry is timed and must be secured ahead of time. Explore the citadel freely for 2–4 hours, or optionally book a 2-hour local guide on-site or via GetYourGuide in advance (~£15–20 per person). Optional add-ons: Huayna Picchu, Machu Picchu Mountain, or Huchuy Picchu Mountain tickets must be booked separately and in advance (each ~£15–20). Head back to Aguas Calientes by bus and enjoy lunch before your train. Board the return Expedition class train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo (~£40, pre-booked). From Ollantaytambo station, shared colectivos or tourist buses run back to Cusco (~£3–5, ~2 hrs). Arrive in Cusco by evening.
🚌Consettur bus Aguas Calientes→Machu Picchu return (~£15); PeruRail/Inca Rail train Aguas Calientes→Ollantaytambo (~£40); shared colectivo Ollantaytambo→Cusco (~£4)
🛏Return to Cusco — accommodation not included on night 2
- →Early bus from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu (~£15 return, Consettur buses from ~05:30)
- →Sunrise at Machu Picchu
- →Self-guided exploration of Machu Picchu citadel — pre-book timed entry at machupicchu.gob.pe (~£40)
- →Optional: local guide booked via GetYourGuide (~£15–20)
- →Optional: Huayna Picchu / Machu Picchu Mountain / Huchuy Picchu tickets (~£15–20 each, book in advance)
- →Optional: Machu Picchu Museum in Aguas Calientes (free with valid Machu Picchu ticket)
- →Optional: Hot Springs in Aguas Calientes (~£4)
- →Lunch in Aguas Calientes (~£7)
- →Return Expedition train: Aguas Calientes → Ollantaytambo (~£40)
- →Shared colectivo or tourist shuttle: Ollantaytambo → Cusco (~£4)
Self-launched vs. Haku Travel
| This itinerary (self-launched) | Haku Travel | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£225 | £315 |
| Duration | 2 days | 2 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £90 per person (29%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more Haku Travel-style trips? Check them out here.~£225
estimated per person
You never pay Travel Crew for this — you pay hostels, transport, and activity providers directly, the same as if you'd booked it all yourself.
This publishes your dates so other travellers can find and join you — no tour operator needed.
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Frequently asked questions
How much does Self-Launched Sacred Valley & Machu Picchu — 2 Days from Cusco cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £225 per person for 2 days in Cusco, Sacred Valley & Machu Picchu, Peru. This is an AI-generated estimate based on typical budget-traveller prices — actual costs will vary by season and how you book.
Is this cheaper than booking with Haku Travel?+
Yes — Haku Travel charges around £315 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £225 — a saving of roughly £90 (29%) per person.
How long is the Cusco, Sacred Valley & Machu Picchu, Peru trip?+
This itinerary runs 2 days, covering 2 day-by-day stops through Cusco, Sacred Valley & Machu Picchu, Peru.
How do I join this trip?+
You can join an existing open departure using this itinerary if one is scheduled, or launch your own departure with your own dates and invite other travellers to join you — no tour operator required.
Isn't it easier to just use a tour operator?+
Well, yes, a tour operator will book all the individual parts of your travel for you and provide a guide. That's obvious, but doing this has the potential to save the group thousands, which can in turn improve your itinerary substantially or save you huge amounts of money. Also, when you launch a departure, Travel Crew has tools in place to help you book the individual sections of the trip or make it easier for you to do this as a group. Really, you do not need a middle man. If you are more comfortable paying more and using a middle man, then you should certainly do this.
Is it safer to book through a tour operator?+
Arguably, there isn't much difference. A self-launched trip runs on the same principle as a group travel crew: collective responsibility, everyone looking out for each other, the same way it would if a group of friends organised the trip themselves — because that's exactly what's happening. You should always take out travel insurance before you go, self-launched or not; that doesn't change either way. Every open departure is published publicly with real dates and a real trip organiser, so it's never an anonymous arrangement, and our support team is reachable any time you need help, including in an emergency while you're away. Longer-term, we're building direct relationships with ground DMCs in popular destinations, offered as an optional paid add-on for extra on-the-ground support. Ultimately, though, the group is responsible for its own conduct and safety on a self-launched trip, same as on any trip you plan yourself.
What kind of trip is this?+
This is a culture, adventure, hiking trip through Cusco, Sacred Valley & Machu Picchu, Peru, self-launched rather than run by a tour operator — you organise it with a group you find or bring yourself.
Would you like to name the operator, name the trip, or have any suggestions about how to improve this itinerary?
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