Machu Picchu Excursion Review: Is the 2D/1N with Sacred Valley Buffet Worth It?

So, thinking about doing that whole Machu Picchu thing, are you? And you’ve spotted one of those two-day, one-night excursions that includes a buffet lunch down in the Sacred Valley? Cool. It’s almost a pretty popular option, and just a little bit of planning can make all the difference in having, you know, like a good time. This review is gonna walk you through, well, just everything about it, from the views to the food, so that you can see if it’s a fit for your travel plans.

The Allure of a Two-Day Machu Picchu Trip

Okay, let’s be real, seeing Machu Picchu is often near the top of many a traveler’s bucket list, is that right? But squeezing it all into a single day can, I mean, often feel a bit rushed. That’s why the two-day option is very, very popular. It, tends to, gives you a bit more breathing room. You often get to, kind of, soak up the atmosphere, perhaps spend extra time wandering those ancient streets, and, perhaps even catch both sunset and sunrise. Plus, that whole journey through the Sacred Valley? Seriously, it’s worth, in a way, seeing in its own right, so, in that case, doubling the length might really be worth it.

There’s just a certain charm that the Sacred Valley gives that a single-day adventure just, well, doesn’t. It could be, the slower pace gives you, for example, a better connection to the area’s history and the spirit. Instead of, rushing from point A to point B, it means more of a chill sort of immersion. Instead of a quick tour, it ends up almost becoming an experience. As a matter of fact, you begin to feel connected to the area in question. As I was saying, you aren’t a tourist, per say; yet almost an adventurer in search of all the Peruvian experience can grant.

The Sacred Valley Pit Stop: What’s on the Buffet?

Alright, the Sacred Valley buffet is very often touted as a highlight of these tours, right? Let me tell you, culinary experiences are a pretty great way to enrich your travel, as a matter of fact, right? The reality of the situation will find it to vary wildly by the tour operator and the restaurant involved, that is for certain. You might often find a spread featuring different kinds of local Peruvian eats. We are talking about things like, you know, maybe some flavorful *aji de gallina* (that’s a creamy chicken stew), you might also get some *causa* (layered potato dish), and likely several varieties of fresh salads, but this varies, by the way. For the most part, those adventurous types can likely find some cuy (guinea pig), if that is what you may be searching for, which can be kind of a local delicacy that locals will, from time to time, recommend trying, so that is quite nice. If not, perhaps you may even locate some desserts like *picarones* (Peruvian donuts), so in short there is variety.

So, if you can, maybe ask your tour operator about the specific restaurant they are planning on using, is that alright? See if you can find any photos or menus online just a little. This can help make sure that the buffet actually lines up, that it, is what you may enjoy, rather. I want to say that vegetarians and anyone who needs gluten-free things? Basically, checking what’s available ahead of time is basically the best bet, okay? You can just then enjoy the lunch a bit more knowing that your time spent dining won’t go to waste, basically.

Day 1: Cusco to Aguas Calientes via the Sacred Valley

So, Day one normally begins very early up in Cusco, I mean really early, like “before the sun thinks about getting up” early, you know? Expect a hotel pick-up followed by, maybe, a drive through the very scenic Sacred Valley, like your journey through all of these places. This may be your opportunity to hit some interesting sights like Pisac, or maybe the Ollantaytambo fortress – but, usually it does just, you know, sort of depends on your specific tour and, naturally, how it’s setup, okay? The buffet lunch usually finds itself slotted somewhere here mid-day, okay? The goal is very often fueling up for the trip to Aguas Calientes, the little town that lies right at the base of Machu Picchu.

Alright, once in Ollantaytambo, just a little expect to get on the train towards Aguas Calientes, almost. That train journey, it’s scenic, really, extremely so. Expect some seriously towering mountains, rushing rivers, and all of that just dense jungle scenery just flying on by, you know. Once you are settled into Aguas Calientes you probably need to get settled into your hotel; a tour briefing for the Machu Picchu visit that’s next day comes almost naturally, like clockwork, next, right? Maybe think about using your extra time, that the extra day grants to potentially explore this funky little town. See the artisan markets and get settled in for tomorrow!

Day 2: Machu Picchu and the Return Trip

Of course day two is definitely what the whole excursion is definitely about – Machu Picchu itself, literally! Even if that first bus often leaves quite early on so do your best, actually. This guarantees you get to Machu Picchu just ahead of those big crowds coming for the single day tour; that early light makes some excellent photos, actually! A guide can, typically, take you through each of those sites, relating its complete story, basically; also feel quite free to ditch them too to see all of the wonders for yourself!

Alright, remember to, well, take it slow. Feel each of those sensations that will come from it. You do not want to find yourself rushing to your next stop, in fact, to the point that, I mean, that’s the point of spreading your visit out over two days, almost, okay? Once you finish looking at all those ruins then that bus will, just slightly, take you on back. Following some free time lunch would be the only sensible objective here! To top it all of it will be quite smooth as it makes its way to Cusco once more and after to your hotel of origin, literally. Now, just wasn’t that some journey!

Things to Consider Before You Book

So, before you lock in that two-day Machu Picchu excursion, there’s often quite a few, for example, of those things you want to just keep right at the front of the brain, almost. To point out the obvious, altitude sickness is frequently something serious, too! Cusco lies up seriously high up and, okay, moving around just a little quickly, without taking a bit of time to acclimatize can ruin an excellent trip quite badly, right. Plan on spending just a day or two within Cusco right before even doing that hike. Hydrate, in addition! Just take it very slow the initial day; consider some medications when required!

Is that enough already? Seriously consider doing more of those bits about tour prices: these tour prices can often fluctuate quite wildly in the business world depending on so many factors – to specify a few consider the quality/rating, also just the season, too. Look carefully around! Now check what all the tour price may typically covers, especially those sneaky entry tickets and train tickets which typically costs loads if purchased independently; sometimes that buffet may possibly not actually feature in its all expenses paid scheme anyway, okay. Check reviews about the hotel in Aguas Calientes if those features also will come through. All those details might affect, possibly a whole enjoyment factor for someone else too. A bit of additional care ensures good quality and reduces some chances when bad choices lead straight for disappointment in short supply of fun trips anyway as someone will discover there by making sure someone will remain happy during what will seem such lovely long memories later down such special lifetime days!

Is a Two-Day Machu Picchu Trip Right for You?

Now, so, okay, should this just be you, then? Then you do like slower paces and that experience, and those immersive opportunities! This lets you be at Machupicchu for a longer-day which then reduces what stress that is often experienced. It might additionally prove helpful with travelers too by those ones trying more flexibility, which then assists that trip for all different kinds along different backgrounds so most might go too. All sorts just get something unique; some great memories they get instead if they book ahead for exactly that.

But for all others? Just possibly you might rather get one from shorter periods or prefer all sorts for savings too: that type, a quick-day hike also maybe would make you rather just better now for all tastes here but no judgment happens anyway just a bit just now. All this then counts entirely across one person when the other goes without thinking either really either way honestly speaking though. What then also determines a grand visit can have entirely at many just wonderful memorable experience once at here anytime always too so never think all will happen one similar though here anyway also today okay fine seriously either just any how either kind.

Overall: Is it Really Worth it?

When it boils down so seriously yes with, I do at end it is. At seeing some all with things such what those and some amazing those places here and some great times with, it really will all makes this memorable once! If by chance somebody prefers such then maybe this is better than other trips either quick-times and for things, too if. All with the trips are about someone but will tell those by and later either anytime too or with so for what happened or any or just it never even happens when and who now anyway always often.