2-Day Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu from Cusco

This was one of the worst tours I have taken with Viator and I have used them in several other places. First of all, I was not picked up at the right time and by whom I was supposed to meet. Then I was told that I was the only one going which was fine. But I ended up with 12 other people on a day trip. When I finally got to Aguas Caliente , I met my guide for my trip up to Machu Piccu and he told me to meet him at the entrance to the ruins the next morning. But, NEVER showed up and at extra cost, I hired a local guide to show me around. So, would I ever do this particular trip with Viator again, NO!!!!!!! But I will use them on some day trips within cities I am visiting.

This was one of the worst tours I have taken with Viator and I have used them in several other places. First of all, I was not picked up at the right time and by whom I was supposed to meet. Then I was told that I was the only one going which was fine. But I ended up with 12 other people on a day trip. When I finally got to Aguas Caliente , I met my guide for my trip up to Machu Piccu and he told me to meet him at the entrance to the ruins the next morning. But, NEVER showed up and at extra cost, I hired a local guide to show me around. So, would I ever do this particular trip with Viator again, NO!!!!!!! But I will use them on some day trips within cities I am visiting.

The cusco guide was terrible, She spoke mainly in spanish and give no consideration to us who could not understand spanish, I mean is this discrimination? I really don't know. The spanish explanation were so long and the english ones were like 1-2 sentences. I really dont understand. The trip was very rush, the guide terrible and her accent was not helping in understanding the history of peru. I was very disappointed and she did not explain carefully how to go about doing the trip as from ollataytamo, you would require to transfer to the inca rail, and you had only 30 mins to do the archaeological site which defeats the purpose. I had no time to take photos of the village, and please do not bring a huge luggage, the roads are terrible and the guide will offer NO HELP. Then we went to machu picchu, we were promised only 10 people but the tour group was more than that, I suggest you find a private guide at the entrance of machu picchu as it is not very expensive and they do not have to rotate between spanish and english. We could not find the guide as promised at machu picchu and well, we hired our own and they only refund you 50 sols when the guide costs 140 sols. So, I do not think it is a very good tour agency, everything was messy, the number given can never be called through so I really think viator should not list them. Really bad.

This tour was a fiasco from the start. We were picked up late at the hotel and then put in a total rush to get back on time. Our 1st indication that things were going to be not so good is that we got on a tour bus drove around the inner city to pick up others at their hotel and then several of us were transfer to another bus in which the driver was applying tape to the rear vents so as to prevent exhaust fumes from entering into the passenger compartment. THERE WERE MORE OF US THAN SEATS SO WE HAD TO CROWD AN EXTRA PERSON INTO THE REAR SEAT. Thus no air too many passengers equates to not so comfortable situation. Our tour guide had limited knowledge he appear to either be new or just not good of both the route and the stops. so we started tagging on with other tours at stops to get a better explanation of the various places we were viewing. We were split up into 3 different groups at separate locations for lunch so our time was very limited about 20 minutes. Despite the rush we were late for our train and came within 5 minutes of not making it. Train Ride was relaxing and nice. It was great to have a full seat to sit in after 5 hours of bus ride half on/half off a seat. This tour continue its efforts to disappoint with the selected hotel. When we got to our room there were not towels, no toilet paper and it took 25 minutes to get hot water. The accommodations were basic at best and not in keeping with the price we paid. Machu Picchu was great and our guide was not only knowledgeable but entertaining as well. It was a good day. Our train ride back was good and it was nice to sit down after a full day of the ruins. Now our tour took its last and final failure. Our driver for the ride back did not show! We waited and look for the driver for 20 minutes and finally gave up and took a taxi back to the JW Marriot in Cusco. I is obvious that VIATOR has no quality control on their tours and we will not use again for any travel plans. MISTERIOS PERU was our local contact and they are very bad. Bob

We were met at the airport at Cusco after our flight from Lima and waited at a nice hotel with cup of coca to ward off altitude sickness before picking up other guests and heading off to the Sacred Valley. The tour was excellent - we stopped at a little village, various Inca ruins. The English explanations from the guide were very interesting - he had done a lot of research on the history of the people in the area. The train to Aguas Calientes was very comfortable - executive class! Complimentary refreshments served on board, great views of snow capped mountains and white-water rivers. The hotel in Aguas Calientes was centrally located and of a good standard clean and quiet, lovely staff on reception. A guide came to the hotel and explained the procedure for the following day at Machu Picchu. We were not prepared for the huge number of people boarding the buses to MP. Thousands! But all well organised. The bus trip up the narrow road of the steep mountain is quite scary. Unfortunately it was raining at MP so we did not stay long. There is nowhere to shelter. The trip back train/bus to Cusco was OK. The minibus was tightly packed - our backpacks had to travel on the roof! Also, the drop off is to a plaza in Cusco so we had to get a taxi back to our hotel. Overall a great way to see the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu in 2 days.