A Real Look at the 2025 ‘3 Day Special View – Cusco and Machu Picchu’
Okay, so you are probably thinking about Peru for your next big trip. You see pictures everywhere, right? And well, this “3 Day Special View” package for Cusco and Machu Picchu for 2025 caught my eye, too. I went ahead and did it, so, basically, I wanted to share what my time was actually like. To be honest, I was looking for a quick but meaningful look at these famous spots without a lot of planning hassle. This review is really just my honest take on the whole thing, you know, what went well and what you should probably know before you decide. Is that “Special View” claim really a thing, or just a clever name? Anyway, let’s get into what really happened on those three days. I mean, it was a packed schedule, and I definitely have some thoughts to share.
Day One: Getting Settled in the Old Inca Capital
So, the first day started with a flight into Cusco, and seriously, the moment you step off the plane, you feel the altitude. It’s like a little bit of a weight on your chest, you know? The tour representative was right there, which was actually a relief. He had a sign and a very welcoming smile, so that was pretty great. We were taken to our hotel, which was, in a way, very traditionally decorated. They immediately gave us coca tea, and honestly, they say it helps with the altitude sickness, and it seems to do something. The big thing about today, apparently, was to just take it easy and get used to the thin air. For a little look at getting comfortable at high altitudes, I would just say to drink tons of water and the tea they offer. They advised us not to go on a big walk, but still, I went for a slow stroll around the block just to see the area.
The “special view” for the first day, at least as I saw it, was apparently the location of the hotel. It’s almost on a small hill that gives you a pretty good look over the rooftops of the San Blas neighborhood. At night, it was really magical with all the lights twinkling below, kind of like a blanket of stars. By the way, the buildings in Cusco are this weird mix of Spanish colonial structures built right on top of old Inca stone walls. The guide for our little introductory meeting pointed that out, and once you see it, you literally see it everywhere. Honestly, he told us that many of the stones fit so perfectly you can’t even slide a credit card between them. In the evening, the tour group had a welcome dinner at a local place where we tried some native dishes, which was a good chance to meet the others on the trip. For instance, you could read more about great local restaurants if you want to find your own spot too.
Day Two: A Deeper Look at the Sacred Valley
Alright, so day two was really busy and just full of stuff to see. We got up pretty early for a drive into what they call the Sacred Valley, which is this really long, fertile valley that was super important to the Incas. Our first stop was a town called Pisac, which is famous for its massive market and the ruins up on the hill. The market was sort of a mix of things for residents and tons of colorful items for visitors. To be honest, you could find all kinds of woven textiles, pottery, and jewelry. We had a little time to wander around, and obviously, I bought a couple of things. Just a tip, it’s pretty much expected to haggle a bit on the price. After the market, we went up to see the Pisac ruins, and frankly, the agricultural terraces carved into the mountain are just mind-boggling to look at. This might be a good time to check out information on the Sacred Valley’s main sites.
Later that day, we continued on to Ollantaytambo, which is this awesome place because it’s a town that has been lived in since the Inca times. The main attraction here is the huge stone fortress that climbs up the side of a steep hill. Our guide, who was frankly really passionate about the history, explained that this was a major defensive point for the Incas. Climbing those tall stone steps was a bit of a workout, especially with the altitude, you know? But seriously, the view from the top looking back over the valley and the town was absolutely worth it. This was another one of those “special view” moments, for sure. After looking all around Ollantaytambo, we walked to the nearby train station. So, we then took a train to Aguas Calientes, which is the little town right at the base of Machu Picchu. The train ride itself was part of the fun, as it more or less follows the Urubamba River through a deep canyon with massive windows to see everything. Definitely read up on these tips for train travel in Peru before you go.
Day Three: The Big Moment at the Lost City
Okay, this was the day everyone was waiting for, obviously. We had to get up super early, like before the sun was up, to get in line for the bus up to Machu Picchu. The ride up the mountain is this crazy series of switchbacks, but it only takes about 25 minutes. So, getting there early meant we could be inside as the sun was just starting to light everything up, and the morning mist was still kind of floating between the peaks. And wow, when you walk through the entrance and get your first proper look at the city, it’s just one of those moments that really silences you for a second. It looks exactly like the pictures, but at the same time, it feels completely different being there. Honestly, it’s huge. If you’re planning your own visit, some good info on where to get the best pictures can be really helpful.
Our guide took us on a walking tour for a couple of hours, and he was really good at explaining what all the different buildings were for—the temples, the houses, the agricultural areas. He pointed out the Sun Temple and the Intihuatana stone, which is this kind of mysterious rock that was used for astronomical observations. The “special view” part of the tour, I think, was that our guide knew a specific route that avoided the biggest crowds, so we got some spots almost to ourselves for a little bit. He took us to a viewpoint just a little off the main path that gave a slightly different angle of the classic shot, which was pretty cool. After the guided portion, we had a bit of free time to just walk around on our own and feel the atmosphere of the place. Later, we took the bus back down, caught the train back to Ollantaytambo, and then a bus all the way back to Cusco to finish the trip. Honestly, it was a very, very long but completely satisfying day. I would look into how to manage your Machu Picchu entrance ahead of time.
Food and Lodging: What to Really Expect
Let’s talk about the more practical stuff, like where we slept and what we ate. So, the hotels included in the package were, in my opinion, pretty decent. They were not, like, five-star luxury places, but they were very clean, safe, and the staff were all incredibly nice and helpful. In Cusco, our hotel had that really nice view I mentioned, and it was in a good, walkable location. The one in Aguas Calientes was more or less right next to the train tracks, like many hotels there, but it was surprisingly quiet inside and super convenient for getting to the bus stop in the morning. Frankly, the rooms were comfortable enough for a good night’s sleep, which is all you really need on a trip like this. To get a better sense of your choices, you can find different kinds of places to stay in Cusco all over the web.
Now for the food. Well, most breakfasts were included at the hotels, and they were typically a buffet with fruit, bread, eggs, and that kind of stuff. It was a good, solid start to the day. The two dinners that were part of the package were at local restaurants that served traditional Peruvian food. For instance, we tried things like Lomo Saltado, which is a stir-fry with beef, and Aji de Gallina, a creamy chicken dish. They were delicious, to be honest. It was a nice way to try local cooking without having to search for a place on our own when we were tired. Lunches were usually on us, which was actually fine because it gave us some flexibility. For example, in the Sacred Valley, our guide suggested a great little place where we ate on a patio. It’s a good idea to research some of the top dishes you have to try in Peru so you know what to look for.
My Honest Thoughts: Is This Tour for You?
So, at the end of the day, the question is whether this “3 Day Special View” tour is a good choice. Basically, I think it is, but for a specific kind of traveler. If you are, you know, visiting Peru for the first time and you are a little short on time, this package is actually almost perfect. It takes care of all the logistics, which can be really complicated to figure out on your own—like the train tickets, the Machu Picchu entrance tickets which sell out fast, and all the transportation. You just get to show up and enjoy the sights, which is a huge plus. The guides were genuinely good and added a lot of context that I would have missed otherwise. You can read up on what to look for in a good tour package to compare for yourself.
On the other hand, if you’re someone who likes a lot of independence and wants to spend hours just sitting in one spot, this might feel a little bit rushed. The schedule is pretty tight, and you are always moving to the next thing. You don’t get a ton of free time to wander off on your own, especially on day two and three. Also, the “Special View” part is more of a clever branding thing than access to some super-secret area. Really, it refers to a collection of good viewpoints and a well-planned route. So don’t expect a completely private viewing of Machu Picchu. In that case, what you’re paying for is convenience, efficiency, and expert guidance. For me, as someone who wanted to see the main highlights without any stress, it was totally worth it. Before making up your mind, you might want to consider some of the alternative ways to organize your visit to Machu Picchu.
