Sacred Valley Tour
Full Day
10+ Travelers
2400 msnm
Easy
Full-Day Sacred Valley Tour
This is a full-day tour that takes you to the region’s main archaeological sites and Andean landscapes. It includes visits to Pisac, with its impressive Inca complex and the artisan market located in the town; Ollantaytambo, an ancient Inca fortress with monumental terraces; and Chinchero, famous for its colonial church and traditional weaving workshops. The tour offers panoramic views of the valley, surrounded by mountains and rivers, and provides an opportunity to experience the local culture, discover artisan markets, living traditions, and the essence of the Inca legacy all in a single day. And if you’re planning to visit Machu Picchu, this serves as a convenient starting point and a chance to acclimate.
Inclusions
What's Included
- Tour transportation.
- Professional guide (Spanish/English)
- Buffet lunch
Not included
- Admission to archaeological sites
- Extras
- Tips
Itinerary
1:00 p.m. We will pick up our guests from their respective hotels to begin this wonderful cultural tour. We will start our tour by visiting the Temple of the Sun, or Qorikancha, where we will explore its most significant areas and receive a guided explanation of the site.
We’ll board our tour bus to head to the Saqsayhuaman archaeological site, located about 2 km from the city of Cusco. Here, you’ll be amazed by its massive construction, as we’ll see stones weighing over 120 tons. Our guide will provide the relevant explanations, and then we’ll continue on to the Q’enqo archaeological site, Tambomachay, and Pukapukara. We will also visit a local textile center where you can distinguish between different types of fabrics (sheep, alpaca, and vicuña). The tour ends around 6:00 p.m. in the main square.
End of Tour
Start times: 9:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.
What to bring
- Small backpack
- Hat
- Sunscreen, sunglasses
- Water
- Jacket
- Comfortable clothing
- Rain poncho (December–March)
- Extra money in Peruvian soles
- Personal medications
Information about the Sacred Valley Tour
- Tour suitable for all ages.
Tour duration: 1 day. - Departure time: 7:00–8:00 a.m. (Pickup from hotels in the historic center).
- Places to visit: Archaeological sites of Pisac, Ollantaytambo, and Chinchero, as well as traditional markets.
- General tourist ticket: S/130 (includes admission to various museums in Cusco and archaeological sites, including those in the Sacred Valley.)
Frequently Asked Questions About the Tour
How long does the tour last?
The experience lasts approximately 9 to 10 hours, starting early in the morning and returning to Cusco in the afternoon.
Is lunch included?
Most tours include a buffet lunch at a local restaurant in Urubamba. It is recommended to confirm this detail at the time of booking.
Do I need the Tourist Ticket?
Yes. Entry to the main archaeological sites in the Sacred Valley requires the Cusco Tourist Ticket. It can be purchased in advance or on the same day of the tour.
What is the maximum altitude of the tour?
The highest altitude is usually reached in Chinchero, at approximately 3,760 meters above sea level. The Sacred Valley itself is at a lower altitude than Cusco, making it ideal for acclimatization.
Is the tour physically demanding?
It is not a trekking tour. It includes short walks within the archaeological complexes and some Inca stairs. It is suitable for most travelers.
Is it recommended to do it on the first day in Cusco?
Yes. Many people do this tour at the beginning of their trip, as the Sacred Valley is at a lower altitude than Cusco and helps with acclimatization.
Can the tour end in Ollantaytambo?
Yes. Some travelers choose to finish the tour in Ollantaytambo to take the train to Machu Picchu the same day or the following day.
Reviews
Publicado en Tripadvisor MiguelVerificada 5 day tracking through Peru It has been one of the best experiences of my life. Hard but worth it, and the service of Explora el Peru has been essential for it to go smoothly. There wasn’t an instant that we felt alone, or that the service was poor. It was amazing, and the guides Dario and Ahmed were very nice, friendly and fun. Truly worth tryingPublicado en Tripadvisor Silvia Melina RVerificada Excelente agencia para viajar con adultos mayores! Excelente toda la coordinación y me seleccionaron guías que tuvieron mucha paciencia ya que yo viajé con dos adultos mayores y sabemos que ellos tienen otro ritmo. Los transportes super cómodos y en el hotel todos muy amables. Gracias por toda la paciencia y el buen trato, volvería a viajar con ustedes!Publicado en Tripadvisor Flyer54155832783Verificada Enchanting our Spirits, Body and Mind I'm from Brazil and definitely our one week trip to Cuzco wouldn't be amazing as it was without the support of Explora El Peru! Specifically Abel who supported the whole logistics, provided information and was there for us at all times. The guides Freddy, Anthony, Alex and Judith and the driver Alvaro were also an exquisite team! Cuzco took our breaths away not because of the altitude, but due to its amazing food, culture and charming people! I recommend this agency with no doubts your trip will be amazing! PS: hacienda hotel centro cultural it was an excellent Hotel ! Spanish: Sin duda, nuestro viaje de una semana a Cuzco no habría sido tan increíble sin el apoyo de Explora El Perú. En especial, Abel, quien se encargó de toda la logística, nos proporcionó información y estuvo disponible en todo momento. Los guías Freddy, Anthony, Alex y Judith, junto con el conductor Álvaro, también formaron un equipo excepcional. Cuzco nos dejó sin aliento, no por la altitud, sino por su deliciosa gastronomía, su cultura y el encanto de su gente. Recomiendo esta agencia sin ninguna duda; ¡su viaje será maravilloso! El Hotel Hacienda Centro Cultural fue excelente!Publicado en Tripadvisor Gannelin GVerificada Awesome experience My experience with Explore Peru was wonderful. They were on top of every detail on tours to Machu Picchu and Sacred Valley. Constant communication and attention to details, great guides, mention apart for Fabio Chavez, his explanation were fabulous. But I wanted to recognized all the people involved on our pleasure days at Cusco. If you ask me to recommend Explore Peru, I will say 100%. Thank you for the days we had in Cusco..Publicado en Tripadvisor Bernardina SVerificada Excelente. Muy recomendable. Recomiendo sinceramente Explora el Perú! Vine con mi mamá e hicimos la excursión de valle sagrado y Machu Picchu, y todo salió perfecto! La organización, la atención, la rapidez en responder! Los guías que nos tocaron en ambas excursiones súper amables, se ofrecieron a sacarnos mil fotos, todo perfecto! Especial agradecimiento a Abel que organizó todo, y a los guías Roger y a Antony!Publicado en Tripadvisor JMVerificada Experiência maravilhosa! Foi uma experiência maravilhosa. Desde o momento que começamos a organizar nossa viagem, fomos muito bem recepcionados pela empresa, que nos auxiliou em tudo, desde a preparação, dicas, informações importantes que deram o melhor resultados nos dias que ficamos em Cusco. Agradecimento especial ao Abel, que foi que nos norteou no momento da pré compra, compra e pós compra e a todos os guias, Elvio, Grabriel, Silvana e Alex. Super recomendamos a empresa.Publicado en Tripadvisor Merca CVerificada Reseña viaje con Explora el Perú Todo excelente, Abel siempre al pendiente de nosotros! Un viaje inolvidable! Muchas gracias a Explora el Perú por hacer de este viaje realidadPublicado en Tripadvisor Letícia FVerificada Experiência incrível Desde o primeiro contato, Abel foi extremamente atencioso e solícito. O roteiro foi muito bem planejado e organizado. Não tivemos problema em nenhum momento. Viajamos com tranquilidade e segurança. Indicamos e recomendamos a agência sem sombra de dúvidas! Ainda recebemos lhama de pelúcia de brinde! 🥰Publicado en Tripadvisor Guada GVerificada Excelente experiencia Excelente experiencia con la agencia en Perú. Fuimos 2 parejas 10 días a Perú y conocimos Lima, el desierto de huacachina, cuzco, machupichu, laguna humantay y montaña 7 colores, entre otras cosas. El itinerario fue excelente y super coordinado (guías excelentes, puntuales, amables, etc). John Abel, agente de venta de la empresa, continuamente presente y coordinando todo. Super recomendable la agencia!Publicado en Tripadvisor jesulyn cVerificada Excelente Excelente experiencia, nos encanto todo el itinerario de explora el Perú. Todos los guías fueron muy atentos. Súper recomendados en especial Jhon, estuvo pendiente de nosotros durante todo el recorrido.Carga más
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