1 Day
Traditional
Low
The Sacred Valley of the Incas is a relaxed and incomparably beautiful stretch of small villages and ancient ruins spread across a broad plain and rugged mountain slopes northwest of Cusco.The Sacred Valley of the Incas is a valley in the Andes of Peru, close to the Inca capital of Cusco. It is fed by numerous rivers which descend through adjoining valleys and gorges, and contains numerous archaeological remains and villages. The valley was appreciated by the Incas due to its special geographical and climatic qualities. It was one of the empire’s main points for the extraction of natural wealth, and the best place for maize production in Peru.
Through the valley rolls the revered Río Urubamba (called the Willcamayu by the Incas; today it is also called the Vilcanota in one section), a pivotal religious element of the Incas’ cosmology. The Incas believed not only that the flow of the Urubamba was inexorably tied to the constellations and the mountain peaks, but also that the river was the earthbound counterpart of the Milky Way. With the river as its source, the fertile valley was a major center of agricultural production for the Incas, who grew native Andean crops such as white corn, coca, potatoes, and other fruits and vegetables in expansive fields and along spectacularly terraced mountain slopes…Even though the villages of the Sacred Valley, stretching about 100km (62 miles) from Pisac to Ollantaytambo, are highlights of many tourist itineraries and are coveted by hotel developers, they remain starkly traditional. Quechua-speaking residents work the fields with primitive tools and harvest salt with methods unchanged since the days of the Incas, and market days although now conducted to attract the tourist trade as well as inter village commerce – remain important rituals.
The ticket allows you entry to the following sites:
HIGHLIGHTS of TOUR
| Number of Passengers | 2 – 4 | 5 – 7 | 8 – Up |
|---|---|---|---|
| USD | 95 | 50 | 45 |
At 8am you will be pick up from your hotel and start completely guide tour to lovely Sacred Valley of the Incas. This tour includes visit to the Alpaca Farm (see Lamas, alpacas, guanacos, Vicunas) Andean native markets and ruins of Pisac, stop for buffet lunch in Urubamba, a visit to the beautiful Inca village and fortress of Ollantaytambo and stop at the Quechua and colorful village of Chinchero, where we appreciate the local church and the Inca ruins. At 6:40 pm return to Cusco city and end of our service.
The road winds slowly uphill behind the village to reach Pisac ruins. The ruins are some of the finest and largest in the entire valley. Despite the excellent condition of many of the structures, little is conclusively known about the site’s actual purpose. It appears to have been part city, part ceremonial center, and part military complex. It might have been a royal estate of the Inca emperor (Pachacutec). From here we can return by road or if time permits, we can hike down to the village on a well maintained trail that winds its way through extensive terracing reaching Modern Pisac, a picturesque Andean Village, typical except for the huge, spreading pisonary tree that dominates the central square. The village is best known for its market, some days of the week it is larger…In spite of its popularity the market retains much of its local charm, at least in the part where villagers from miles around gather to barter and sell their produce, on Tuesdays and Sundays. From here we head west along the Sacred Valley, having lunch on the way.
Ollantaytambo, an attractive little village located at the western end of the Sacred Valley has been built on top of original Inca foundations and is the best surviving example of Inca town planning. The town is divided in canchas (blocks) which are almost entirely intact. Each cancha has only one entrance (usually a huge stone doorway) which leads into a central courtyard. We will visit the Inca ruins situated on a hill-top landscape with surrounding terracing and with cyclopean rock carvings. From the hill-top there is an extraordinary view of the village below and the surrounding countryside. Return to your lodging at the end of the day.
The Sacred Valley in Peru has an elevation that ranges from approximately 2,050 to 3,000 meters (6,725–9,840 feet), with an average of about 2,800 meters (9,186 ft). This is significantly lower than Cusco’s 3,400 meters (11,150 feet), making the valley a good place for travelers to gradually acclimate to high altitudes before visiting higher elevations like Cusco or Machu Picchu.
Range: 2,050 to 3,000 meters (6,725–9,840 feet)
Average: Around 2,800 meters (9,186 ft)
Pisac: 2,972 meters (9,751 ft)
Urubamba: 2,871 meters (9,416 ft)
Ollantaytambo: 2,792 meters (9,160 ft)
Moray: Up to 3,500 meters (11,483 ft)
Chinchero: 3,772 meters (12,375 ft), making it one of the highest points in the valley
| Number of Passengers | 2 – 4 | 5 – 7 | 8 – Up |
|---|---|---|---|
| USD | 95 | 50 | 45 |
Before booking your tour to Machu Picchu or the Inca Trail, please check the availability of entry tickets for your preferred dates. Entry is limited and often sells out in advance — especially during high season. Make sure your chosen date has available spots to ensure access.
Tour Details Group Size Up to 12 people
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