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Experience the Sacred Valley, the agricultural and cultural heart of the Inca Empire. This full-day Sacred Valley tour from Cusco takes you through stunning Andean landscapes, significant archaeological sites, and enduring local traditions. Explore Pisac’s impressive mountaintop terraces and vibrant artisan market, then continue to Ollantaytambo, an Inca fortress renowned for its precise stonework and authentic village atmosphere.
Enjoy lunch in Urubamba, set in the fertile valley between towering Andean peaks, and conclude your journey in Chinchero, a traditional weaving village where ancient textile techniques are still preserved. Guided by local experts, this tour blends rich history with breathtaking scenery, offering a meaningful introduction to Inca culture and the living heritage of the Andes.
Tour Overview – Sacred Valley Tour Full Day from Cusco
Discover the Sacred Valley on a full-day guided tour featuring Cusco’s renowned Andean landscapes and Inca heritage. Begin with a visit to a traditional alpaca farm to observe ancestral weaving and interact with llamas and alpacas. Continue to the Pisac Inca ruins, then enjoy free time at the artisan market.
Enjoy a delicious buffet lunch in Urubamba, located in the heart of the Sacred Valley, before heading to the majestic Ollantaytambo archaeological site, one of the last living Inca towns, renowned for its remarkable stonework and preserved layout. The experience concludes with a scenic drive back to Cusco.
Tour Details
Departure: Daily at approximately 8:00 AM from Cusco
Duration: Full day
Group Size: 2 to 6 people for a personalized experience
Availability: Operates daily, year-round
Includes: Private transportation, professional English-speaking guide, entrance tickets, and buffet lunch
Sacred Valley Tour Highlights
Sacred Valley Acclimatization Advantage: This tour is a great way to start before your Inca Trail trek. Spending the day at a lower altitude than Cusco helps your body adjust, making it easier to perform well on the 2-day or 4-day Inca Trail.
Pisac Archaeological Site & Market: Visit the mountaintop terraces of Pisac and discover one of the Andes’ most lively artisan markets, full of local crafts and culture.
Traditional Alpaca & Textile Experience: Stop by a local farm to learn about Andean camelids and see traditional weaving methods that local communities still use today.
Urubamba Valley Lunch Experience: Have a buffet lunch in the center of the Sacred Valley, with views of farmland and mountain scenery all around you.
Ollantaytambo Living Inca Town: Walk through one of the last Inca towns still standing, where you’ll see original streets, water channels, and a large fortress built with precise stonework.
Strategic Drop-Off for Inca Trail Travelers: You can choose to end your tour in Ollantaytambo, the starting point for the Inca Trail. This is a great option if you want to stay overnight before beginning your trek to Machu Picchu.
Why Book This Sacred Valley Tour?
The Perfect Pre-Inca Trail Adjustment Day: Get ready for the Inca Trail by giving your body time to adjust. This tour gradually increases altitude, which helps lower your risk of altitude sickness and makes your trek more enjoyable.
Seamless Travel Planning: This tour is made for trekkers and can finish in Ollantaytambo. You can stay overnight and start your Short Inca Trail 2 days or the Classic Inca Trail 4 days the next morning, without having to return to Cusco.
Small Groups, Better Experience: With no more than 8 travelers, you’ll get a more personal and flexible tour, with more chances to talk to your guide and extra time at each stop.
Expert Local Guides: Learn more about Inca history, architecture, and Andean culture from friendly, English-speaking guides who are passionate about sharing their heritage.
All-Inclusive Convenience: We take care of everything, from transportation and entrance fees to lunch and planning, so you can relax and enjoy the experience.
A Complete Cultural Introduction to Peru: This tour offers more than just sightseeing. It gives you a real introduction to the history, scenery, and culture of the Andes, a great way to begin your Machu adventure.
Sacred Valley Full-Day Tour Itinerary
8:00 AM – Hotel Pickup in Cusco
Your day begins with a convenient hotel pickup in Cusco. Relax and enjoy a scenic drive through the Andes as you descend into the Sacred Valley.
Alpaca & South American Camelid Farm Visit
Our first stop is a traditional alpaca farm, where you’ll meet the four native South American camelids: llamas, alpacas, vicuñas, and guanacos. These animals were highly valued by the Incas for their fine wool, agricultural support, and spiritual significance. You’ll also observe traditional Andean weaving techniques passed down through generations.
Pisac Inca Site
Next, explore the impressive Pisac archaeological site, perched high above the valley with panoramic views. This complex features agricultural terraces, ceremonial baths, and temples, showcasing the advanced engineering of the Inca civilization.
Pisac Market
After visiting the ruins, continue to Pisac town to explore its vibrant artisan market. Here, local farmers and craftsmen sell fresh produce and handmade goods, preserving centuries-old traditions and offering a glimpse into daily Andean life.
Lunch in Urubamba
Travel to Urubamba, the heart of the Sacred Valley, and enjoy a relaxing buffet lunch featuring traditional Peruvian cuisine, surrounded by stunning mountain scenery.
Ollantaytambo Inca Site
Your final stop is the remarkable Ollantaytambo archaeological site, a strategic military, religious, and agricultural center. With its massive terraces and finely crafted stonework, this fortress played a key role during the Inca resistance and remains one of the few continuously inhabited Inca towns.
Return to Cusco or Overnight in Ollantaytambo
At the end of the tour, return to Cusco and be dropped off at your hotel. Alternatively, you may choose to stay overnight in Ollantaytambo, an ideal option for travelers continuing to Machu Picchu or starting the Short or Classic Inca Trail the following day.
Inclusions – Sacred Valley Day Tour
Expert English-Speaking Guide
Travel with a professional, highly trained guide passionate about Inca history and Andean culture. Gain deep insights, local stories, and a richer understanding of every site you visit.
Private & Comfortable Transportation
Ride in safe, modern vehicles with pick-up and drop-off at your hotel in Cusco. Take in the views as you travel through the beautiful Sacred Valley.
- All Entrance Fees Included
You won't have to wait in line or worry about tickets. Entry to Pisac, Ollantaytambo, and the alpaca farm is included.
Traditional Buffet Lunch in Urubamba
Enjoy a buffet lunch with a variety of real Peruvian dishes in Urubamba, right in the Sacred Valley and surrounded by mountains.
Small Group Experience
Traveling in a small group means you get a more personal and flexible experience at every stop.
Hotel Pickup & Drop-Off
We pick you up and drop you off at your hotel in Cusco, making your day easy and worry-free.
1. What is the Sacred Valley and why is it important?
The Sacred Valley of the Incas is a stunning region near Cusco known for its fertile lands, ancient Inca sites, and traditional Andean villages. It was a key agricultural and spiritual center for the Incas and remains one of the most culturally rich and scenic areas in Peru.
2. What sites are included in the Sacred Valley Full-Day Tour?
This tour includes visits to an Alpaca farm, Pisac Inca ruins, Pisac market, a buffet lunch in Urubamba, and the Ollantaytambo archaeological site. You’ll explore Inca history, local culture, and breathtaking Andean landscapes.
3. Is the tour suitable for all fitness levels?
Yes, the tour is designed for all fitness levels. While some walking is involved at the archaeological sites, the pace is relaxed and there are frequent stops. Good walking shoes and sun protection are recommended.
4. What should I bring for the Sacred Valley tour?
We recommend bringing a small daypack with water, sunscreen, a hat, comfortable walking shoes, a light jacket, and cash for souvenirs or optional purchases at the Pisac market.
5. Is the Sacred Valley tour good to do before Machu Picchu or the Inca Trail?
Yes! The Sacred Valley tour is an ideal way to acclimate to the altitude and learn about Inca history before visiting Machu Picchu or starting the Inca Trail. Many travelers choose to overnight in Ollantaytambo to catch the early train the next morning.
6. How many people are in the tour group?
This is a small group tour, with a minimum of 2 and a maximum of 8 people, ensuring a more personalized and engaging experience with your guide.