Sacred Valley of the Incas Tour (Full Day)
The Sacred Valley of the Incas Tour will take you to discover three of the most important archaeological sites of the Inca Empire: Chinchero, Pisac, and Ollantaytambo. This full-day excursion through the Sacred Valley offers an excellent introduction to the Inca civilization and its extraordinary cultural legacy.
Discover the Main Attractions of the Sacred Valley of the Incas
During this experience, you will visit important archaeological complexes, traditional Andean villages, and places that played a fundamental role in the history of the Inca Empire.
Pisac
Pisac is a small town located near Cusco that is home to one of the most important archaeological complexes in the region. Its impressive Inca ruins are considered the second largest after Machu Picchu and are among the main archaeological attractions of the Sacred Valley of the Incas.
The archaeological complex consists of agricultural terraces, ceremonial centers, Inca temples, and various structures built on top of a mountain with breathtaking views of the valley.
One of Pisac’s greatest attractions is its traditional weekend market, held in the town’s main square. Farmers and artisans from nearby communities offer a wide variety of products and handicrafts. If you would like to purchase souvenirs from Peru, this is one of the best places to do so.
Ollantaytambo
Ollantaytambo is one of the most representative examples of Inca urban planning. Surrounded by important archaeological sites, this town preserves much of its original layout and is considered one of the oldest continuously inhabited settlements in South America.
The historic Battle of Ollantaytambo, which took place in 1537, marked a decisive moment in the history of the Inca Empire. During the leadership of Manco Inca II, numerous structures were built using enormous stone blocks transported from the quarries of Cachicata.
Today, Ollantaytambo is the main starting point for travelers undertaking the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. Likewise, visitors traveling to Machu Picchu by train depart from this town to Aguas Calientes.
Chinchero
Chinchero is a traditional Andean village located approximately 45 minutes from Cusco. It was built by the Inca Pachacutec as a royal retreat and possesses some of the most fertile lands in the Sacred Valley of the Incas.
At the upper part of the village stands a small white colonial church built on the remains of Pachacutec’s former palace. After the Spanish conquest, the palace was destroyed, and the church that remains today was constructed on its foundations.
The people of Chinchero are renowned for their textile traditions. Using alpaca fiber, they create sweaters, bags, purses, and a variety of handcrafted products. Thanks to this cultural heritage, Chinchero is considered one of the leading textile centers in Peru.
Why Choose Trails to Machu Picchu?
We are a local tour operator with extensive experience organizing trips in Cusco. Our guides possess in-depth knowledge of Inca history and culture, allowing us to provide authentic and memorable experiences.
We offer the Sacred Valley of the Incas Tour in both group and private service.
We invite you to read the reviews and experiences shared by our travelers on TripAdvisor.
1 Day
Cultural
Easy
Cusco
8:00 am
12 people
Detailed Itinerary
Full Day: Cusco – Pisac – Urubamba – Ollantaytambo – Chinchero – Cusco
We will begin the Sacred Valley of the Incas Tour with pickup from your hotel in Cusco. Aboard our tourist transportation, we will travel to Pisac, one of the most important archaeological sites in the Sacred Valley.
Upon arrival, we will head to the main entrance of the Pisac Archaeological Complex. Here, our expert local guide will provide a guided tour of this impressive Inca site, where you will learn about the history, architecture, and significance of its agricultural terraces, temples, and ceremonial centers.
After the visit, we will descend to the town of Pisac, where you will have time to explore its traditional handicraft market and admire products made by farmers and artisans from local communities.
After enjoying this charming town in the Sacred Valley of the Incas, we will continue to Urubamba. In this city, we will stop at a local restaurant where you can enjoy an authentic Peruvian buffet lunch.
After lunch, we will travel to Ollantaytambo. We will begin with an introduction to this historic Inca town, considered one of the finest examples of urban planning in the Inca Empire. We will then visit its iconic archaeological complex, a sacred site for the Incas that also witnessed important events during the Spanish invasion. Our guide will accompany you throughout the tour, explaining the history and significance of this fascinating site.
The next stop will be Chinchero. Here, we will first visit the archaeological complex and then explore the town’s textile centers, where local residents have preserved traditional weaving techniques passed down from generation to generation.
At the end of the visit, we will begin our return journey to the city of Cusco. The tour concludes with drop-off at Plaza Regocijo, located one block from the Main Square (Plaza de Armas), between approximately 6:00 p.m. and 6:45 p.m.
Inclusions
What's included
- Pickup from your hotel in Cusco
- Tour transportation
- Professional bilingual guide
- Buffet lunch in Urubamba
What's not included
- Breakfast
- Admission tickets
- Additional personal expenses
Packing List
We recommend bringing the following items so you can enjoy your Sacred Valley of the Incas Tour in comfort and make the most of every stop along the way.
- Reusable water bottle
- Sunscreen
- Cash
- Passport or ID
- Snacks or light refreshments for the tour
Frequently Asked Questions
Resolve the most common questions before taking the Sacred Valley of the Incas Tour and get ready to visit some of the most important archaeological sites of the Inca civilization on a full-day excursion from Cusco.
Do I need to purchase a tourist ticket to enter the archaeological sites?
Yes. The tourist ticket is not included in the tour and is required to enter the archaeological complexes of Pisac, Ollantaytambo, and Chinchero. We recommend purchasing it in advance or checking the available options before the excursion begins.
Does the tour include time to explore the Pisac Market?
What type of lunch is included during the tour?
Why is Ollantaytambo one of the most important places on the tour?
What makes Chinchero special within the Sacred Valley?
Is the tour suitable for first-time visitors to Cusco?
Where does the Sacred Valley of the Incas Tour end?
What items are recommended to bring on the tour?
Feel free to call us. We’re a team of experts and would be happy to speak with you.
- +51 970 409 091
- [email protected]