Sacred Valley of Incas (Day Trip): Discover Beautiful Villages and Local Cuisine
4.9
15 Ratings
Pisac

The Sacred Valley of the Incas is home to beautiful villages like Pisac, Urubamba and Ollantaytambo. Take a day trip out of Cusco, try the local cuisine, and get to know these hidden gems - discover their history, culture, and mystery.

Duration: 10 hours
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Pisac Market - This charming and picturesque town is known for its elaborate crafts showcased in fairs on Thursdays and Sundays, steeped in a long and colorful tradition. Pisaq is one of the most frequented spots in the Sacred Valley of the Incas, boasting surprising archaeological monuments that rival Machu Picchu. It features an extensive system of Incan terraces that climb up to the cliffs, resembling enormous hanging gardens. Despite the passage of centuries, these terraces are still usable for agriculture. The archaeological site, located in the upper part, is composed of various neighborhoods. It includes the Intiwatana, the largest pre-Columbian cemetery on the continent, as well as cultivation terraces (andenes) and watchtowers. Pisaq attracts settlers from nearby towns and thousands of visitors. One of the highlights of these fairs is the parade of the authorities or Varayocs, who come to the town to attend mass in Quechua, the main language of the region. In the upper part, you will find the Inca ruins of Pisaq with an extensive system of terraces and an important stone solar clock, or Intihuatana. Today, Pisaq is one of the most significant Archaeological Parks in the region and stands as one of the top tourist destinations. Its name possibly derives from a type of partridge common in the area known as “p’isaqa.” Some experts suggest that the pre-Hispanic city was shaped like a “p’isaqa,” representing the local fauna. - Iglesia de Urubamba - The charming town of Urubamba is surrounded by towering Andean peaks in the heart of the Sacred Valley. Unlike Ollantaytambo and Pisac, whose Inca ruins are the main attractions, Urubamba’s appeal lies in its natural beauty and relaxed atmosphere. The town boasts a range of beautiful hotels, perfect for disconnecting and indulging in luxurious spa treatments. Adventure-packed sports and tours are just a short ride away! We will stop here for lunch. - Archaeological Park Ollantaytambo - Ollantaytambo is a picturesque village that retains the designs of Inca buildings, situated at an altitude of 9,160 feet in the province of Urubamba. Among its most impressive attractions are the ceremonial temple dedicated to water worship and a fortress that guarded the valley entrance to repel invasions. The temple features a series of terraces stacked one above the other, which visitors can climb via a steep stairway. The fortress is a stone colossus built between two mountains to protect the valley. The area also includes the Temple of Inti (the sun god), Incamisana, the baths of the Ñustas (princesses), the Cachiccata funerary towers, and a group of tiered, very steep terraces on the hillside. Ollantaytambo also features the mountain called Pinculluna or Tunupa, which contains remnants of Inca architectural structures that appear to have been storehouses for various foodstuffs. The village is also a gathering place for nearby communities, such as the Huayruros de Willoc, who are recognizable by their red and black ponchos and hats. - Complejo Arqueologico Chinchero - Chinchero is a small Andean Indian village located high on the windswept plains of Anta at 3,765 meters, about 30 kilometers from Cusco. It offers beautiful views overlooking the Sacred Valley of the Incas, with the Cordillera Vilcabamba and the snow-capped peak of Salkantay dominating the western horizon. Chinchero is believed to be the mythical birthplace of the rainbow. Its main tourist attraction is its colorful Sunday market, which is much less tourist-oriented than the market at Pisac. The village mainly consists of mud-brick (adobe) houses, and locals still go about their business in traditional dress. The village may have been an important town in Inca times. The most striking remnant of this period is the massive stone wall in the main plaza, which has ten trapezoidal niches. The construction of the wall and many other ruins and agricultural terraces (still in use) are attributed to Inca Tupac Yupanqui, who possibly used Chinchero as a kind of country resort. In the main plaza, an adobe colonial church dating from the early seventeenth century has been built upon the foundations of an Inca temple or palace. The ceiling and walls are adorned with beautiful floral and religious designs. The church is open on Sundays for mass. A half-hour walk from the village brings you to Lake Piuri, which once supplied Cusco with water. It takes about three hours to walk around the lake, passing through small picturesque villages.
What's Included
  • Transport
  • Lunch
  • Bi-lingual Guide
What's Not Included
  • Entrance Ticket All Sites (21 USD - 2 Days Access) | (39 USD - 10 Days Access

Location
Pisac Market
Central Plaza, Centro
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.9
(15 Ratings)
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Wanderley
Jan 16, 2024
Wonderful experience - This visit is very beautiful. I went to visit the city of Cusco and on the way to Machupicchu we took this tour and we were very amazed as well as the guide and motorist, who were very punctual and very professional.
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Rogerio_bast
Jan 13, 2024
Solo Inca Valley Tour: A Memorable Experience - This solo Inca Valley tour was an unforgettable experience that allowed me to make the most of my time to myself. Our guide was wonderful and made me feel welcome as a solo traveler. He made my day more meaningful by providing me with insights and information as a solo traveler. Exploring the mysterious beauty of the Sacred Valley of the Incas was a great way to be alone with myself and understand this ancient region. Our guide not only told us about the history and culture, but also provided me with the information I needed as a solo traveler. Walking through the Pisac market and interacting with the locals gave me the full sense of freedom that comes with solo travel. I had a delicious break at lunch that made me forget my loneliness. This solo adventure allowed me to have an inner discovery experience by allowing me to be alone with myself.
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Estarussel
Jan 13, 2024
A Romantic Getaway: My Wife and I Discovered Valle Sagrado de los Incas - My wife and I had a romantic getaway to the Sacred Valley of the Incas that was not only breathtaking, but also one that we will cherish forever. Our guide was a wonderful travel companion who helped to make this special day even more meaningful. Exploring the history and culture of the Sacred Valley of the Incas made this experience even more special to share with my wife. Our guide made our day unforgettable not only with his knowledge, but also by making us feel the romantic atmosphere of the region. Walking hand-in-hand through the Pisac Market and discovering the local handicrafts added a special touch to our romantic moments together. Sharing and tasting the local cuisine at lunch made this beautiful day even more special. I am so glad that my wife and I took this trip, and I thank our guide and the tour organizers for these unforgettable memories.
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969ferdit
Jan 13, 2024
We Had a Great Day - Before participating in the tour, I had heard many positive things about the Sacred Valley of the Incas, and this tour exceeded my expectations. Our guide was extremely knowledgeable and friendly, and he gave us detailed information about the region's historical and cultural wealth. This route, which is full of stops on the way to Machu Picchu, was not only full of scenery, but also impressive ruins of the Inca civilization. We had the chance to shop at the Pisac Market and admire the local handicrafts. The lunch was also delicious, and we had the opportunity to get to know the local cuisine better. Our guide made our tour even more special by telling us interesting anecdotes and stories about the region. I would like to thank him for patiently answering all our questions. In short, this tour was a truly unforgettable experience, and I highly recommend it to anyone who wants to explore the Sacred Valley of the Incas.
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Katharine
Jan 12, 2024
The Sacred Valley: An Unforgettable Day with Jose Tito - My friends and I took a day trip to the Sacred Valley, and I will never forget the experience. Our guide, Jose Tito, brought the Inca history and culture to life for us. Ollantaytambo, Pisac, and Moray all showed us the grandeur and achievement of the Incas. With Jose Tito's guidance, we were able to better understand these places. Throughout the trip, we also saw the breathtaking views of the Andes Mountains. Jose Tito told us the stories behind these landscapes. Jose Tito was an amazing guide. He was knowledgeable, fun, and welcoming. Our day with him was an unforgettable experience. The Sacred Valley is one of the most unforgettable trips you can take in Peru. I highly recommend visiting this magical place.
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Gerardbl2224ts
Jan 12, 2024
The Sacred Valley: An Unforgettable Day - The Sacred Valley is one of Peru's most enchanting places. It offers a unique opportunity to learn about Inca history, culture, and natural beauty. I recently took a day trip to the Sacred Valley and will never forget the experience. I was captivated by the magic of Ollantaytambo, Pisac Market, and Moray. The breathtaking views of the Andes Mountains will also stay with me forever. This trip was also a great opportunity to strengthen my friendship bonds. We hiked together, learned new things, and had a lot of fun. The Sacred Valley is one of the most unforgettable trips you can take in Peru. I highly recommend visiting this enchanting place.
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_v7300fi
Jan 11, 2024
The Sacred Valley: A Must-See for Inca History and Culture - The Sacred Valley is a must-see for anyone interested in Inca history and culture. I had the opportunity to visit the Sacred Valley last month while on a trip to Cusco. This enchanting place is home to ancient Inca ruins, terraced fields, and sacred stones. A one-day tour will allow you to see the most important sites in the Sacred Valley. You will visit the impressive fortress of Ollantaytambo, the colorful market of Pisac, and the mysterious terraces of Moray. Ollantaytambo fortress is an example of the Incas' defensive strategy. This impressive structure showcases the Incas' military and engineering skills. Pisac market is a great place to buy local produce, handicrafts, and souvenirs. In this colorful market, you can find products from all over Peru. Moray is a series of terraces that the Incas used for agricultural experiments. This mysterious place is an interesting place to learn about Inca agricultural techniques. There are other things you can do in the Sacred Valley. You can visit the Maras salt mines, take a boat tour on the Urubamba River, or just relax and enjoy the breathtaking views of the valley. The Sacred Valley is one of Peru's must-see destinations. This enchanting place is a great way to learn about Inca history and culture and experience the stunning scenery of the Andes Mountains.
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Davidgd5498kk
Jan 27, 2022
Spectacular - Jose Ttito with Andes Peru Tour and Adventure did an excellent job during our voyage of the Sacred Valley. He was very knowledgeable and thorough with his description of the Incas. I highly recommend Jose as a guide.
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Justine_sade
Jan 8, 2020
A full day of visiting and surprises topped with a knowledgeable and funny guide - Our agency booked the one day Sacred valley trip while we were in Cusco. So we did not know too much about the schedule nor the company that was hired to do it. We had Jose as our guide and were in the car with 8 more people. We started with the stop at the market which for us was nothing extraordinary, just some small stands with things that it was a bit dubious if they were really done in Peru or not. Interesting enough you could pay by card at some of them so guess it is a nice option for souvenirs. Lucky enough we did not stay much and we went further to the the ancient Inca sites of the Sacred Valley where we did a stop first to take some pictures. What I did appreciate from the driver is that he tried taking us as closely to the entrance as possible and did not let us walk as I saw other groups trying to get to the archaeological sites from way down. We did stop at a silver shop which had some very beautiful jeweler and we also were able to see some of the silversmiths at work which was interesting and we were given a small presentation. I did appreciate that rather than going through the market around and trying to find something ourselves. After we stopped for lunch at a touristic all you can eat restaurant but with very tasty food we continued to the Archaeological Park Ollantaytambo where Jose gave us a short presentation and left us to wonder around. Final stop was in Chinchero at a female weaving cooperative where we were served tea and had a very nice presentation regarding their weaving and painting techniques. We were all alone as it was at the end of the day but all the ladies working there were very friendly and nice. Actually I bought some nice gifts which even if a bit more pricey at least I can have the knowledge they are proper alpaca :) Overall we really liked the tour and the guide we had, also my boyfriend was sick during the trip and Jose did know what to give him and he recovered more or less. So we also had a bit of doctor and not only a knowledgeable guide. We did appreciate the small stops at the silver shop and the weaving center even though touristic they were really quality and actually what we were interested to see. My only regret is not having more time to spend at the ancient archeological sites both the ones on the Sacred Valley as well as Ollantaytambo. It felt a bit rushed on the other hand trying to hit markets, archaeological sites, lunch break and coming back to Cusco in the same day then it needs to be on a tight schedule. Even so we arrived a bit late in the night. Either than that everything was fine and I would warmly recommend the company and our guide.
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Bernanrd
Oct 18, 2019
Jose is a star! - I was fortunate to have a guide loke Jose. He os very friendly ectremely patiendt and kind. His knowldge was priceless. Very eager to answer to our queries and super energetic and charming. Learnt a lot about the sacred valley of Incas and the history of Peru. Highly reccomeded.
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up to 9 guests
1 Adult
June 2024
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