Traditional Sacred Valley Tour from Cusco: Pisac, Ollantaytambo and Chinchero
Full Day
Up to 12 travelers
3,759 m / 12,333 ft
Easy to moderate
The classic Sacred Valley route in one day
This full-day Sacred Valley tour from Cusco follows the classic route through the Sacred Valley of the Incas: the archaeological site and craft market of Pisac, a lunch stop in Urubamba, the Ollantaytambo archaeological complex and, on the way back, the town of Chinchero. It is a good first visit to the valley to learn about its history, its towns and its landscapes. Pickup is around 8:00 a.m. from hotels in the historic center, and you return to Cusco in the late afternoon. A professional bilingual guide from the region goes with you.
Sacred Valley Full Day Tour Inclusions
Included 5
- Professional bilingual guide, born and raised in the region
- Hotel pickup around 8:00 a.m. (Cusco historic center)
- Comfortable tourist transportation for the whole tour
- Return transfer to Cusco at the end of the day
- Full tour coordination and assistance along the way
Not Included 3
- Cusco Tourist Ticket (partial or full), required to enter Pisac and Ollantaytambo
- Meals (lunch in Urubamba is optional unless otherwise stated)
- Personal expenses
Sacred Valley Full Day Tour - Itinerary
1
Pickup and Pisac
Cusco – Pisac
Pickup at your hotel in Cusco’s historic center around 8:00 a.m. and a drive by tourist transportation to the Sacred Valley.
Guided visit to the Pisac archaeological site: farming terraces, ceremonial areas and the Temple of the Sun. Afterward, we go down to the town of Pisac to browse its craft market, with time to walk around and take photos.
2
Lunch in Urubamba
Pisac – Urubamba
We continue to Urubamba, in the heart of the valley, and stop for lunch at a local buffet restaurant (optional or included, depending on the service you book).
3
Ollantaytambo
Urubamba – Ollantaytambo
Guided visit to the Ollantaytambo archaeological site, known for its huge terraces and its stonework. It was an important military, religious and farming center in the time of the Inca Empire.
4
Chinchero and return
Ollantaytambo – Chinchero – Cusco
On the way back to Cusco, we make a short stop in Chinchero, an Andean town with an archaeological complex and a white colonial church built on Inca foundations. We arrive in Cusco in the late afternoon and drop you off near your hotel.
Good to know
Highlights
- Pisac: a guided visit to the terraces, the ceremonial areas and the Temple of the Sun. COSITUC describes the site as having religious, military and administrative functions. Afterward, we go down to the town to browse its craft market.
- Ollantaytambo: monumental terraces and remarkable stonework. Its Temple of the Sun keeps six large polished monoliths. According to Andina, it was the scene of Manco Inca’s resistance against the Spanish in 1537.
- Chinchero: a short stop in an Andean town with an archaeological complex and a white colonial church built on Inca foundations.
Difficulty and altitude
The tour is easy to moderate. You walk at each archaeological site, on uneven stone paths with some stairs. The valley floor is lower than Cusco (3,439 m / 11,283 ft): Urubamba is at 2,885 m (9,465 ft) and Ollantaytambo at 2,871 m (9,419 ft), according to INEI. This usually makes it comfortable for most people. The highest point is Chinchero, at 3,759 m (12,333 ft), on the way back. Even so, we recommend spending at least one day in Cusco before the tour. Find more tips in our guide to altitude sickness in Cusco.
Who it’s for
It is suitable for families. Children must be supervised at all archaeological sites. If you want to add Moray and the Maras salt mines, the Sacred Valley tour with Maras and Moray makes for a longer day. If you are continuing to Machu Picchu by train, you can end the tour in Ollantaytambo on request, with advance coordination.
Best time to go
PromPerú gives temperatures of 1 °C to 20 °C (34 °F to 68 °F) for the Sacred Valley, so dress in layers. From November to March, bring a rain jacket or poncho. According to Senamhi, cited by Andina, the rains in the Cusco region can last until the first half of April.
What to bring
- Comfortable clothes in layers and a light jacket
- Sneakers or comfortable walking shoes
- Hat or cap, sunscreen and sunglasses
- Passport or ID
- Cash in soles for entrance fees and personal expenses
- Reusable water bottle and a light snack
- Rain jacket or poncho, especially from November to March
- Small backpack and a camera or phone
Good to know
- Entrance fees are not included. For Pisac and Ollantaytambo, you need the Cusco Tourist Ticket (Boleto Turístico del Cusco), partial or full. The partial Sacred Valley ticket (Circuit III) costs S/ 70 for foreign visitors (valid 2 days) and S/ 40 for Peruvian nationals (valid 1 day). It also covers Chinchero and Moray (COSITUC).
- If your hotel is outside the pickup area, we arrange a nearby meeting point.
- Find more places in the valley in our guide to things to do in the Sacred Valley.
FAQs
Is this a full-day Sacred Valley tour from Cusco?
Yes. Pickup is around 8:00 a.m. from hotels in Cusco’s historic center, and you return to the city in the late afternoon.
Are entrance fees included?
No. To enter Pisac and Ollantaytambo, you need the Cusco Tourist Ticket, which you buy separately. The partial Sacred Valley ticket (Circuit III) costs S/ 70 for foreign visitors and is valid for 2 days. For Peruvian visitors, it costs S/ 40 and is valid for 1 day. It covers Pisac, Ollantaytambo, Chinchero and Moray (COSITUC).
Is lunch included?
The buffet lunch in Urubamba is optional or included, depending on the service you book. Check the details of your booking.
How much walking is there?
There is moderate walking at each archaeological site, on uneven stone paths with some stairs.
Is it suitable for children?
Yes, it is a family-friendly tour. Children must be supervised at all archaeological sites.
Is the altitude a problem?
The valley floor is lower than Cusco (3,439 m): Urubamba is at 2,885 m and Ollantaytambo at 2,871 m, according to INEI. The highest point is Chinchero, at 3,759 m (12,333 ft). We recommend spending at least one day in Cusco before the tour.
Can I end the tour in the Sacred Valley instead of Cusco?
Yes. On request, you can end the tour in Ollantaytambo, for example if you are continuing to Machu Picchu by train. This needs advance coordination. For tickets to the citadel, see our guide to Machu Picchu tickets.
How is it different from the Sacred Valley tour with Maras and Moray?
This tour focuses on Pisac, Ollantaytambo and Chinchero, with pickup at 8:00 a.m. The Sacred Valley tour with Maras and Moray starts earlier and adds the Maras salt mines and the Moray terraces. If you are only interested in those two sites, there is the half-day tour to Chinchero, Moray and the salt mines.
