With a rich array of archaeological sites and breathtaking scenery, joining a full-day Sacred Valley tour from Cusco is a no-brainer when in Peru. The region is far more than just ancient ruins, though, with small museums, timeless towns, and a brimming tradition that’ll make any trip a memorable one.
During this day trip, you’ll visit the Inca ruins of Pisac Town, Ollantaytambo, and Moray. Many archeologists consider these landmarks to be some of the original cities of the Inca civilization, so their historical significance has no bounds.
There are a few more destinations you can add to your tour to make it a unique affair. These include an Alpaca Farm near Cusco, the famous Taray Viewpoint, and Pisac’s local market. Coya Town and Lamay Town (where you’ll find the best cuy) can also be visited. Claca Town (where the famous Lares to Machu Picchu trek begins) is also in the area. The Urubamba Village is the best place for us to stop for lunch, and a Yanahuara is perfect for those wanting to taste Chicha, also known as corn beer.
Take all these fantastic stops and the magical views of the Urubamba River — which feeds the Amazon River — and you’ve got a special day in store. So, if you’ve already been on a day tour to Machu Picchu, it’s time to join this day tour of the Sacred Valley.
The best Sacred Valley is waiting for you!
Sacred Valley Day Tour Details
Find all the essential details you need to know about this Peruvian Sacred Valley tour here.
Highlights
Type of Tour: Cultural, History, Inca and Spanish Architecture
Good For: If you want to explore more places around Cusco and better understand what Sacred Valley has to offer.
Difficulty: Easy
Consideration: AVAILABLE ALL YEAR LONG
Useful Information About Our Sacred Valley Tours From Cusco
- Above all else, we will ensure your safety
- This is a full-day tour of the Sacred Valley from Cusco.
- Explore three Inca archaeological sites and two historic churches.
- Visit the incredible Sacred Valley of the Incan Empire.
- Acclimatize yourself to Peru by exploring the amazing history that the region has to offer.
- There will be some walking during the tour in high-elevation areas.
- We’ll visit some of the most important streets in Cusco.
- All transportation will be done via private car.
- We’ll visit the Pisac Archeological Site.
- We’ll visit the Ollantaytambo Sanctuary.
- We’ll visit Centro Arqueológico de Chinchero.
- We are using local staff and natural resources.
- We are a local company that considers sustainable responsibility.
- Your professional tour guide will brief you on what you need and what to expect from the tour before leaving your hotel.
Itinerary
CUSCO – PISAC – OLLANTAYTAMBO – CHINCHERO – CUSCO
While there are set locations that we’ll visit during the tour, you can communicate with us beforehand if there are locations you want to visit.
You can pick from the ones mentioned below:
- Coya Town
- Lamay Town
- Claca Town
- A Yanahuara bar at Urubamba Village
Cusco to Pisac
Starting bright and early, we will pick you up from your hotel around 07:40 and debrief you on what you’ll need and the plan for the day. As we drive through Cusco, we’ll stop at some of the most popular streets in the city.
One of the main stops on the way to the Pisac Archeological Site is at a local Alpaca farm. You’ll learn how the alpaca and llama textiles are made. This stop doesn’t end there, though, as you’ll have the chance to feed the llamas, alpacas, guanacos, and vicuñas before hitting the road again.
After a few more minutes of driving, we’ll reach the Taray Viewpoint. Here, you’ll be able to snap some memorable photos of the Sacred Valley in the background. From here, you’ll have scenic views of the snowcapped Andes with the farming lands below.
The next stop is the Inca ruins of Pisac, a fantastic example of Incan architecture and engineering. You’ll enjoy a two-hour guided tour of the archeological site before visiting Pisac Town. We’ll visit the Mercado de Artesanos, where you’ll have the opportunity to get some souvenirs and gifts for the family.
Pisac to Ollantaytambo
Our next stop is Urubamba Village, where we’ll enjoy lunch (not included in the tour price) at one of the local restaurants. If requested, we can take you to one of the Yanahuara for lunch and a Chicha tasting.
After lunch, it’s just a 25-minute drive from Urubamba to the Inca ruins known as Ollantaytambo (Inka Fortress). This ancient city was built with pink granite rocks, making it a magical site for group photos. Your guide will also explain how the Incans were able to transport these massive stones, weighing as much as 100 tons. The heaviest pieces were used in the construction of the Temple of the Sun, which you can take pictures of during your visit.
Ollantaytambo to Chinchero
After touring Ollantaytambo, we’ll hop back into the car and head to Chinchero, where the last archeological site awaits. We’ll visit the Chinchero Archeological Park, which houses the palace of Tupac Yupanqui.
While in the town, we’ll also see the famous Iglesia Colonial de Chinchero and Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de la Natividad — two stunning examples of traditional Spanish architecture.
You’ll also have the opportunity to visit the textile centers and learn about the ancient textile techniques learned from the Incan times. This offers another great opportunity to get some souvenirs to remember your time in this eclectic part of Peru.
Chinchero to Cusco
Once you’re done exploring Chinchero, we’ll head back to Cusco. We can drop you off at your hotel or at the main square, depending on what you prefer.
What Is Included in Your Sacred Valley, Peru Tour
- Professional tour guides: All of our tour guides attended the San Antonio Abad Cusco University or have a college degree. They also all speak really good English. However, the most important aspect is that all our tour guides are local people who grew up in the Andes and have vast ancient knowledge, ready to help broaden your knowledge of their ancestors’ traditions. At the same time, they are funny and professional, making sure you’re safe and happy.
- Permits: After we receive your deposit and information about you, our staff will get your permits for entry to the archeological sites. This permit is for a specific date, and the name provided on the permit will need to match your passport details.
- Briefing: Either the night before or the morning of your tour, your tour guide will brief you on what you need and the itinerary for the day.
- Transportation: All transportation during the tour is included, from the beginning to the end, via a private vehicle. We’ll pick you up from your hotel and take you back to your hotel or the main square that same day. Our services are door-to-door.
- Equipment: Sparrow Explorer has the best equipment that you need during your tour. The utmost importance for us is your safety and that you are happy and enjoying the entire experience.
- First aid kit: Your safety is one of our first priorities. As such, this first aid kit that we have is complete with basic things that you may need for the tour. We will also have an oxygen tank in the event you are struggling with the elevation gain and need assistance.
What Is Excluded From Your Sacred Valley, Peru Tour
- Daypacks: We highly recommend bringing your own day pack for the tour. We would recommend bringing a small to medium-sized day pack, as this is only a one-day Sacred Valley tour. The backpack that you’ll bring should have enough space for your water, sunscreen, sun hat, a few warm layers in case of the weather changes, a camera, and personal snacks. It’s also a good idea to have space for souvenirs bought during the tour.
- Packing list: As this is a single-day tour, you won’t need to pack a lot. We do recommend including a rain poncho, sunscreen, water, and extra snacks. For our longer tours, we provide a slightly more extensive packing list.
- Extra Snack: You can bring your own snacks or get them during the tour.
- Meals: This tour doesn’t include meals. However, we will make stops for lunch and opportunities to get snacks throughout the excursion.
Helpful Information for Your Sacred Valley Full-Day Tour
Here are a few things to keep in mind before booking this full-day Sacred Valley tour.
Altitude Sickness
It’s common to start wondering about altitude sickness when planning a trip to Peru, especially in Cusco. However, it’s easy to see the signs of altitude sickness.
Headaches, tiredness, dizziness, nausea, tingling, loss of appetite, trouble sleeping, and vomiting are all common symptoms of altitude sickness. If you suffer from one of these symptoms, please contact our company or a doctor for assistance.
It’s worth noting, though, that altitude sickness is usually temporary, and staying hydrated with water and coca tea will help a lot. However, some of our customers prefer pills, in which case we suggest you have acetazolamide or dexamethasone and come to Cusco a few days before you intend on taking this tour.
Training for the Inca Trail can also be done by staying in high-altitude regions of Peru for a couple of days before the trek. You can also spend a few days in Cusco drinking plenty of water and coca tea.
Weather
In general, the Andes’ weather is unpredictable, so we suggest being prepared for anything. This is why having waterproof clothes will be a big help, as it can be sunny one minute and rainy the next.
First Aid Kit
All of our mountain guides have their first aid kits and a lot of training in first aid in the mountains. Every year, they receive classes from doctors on how to treat the most frequent problems — diarrhea, cuts, headaches, scrapes, etc.
They will also have an oxygen tank to help you feel better should you need it. You’re more than welcome to bring your own first aid kit for the trek.
Travel Insurance
It is always a good idea to have travel insurance during your travels. Our tour doesn’t include travel insurance, so we highly recommend getting insurance before you leave for Peru. This will come in handy if you have any serious illness or if something happens while you’re on holiday.
If you don’t have travel insurance, this is also fine, and you are still more than welcome to book this tour.
Environmental Impact
This company is a travel agency that protects our environment. We’re a sustainable company that uses biodegradable packaging for meals. We also consider the leave-no-trace principles during our tours as a way to help reduce the effects of global warming and ensure everyone protects our home (planet Earth).
Community
Most important for us is our amazing team. As we are a local company, the families and communities of our team feel proud of everyone involved at Sparrow Explorer. By sharing the culture and knowledge of our ancestors, everyone who joins our tours can better understand our traditions, behaviors, and customs.
By doing this, we can help protect everything left by our ancestors, as we believe in “Love just the things that you know.” This way, in our own small way, we can help preserve the amazing Inca culture for generations to come.
