The Sacred Valley Tour Full Day

Places Visited On the Tour:

• Pisac market
• Pisac ruins
• Urubamba – “The Heart of the Sacred Valley”
• Ollantaytambo Ruins
• Chinchero Ruins

On a tourist bus, we will travel from Cusco past Saqsaywaman & Tambomachay, over the mountains toward the Sacred Valley. We will descend 1500 feet to the floor of the Urubamba river valley, arriving in the village of Pisac for a visit to its famous craft market. Located 33 kilometers from Cusco, the village of Pisac sits below one of the region’s most important archeological sites, where you will be able to explore an ancient Inca agricultural center and its stunning terraces. On the guided walk through the Pisac citadel, you will be able to observe temples, residences, altars, channels, carvings, tunnels/caves and the famous Intihuatana, which means “the hitching post of the sun.” For those who would prefer to spend more time in the market instead of visiting the ruins, let your guide know so he can organise a time and place to pick you up when returning through the market.

We will continue on to Urubamba where you can stop to buy a traditional lunch in the shadow of snow-capped Chicon Mountain and explore the lush, palm-filled Plaza de Armas before continuing with the afternoon portion of the tour. After another thirty minutes in the car, we will arrive in the town of Ollantaytambo, where villagers still live in ancient stone houses built by the Incas. In Ollantaytambo, you will see the amazing temple of the Sun, stone water fountains, stairs, terraces and the beauty of the local people in their traditional dress, all surrounded by the mountains and the valleys of Patacancha and Willoq.

We will end the day with a visit to the ruins in Chinchero, which was an important commercial center during the reign of the Incas and is now known for its weaving and textile traditions. After a brief weaving demonstration near the market, we will explore the magnificent terraces and majestic Inca walls still intact in the village plaza, then return to Cusco by approximately 5:00 or 6:00 pm.

• Tour Start Time: Approximately 8:30 am
• Tour End Time: Approximately 6:00 pm
• Difficulty: Light
• Weather : Warm and sunny, with cooler temperatures at night

One water bottle is provided with your lunch. You should always bring extra bottled water with you during the hike, to prevent from becoming dehydrated. Healthy snacks (fruit, nuts, etc.) are highly recommended.

We recommend that you book your day hike two or three days ahead of time, which will give us time to arrange the transportation and guide during the high season.

Why is my tour more expensive when I pay with a credit card?

When you pay with a credit card or PayPal, there is a 6% service charge added to the total cost of your tour. However, there is no service charge if you pay with cash; for this reason, the total cost of the tour will be higher when you pay with a credit card.

No, no meals are included on this tour. However, you will have plenty of opportunities to buy snacks at each village we visit along the way, and we will stop for you to eat lunch in Urubamba.

A tip is customary, but the amount is at your discretion. Whatever you feel is appropriate based on the service you have received is fine; please remember to always be courteous and respectful with our guides.

There will be between 25-30 people on this tour.

The Tourist Ticket (or Boleto Turistico) will be necessary to enter the many of the tourist attractions on your City Tour and Sacred Valley Tour. The full ticket costs 130 soles and can be used for entry to fourteen historic and archeological sites in Cusco and the Sacred Valley. It can be purchased at most major sites and is valid for ten days. There is also a partial ticket available for 70 soles, which can be used for entry to a limited selection of sites and is valid for only two days. If you do not want to pay for the Tourist Ticket, you can skip entering these sites; however, we at Inka Trail Backpacker feel that exploring the ruins is worth the money!