SACRED VALLEY OF THE INCAS

Sacred Valley Tour from Cusco

Explore the Sacred Valley of the Incas on a full-day Sacred Valley tour from Cusco, visiting traditional villages, Inca terraces and panoramic viewpoints along the Urubamba River.

Duration

10 – 11 hours

Max Elevation

3,400m / 11,150 ft (Cusco)

Difficulty

Light to Moderate

Group Size

Private or Small group

FROM

$129

USD

PER PERSON

Whatsapp Us

Real-time dates & pricing
Fast help from local Perú specialists
Secure booking flow
Private or small-group options

Overview – Sacred Valley Tour from Cusco

Explore the Sacred Valley of the Incas on a full-day Sacred Valley tour from Cusco, visiting traditional villages, Inca terraces and panoramic viewpoints along the Urubamba River. This scenic route connects Cusco with the gateway to Machu Picchu and offers a perfect mix of culture, history and landscape.
On this full-day Sacred Valley day trip from Cusco, you visit key archaeological sites such as Pisac and Ollantaytambo (and optionally Chinchero or other stops depending on the final itinerary), learn about Inca engineering and agriculture, and enjoy local markets and Andean flavours with your expert guide.

Full-Day Experience

Complete Sacred Valley immersion in one day

Local Markets & Culture

Experience Andean traditions and crafts

Inca Engineering

Explore Pisac and Ollantaytambo ruins

Highlights of the Sacred Valley Tour

Full-day Sacred Valley tour from Cusco with hotel pick-up and drop-off, Inca sites such as Pisac and Ollantaytambo, local markets, and expert bilingual guides.

Historic Pisac Market, part of the Sacred Valley

Views of the Sacred Valley mountains from Cusco

Route to the oldest ruins in the sacred valley.

Heights of the Sacred Valley of the Incas

More ruins of the Sacred Valley from Cusco

What Travelers Say About Peru Private Tours

We don’t just promise personalized service and seamless, high-end travel—our travelers confirm it. Below you’ll see our latest TripAdvisor reviews, updated automatically to reflect what guests are saying right now. From private Machu Picchu experiences to tailor-made journeys across Peru, these reviews come directly from real travelers who chose Peru Private Tours for expert planning, local insight, and premium on-the-ground support.

    
 
 
       Posted on Tripadvisor  
    MrandMrsM 
 
 
 
 Verified Exhausting but amazing !!!!
Great trip but physically demanding due to the altitude. Glad we did this as our first excursion in Cusco as our energy levels were at their best at the start of our 5 days in Cusco ( this would have been hard to do at the end of our stay ) There are options to take a motorcycle or horse to the top but we considered that cheating and you will definitely feel a great sense of accomplishment if you walk the whole way - we certainly did. Great lunch provided and a small selection of snacks but only 1 small bottle of water for the whole day was poor as it was such a hard day. You will definitely need warm clothes for the last section of the walk but as the minibus is really warm you only need to put them on when you start the walk. We did see people in shorts and tee shirts but they looked frozen at the top. Long day with transfers but well worth it for the views at the top.
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
    Kim H 
 
 
 
 Verified Fantastic day trip!!
What an amazing day! The scenery was gorgeous!!! Our guide, Alex, was wonderful - he shared a lot of information about the area and the culture and was very patient and supportive during the climb. Our driver, Jober, was amazing as well, giving us a comfortable ride, a great playlist, and was an expert navigating the speed bumps, alpaca traffic, and city chaos!! This day trip was one of the highlights of our two-week trip to Peru!! It was awesome!!!
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
    Alicia G 
 
 
 
 Verified Great Tour
The tour was great. The Rainbow mountain was worth the hike. Elisban was an excellent guide and Alex a great driver.

Owner's reply
Thank you so much for your kind review! 😊 We’re delighted to hear that you enjoyed the tour and that Rainbow Mountain was worth the hike! Elisban and Alex will be happy to know that their excellent service helped make your experience so memorable. Thank you for choosing us, and we hope to welcome you back to Peru for another unforgettable adventure!
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
    Cruiser565683 
 
 
 
 Verified Perfect day!
Alex & Elisban were amazing! Thank you so much for the tour of rainbow mountain, we did the whole walk there and back and loved it!

Owner's reply
Thank you so much for your lovely review! 😊 We’re thrilled to hear that you had such a wonderful experience exploring Rainbow Mountain with Alex and Elisban. It’s fantastic that you enjoyed the full hike there and back and made the most of this incredible adventure! We’ll be sure to share your kind words with both of them. Thank you for choosing us, and we hope to welcome you back to Peru for another unforgettable journey!
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
    Paradise06091057524 
 
 
 
 Verified Great beat-the-crowds experience
Elisvan (tour guide) and Alex (driver) were excellent, we had a great time. Answered our questions all the way up and down about the area, Elisvan set a great pace for us to be able to do the climb. The start time is perfect as everyone who set off early is just about cleared off by the time you get up there - so excellent for pictures! Also lunch was excellent

Owner's reply
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! 😊 We’re delighted to hear that you had such a great time exploring Rainbow Mountain with Elisvan and Alex. It’s fantastic to know that Elisvan’s knowledge, explanations, and well-paced guidance made the hike enjoyable and comfortable for you. We’re also glad you appreciated the later start time, which allowed you to enjoy the incredible views and take beautiful photos with fewer crowds. And we’re happy to hear you loved the lunch, too! We’ll be sure to share your kind words with our team. Thank you for choosing us, and we hope to welcome you back to Peru for another unforgettable adventure!
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
    Dustin V 
 
 
 
 Verified Amazing Adventure
Alex and Elis were amazing and we all had a great time!! Thank you guys so much!
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
    Annie B 
 
 
 
 Verified Rainbow mountain tour, best experience!
Driver (Alex) and tour guide Ellis were the BEST. Best time ever!
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
    cleopatramagnolia 
 
 
 
 Verified Most professional tours
We did 3 private guided tours with this company. I had been emailing with the company and was very impressed with their communication and professionalism. All my questions were answered, everything was clear. First, Machu Picchu: guide picked us up at hotel, had our bus tickets. It was great to just be able to follow him since with over 5,000 people entering every day, it can get quite crowded and hectic. Our guide was excellent; took photos of us and explained everything. When it started to rain and we decided to cut the tour short, we all went to breakfast and he shared more information about the area with us. He was great! Second tour was in Cuzco: tour of the city plus Sacsayhuaman, Qenqo, Puka Pukara and Tambomachay. Guide was very knowledgeable and friendly; lunch was included at a great restaurant. Third tour was with same guide the next day: to Palcoyo Rainbow Mountain. Long ride up to 16,200 feet, views were breathtaking. Overall, highly recommend this company. I am a travel agent with over 40 years in the industry, and rarely have I dealt with a tour company so professional and organized.
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
    Excursion53318617580 
 
 
 
 Verified Amazing experience - Amazing experience
Beautiful excursion! We were a group of 5 people and we had a great time. The guide was excellent and helped us with the problems related to the altitude. Breakfast and lunch included were very good. The view of the Rainbow Mountains was breathtaking: it was absolutely worth it! Highly recommended! Amazing experience! We were a group of 5 and everything went really well. Our guide was excellent and helped us with the altitude difficulties. Breakfast and lunch were both very good. The views of the Rainbow Mountains were breathtaking and the hike was absolutely worth it! Highly recommended!
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
    Meghan B 
 
 
 
 Verified Authentic Immersive cultural experience
This was everything and more than I had hoped for! We were greeted with flowers petals and large smiles which reflected the attention and engagement for the entire day. It was a true cultural immersion that felt truly authentic and sincere. It not only included a full experience of weaving appropriate for beginners but also natural dying from leaves gathered in the nearby land, song, dance, homemade delicious food which included tropical fruit tastings. This was definitely a highlight in my trip to the Sacred Valley. I would recommend to everyone. Even the husbands of crafting travelers!

Live from Tripadvisor – newest reviews refresh automatically

SEE ALL REVIEWS ON TRIPADVISOR

Full-Day Sacred Valley Tour Itinerary

Pick-Up in Cusco & Sacred Valley Viewpoints

Your Sacred Valley tour from Cusco begins with morning pick-up from your hotel. You leave the city and cross highland plains before descending into the valley, stopping at one or two viewpoints to enjoy sweeping views of the Urubamba River, terraced hillsides and snowcapped peaks. This is a great moment for photos while your guide introduces the history and importance of the Sacred Valley.

Pisac Ruins & Market

Continue to Pisac, one of the most impressive archaeological complexes in the valley. Explore agricultural terraces that climb the mountainside, ceremonial sectors and breathtaking viewpoints over the river. Your guide explains how the Incas designed Pisac to control the entrance to the valley and manage crops at different altitudes. After visiting the ruins, you will have time to explore the Pisac market, known for its handicrafts, textiles and local produce, depending on your final timing and preferences.

Lunch in the Sacred Valley

Around midday, you stop for lunch at selected restaurant in the Sacred Valley (buffet or à la carte, according to your program). This is a chance to sample Andean and Peruvian dishes made with regional ingredients, while enjoying views over the valley or nearby fields.

Ollantaytambo Fortress & Living Inca Town

In the afternoon, you visit Ollantaytambo, an archaeological site and town often described as a “living Inca city” because of its original street layout and still-used stone canals. Climb the terraces of the fortress for panoramic views and learn about the battles between the Incas and the Spanish, as well as the strategic role of this site in protecting the valley. After the ruins, you will have time to walk through the town’s narrow streets to see Inca foundations, traditional houses and daily life in this historic place.

Optional Stop & Return to Cusco

Depending on your chosen route and timing, your Sacred Valley tour from Cusco can also include Chinchero, known for its colonial church, Inca walls and strong textile tradition. If your itinerary is to continue your journey towards Machu Picchu Town (Aguas Calientes) by train, your guide will drop you off at Ollantaytambo Train Station right on time to board your train. After visiting Chinchero, you drive back to Cusco along the valley and highland roads, arriving at your hotel with a deeper understanding of why the Sacred Valley was so important to the Incas and still central to Andean life today.

What’s Included

Hotel pick-up and drop-off in Cusco
Comfortable transportation for the full day
Professional bilingual guide (English–Spanish)
Visit to main Sacred Valley sites in the itinerary (Pisac, Ollantaytambo, and Chinchero if you return to Cusco)
Pre-tour briefing and assistance with timing and logistics
Lunch at selected restaurant in the Sacred Valley

What’s not Included

Tourist ticket / entrance fees for archaeological sites
Drinks, personal snacks and souvenirs
Travel insurance
Tips for guide and driver (optional, at your discretion)

Practical Information – Sacred Valley Tour from Cusco

Duration & Schedule

10-11 hours
Early morning departure

Altitude & Acclimatization

Valley lower than Cusco, ideal for first days

Difficulty & Walking Level

Light to moderate walking, sometimes with steps

What to Bring

Walking shoes, layers, sun hat, camera, cash

Best Time of Year

Year-round, dry season May-September best

Yes. Because the Sacred Valley is slightly lower than Cusco, this tour is often recommended as a first or second day trip. It allows you to see a lot without very intense physical effort.

A classic route includes Pisac (ruins and/or market) and Ollantaytambo, plus valley viewpoints. Depending on the option you choose, it may also include Chinchero or a local textile demonstration. We will confirm the exact itinerary in your quote.

Yes, buffet lunch is included in your itinerary. We also cater vegetarian or vegan options, let us know before your trip. If buffet is not your favorite type of food, we can also adjust it to an à la carte menu with an extra cost. Your proposal will clearly state whether lunch is included or not.

Yes. Most of our Sacred Valley tours can be booked as private experiences, which gives you maximum flexibility with timing, photo stops and the pace of walking.

Yes. Many travelers use the Sacred Valley as the first part of a longer itinerary to Machu Picchu, boarding the train in Ollantaytambo after the tour. If you are planning this, let us know so we can design a combined Sacred Valley + Machu Picchu program.

Why Book Your Sacred Valley Tour with Peru Private Tours?

Local expertise, flexible itineraries, thoughtful timing

We are a Cusco-based, locally owned operator with deep roots in the Sacred Valley communities. We adapt the day to your interests – more time at markets, more focus on history, photography stops, etc. Enjoy fewer people, more personalized guiding and more flexibility at each stop. We plan your route to make the most of lighting and traffic, and to avoid peak crowds when possible. We collaborate with local drivers, family-run restaurants and artisans, so your Sacred Valley tour supports the people who live here.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. Because the Sacred Valley is slightly lower than Cusco, this tour is often recommended as a first or second day trip. It allows you to see a lot without very intense physical effort.

A classic route includes Pisac (ruins and/or market) and Ollantaytambo, plus valley viewpoints. Depending on the option you choose, it may also include Chinchero or a local textile demonstration. We will confirm the exact itinerary in your quote.

Yes, Buffet lunch inlcuded in your itinerary, we also cater vegetarian or vegan options, let us know before your trip. If buffet is not your favorite typoe of food, we can also adjust it to an a la Carte Menu with an extra cost. Your proposal will clearly state whether lunch is included or not.

Yes. Most of our Sacred Valley tours can be booked as private experiences, which gives you maximum flexibility with timing, photo stops and the pace of walking.

Yes. Many travelers use the Sacred Valley as the first part of a longer itinerary to Machu Picchu, boarding the train in Ollantaytambo after the tour. If you are planning this, let us know so we can design a combined Sacred Valley + Machu Picchu program.

More Day Trips from Cusco You May Also Like

Many travelers who book this Sacred Valley tour also enjoy the following day trips from Cusco:

Palcoyo Mountain Tour from Cusco

ALTERNATIVE RAINBOW MOUNTAIN Palcoyo offers fewer crowds, a more gradual path and equally impressive scenery…

Explore Tour

Rainbow Mountain Tour from Cusco

Enjoy a comfortable and flexible rainbow mountain tour from Cusco. Avoid crowds and enjoy warm…

Explore Tour

Humantay Lake Tour from Cusco

TURQUOISE LAKE IN THE ANDES This full-day Humantay Lake day trip from Cusco combines mountain…

Explore Tour

Cusco City Tour

HALF-DAY INTRODUCTION In just half a day, you visit the most important sites in and…

Explore Tour

Number of Travelers

Price per person US$ 110 / person

Estimated total US$ 110

Whatsapp Us

Real-time dates & pricing
Fast help from local Perú specialists
Secure booking flow
Private or small-group options

Planning a Private Journey Through Peru?

Use our travel guides to understand your options—then let our local Peru specialists design the journey around your dates, pace, interests, and comfort preferences.
Whether you’re planning Machu Picchu, the Sacred Valley, the Amazon, Lake Titicaca, Arequipa, Lima, or a complete Peru itinerary, we’ll help you connect everything with private guiding, seamless logistics, and thoughtful timing.