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
$189
USD
PER PERSON
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.
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
What’s not Included
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
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
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FROM
$239
USD
PER PERSON
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.