Tour to the Sacred Valley of the Incas & Group Service

Activity summary

templo del sol en las ruinas de ollantaytambo

Connect and discover the experience that the Sacred Valley of the Incas Tour has for you.

If you want contact with nature, archeology and the sensitivity of Peru, we recommend that you visit one of the most important historical sites in South America, the Sacred Valley of the Incas Tour, one of the most popular in the world.

The climatic and geographical qualities of this place, protected from the strong winds of the high plateau, made this Valley a unique setting, an agricultural center of the Inca Empire, which currently allows contact with religious places, colossal buildings, temples, archaeological sites, agricultural and cultural that are World Heritage, distributed among the towns of PisacOllantaytambo, Chinchero and more.

This tour is an opportunity to adapt your body to the altitude, especially if you want to go to destinations such as Machu Picchu or other high-altitude places.

The Sacred Valley area is recognized for its artisans, on this tour you will have the opportunity to purchase souvenirs, textiles and crafts if you wish, thus supporting the development of the local economy.

Appreciate the beauty in our photo gallery; and although beautiful, they do not describe the excitement of being in this powerful place. Live it up!

This tour is operated on a shared basis, for more details, see the considerations section.

Itinerary of the Sacred Valley Tour:

Pick up from accomodation – Sacred Valley – Taray Viewpoint

After you have breakfast at your accommodation, our Guru Explorers will pick you up around 7:00 – 8:00 am on the way to the Sacred Valley of the Incas. We will make our first stop at the Taray Viewpoint, which offers the most beautiful panoramic view of the Sacred Valley, its snow-capped peaks, ruins of fortified citadels, gorges, and crops. In case traffic causes delays in our departure, we will skip this small stop to avoid delays in the rest of the itinerary.

Pisaq Ruins

Later you discover the charm of the Ruins of Pisac, the most extensive citadel and fortress of the Inca civilization in the Sacred Valley, an example of the ability of these people to build an impressive ceremonial architecture in the middle of the natural landscape. This place was destined for astronomical studies, agricultural production, and more.

Here, the guide will provide an explanation for the whole group from the lower area and give you time to take the classic photos with the terraces in the background. Afterwards, those who feel comfortable may hike up to explore the upper sections, while those who prefer to avoid physical effort may remain in the lower area.

The Pisaq area is renowned for its outstanding silver craftsmanship, which preserves the tradition of Inca goldsmithing, fundamental to its culture and still present today. We will make a brief stop at an artisanal silver workshop to admire emblematic pieces, such as the famous Chakana, which locals continue to use as a symbol of their Inca heritage.

Lunch in Urubamba

We will continue to the town of Urubamba, where we will make a 45-minute stop to enjoy a delicious lunch at a lovely buffet restaurant (vegan and vegetarian options available). If you wish, you can upgrade your experience with lunch at the renowned restaurant “Tunupa” by adding it during the booking process.

Ollantaytambo ruins

After lunch, we will continue to the Ollantaytambo ruins, where arrival is expected between 1:30 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. We will explore this impressive archaeological site, known for its megalithic stone structures and agricultural terraces that climb up the mountain slopes. Some passengers prefer to enjoy the site from the lower area, while the more adventurous may climb the stairs to explore it from above.

Chinchero Archaeological Center – Textile Demonstration (Optional)

The last stop will be in Chinchero, where we will visit the Chinchero Archaeological Center, a place that preserves the living culture of the Peruvian Andes through the fusion of Inca and colonial architecture. Subsequently, if the itinerary allows, we will make a brief stop to learn about the artisanal processing of wool and textiles through a textile demonstration that will introduce us to the ancestral techniques still used today. Passengers who have already attended a textile demonstration on another tour can take this free time to explore the picturesque streets of the village and learn more about local customs

Return to Cusco

It is time to say goodbye to the Sacred Valley of the Incas with a satisfactory return to Cusco and arrival at Plaza Regocijo or Plateros Street between 6:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.

Every trip make in your life gives you the opportunity to grow as a person, discover a thousand ways to smile, reinvent yourself, and be happy!

Note: Itinerary times may vary.

Price of the Sacred Valley of the Incas Tour includes:

  • Departure from the lodging in the historic center of Cusco. The streets of the city are narrow, an aspect that limits vehicular access to certain places; in this case the guide will suggest a nearby point to pass looking for you and enjoy the tour.
  • Lunch.
  • Return to Plaza “Regocijo” or Plateros Street (One block away from the Plaza de Armas in Cusco) (Historic Center of the city).
  • Professional guide in English and Spanish (other languages are available on private tours). The guidance could be bilingual in English and Spanish.

Price of the Sacred Valley of the Incas Tour excludes:

  • Transfer from hotels outside the city of Cusco, such as Urubamba, Pisac or others available; you should check if there are any extra charges with Guru Explorers.
  • Tips for the guide.
  • Beverages.
  • Breakfast.
  • Tourist ticket: see information below (can be purchased as an extra).
  • Upgrade to Tunupa Restaurant. If you wish, you can add this upgrade to the well-known “Tunupa” restaurant from the “Add-ons” section during the purchase process.

Tourist Ticket:

  • The Cusco Tourist Ticket (BTC) allows entry to different attractions. It can be purchased at the entrance of each tourist destination we visit (consider that they only accept payment in cash and in local currency).
  • For this tour, you will need the Circuit III – Partial Tourist Ticket, which covers the attractions of Pisac, Chinchero, Moray and Ollantaytambo.
  • Prices:
    • Partial Tourist Ticket – Foreigners S /. 70.00
    • Partial Tourist Ticket – Peruvians S /. 40.00

See more information about the Tourist Ticket in this Article.

What to bring to the Sacred Valley:

  • Comfortable and optimal footwear for walks, warm jacket, caps or hat, gloves, sunglasses, sunscreen, bottles of water, clothing or rain poncho (especially between November – April).
  • Passport or DNI.
  • Travel insurance.
  • Cash (Local currency / Soles (S/.) In Peru, there is usually a fee to use public restrooms. We recommend bringing coins or cash for these situations. 

Considerations:

What does it mean that the tour is shared?

  • It means that you can share the tour with a group of tourists of different nationalities and ages, both from Guru Explorers and from different operators (with a maximum of up to 16 people in total). It is an excellent opportunity to connect with travelers from different parts of the world! Remember that this type of tour is operated by Guru Explorers or our strategic partners who respond to our same standards. If you prefer a tour where you do not share with other people, please ask us for the Private Tour option.
  • One day before the shared tour, you will be assigned a pickup time range and an approximate return time. It’s important to be punctual to avoid delaying others. The duration of the tour may vary depending on the group’s pace and traffic, so the return time is only approximate. Please remember that neither traffic nor the pace of tourists is the responsibility of Guru Explorers.

Other considerations

  • The seating arrangement on the transport is random, based on the order of arrival and pickup.
  • You can include the tickets to the attractions – as an additional – in the process of contracting the Tour, or purchase it on your own directly at the place with payment in cash (prices of entrance tickets may vary without prior notice).
  • The streets of the city are narrow, an aspect that limits vehicular access to certain places; in this case the guide will suggest a nearby point to pass looking for you and enjoy the tour.
  • Minors must be accompanied by an adult.
  • Remember that, since these are outdoor activities, the natural features of the landscape may vary depending on weather conditions and the natural daylight. Each visit is an authentic experience, where nature reveals itself in unique and unrepeatable ways.

According to Peruvian regulations, foreign tourists may be exempt from the local tax IGV (VAT). As a formal and registered travel agency, we are required to submit to the local authorities a copy of the document you used to enter the country, as well as your date of entry. For this reason, a few days before your arrival, we will contact you to request a photo of that document and ask you to let us know the date you entered Peru. If we do not receive this information, we will be required to add the 18% corresponding to the IGV tax. 

Thank you for your cooperation!

Cancellation Policy

  • More than 30 days in advance: Penalty is 20% of the total amount
  • Between 7 and 30 days in advance: Penalty is 40% of the total amount
  • Less than 7 days in advance: Penalty is 100% of the total amount

Date changes

  • More than 30 days in advance: Penalty is 5% of the total amount
  • Between 7 and 30 days in advance: Penalty is 10% of the total amount
  • Less than 7 days in advance: Penalty is 100% of the total amount
  • Subject to availability.
  • There will be no refunds in case of delayed flights, train delays, bad weather, or other external factors.

Force Majeure Policy

  • Guru Explorers values your time and makes every effort to follow the itinerary. However, it may be affected by force majeure events such as weather conditions, rain, natural disasters, protests, roadblocks, or other circumstances beyond our control. In such cases, no refunds or compensation will be provided, as these are unforeseeable and unavoidable situations. Nonetheless, we will do everything possible to offer efficient alternatives and solutions for your enjoyment. Any additional costs resulting from changes or alternative activities will be the responsibility of the client and not Guru Explorers.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

Is it possible to end the tour in Ollantaytambo instead of returning to Cusco?

Yes. This is a common option for those continuing their journey to Machu Picchu from there.

Is this tour recommended for the first day in Cusco?

Yes, it’s a good choice if you are just acclimating, since it has intermediate altitudes and allows you to adapt progressively.

How much time is spent at each archaeological site?

The time varies between 40 and 60 minutes per site, enough to tour with the guide, take photos, and enjoy the surroundings without rushing.

Can local handicrafts be purchased during the tour?

Yes, especially at the Pisac market and the Chinchero textile center, where you’ll find handmade products such as textiles, jewelry, and ceramics.

What type of food is offered for lunch?

Lunch in Urubamba is served as a buffet or a tourist menu, with options such as Andean dishes, meats, vegetables, soups, desserts, and alternatives for special diets. You can also upgrade at the time of booking to the renowned Tunupa restaurant.

Is it necessary to book in advance?

Yes, especially during high season. Booking a few days in advance guarantees availability and helps organize entrance tickets properly.

Tour to the Sacred Valley of the Incas & Group Service

Price per person from

US$
37
US$49

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