Cusco Sacred Valley Tour or the Sacred Valley Day Tour from Cusco is a popular full day tour. It gives you a detailed insight to the life and archaeological sites including the town of Pisac, Ollantaytambo and the village of Chinchero.
This full day trip from the city of Cusco is an excellent introduction to Inca civilization before visiting Machu Picchu. Also it helps you acclimate to the high altitude.
Chinchero is a small village near Cusco. It was the summer palace of Inca King, Tupac Yupanqui. When the Spanish invaded, they demolished the palace and constructed a church on its remains.
Among all villages of Sacred Valley, Chinchero has the most fertile soil.
Knitting is still a craft the locals are popular for. People here have preserved their decades-long traditions till date. This makes it one of the richest villages in traditions and customs in South America.
Ollantaytambo is a charismatic village that has held its prominence since Incan rule. The archaeological site here sits on a hill top. Ollantaytambo ruins once served as a military, religious and agricultural centre to Incas.
The name comes from Quechua word Ollantay “which was the name of an Inca warrior. His story was saved as an oral tradition, and written as a drama of Antonio Valdez Urubamba priest in the mid-eighteenth century”.
During the Incan civilisation, the village used to be a Tambo. It means a place where the travellers or Chaskis and messengers could get accommodation, food and water. Basically a resting place of travellers in the past.
Now Ollantaytambo is where you will be boarding the train to Aguas Calientes to visit Machu Picchu. It is also the gateway to the trailhead of Inca Trail to Machu Picchu.
The town is very colourful every day, the streets fill to overflowing with artisans selling their goods.
Sunday is the best and busiest day to visit. Locals from the nearby villages set up their stall around the main square where they trade vegetables and other products.
Even if you’re not a shopper, the market is worth a visit. It’s a great place to take photos and people-watch.
The quality of the goods can be a little imperfect, and, if you’re looking to get a good quality on any one item, you’re better off in a fine gallery or store in Cusco. On the other hand, the prices are low and it is a great Andean market to buy beautiful souvenirs from Pisac.
It is the second biggest Inca city after Machu Picchu. Pisac is one of the most incredible places in Sacred Valley. The name comes from a very common type of Bird in this area known as PISAQA or Partridge. Because the pre-Columbian city has the shape of an Andean bird representing the local fauna.
Also there is the biggest cemetery of South America, the agricultural terraces, the sundial or Inti-hautana, Qolqas or granaries, water canals, the tunnel and neighbourhoods.
Happy Gringo Tours in Cusco, Peru is a fully locally owned tour operating company. On any tour with us, safety is of the utmost important. We have an excellent team of guides who are locals, born and raised in the region. They have an excellent knowledge about the culture and history and are fluent in English.
We operate Cusco Sacred Valley Tour both in small groups and as a private tour. If you want to visit Maras Salt Terraces and Moray along with Sacred Valley, do take a look at our Super Sacred Valley Tour.
Also, take a look at our reviews on Trip Advisor.
Cusco Hotel Transfer
0800 AM
We will be picking you up from your hotel at 0800 AM. Then in our private transport, we will be driving you to visit Pisac.
Here we will be giving you a guided tour of the Inca ruins of Pisac and Pisac Market. The temple of the Sun here is unmissable.
After the tour, we will be driving you to Urubamba, heart of the Sacred Valley of Incas. Here we will be stopping for buffet lunch at a local restaurant.
After lunch, we will be driving you to Ollantaytambo. Here we will be giving you a guided tour of the archaeological site. It is home to agricultural terraces.
After the tour, we will be returning to Cusco. On the way back, we will be making a brief stop at Chinchero. This serene village is home to the archaeological complex and a white washed colonial church built in a place where once an Inca palace stood.
After visiting Chinchero we will be returning to Cusco.
