Itinerary
Discover what awaits you in the TOUR SACRED VALLEY OF THE INCAS – 1 DAY
day 1
Pisac, Ollantaytambo, Chinchero
Andean landscapes, living culture and Inca sites in a single day.
We explore the Sacred Valley of the Incas: the market and terraces of Pisac, a buffet lunch in Urubamba, the Ollantaytambo fortress and the weaving tradition of Chinchero.
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Pickup in Cusco and Sacred Valley viewpoint
By tourist transport, 7:00 to 7:30 a.m. · Cusco → Taray viewpoint
We pick you up early at your hotel in Cusco. Our first stop is a natural viewpoint over the Sacred Valley, with spectacular views of mountains and fertile valleys, perfect for your first photos of the day.
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Pisac artisan market
By tourist transport · Viewpoint → Pisac
We continue to Pisac, famous for its artisan market, a mosaic of colors, aromas and traditions.
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Pisac archaeological complex
Guided visit on foot · Pisac Archaeological Park
We enter the Pisac archaeological complex, where intact agricultural terraces and Inca temples show the greatness of Inca architecture.
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Buffet lunch in Urubamba
By tourist transport, at midday · Pisac → Urubamba
We reach Urubamba, the heart of the valley, to enjoy a buffet lunch at an Andean restaurant, surrounded by mountains.
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Ollantaytambo Fortress Highlight
Guided visit on foot, in the afternoon · Urubamba → Ollantaytambo
We explore the imposing Ollantaytambo Fortress, one of the most iconic military and agricultural centers of the Sacred Valley. Its temples, terraces and cobblestone streets invite you to imagine life in this Inca citadel.
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Chinchero and weaving demonstration
By tourist transport · Ollantaytambo → Chinchero
On the way back to Cusco we make a final stop in Chinchero, a village that seems frozen in time. There you will take part in a weaving demonstration on ancestral techniques for dyeing wool with natural pigments.
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Return to Cusco
By tourist transport, approx. 7:30 p.m. · Chinchero → Cusco
We arrive in Cusco in the evening. We drop you off very close to the Plaza de Armas, on Plateros street.
Day details
- Duration: Approx. 12 hours (7:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.)
- Difficulty: Easy
- Altitude: Minimum 2,792 m / 9,160 ft (Ollantaytambo) · Maximum 3,762 m / 12,343 ft (Chinchero)
- Meals: Buffet lunch
- Tour ends: Plateros street, near the Plaza de Armas in Cusco
Pisac, Ollantaytambo and Chinchero in a single day, ideal for acclimatizing during your first days in Cusco. Want to continue to Machu Picchu? Discover Machu Picchu and Sacred Valley 2 Days.
What is this day like? check our photos
Includes
Guide and transport
- Hotel pickup: Hotels in Cusco’s historic center; outside that area we arrange a nearby meeting point.
- Tourist transport: Round trip.
- Professional bilingual guide: Spanish or English.
Meals
- Buffet lunch in Urubamba: Typical Andean dishes, salads, vegetarian options and regional desserts.
Not include
Entrance fees
- Tourist ticket (Boleto Turístico): Required for Pisac, Ollantaytambo and Chinchero. Partial 70 soles or General 130 soles (foreign adult).
Other
- Breakfast.
- Travel insurance.
- Extra expenses.
Prices TOUR SACRED VALLEY OF THE INCAS – 1 DAY
Rates per person
Traveling soon? We recommend booking early to secure your date, but we have daily departures and, depending on the date, you can also book just a few days ahead. Ask us about availability.
Additional services
- US$ 15 · Upscale restaurant: Per person, instead of the included buffet lunch.
Need accommodation in Cusco?
Our team will help you find the best option for your stay.
Packaging list
- Documents and money: ID or passport, and cash in soles.
- Clothing: Light, comfortable clothes, a jacket for the cold and a rain poncho in the rainy season (November to March).
- Footwear: Comfortable shoes or hiking shoes with good soles.
- Sun protection: Hat or cap, high-factor sunscreen (SPF 50+ recommended) and sunglasses with UV protection.
- Other: Camera or phone with plenty of battery for your photos.
Recomendations
- Ideal for acclimatizing: This is one of the most recommended tours for your first days in Cusco. It helps you adjust to the altitude before more demanding activities, such as the Inca Trail, Rainbow Mountain or Humantay Lake.
- Breakfast: It is not included and, because of the departure time, it is not always possible to stop for breakfast. Ask your hotel for a box breakfast or buy something light the night before.
- Tourist ticket: It is required to enter Pisac, Ollantaytambo and Chinchero. You can buy it on the day, but if you have time in Cusco, buy it beforehand to avoid delays.
- Cash in soles: It speeds up paying for the entrance fees. Some points accept cards, with a surcharge of about 5 %, and dollars are accepted, although change is not always available.
- Students: For the student rate of the tourist ticket, bring your original physical university ID, with photo, full name, university and expiry date.
- Rainy season: The tour runs all year. From November to March, bring a raincoat or rain poncho.
- Stay a night in the valley: More and more travelers visit the Sacred Valley, and there is accommodation for every taste and budget, from luxury hotels on old haciendas and corn fields to a hotel hanging from a cliff 400 meters above the Urubamba River. We recommend spending at least one night here, surrounded by mountains and nature.
F.A.Qs
How long is the tour?
About 12 hours. It starts between 7:00 and 7:30 a.m. and ends around 7:30 p.m. in Cusco.
Is hotel pickup included? Where does the tour end?
Yes, we pick you up at hotels in Cusco’s historic center. If your hotel is outside that area, we arrange a nearby meeting point in advance. On the way back we drop you off very close to the Plaza de Armas, on Plateros street.
Is breakfast included? Is there a stop to buy food?
Breakfast is not included and, because of the departure time and the pace of the itinerary, it is not always possible to stop for breakfast. We recommend asking your hotel for a box breakfast or buying something light the night before.
Is lunch included?
Yes. It includes a buffet lunch in Urubamba, with typical Andean dishes, fresh salads, vegetarian options and regional desserts. If you prefer an upscale restaurant, it costs an extra US$ 15 per person.
Do I need the tourist ticket?
Yes. It is required to enter the archaeological complexes of Pisac, Ollantaytambo and Chinchero. You can buy the Partial Tourist Ticket (BTP) or the General one (BTG):
- Partial ticket (foreign adult): 70 soles, approx. US$ 21.
- General ticket (foreign adult): 130 soles, approx. US$ 40.
How much is the tourist ticket for students and children?
- Foreign student or child aged 10 to 16: 70 soles, approx. US$ 21, with original passport.
- Foreign student aged 17 to 22: 70 soles, approx. US$ 21.
Students must show their original physical university ID, with photo, full name, university and expiry date. Children up to 9 years old do not pay entrance.
How are entrance fees paid? Are cards or dollars accepted?
We recommend bringing cash in soles to get in faster. Some points accept credit or debit cards, with a surcharge of about 5 % and if there is signal. Dollars are also accepted, although change is not always available.
Should I buy the ticket in advance or on the day?
You can buy it on the day. But if you have time in Cusco, we recommend buying it beforehand to avoid delays.
Do children aged 3 and over pay for a seat?
Yes. For safety reasons and under current transport regulations, passengers aged 3 and over must have their own seat, especially on a full-day tour.
Can children and older adults take part?
Yes. It is an ideal tour for families, couples and travelers of all ages; we recommend it from 5 years old. There is no age limit for adults, as long as they can move around on their own and walk short distances comfortably: many travelers over 75 enjoy it without any problem. As it is a shared service, the group follows a general pace; if you want more time or extra breaks, you can choose the private service.
Is the Sacred Valley good for acclimatizing?
Yes. It is one of the most recommended tours for your first days in Cusco: you visit important sites while your body gradually adjusts to the altitude.
How difficult is it?
It is easy. Most of the tour is by tourist transport, with short walks inside the archaeological complexes.
What altitude is the tour at?
Between 2,792 m (9,160 ft) in Ollantaytambo and 3,762 m (12,343 ft) in Chinchero, the highest point.
How long do we spend at each site?
Times may vary slightly depending on the group’s pace:
- Taray viewpoint: 10 to 15 minutes.
- Pisac archaeological complex: 40 to 50 minutes.
- Pisac market: 25 to 30 minutes.
- Buffet lunch in Urubamba: approx. 1 hour.
- Ollantaytambo: 40 to 50 minutes.
- Chinchero and weaving center: 20 to 30 minutes.
What clothes should I bring?
Comfortable clothes, shoes with good soles, a hat or cap, sunglasses, sunscreen, a jacket for the cold and, in the rainy season, a rain poncho.
Does the tour run in the rainy season?
Yes, it runs all year. From November to March we recommend bringing a raincoat or rain poncho.
In which languages is the tour guided?
In Spanish and English, throughout the tour.
What if I feel unwell because of the altitude?
Our guides are trained in first aid and carry a first aid kit and an oxygen tank. If you don’t want to walk, you can stay in the vehicle until you feel better and then continue the tour.
How does the booking process work?
1. Availability check: Write to us at info@sakuraexpedition.com or on WhatsApp at +51 941 411 418 to check your dates. We will send you a booking form that each participant must complete.
2. Traveler details: To manage the booking we need, exactly as shown in the passport, full name, gender, passport number, date of birth (dd/mm/yyyy) and nationality.
3. Guarantee: We ask for a guarantee per person to secure your space. We recommend booking early, especially on holidays and in high season.
4. Final confirmation: Once the booking is confirmed, you will receive the official invoice and your place will be 100 % guaranteed.
How do I pay the balance?
In cash, in US dollars or soles, in Cusco, one or two days before the tour, according to the conditions given by your sales executive.
Can I cancel or change the date?
Yes, up to 48 hours before departure. In that case an administrative fee applies, which is deducted from the total amount as appropriate.
Why choose Sakura Expedition?
We are a 100 % local Peruvian company, specialized in adventure and cultural tourism in Cusco and Peru. Our team of certified guides and operations staff works to give you unique, safe, high-quality experiences.
We stand out for responsible and sustainable tourism, respect for local communities and personalized service. With our tourism quality certification, we take care of every detail, from planning to the very last moment of the tour.
Do you have more questions?
Message us on WhatsApp at +51 941 411 418 or email info@sakuraexpedition.com.
