Classic Sacred Valley (Pisac and Ollantaytambo)

⏱ Schedule: 7:30 AM to 11:30 AM
🏔 Altitude: 2,972 m / 9,750 ft (Town) / 3,300 m / 10,826 ft (Ruins)
🏛 Highlights: Sweeping hillside terraces, Intihuatana solar clock, ancient cliff cemetery, and jewelry market.

We depart early from your hotel in Cusco toward the Sacred Valley. Our first stop is the spectacular archaeological complex of Pisac, perched high atop a mountain ridge. We explore its magnificent agricultural terraces, ceremonial temples, and storage colcas, then descend to the colonial town to browse its famous indigenous artisan market.

⏱ Schedule: 12:00 PM to 1:30 PM
🏔 Altitude: 2,870 m / 9,416 ft
🍽 Meals: Full buffet lunch included with Andean, Peruvian, and vegetarian dishes.

We travel along the scenic banks of the Urubamba River to the heart of the valley. At an exclusive country estate restaurant, enjoy a delightful buffet lunch featuring authentic Peruvian delicacies prepared with fresh local valley produce, organic salads, roasted meats, and traditional desserts.

⏱ Schedule: 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM
🏔 Altitude: 2,792 m / 9,160 ft
🏛 Highlights: Temple of the Sun, massive stone defense terraces, royal ceremonial fountains, and living Inca street grid.

We arrive in Ollantaytambo, a monumental masterpiece of Inca military and spiritual architecture. Climb the stone stairways to the Temple of the Sun and admire the ancient street plan that locals still inhabit. (Note: Travelers taking the afternoon train to Machu Picchu may conclude the tour here with their luggage).

⏱ Schedule: 4:30 PM to 6:30 PM
🏔 Altitude: 3,762 m / 12,342 ft
🏛 Highlights: Live natural dye demonstration with cochineal, traditional backstrap weaving, colonial church.

On our return journey, we stop at the high Andean village of Chinchero. Local Quechua master weavers demonstrate traditional alpaca wool washing with saqta root, natural plant dyeing, and backstrap loom weaving. We conclude our tour in Cusco, dropping you off near the Plaza de Armas around 6:30 PM.

The tour includes fully guided visits to the Inca ruins and artisan market of Pisac, the living fortress of Ollantaytambo, and the textile center of Chinchero, plus a gourmet buffet lunch in Urubamba.

No, it is not included. To enter Pisac, Ollantaytambo, and Chinchero, you will need the Circuit 3 Partial Tourist Ticket (70 PEN foreigners / 40 PEN Peruvians) or the 10-Day General Tourist Ticket (130 PEN foreigners / 70 PEN Peruvians).

Yes, it is 100% included. The buffet lunch is served at a top-rated country restaurant in Urubamba, featuring a rich assortment of traditional Peruvian specialties with plenty of vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free choices.

Yes, absolutely. You can bring your luggage on our tour transport and leave the group in Ollantaytambo around 3:45 PM to walk directly to the train station for your evening departure to Aguas Calientes.

Bring sturdy walking shoes, layered clothing with a warm jacket for evening temperatures in Chinchero, a sun hat, sunglasses, SPF 50+ sunscreen, a rain poncho, cash in Peruvian Soles for tickets, and your original passport.