For years, I’ve been piecing together my perfect Peru itinerary, and a full, immersive day in the Sacred Valley has always been at the top of my hit list. I’m planning to start in the historic city of Cusco (approx. 3,399 meters / 11,152 feet), and I’ve been looking for a tour that’s not just a simple day trip. I want something that fits into a smarter travel plan—one that ends in Ollantaytambo (approx. 2,792 meters / 9,160 feet), allowing me to stay there or catch an evening train to Machu Picchu without backtracking. This private tour is the absolute perfect solution.
What I’m truly craving is a deep dive into Inca history, a chance to marvel at the incredible ancient architecture built with those legendary, massive stone boulders. I can’t wait to explore the ruins, get immersed in the local culture at a vibrant market, and just soak it all in.
What really seals the deal for me is the promise of an exclusive, private experience. I’m not a fan of standard bus tours that waste time at commission stores; I want to experience the real Sacred Valley with a friendly local guide who can share authentic stories. The idea of moving at my own pace, avoiding the crowds, and having the freedom to ask endless questions is what a true travel experience is all about. It’s also the perfect way to spend an acclimatization day before a big trek, exploring the best of the valley in style.
And if one of the set itineraries isn’t quite right? There’s the option to customize a tour from scratch by reaching out to them. The possibility of creating a completely bespoke adventure is incredibly appealing.
Choosing Your Perfect Sacred Valley Adventure
The tour starts with a pickup from my hotel in Cusco between 7:00 and 7:30 AM. From there, it’s a full 10 to 11-hour day of discovery. The best part is choosing the adventure that fits my style. The order of the sites visited is flexible and based on the chosen tour.
| Tour Option | What You’ll Experience | Starting Price |
| Classic Sacred Valley Tour | A relaxed, in-depth exploration of the two major archaeological sites. You’ll visit the stunning Pisac Ruins (approx. 2,972 meters / 9,751 feet), its vibrant local market, and the legendary Ollantaytambo Ruins. | $105 /pp |
| Best Sacred Valley Tour | The bestseller focuses on the iconic western side of the valley. This includes the weaving town of Chinchero (approx. 3,762 meters / 12,343 feet), the surreal Maras Salt Mines (approx. 3,380 meters / 11,090 feet), the ingenious Moray circular Terraces (approx. 3,500 meters / 11,500 feet), and the Ollantaytambo Ruins. | $110 /pp |
| Absolute Sacred Valley Tour | An all-out trip covering both the eastern and western ends of the valley. This packed day includes the Pisac Ruins, Maras Salt Mines, Moray circular Terraces, and the Ollantaytambo Ruins. | $120 /pp |
What’s Part of the Experience:
A Few Things to Plan For:
As I’ve been planning my trip to Peru, I’ve been craving an experience that goes beyond just checking sites off a list. I’m looking for a day of slow travel, a chance to really breathe in the atmosphere of one of the most stunning landscapes on earth. That’s why this Classic Sacred Valley tour has firmly captured my attention. The idea of exploring one of southern Peru’s most fertile valleys, a place nourished by the sacred Willkamayu River and where ancient traditions of cultivating corn and potatoes are still alive, is exactly the authentic connection I’m looking for.
This tour focuses on three major archaeological centers, which is perfect for me. I’ve seen other “VIP” tours that rush through five places in a day, with only 30 or 40 minutes at each stop. I’d much rather have a more relaxed and enriching experience, with a generous one to one-and-a-half hours to explore each destination properly. It feels like the ultimate way to truly appreciate the history and beauty of the region.
I can’t wait to connect with the traditions of the local communities and learn about their ancestral techniques in dyeing, weaving, and ceramics. I imagine myself in the Pisac (approx. 2,972 meters / 9,751 feet) market, picking out unique, handmade textiles and jewelry. Then, after exploring the imposing terraces of Ollantaytambo (approx. 2,792 meters / 9,160 feet), I’d get to see the rich Andean textile traditions in Chinchero (approx. 3,762 meters / 12,343 feet), a charming town surrounded by spectacular landscapes.
A Day in the Sacred Valley
The day would kick off with a hotel pickup in Cusco (approx. 3,399 meters / 11,152 feet) between 7:30 and 8:00 a.m. From there, the adventure through the valley’s picturesque towns—each a unique blend of culture, art, and architecture—truly begins.
First, we’ll head to the town of Pisac to explore its famous artisan market and the incredible archaeological site nearby. We’ll have a good amount of time, about an hour or so, to take in the history and the stunning scenery.
Around 2:00 p.m., we’ll stop in the heart of the valley, in Urubamba (approx. 2,871 meters / 9,419 feet), for a delicious buffet lunch. I’m already looking forward to this part! I’ve heard the spread is incredible, offered in a three-star restaurant with a huge variety of appetizers, main dishes, and desserts made with fresh, regional products. The menu sounds amazing, featuring everything from lamb stew and fried trout to quinoa soup and fresh salads. For dessert, there are Peruvian classics like mazamorra morada and rice pudding. Hot muña and coca tea are included, which is a perfect touch.
After lunch, the journey continues to the Archaeological Park of Ollantaytambo, a legendary site from the 15th century. Here, the group divides. For those continuing to Machu Picchu, this is the ideal point to catch the train to Aguas Calientes. The rest of us will continue to our last stop: Chinchero. Here, we’ll get to explore the town’s preserved textile and ceramic traditions and visit its colonial church, which houses important paintings from the 15th and 17th centuries.
Finally, we’ll head back to Cusco, with an estimated arrival around 7:00 p.m. The transport ends just a couple of blocks from the Plaza de Armas, which is incredibly convenient
A highly qualified professional with extensive experience in the art of guiding will lead your tour. They have years of dedication to nature walks, have medical certifications and an overflowing passion for leading people on unforgettable adventures.
We understand how essential a delicious hot meal is to revitalize and comfort your body after a challenging hike. Therefore, on each expedition with Ausangate Peru, you will find chefs with extensive experience in preparing meals during the hikes.
All our hiking trips offer a varied selection of delicious meals, rich in carbohydrates, proteins and essential fats. We have carefully selected foods that adapt perfectly to the natural environment.
Our experienced muleteers and their faithful horses are responsible for all our equipment and will always be available in the safe and comfortable camps, ready to receive us.
The sacred valley is a sacred place where they grew products so that the entire empire could feed themselves because the lands were fertile, that is why the Inca descendants lived in the place. The same place also connected the Inca with their sun god.
There are very important works as a maximum expression of their high philosophy, science, technology and art of the Incas such as temples, enclosures and laboratories that only they were able to build with the help of their sun god and form a great empire.
The most visited attractions are the following:
It has a very temperate climate, sometimes it is warm, but in the months of January to March, little rain falls on some days, but the rest of the day it has a bright blue sky and it is very pleasant to walk and enjoy the landscape and its surroundings. .
To get to the sacred valley you can do it on your own but the most advisable thing is to hire a tour of the sacred valley that will cost you very cheap and your trip will be guaranteed, safe and organized because they already have transportation, food and a guide to help you. You will drive at all times without any risk.
To be able to take the tour of the sacred valley it will cost you very cheap by hiring a travel agency that will cost you S/. 75 visiting all the tourist attractions and the income depends on the ticket that acquires the partial ticket this s/. 70 and the general ticket is s/.130.
The valley tour takes place for an entire day, which is approximately 8 hours from the starting point to the return point with a tour of approximately one and a half hours at each point of the tourist attractions.
In the sacred valley there are many tourist restaurants, basic and local, but all of them provide you with good first-class service such as:
In the Sacred Valley, if you have an emergency or if you suffer an accident, you will be quickly evacuated to a clinic since the Sacred Valley has the best medical care clinics such as:
To take the sacred valley tour you must bring the following:
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