A trip through Peru’s Sacred Valley has been firmly on my bucket list for what feels like an eternity, and I’ve been craving the chance to finally make it happen. The idea of starting the tour directly from Urubamba (approx. 2,871 meters / 9,419 feet) is what really seals the deal for me. There’s something incredibly appealing about sidestepping the main tourist rush that sets off from Cusco in the early morning. I can’t wait to have that quieter, more personal experience, to really soak in the staggering beauty and history without the distraction of huge crowds. It feels like a smarter, more intimate way to connect with such a magical place.
This tour zigzags through the heartland of the ancient Incan civilization, and I’m desperate to see the dramatic landscapes, traditional villages, and legendary historic sites for myself. The itinerary is packed with places calling my name: Ollantaytambo, Pisac, Moray, the Salt Mines, and Chinchero. I just imagine myself wandering through vibrant markets, exploring incredible Inca ruins, and taking in the surreal views of the Andes Mountains. It’s the ultimate excursion.
Why This Tour Is On My Hit List
What really makes this particular tour stand out for me is the thoughtful approach. First off, the convenience of being picked up and dropped off at my hotel is a huge plus. But what I truly love is that it’s not a standard tour that wastes precious time at souvenir shops. This means more time to actually explore the archaeological sites, which is the whole point.
I’m not one for massive, impersonal tours, so the promise of a small group—limited to just 2 to 8 people—is perfect. It allows for a more personal experience where I can move at my own pace and actually chat with the guide. I’ve done my research, and their reputation for being practical, punctual, and reliable is backed up by glowing reviews on TripAdvisor. Plus, knowing the guides are highly trained and constantly updating their skills makes me feel confident that I’ll be getting an exceptional and authentic experience of the Sacred Valley.
Option A: Ollantaytambo – Pisac & The Allure of a Local Market
I’d kick things off with a pick-up from my hotel in Urubamba and head straight for Ollantaytambo (approx. 2,792 meters / 9,160 feet) to explore its legendary ruins. I can already picture myself there with a guide, learning about the Temple of the Sun, the impressive terraces, and the ancient water fountains. After getting my history fix, the plan is to drive to the town of Pisac (approx. 2,972 meters / 9,751 feet). I’d start with the Inca site itself and then dive into the famous Pisac market—perfect for finding some unique souvenirs. The day would wrap up at Awanacancha, an opportunity to see different camelid species up close. From there, it’s a drive to Cusco to be dropped off at my hotel.
Option B: The Ultimate Explorer: From Ancient Ruins to Andean Textiles
This option feels like the all-out trip, the one that covers the most ground. The journey would start with a pick-up in Urubamba and a visit to the Ollantaytambo ruins to see the Temple of the Sun and other key sites. Then, I’d head to the salt mines of Maras (approx. 3,380 meters / 11,090 feet), a truly surreal landscape that I am desperate to photograph. Next up is Moray (approx. 3,500 meters / 11,500 feet), the incredible circular terraces that are believed to have been an Incan agricultural laboratory—absolutely fascinating. The journey continues to Chinchero (approx. 3,762 meters / 12,343 feet) to explore another stunning Inca site and visit a textile center. I love connecting with local culture, so seeing the intricate process of textile production would be a highlight. The tour would finish with a drop-off at my hotel in Cusco.
Option C: A Journey Through Salt, Circles, and Sacred Sites
This itinerary is another stunning combination. It starts with an 8:00 AM pick-up from Urubamba and drives to the Salt Mines of Maras for about 40 minutes of exploration. After that, we’d head to Moray, where the guide would explain the history behind the unique circular ruins. The tour then returns to Urubamba before continuing on to the Pisac ruins to see the temples and Inca tombs. A visit to the bustling Pisac market is next, followed by a stop at Awana Kancha to see llamas, alpacas, and vicuñas. Finally, the journey concludes with a drive and hotel drop-off in Cusco.
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:
5 (12 reviews)
5 (12 reviews)
5 (12 reviews)
5 (12 reviews)
5 (12 reviews)
5 (12 reviews)
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