SACRED VALLEY TOUR FULL DAY

Enjoy the experience of exploring the Sacred Valley of the Incas in your terms

The Sacred Valley is home to the birthplace of one of the most significant civilizations known to the modern world, the Incas. When you sign up for our tour, we will travel through this fertile landscape, visit temples, and immerse ourselves in the mysticism of the people and its immense beauty.

As we travel through the Sacred Valley, we will be blessed by two Apus, Pitusiray and Veronica, two of the most amazing mountains in all of Peru. They bring power to the people and to anyone who is lucky enough to be in their presence. Our route through the Valley will follow the Urubamba river. A glacier-fed river that provides fertility to all the surrounding communities.

Due to the great fertility, practicality, and proximity to the city of Cusco, the Incas decided to build their main temples and cities in the Sacred Valley.

The main products that the Incas harvested in the valley were corn, potatoes, ullucus, quinoa, and the coca leaf, which is considered a sacred plant. Today, agriculture continues to be one of the main activities for the residents of the valley.

The Vilcanota River runs through the entire valley, including the main towns. The Incas believed that this river was the representation on Earth of the Milky Way.

The most important urban centers were Chinchero, Yucay, Pisac, and Ollantaytambo. Additionally, in the direction of the jungle, the first emperor of the Incas, Pachacutec, ordered the construction of a citadel, Machu Picchu.

Option 01: Pisac Adventure Sacred Valley

We leave the hotel in Cusco or the Sacred Valley by private transport and head towards the ruins of Pisaq, a walk of around 4 hours that will take us through terraces and imposing temples. Pisac is recognized for its platform system and its carved stone enclosures.

Pisac is the starting point of the Sacred Valley. Its most recognized tourist attractions are its Sunday masses, the craft fairs, the terraces that dominate an important part of the mountains most visible from the town, and the previously mentioned archaeological site of Pisac.

The Sacred Valley Tour Full Day Pisac

As is customary in the Inca culture, the city was built on the figurative base of animals; in this case, it assumes the shape of a partridge. Today, Pisac is one of the most famous tourist attractions in the Sacred Valley of the Incas. The archaeological site preserves many of its original structures in a good state of conservation.

This tour will take us from the highest part of the ruins of Pisac to the colonial town of the same name. The Sacred Valley of the Incas will always be in sight throughout the entire trek.

Pisac Sacred Valley Tour

Option 02: Sacred Valley Tour

We depart from the hotel in Cusco or the Sacred Valley and head towards the archaeological zone of Chincheros at 3,780 meters (12,400 ft), located between Huaypo and Piuray, the two main lagoons of the Sacred Valley and Cusco.

The archaeological Chinchero zone is known for its stairs, Inca walls, and platforms where camelids grazed and the land was cultivated with various products. In addition, the town is known for its textile centers where garments are still made in the traditional way.

The Church of Nuestra Señora de Monserrat is built on top of the Inca ruins. With the arrival of the Spanish, Viceroy Toledo ordered it to be built as a measure of cultural subjugation.

Then we head towards the Salineras de Maras, made up of more than 4,500 natural salt wells near the town of Maras. Each of the wells has a dimension of approximately 5 square meters (16 ft) by 30 cm (1 ft) deep.

The Sacred Valley Tour salineras

The inhabitants of Maras trade this salt, just as the Incas did hundreds of years ago. They fill the wells every 3 or 4 days with salt water from the Qoripujio mountain, and after 1.5 months, the salt is extracted and treated for human consumption.

Then we head to the archaeological site of Moray, a place that was used mainly as an agricultural research center, which, having a variety of microclimates, was optimal for agricultural research during the Inca empire.

The Sacred Valley Tour Full Day Moray

Investigations suggest that species of potatoes, quinoa, corn, and other agricultural products from the area were created. Each terrace has its irrigation channels and floating stairs for transporting crops.

We will enjoy a traditional lunch together with a local family. Here we will be able to observe and enjoy traditional supplies and preparations from the area, always enjoying the view of the Sacred Valley of the Incas.

After lunch, we head towards the city of Ollantaytambo. This living Inca city is a typical example of the extraordinary urban planning of the Incas. It is considered the best-preserved Inca city in the entire Cusco region, still conserving many of its streets, walls, and agricultural terraces.

 

Option 03: Bicycles in the Sacred Valley of the Incas (Adventure)

This tour is perfect for adventure lovers. It is not necessary to have a high level of skill in the bicycle, since the route is relaxed and suitable for most people who are in adequate physical condition.

The day begins at your hotel, where the transport will take you northeast, where we can visit the Salineras de Maras and Moray.

The archaeological site of Moray was used mainly as an agricultural research center. Having a variety of microclimates, it was optimal for agricultural research during the Inca empire.

Las Salineras de Maras is made up of more than 4,500  natural salt wells near the town of Maras. Each of the wells has a dimension of approximately 5 square meters by 30 cm deep.

Sacred Valley Adventure tour

After visiting these tourist sites, we will put on our helmets and gloves to start the descent by road to the community of Paucartamba. Along the way, we will make stops to rest and take photos of the landscape that surrounds us.

We will arrive at a local family home where we will be able to enjoy a lunch with local ingredients. After lunch, we will visit the city of Ollantaytambo.

This living Inca city is a typical example of the extraordinary urban planning of the Incas. It is considered the best-preserved Inca city in the entire Cusco region, still conserving many of its streets, walls, and agricultural terraces.

Finally, there will be the option of returning to Cusco or spending the night in Ollantaytambo, since it is the place where the trains depart for Machu Picchu.

The Sacred Valley Adventure Tour

 

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