Sacred Valley of the Incas from Cusco

This Sacred Valley of the Incas Excursion lasts between 10 hours and 12 hours 30 minutes, includes pickup from eligible areas of Cusco and an English-speaking guide, and follows a full-day route through Pisac, Urubamba, Ollantaytambo and Chinchero before returning to central Cusco in the early evening.

The Sacred Valley was not important to the Incas for scenery alone. Its river corridor, fertile soils and varied elevations supported intensive agriculture, while settlements such as Pisac and Ollantaytambo combined farming terraces with residential, ceremonial and administrative structures. Many of the terraces that now define the landscape were working infrastructure rather than decoration, helping communities cultivate steep terrain and manage productive land within the valley.

The excursion covers those different functions in a single day. Pisac combines an archaeological landscape with time in the modern town and market. Urubamba provides the lunch stop in the middle of the valley, while Ollantaytambo receives a guided visit focused on one of the best surviving examples of Inca planning. The return journey then stops in Chinchero, where the itinerary introduces another highland settlement shaped by Inca and colonial periods.

Transport by minibus, a buffet lunch and hot drinks are included. The partial Cusco Tourist Ticket required for the archaeological attractions is not included, and cold drinks are separate. The guide speaks English and Spanish, so the departure may involve both languages depending on the group, although English commentary is included with this booking.

This is a long sightseeing day rather than a slow archaeological visit. Travel time between the valley towns is significant, and the itinerary is designed to cover several major locations before returning to Cusco. If you prefer several hours at a single site, a dedicated Pisac or Ollantaytambo visit will provide more time than this multi-stop excursion.

From Cusco to Pisac and Urubamba

The day starts with pickup in Cusco. Hotels in several central areas are covered by the pickup service, including sectors around the historic centre, San Blas, Avenida El Sol, San Pedro, Santa Ana, Recoleta, Wanchaq and Santiago. If your accommodation is outside the published pickup zone, you will be assigned a nearby meeting point in central Cusco.

From the city, the minibus heads towards the Sacred Valley and the first major destination, Pisac.

Pisac Archaeological Site

Pisac occupies a strategic position near the eastern entrance to the Sacred Valley. Historical sources cited by the Cusco cultural authorities associate the complex with Pachacútec and describe it as a royal estate formed by dispersed terraces, agricultural platforms, domestic buildings and ceremonial structures.

The site climbs across steep mountain slopes above the modern town. Its position gives broad views over the valley and helps explain why agriculture, movement and control of the surrounding terrain were closely connected here.

Access involves stone steps, slopes and irregular surfaces. This is one reason the full excursion is not classified as wheelchair accessible.

Pisac Market

The modern town of Pisac provides a different perspective from the archaeological site. The itinerary includes time around its market, where textiles, ceramics, jewellery and other crafts are sold alongside the daily activity of a valley town.

Purchases are completely optional and are not included in the excursion. If you want to buy small items, carrying some Peruvian soles is practical because payment arrangements vary between individual vendors.

Buffet Lunch in Urubamba

The route then follows the valley towards Urubamba for the included buffet lunch. This is the main meal stop of the day and breaks up the drive between Pisac and Ollantaytambo.

The buffet offers regional dishes with options that can include meat, chicken, fish and soups, as well as starters, main courses and desserts. Vegan options are also available. Hot drinks are included, while cold drinks are not.

Urubamba lies lower than Cusco and Chinchero, in a broad agricultural section of the valley. The surrounding terrain has long supported settlement and cultivation, making it a logical midpoint for a route focused on the relationship between Inca sites and the productive landscape around them.

Ollantaytambo and Inca Planning

After lunch, the excursion continues towards Ollantaytambo for a guided visit to its archaeological complex. This is one of the most substantial stops of the day and one of the clearest places in the Sacred Valley for understanding Inca urban planning.

Ollantaytambo Archaeological Park

Ollantaytambo preserves structures dating from the imperial and late Inca periods. Historical accounts associate its major development with Pachacútec, while the site itself contains plazas, residential sectors, ceremonial structures, terraces, agricultural platforms, storehouses and defensive elements.

Its location was strategically important. Routes through this section of the valley connected Cusco with territories towards the eastern slopes of the Andes, while the surrounding agricultural land and storage structures supported the settlement and wider state network.

The archaeological visit involves steps and uneven stone surfaces, although the site also has a shorter level circuit close to the entrance. The excursion as a whole remains classified as not wheelchair accessible because accessibility must account for the complete day and all its stops rather than one individual archaeological site.

The Town Below the Archaeological Site

Ollantaytambo is unusual because the archaeological complex stands directly above a town where elements of the Inca street pattern, stone walls and water channels remain integrated into everyday use.

The excursion focuses primarily on the archaeological visit, so it should not be treated as an extended independent tour of the town. Travellers who want to study the street plan, side lanes and surrounding storehouses in detail will need additional time outside this day trip.

Ollantaytambo is also an important railway point for Machu Picchu, but this excursion is sold as a round trip from Cusco. Do not assume that leaving the tour here to catch a train is automatically included in your booking arrangements.

Chinchero and the Return to Cusco

The final scheduled stop is Chinchero, a highland settlement northwest of Cusco. At roughly 3,750 metres above sea level, it sits considerably higher than Ollantaytambo and much of the valley floor, so temperatures can feel noticeably cooler here late in the day.

Chinchero

Chinchero has a history that predates the Inca period. Archaeological evidence records earlier Killke occupation, while major Inca construction developed under Túpac Yupanqui. The surviving landscape contains terraces, stone structures, ceremonial spaces and remains associated with an elite Inca residence.

The current excursion specifically includes a stop connected with Chinchero’s colonial church and the history of the building. The town is also widely associated with Andean textile traditions, but a weaving demonstration is not a guaranteed inclusion of this particular booking and should not be assumed.

From Chinchero, the minibus returns towards Cusco. The published itinerary schedules arrival in the central city at around 6 pm, although traffic and the pace of the day’s visits can affect the exact timing.

The full day therefore combines several distinct environments: the steep terraces of Pisac, the agricultural valley around Urubamba, the planned Inca settlement of Ollantaytambo and the higher plateau of Chinchero. The changing elevation is part of what makes the route useful for understanding how varied the Sacred Valley region actually is.

Practical Information for the Sacred Valley Excursion

Duration: between 10 hours and 12 hours 30 minutes.
Language: the guide speaks English and Spanish, with English guiding included.
Departure: morning pickup from eligible areas of Cusco.
Transport: minibus throughout the Sacred Valley.
Main stops: Pisac, Urubamba, Ollantaytambo and Chinchero.
Meal: buffet lunch included.
Drinks: hot drinks included; cold drinks are separate.
Admission: the partial Cusco Tourist Ticket is not included.
Booking: available until 8 hours before departure while places remain.
Cancellation: free until 24 hours before the activity starts.
Voucher: electronic and accepted from your phone.
Accessibility: not wheelchair accessible.
Pets: not permitted.
Luggage: up to 8 kg or 17 lb can be left on the minibus during the excursion.

Bring the Right Tourist Ticket

The archaeological admissions covered by the partial Cusco Tourist Ticket are not included in the excursion price. Check the current ticket option when planning the day rather than relying on an old fixed price, as admission rates and categories can change.

Prepare for Different Elevations

The route moves between Cusco, lower sections of the Sacred Valley and high Chinchero. Dress in layers that can be removed during warmer parts of the day and put back on during the final highland stop.

Sun protection is useful even when the temperature feels cool. If you have only just arrived in Cusco, giving yourself time to acclimatise before a full-day excursion can also make the long schedule more comfortable.

Expect Uneven Ground and Steps

Pisac and Ollantaytambo contain stone stairs, inclines and uneven archaeological surfaces. Comfortable shoes with good grip are more useful than footwear designed only for flat city walking.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Long Does the Sacred Valley of the Incas Excursion Last?

The published duration is between 10 hours and 12 hours 30 minutes. It is a full-day excursion with substantial driving time between Cusco, Pisac, Urubamba, Ollantaytambo and Chinchero.

Where Does the Excursion Start?

Pickup is included from specified areas of Cusco. If your hotel is outside the covered zones, you will be assigned a meeting point near Plaza de Armas.

Where Does the Sacred Valley Excursion Finish?

The standard itinerary returns to central Cusco in the early evening, with the published schedule using Plaza de Armas as the return reference. Exact transport arrangements should follow the information supplied for your specific departure.

Is Lunch Included?

Yes. A buffet lunch in Urubamba is included and offers several regional dishes, including meat, chicken, fish, soups and vegan options. Hot drinks are included, while cold drinks are not.

Are the Archaeological Tickets Included?

No. The partial Cusco Tourist Ticket is not included and should be budgeted separately. Avoid relying on an old published price because ticket rates can change.

Is the Tour Conducted in English?

Yes. English guiding is included. The guide also speaks Spanish, so some departures may operate with commentary for both language groups.

Is the Excursion Wheelchair Accessible?

No. The complete excursion is not wheelchair accessible, and archaeological areas such as Pisac include steep steps and uneven terrain.

Can I Bring Luggage?

Yes. Luggage weighing up to 8 kg or 17 lb can be left on the minibus during the excursion, which is useful if you are travelling with a small overnight bag.

Can Children Join the Sacred Valley Excursion?

No specific minimum age is published for the standard excursion. Families should still consider the length of the day, the altitude and the stairs at archaeological sites before booking with younger children.