Unforgettable cusco sacred valley tour: full-day adventure to machu picchu
The Cusco Sacred Valley Tour full day is a popular tour. You will get a complete insight to the culture and traditions of Incas. This is one of the best things to do while you acclimatize in Cusco so you will be able to avoid altitude sickness while visiting Machu Picchu.
As the name suggests, Sacred Valley of the Incas was home to some of the prominent ancient Inca ruins. Some of the Inca sites still continue to be. Like Maras Salt Mines. Even today, salt farmers here use the traditional Solar evaporation method to extract salt here. Infact, this is a prominent source of income to locals here.
On this full day trip from Cusco, we will be visiting three prominent sites: Chinchero, Pisac and Ollantaytambo.
Chinchero:
Chinchero is a small village near the city of Cusco. Sadly, this village is often overlooked by travellers. It houses beautiful agricultural terraces and a white washed church. The church was built by Spanish conquistadors on the remains of the royal palace of Tupac Yupanqui.
The terraces and aqueducts which were built by him are in use even today.
Ollantaytambo:
Ollantaytambo was the administrative capital of the Inca Empire. This beautiful village is a testament to Incas advanced town planning system. It houses two archaeological sites on hill tops.
One of the sites was sacred to Incas and housed many religious centres. Sadly when the Spanish invaded Ollantaytambo, this site became a deadly battleground.
Now when you visit Machu Picchu by train, you will be taking the train to Aguas Calientes from here. This is also the closest town to the trailhead of Inca trail.
Pisac:
This village is home to a flea market and an archaeological site sprawls at the main square every weekend. Farmers and craftsmen from the neighbouring villages sell their handicrafts here.
The archaeological complex is massive and is just second to Machu Picchu. It offers stunning views of the valley.
We offer the Cusco Sacred Valley Tour full day both in small groups and as private tours.
Check out our complete Sacred Valley Peru guide and a detailed post on 5 Lesser-known ruins in the Sacred Valley of Incas.
What to Pack for Your Sacred Valley Day Tour
The weather in the Andes shifts drastically throughout the day. Here is what you need in your daypack to stay comfortable from morning until night.
- The Official Tourist Ticket You absolutely must carry this physical ticket and your original passport to pass through the archaeological checkpoints
- Smart Clothing Layers The morning starts out quite chilly but the midday sun in the valley gets incredibly hot so wear clothes you can easily take off
- Heavy Sun Protection Bring a wide brimmed hat polarized sunglasses and SPF 50 sunscreen to shield yourself from the intense high altitude UV rays
- Sturdy Walking Shoes The stone stairs at Pisac and Ollantaytambo are extremely uneven so you need comfortable sneakers with excellent grip
- Peruvian Soles in Cash Bring small local bills to pay for the tourist ticket buy drinks and tip the talented textile weavers in Chinchero
Tour Pricing
We offer sophisticated experiences for both small groups and private parties ensuring you receive the highest standard of service.
Small Group Experience
- 2 to 3 People 99 USD Per person
- 4 or more People 90 USD Per person
- Children and Students 89 USD Per person
Joining our premium small group limits the number of travelers guaranteeing you receive personalized attention from your guide while enjoying a highly social atmosphere.
Exclusive Private Tour
- 2 to 3 People 160 USD Per person
- 4 or more People 140 USD Per person
- Children and Students 130 USD Per person
For those seeking complete exclusivity booking a private sacred valley tour gives you a dedicated vehicle and historian. You control the pace spend more time taking photos and ask unlimited questions.
Crucial Information for Your Valley Expedition
To ensure your trip is completely seamless you need to understand how the local entrance tickets work. The government requires every foreign visitor to purchase a Boleto Turistico. You can buy a partial ticket valid for two days which covers the exact sites on this itinerary or a general ticket valid for ten days if you plan to visit more ruins around the city. You must buy this ticket in person using local Peruvian Soles cash so our team highly advises withdrawing money before we leave the city in the morning. Your guide will assist you at the very first checkpoint so the process is incredibly smooth.
Why Machu Picchu Tours Offers the Best Sacred Valley Tour
When searching for the best sacred valley tour from cusco discerning travelers demand authenticity and flawless execution. We are a completely local operator born and raised in the Andes. Unlike giant corporate booking platforms our private tours sacred valley peru focus entirely on deep cultural immersion and elite customer service from start to finish.
- Intimate Small Groups We strictly limit our shared group sizes ensuring you receive personalized attention and never feel like cattle herded on a massive tourist bus
- Elite Local Historians Our guides are university educated experts who bring the ancient Inca mythology completely to life bypassing the standard memorized scripts
- Unmatched Flexibility Whether you need a sacred valley tour from urubamba or a highly customized private sacred valley tour from cusco we adapt the journey to your exact pace
Understanding the Sacred Valley Tour Cost and Tickets
A major point of confusion for travelers booking cultural tours sacred valley peru is understanding the official government entrance fees. To explore the magnificent ruins of Pisac Ollantaytambo and Chinchero you absolutely must purchase the official Boleto Turistico. You can buy the partial circuit ticket valid for two days which perfectly covers this specific sacred valley one day tour.
You must purchase this physical ticket in person using local Peruvian currency at the very first archaeological checkpoint we visit. Our expert guides will walk you through the purchasing process making it completely seamless. Please note that this government fee is strictly separated from your overall sacred valley tour cost ensuring complete transparency in our pricing.
Sacred Valley Machu Picchu Tour Booking Options
Securing your spot on our highly rated cusco sacred valley day tour is completely effortless. Simply select your preferred travel dates on our platform to secure your reservation. We know that many travelers plan to catch the train to the ancient citadel on the exact same afternoon. If this is your plan our sacred valley tour ending in ollantaytambo is the absolute perfect choice.
We will guide you through the entire valley and drop you safely at the Ollantaytambo train station in the late afternoon allowing you to board your train to the jungle town without any rush. If you need us to arrange the entire overnight trip please explore our comprehensive sacred valley and machu picchu tour 2 days package where we handle all your train tickets and hotel logistics.
Empowering Andean Communities Through Cultural Tours
Every single sacred valley tour cusco to ollantaytambo that we operate focuses heavily on giving back to the indigenous communities. By visiting the traditional weaving cooperatives in Chinchero you directly support local women who are preserving ancestral textile techniques using only natural highland plants and minerals.
We firmly believe the best sacred valley tours are those that leave a positive lasting footprint on the local economy and protect the vibrant heritage of the Inca descendants. When you book a full day sacred valley tour with our team you are actively contributing to the sustainable development of the rural Peruvian highlands while experiencing the most authentic version of the culture.
Tipping Etiquette and Final Preparations
While tipping is never mandatory in South America it is a wonderful way to show appreciation for your hardworking guide and professional driver. If your private sacred valley tour exceeded your expectations a gratuity at the end of the day is highly appreciated by our local staff who work tirelessly to ensure your safety and enjoyment.
Finally please remember that the weather in the mountains shifts rapidly. Even on a bright sunny morning you must bring a warm outer layer and heavy sun protection to comfortably enjoy your day tour to sacred valley from cusco.
FAQs about the Cusco Sacred Valley Tour (full day)
We are sure you want your trip to be the best experience possible and, in order to do that, you need to know every possible detail about it. Don’t worry, we are going to answer all your questions and we will make sure this becomes an unforgettable experience for you.
Yes, the tourist ticket (BT) is neccessary for this tour and it is NOT included in the price of it. There four different types of BT and you can buy it in the Municipality in Cusco City or directly in the archeological site yo go to.
The ones that you can use for the Sacred Valley tour are two. First,there is the General Tourist Ticket, this one costs 130 soles for foreigners and allows you to enter to 16 sites and is valid for 10 days, then there is the Partial Tourist Ticket – circuit 3 , which costs 70 soles to foreigners, allows you to visit 4 sites and is valid only for 2 days.
After lunch time, we are going to take you to the local market. During this time you can buy all of the souvenirs you want, the most popular ones are jewelry, sculptures and pottery pieces, and of course alpaca wool products. This art pieces, called souvenirs, show a lot of the Andean culture of Peru, these usually have a lot of color and are handmade by local artisans.
Yes, a full day is enought time to visit the most important Sacred Valley main sites, especially if you are already in Cusco. Even though the tour seems to have a lot of place to go, you’ll spend only about 4 to 5 hours on the road, since every mentioned place is in the same region. So, considering that a full day tour is probably 10 or more hours long including the stops, the time is enough.
Don’t worry about that, that is why this tour starts early in the morning and has a very prepared itinerary, our guides are prepared to take you to know the best sites during this trip. We know you want to see it all, and we want to show you the best, so, we’ll make sure your full day is full of unique moments.
In Urubamba you can find traditional Peruvian food using the most famous Inca food ingredients, such as potatoes, rice, corn or quinoa, plus, you can also find some typical desserts like mazamorra morada or picarones. And don’t worry if you don’t eat meat, you will also find vegan options.
Urubamba is the most usual place where tourists eat during their Sacred Valley Tour given the lower altitude this town has compared to the other ones in the region, making it more comfortable for digestion.
