Full Day Sacred Valley Tour from Cusco with Pisac and Ollantaytambo
Our full-day Sacred Valley tour from Cusco follows the classic route through Pisac, Urubamba, and Ollantaytambo. The approximately 11-hour experience begins with pickup from your Cusco hotel and normally ends with an evening return to the city.
This tour is recommended for first-time visitors, couples, families, and travelers interested in Inca history, traditional markets, and Andean landscapes. It involves moderate walking on uneven stone paths and steps, but there are breaks between visits as you travel through the valley.
The service includes hotel pickup and drop-off, tourist transportation, a knowledgeable local guide, and a buffet lunch in Urubamba. Entrance to the archaeological sites requires the Cusco Tourist Ticket, which is purchased separately.
Our small-group service is limited to eight travelers, while the private option provides transportation and guiding exclusively for your party. Travelers continuing to Machu Picchu may also request drop-off in Ollantaytambo instead of returning to Cusco.
Highlights
- Scenic drive from Cusco into the Sacred Valley
- Panoramic viewpoints over the Andean countryside
- Guided visit to the Pisac archaeological site
- Time to browse the traditional Pisac market
- Buffet lunch in the Urubamba Valley
- Guided tour of the Ollantaytambo archaeological complex
- Walk through the historic streets of Ollantaytambo
- Optional drop-off in Ollantaytambo for an onward train connection
Itinerary
Full Day Sacred Valley Tour Itinerary
Click any day to expand/collapse
Day 1
7:00 a.m. | Hotel Pickup in Cusco
Your guide and driver will pick you up from your hotel in Cusco. As the road leaves the city and descends toward the Sacred Valley, you will see mountain scenery, traditional farming areas, and viewpoints overlooking the valley.
The guide will introduce the day’s route and explain how the valley supported agriculture, trade, and settlement during the Inca period.
Day 2
9:00 a.m. | Pisac Archaeological Site and Market
The first main visit is the Pisac archaeological complex. You will walk through agricultural terraces and elevated sections of the site while learning about Inca engineering, farming, and the strategic importance of its location.
After the guided visit, you will continue to Pisac town and its artisan market. There will be time to browse textiles, ceramics, jewelry, and other locally made products. Purchases are optional.
Day 3
12:30 p.m. | Buffet Lunch in Urubamba
The journey continues along the valley to Urubamba, where an included buffet lunch will be served at a local restaurant.
The stop gives you time to rest before the afternoon visit. Vegetarian and other dietary requirements should be communicated when booking so they can be confirmed with the restaurant.
Day 4
2:30 p.m. | Ollantaytambo Archaeological Complex
In Ollantaytambo, your guide will lead you through the archaeological complex overlooking the town. The visit includes steep stone steps, agricultural terraces, ceremonial areas, and examples of precisely fitted Inca stonework.
You will also see how the modern town preserves its original Inca street layout, stone walls, and water channels.
Travelers continuing to Machu Picchu may request drop-off in Ollantaytambo instead of returning to Cusco. Train tickets are not included, and the connection must be reviewed in advance.
Day 5
4:30 p.m. | Return Journey to Cusco
After the Ollantaytambo visit, the group begins the drive back through the Sacred Valley. Arrival at your Cusco hotel is expected at approximately 6:30 p.m., depending on traffic and the location of your accommodation.
Tour Details at a Glance
- Duration: Approximately 11 hours
- Starting point: Your hotel in Cusco
- Finishing point: Cusco or prearranged drop-off in Ollantaytambo
- Approximate pickup: 7:00 a.m.
- Approximate Cusco return: 6:30 p.m.
- Highest elevation: Approximately 3,400 m / 11,154 ft in Cusco
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Walking conditions: Uneven stone paths, inclines, and stairs
- Meal included: Buffet lunch in Urubamba
- Main route: Cusco – Pisac – Urubamba – Ollantaytambo – Cusco
Inclusions
Tour Inclusions
Departure and Return
- Pickup from your hotel in Cusco
- Return transportation to your Cusco hotel
- Prearranged drop-off in Ollantaytambo when requested in advance
What Is Included
- Tourist transportation throughout the tour
- Professional English-speaking local guide
- Guided visit to Pisac
- Guided visit to Ollantaytambo
- Time at the Pisac artisan market
- Buffet lunch in Urubamba
- First-aid kit
- Emergency oxygen carried in the tour vehicle
What Is Not Included
- Cusco Tourist Ticket required for Pisac and Ollantaytambo
- Train tickets from Ollantaytambo to Machu Picchu
- Machu Picchu entrance tickets
- Breakfast and dinner
- Bottled water, additional snacks, and alcoholic drinks
- Travel insurance
- Personal purchases and souvenirs
- Tips for the guide and driver
Entrance fees are paid separately. Ask our team for the current Cusco Tourist Ticket options before departure because prices and eligibility conditions may change.
Packing List
What to Bring
- Original passport or valid identification
- Valid student identification if a discount has been confirmed
- Small daypack
- Comfortable walking shoes with good traction
- Lightweight shirt
- Fleece or warm layer for the morning
- Waterproof jacket or rain poncho
- Sun hat or cap
- Sunglasses
- SPF 50+ sunscreen
- Reusable water bottle
- Personal medication
- Phone or camera
- Portable charger
- Cash in Peruvian soles
- Small snack if needed
Use trekking poles only if necessary and ensure they have rubber tips to protect the archaeological surfaces.
Price
Tour Prices
Prices are listed in U.S. dollars and apply per person.
Small-Group Tour
| Travelers | Price per person |
|---|---|
| 2–3 people | US$89 |
| 4 or more people | US$79 |
| Eligible children or students | US$75 |
The small-group service may be shared with other confirmed travelers and follows the scheduled route. Group size is limited to eight participants.
Private Tour
| Travelers | Price per person |
|---|---|
| 2–3 people | US$150 |
| 4 or more people | US$140 |
| Eligible children or students | US$130 |
The private service reserves the vehicle and guide for your party. The walking pace and time at each stop can be adjusted within the planned route and operating schedule.
Pricing Conditions
- A minimum of two travelers is required.
- Children and student rates require confirmation before booking.
- Valid identification may be required for discounted tickets.
- The Cusco Tourist Ticket is not included.
- Optional services are subject to availability.
- Train tickets and Machu Picchu admission are not part of this tour.
FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this tour include Maras and Moray?
No. This tour follows the classic route through Pisac, Urubamba, and Ollantaytambo. Choose the extended Sacred Valley or VIP service if you want to include Chinchero, Moray, and the Maras Salt Mines.
Does the tour visit Machu Picchu?
No. This is a road-based tour of the Sacred Valley and does not enter Machu Picchu. You may finish in Ollantaytambo and continue independently by train when the schedule is compatible.
Is the Cusco Tourist Ticket included?
No. The ticket required to enter Pisac and Ollantaytambo is purchased separately. Ask our team which ticket is appropriate for the other attractions you plan to visit in Cusco.
Can I take a train to Machu Picchu after the tour?
Yes, provided the train schedule allows enough time after the Ollantaytambo visit. Send us your train details before booking so we can review the connection and arrange the correct drop-off.
Where will I be dropped off in Ollantaytambo?
Drop-off can normally be coordinated at the train station or another practical location in town. The exact point must be confirmed before departure.
Can I bring my luggage on the tour?
Yes, if you are finishing in Ollantaytambo and notify us in advance. Vehicle storage is limited, so provide the number and size of your bags before the tour.
How difficult is the Sacred Valley day tour?
The tour has a moderate difficulty level. It includes walking on stone surfaces and climbing stairs at Pisac and Ollantaytambo, but it does not involve a long-distance hike.
Is the tour suitable for older travelers?
It may be suitable for active older travelers who are comfortable with stairs and uneven ground. A private tour is recommended when a slower pace, additional breaks, or greater flexibility is needed.
Is the tour suitable for children?
The published recommended minimum age is 12. Younger children may be considered depending on their comfort with a long travel day, archaeological visits, and uneven walking surfaces.
Should I acclimatize before taking the tour?
Spending at least one or two days in Cusco or the Sacred Valley is helpful for travelers arriving directly from sea level. Although the route descends from Cusco, the day begins at approximately 3,400 meters.
Can dietary requirements be accommodated?
Common dietary requests may be accommodated when provided in advance. Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and allergy-related requests must be communicated during booking and confirmed before departure.
What is the difference between the small-group and private tour?
The small-group option shares the guide and transportation with other confirmed travelers. The private option reserves the guide and vehicle for your party and allows greater flexibility with the walking pace and rest stops.
Can solo travelers join the tour?
Solo travelers may join an existing confirmed departure, subject to availability. The service requires at least two participants to operate.
What time will we return to Cusco?
Return to your Cusco hotel is expected at approximately 6:30 p.m. Traffic, weather, the pace of the group, and hotel location may affect the final arrival time.
What happens if it rains?
The tour normally continues during light or moderate rain. Bring a waterproof jacket or poncho, and expect the guide to adjust walking times if conditions affect the archaeological sites.
When is the best time to visit the Sacred Valley?
May through October generally offers drier conditions, cooler mornings, and clearer mountain views. November through April brings more rain but also greener landscapes and fewer dry, dusty areas.
Concierge & Local Guide
Available in Cusco
John Taqquere
Local Tour Guide
Travel specialist in Machu Picchu
“I grew up surrounded by the Andes, and I love sharing the history, traditions, and hidden stories of my home with travelers from around the world.”Text John Taqquere on WhatsApp → (opens in a new tab)
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