The Sacred Valley extends between the towns of Pisaq, Urubamba, and Ollantaytambo and runs parallel to the Vilcanota River. The Sacred Valley very much has its own special geography and climate - and this fertile valley produces the best-quality choclos (maize/corn) in the world.
A tour of the Sacred Valley begins in Pisac, a colorful mestizo town with colonial and Incan characteristics, just 30 kilometers (48 miles) from Cusco. Pisac's artisan market is often frequented by tourists especially on Sunday, and the local mass is conducted in Quechua. The town is marked by well-preserved Incan construction and expansive ruins. The Intihuatana Hill has impressive agricultural terracing, a fantastic vista of the valley below, and numerous ruins and stone carvings.
Along the way is the town of Calca, which is surrounded by the snowed-peaked mountains of Pitusiray and Sawasiray, the ruins of Huchuy Qosqo, and the medicinal baths of Machacancha and Minasmoqo.
Only 10 minutes from Pisac is the pueblo of Yucay - a beautiful place that houses the stone and adobe ruins of the palace of Inca Sayri Tupac II. It is here in Yucay where the Incas first experimented with the idea of private property, and also where they built some of their most impressive works of agricultural engineering.
The town of Urubamba, also called "Pearl of Vilcanota", stands out due to the natural beauty of its landscape and climate. The town sits at the foot of the snow-covered Chicon and Pumahuanca mountains which in and of themselves present great possibilities for adventure tourism.
Ollantaytambo, the final stop in the Sacred Valley, was an important city in the days of the Tahuantinsuyo culture. Today's small stone-paved pueblo was an administrative, social, religious, and military center of the Incas. Ollantaytambo is unique in that most of its original walls and foundations are intact and serve as houses for the present day inhabitants. The surrounding mountains are full of trails and passes, some of which are accessible for walking, and here pink granite monoliths can be found and tourists can take-in an impressive view of the Sacred Valley.
Chinchero, high in the mountains overlooking the Sacred Valley, is the last point on the Sacred Valley route. This colorful town is only 28 kilometers (45 miles) from Cusco and is a beautiful example of the melding of Andean and Spanish architecture. It has a small Catholic church that was constructed on the foundations of an Incan palace. Chinchero's Sunday market is the most authentic in the Cusco area. On the 8th of September, Chinchero celebrates the founding of the city..
Duration of excursion : 10 hours approximately.
- Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday (Shared)
- All Days (Private Service)
- Transportation in tourist bus.
- Official guide of tourism.
- All tickets of entrance.