During the 1 day trip through the Sacred Valley of the Incas, the visitor can visit Pisac, Urubamba, Ollantaytambo and Chinchero. These incredible sites have Inca archaeological ruins, beautiful landscapes and a lot of tradition. The excursion to the Sacred Valley can be done with a tour or on your own. As a second option, tourists can also visit the archaeological site of Moray and the Salineras de Maras. What adventures does this area offer full of tourist attractions? Know everything you can do on a 1-day trip to this destination.
- Where is?
The Sacred Valley is located in the Andes of Cusco in Peru. Its extensive territory has high mountains, rivers, villages, archaeological ruins and more. Pisac, in the north, limits only 34 kilometers from the city of Cusco.
- How to get to Machu Picchu?
To get a Sacred Valley Machu Picchu 2 day tour, you have to board a train from Sacred Valley to Machu Picchu at the Ollantaytambo station. Other options are to make the Inca trek or the alternative route by Hydroelectric to Machu Picchu ruins.
- When is the best time to visit the Sacred Valley?
The best season to explore the Sacred Valley us during the dry season, which covers the months April to the end of September. In October the rains begin and you can find Machu Picchu covered by clouds. If you travel in June, we recommend you to book the Inti Raymi Tour that takes place in June 24th, and also hike the Palcoyo Mountain Tour, which is an incredible Rainbow Mountain located in the Andes.
- Tour to the Sacred Valley
The Sacred Valley day tour to Maras and Moray, to Pisac, Urubamba, Ollantaytambo and Chinchero and adventure sports are contracted in the city of Cusco. These include entry to archaeological sites, lunch, transportation and tour guide service.
- Sacred Valley without tour
To make a Sacred Valley of the Incas tour without a guide you only need to take the public transport services in Pavitos street (Cusco) and visit the favorite places on your own. Another option is hiring private transportation or renting a vehicle. Adventure sports are only possible with tours.
Sacred Valley Itinerary: Pisac, Urubamba, Ollantaytambo and Chinchero
The Sacred Valley includes several traditional towns of Cusco of which they emphasize Pisac, Urubamba, Ollantaytambo and Chinchero. These 4 places are the most visited by tourists because there are archaeological sites, hotels, restaurants and a variety of tourist attractions. You can hire a tour, rent a car and do it on your own or traveling with public transport.
Pisac
Start your best Sacred Valley tour in Pisac (2,972 m.s.). This place is located 34 kilometers from the city of Cusco. There is an Inca archaeological site of great historical value. Do not forget to visit the traditional market of the place. On Sundays they offer handicrafts at a good price. Make your visit in the early hours of the day.
Urubamba
Continue your excursion in Urubamba (2,871 masl) This important site is only 39 kilometers away from Pisac. There is a beautiful Plaza de Armas and colonial church. Make your visit at noon and take advantage of enjoying a typical dish in the restaurants of the place. Do not forget to try their delicious corn, considered the largest in Peru.
Ollantaytambo
The next stop is in Ollantaytambo (2,792 m.s.). This town is the only one in Peru that still keeps its ancient Inca urban planning. There is the famous Ollantaytambo fortress, a historic site of great importance. Make your visit in the afternoon. Currently there are hotels and restaurants suitable for tourists. It is located 25 kilometers from Urubamba.
Chinchero
Before the sun goes down, during the return to the city of Cusco, do not forget to visit Chinchero (3.762 m.s.). This town keeps the ancestral wisdom in the spinning of alpaca-based garments. There the Inca Túpac Yupanqui ordered to build his palace with a beautiful platform system. Only 30 kilometers separate Chinchero from the city of Cusco.
Sacred Valley Itinerary: Maras & Moray
The salt mines of Maras and the archaeological site of Moray are two of the most famous Sacred Valley attractions. To know them, you only need half a day. The rest of the time you can walk through Chinchero or Urubamba. This tour of Sacred Valley from Cusco can be done with a tour or on your own.
Moray
Start your 1-day trip at the archaeological site of Moray (3,500 m.s.). It is located 62 kilometers from the city of Cusco. Appreciate the beauty of its unique amphitheater-shaped andenery system. There the Incas cultivated diverse products like the potato, the goose and the coca leaf.
Maras
Only 8 kilometers from Moray is the Salineras de Maras (3,300 m.s.). This site has up to 3,000 natural salt wells that were formed millions of years ago. The whiteness of the place is perfect to take the best pictures.
Both tourist attractions take half a day on average. Use the rest of the time to get to know Chinchero, Urubamba, Ollantaytambo or Pisac. The tours to Maras and Moray last half a day and then return to Cusco.
Sacred Valley: Things to do in Sacred Valley
The mountainous geography of the Sacred Valley offers a diversity of adventure sports. These must be contracted with specialized tours. On a 1 day trip it is recommended to practice only one sport. The options are the following:
ATV in Maras and Moray
The quad bike tours that go through the Salineras de Maras and the Archeological Site of Moray are the most popular adventurous options in Cusco. Includes transfer, previous training, equipment and guide.
Cycling in Abra Málaga
The Abra Málaga (4,200 m.s.) is 43 kilometers from Ollantaytambo. From there begins the descent by bicycle for about 1 kilometer. These tours are 1 day and generally include bicycles, safety equipment, transportation and professional guide.
Boating on the Vilcanota River
The Vilcanota River crosses almost all the Sacred Valley of the Incas. The adventures in canoeing take place there, in the area of Cusipata, where beginner and experienced tourists can dare to do this extreme sport. Services include full equipment, transportation, professional guide and lunch.
Paragliding in Chinchero
In the Sacred Mountain in Chinchero paragliding flights are made from where you can appreciate all the beauty of the Sacred Valley. The flights last between 15 or 30 minutes and fly over altitudes of up to 1000 meters. Anyone can dare to do it.
Hot air balloon in Sacred Valley Cusco
The best flight times worldwide are in the first and last hours of the day just before sunrise and sunset as there are usually very low wind speeds (10 km / h) at these times, ideal for the hot air balloon flights.
Sky-bike, Rappel and Via Ferrata in Cachimayo
Tired of joining traditional tours in Cusco? Then book three adrenaline activities in a single half-day tour: Sky bike, Rappel and Via Ferrata in Cachimayo district located north-west of Cusco (30 minutes from the city of Cusco).
Zip-line in Sacred Valley
The Sacred Valley zip-line gives people of all ages the opportunity to fly over this magical and magnificent valley, in a safe and fun way. The zip line has 7 lines or cables, from 150mt to 700mt, for a total of 2800mt.
Hiking Tours in Sacred Valley
Many are the routes that take you to Machu Picchu, but none is like the Inca Trail Tours, the most famous pedestrian path in the Americas. After flying from the capital of Perú, Lima, you will arrive in Cusco to walk for four days along a path through forests and dense fog, millenary stone steps and discovering the ruins of ancient fortifications and Inca cities, and all the time enjoying majestic views.
- Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu 5 days
- Hiking the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu 5 days
- Inca Quarry Trail4 Days
- Choquequirao Trek 4 Days
- Lares Trek to Machu Picchu 4 Days
- 2 Day Inca Trail Tour
- 2 Day Inca Trail with Camping
- 3 Day Inca Trail
- Vilcabamba Hike to Machu Picchu 6 days
- Choquequirao trek to Machu Picchu 9 days
- Ausangate trek 7 days
If you want to visit Machu Picchu, we recommend you to book your Machu Picchu Ticket in advance, so you will enjoy your Vacation in Machu Picchu without any problem.
Source:
