Sacred Valley Tour 2023 – Sacred Valley Half Day Tour

We will be picking you up from your hotel in Cusco at 0800 in the morning. Driving through the scenic route, we will reach Pisac. It is home to the weekend flea market and an archaeological complex that nestles on a hill top. The Inca ruins are massive and is second just to Machu Picchu. 

As most archaeological sites in Peru, Pisac too has many agricultural terraces, ceremonial centre and more. However, the most impressive part is its temple. The temple complex houses more than a dozen of temples.

Each one was built using the finest carved pink granite stones. The Sun temple is something that will capture your attention as you will be walking into the complex. The view of the valley below is simply stunning. 

Our local expert will walk you around the complex. You will get to know the importance of each sites and its use during Inca civilization. 

The weekend local market is a unique attraction in itself. It sprawls every Sunday. Locals (farmers and craftsmen) from nearby villages, set up their tent in the main square to sell their products. One of the lanes bustles with vendors selling plenty of handicrafts. If you want to take home a souvenir from Peru then this is the place where you could find a better deal. 

We will then continue driving through the Sacred Valley to Urubamba town, where you will have lunch at one of the local restaurants.

Ollantaytambo is one of the prettiest villages in the Sacred Valley of Incas. Infact, it is the best example of Incan architecture and city planning. This is one of the few villages that has been continuously inhabited since the thirteenth century.

It was once an administrative centre for Incan empire. While the Spanish invaded, it was the last stronghold of Inca Manco Yupanqui. 

The archaeological complex here demonstrates some of the impressive engineering of Incas. Late in the fifteenth century, the Inca Sapa, Pachacutec conquered Ollantaytambo. He rapidly developed the village by building a fortress for religious purposes, irrigation system and agricultural terraces. After his death, it was passed down to Inca Manco who also developed the fortress.

In January 1537, under the leadership of Pizzaro, the Spanish troops tried to invade Ollantaytambo. From high above the fortress’ the Incas held back the Spanish troops and defeated them. The fortress that was built for religious purposes turned to a major battle ground.

Due to its close proximity to Cusco (then a  Spanish colony), Manco Inca, was certain that the Spanish would return and with a much larger force. So he managed to move to Victos (Rosaspata). Eventually, the Spanish managed to invaded and capture it.  

Our local expert will give you a tour of the the fortress and other major sites here which would give you a detailed understanding of its purposes and historic significance.

Just a few miles away from Cusco nestles this small Andean village named, Chinchero. It has the most fertile soils in the whole Sacred Valley of Incas. Thus, faming has been of a main profession here. Locals here continue their passion for knitting clothes. They primarily use alpaca wools and also are popular in making handicrafts. Infact, there is a small market next to the where they gather to sell their handmade things. 

Tupac Inca Yupanqui, son of Pachacutec, used it as his country resort. Under this leadership, Chinchero saw a rapid development. He ordered to built agricultural terraces and aqueducts most of which are in use even today. They produced potatoes, fava beans and Quinoa widely here. 

The Church that stands overlooking the valley was built by the Spanish conquistadors. They destroyed the royal palace of Tupac Inca Yupanqui and built the church on its remains. 

Here you will have a guided tour of the archaeological complex and the Church.

After the full day Sacred Valley tour, we will return to Cusco.