Sacred Valley Tours

The classic full-day tour

The standard group tour leaves Cusco in the morning and visits Pisac for its market and ruins, continues to a lunch stop in the Urubamba area and finishes at the fortress of Ollantaytambo before returning by road. It is efficient and inexpensive, but the pace is fast and time at each site can be short. See Pisac and Ollantaytambo for what each stop offers, so you can judge whether the time allowed is enough.

If your time is limited, it is a good introduction. If you want to linger, consider a two-day option with a night in the valley, which gives the sites an unhurried feel. See the Sacred Valley for how the towns fit together.

Many groups travel in the same direction, so the sites feel busiest in the late morning. A tour that reverses the order, or starts early, often meets the same places with fewer people.

Maras, Moray and Chinchero

A second type of tour covers the western side of the valley: Chinchero, with its weaving cooperatives and terraced ruins, the circular agricultural terraces at Moray and the salt evaporation ponds at Maras. These are often combined with a visit to a weaving community or a short walk between sites.

This route is closer to Cusco and suits half a day, or a full day if you add Ollantaytambo. Moray and Maras are both reached along roads that can be rough, so ask how the transfer is done.

The high plateau is open and exposed, so bring a hat, sun protection and a windproof layer. Photographers like the low light of early morning or late afternoon, and it is worth asking whether the tour can be timed to match.

Private drivers and independent options

A private driver with an English-speaking guide costs more than a group tour but allows you to set your own order and pace. This works well for photographers, families and anyone who prefers to start early. You can also go independent: collectivos and buses link Cusco with Pisac and Urubamba, and taxis cover short hops between sites.

Independent travel needs more planning for the Moray and Maras area, where public transport is limited, and for the order of entry tickets, which are often combined. See getting from Cusco to the Sacred Valley for the transport side.

If you are comparing choices, guided tours or going independent can help you decide whether a guide earns its fee for your plans.

Active options

Beyond the standard sightseeing, valley operators offer guided cycling downhill from the high plateau, horse riding, rafting on the Urubamba river in the right season and walks to less-visited ruins. Each has its own safety considerations: check helmets, bike condition, guide experience and what insurance covers. Rafting conditions depend on the season and river level.

Active outings suit travellers who have spent a few days at altitude already. Ask for a clear description of the route, the level of difficulty and the minimum age. A reputable operator will refuse to take someone out in poor conditions, so be wary of any that promises the activity regardless of the weather.

Combining the valley with Machu Picchu

A common plan is to take a valley tour that ends in Ollantaytambo, spend the night there and catch the early train to Machu Picchu. This saves the long return to Cusco and avoids a pre-dawn transfer. Operators that sell the valley and Machu Picchu as a package should state the train times and what is included. To pick the right town for the night, see accommodation in the Sacred Valley.

If you plan to hike afterwards, do not stack long days. A full valley day, a night in Ollantaytambo and a day at Machu Picchu is already a lot for most visitors.

What to ask before booking

Ask for the exact route and the time allowed at each site. Find out whether the tourist ticket, lunch and transfers to Machu Picchu trains are included, what the group size is and whether the guide is licensed. If a tour includes a shopping stop at a workshop, ask how long it is. Check the pick-up point, the return time and the cancellation terms in the wet season, when roads can be affected.

See choosing a trekking agency for a checklist that also works for valley operators. See tours from Cusco to compare the other types of trip you may be weighing at the same time.