Sacred Valley In Depth
Cusco, Peru
Culture shock rating
Worried we’re going to shock your senses? Relax! We believe part of the fun of travel is immersing yourself in the destination and its culture, meeting the people, and learning what makes the place tick. We’ve got a wide range of tours with something for everybody. The cultural shock rating ranks how different the experience is from most Western cultures. But no matter the level, don’t worry, you’ll have a local, in-the-know guide with you every step of the way.
Low
Consider these tours your 101 intro to a place. Transportation might be private or a very comfortable public option, and the activities are usually visits to iconic sites and locations that are familiar to most Western cultures – but that will still give you fantastic insight into a destination.
Medium
Expect to rough it for parts of this tour, whether that’s on a packed public bus or in a local market off the tourist trail. There might be a few language barriers or unfamiliar cultural customs, and you’ll get an experience different from what you're used to at home.
High
You're out there in the global community! We’re going to take you down streets you’d rarely explore on your own, introduce you to local customs and languages, and take you for a ride in whatever transport is available. Get ready to take it as it comes, whatever comes. There might be a shock, but oh man, it’s worth it.
Physical rating
Worried our tours are too tough? Relax! From leisurely strolls to muscle-burning treks, we’ve got a wide range of tours with something for everybody. The physical grading gives you an idea of how much huffing and puffing you can expect on the tour.
Low
Slow and steady is all you need here. These tours have very limited physical activity, such as walking relatively flat streets, sites, or markets, and climbing in and out of the transport provided.
Medium
Not too hard, not too soft, these tours are just right! You can expect a bit of physical activity, but nothing overly challenging – perhaps walking up and down hills, riding a bike for up to 30 kilometers along mostly flat terrain, or jumping in a kayak for a gentle paddle on flat water.
High
Get ready for a workout! These tours are our most challenging and involve intense walking, hiking, kayaking, swimming, or bike riding. You could be making steep climbs by foot or pedal, or working your core in the water. We recommend you have a good level of fitness to join this tour.
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Tour snapshot
Explore the Sacred Valley of the Incas with Cusco Urban Adventures. View Pisac town and the amazing views from the top of the mountains, and get lost in the labyrinth of the famous Pisac local market. Visit the impressive Ollantaytambo archaeological site, and get off of the beaten track to experience the local life and culture in the Sacred Valley.
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Highlights
- Browse for souvenirs in the bustling Pisac local market
- Visit key Sacred Valley highlights, the archeological sites of Pisac and Ollantaytambo
- Go beyond the traditional sites to explore smaller streets and experience daily life and local Quechua culture
- Be amazed by the stunning views of the valley along the way
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Schedule details
- Duration: 8 hours
- Pickup location:
Centrally located hotels in Cusco.
- Pickup time: 8.30 AM
- Drop off location:
Main square, Cusco.
Language: English
Inclusions: Local English speaking guide, private transportation, all entrance fees for Pisac and Ollantaytambo archeological sites.
Exclusions: Lunch and drinks, items of a personal nature, tips or gratuities for your guides, souvenirs at the markets along the way.
Don't miss the opportunity to hop on a day tour from Cusco to see life beyond the city. One of our favourite spots to show off is the Sacred Valley, a hugely important region during the Inca Empire. Centred around the Urubamba River, the Sacred Valley is home to ancient Incan citadels, scientific stations, and villages like Pisac, our first stop on this Sacred Valley tour.
At the heart of the Sacred Valley, Pisac is an ideal place to see Andean life up-close. Home to a bustling craft market where the barter system is still an accepted method for buying goods, it's a great spot to explore the market and test your bartering skills before heading out of town to a smaller community.
As you go, be sure to take in the spectacular landscape of the region. Communities in this area are still living in a very traditional way, cultivating wheat, potatoes, corn, beans, and quinoa, to name a few. The region is home to 3,000 varieties of potatoes, which are essential to the local Andean cuisine.
Around lunchtime, we'll stop in Urubamba town, the capital of the Sacred Valley, to feast on local cuisine, before heading further into the Sacred Valley. We'll stop at a chicheria along the way, where you can sample the local drink chica (corn beer) and play local games.
We'll continue our Sacred Valley tour with a visit to the nearby archaeological site Ollantaytambo, for insight into the Incan past and magnificent views. Once here, we'll set out on foot to go beyond the traditional sites and explore smaller ancient streets, visit local houses, and experience a day in the life of a local community. Depending on the activity of the day, we can learn how locals knit and dye textiles and hear stories of their local beliefs and religion.
After thanking our hosts in the traditional houses, we'll continue by foot to our final destination and the highlight of the Sacred Valley - the Ollantaytambo archaeological site, for insight into the Incan past. We then make our way back to Cusco, through more incredible landscapes, accompanied by stories and anecdotes that your local guide will share along the way.
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Additional information
Inclusions: Local English speaking guide, private transportation, all entrance fees for Pisac and Ollantaytambo archeological sites.
Exclusions: Lunch and drinks, items of a personal nature, tips or gratuities for your guides, souvenirs at the markets along the way.
Dress standard: As this tour will visit a local traditional community, it is recommended that you be casual but conservative in your dress.
Your Trip: This trip is offered on a "join-in" basis. Maximum group size is 12.
Confirmation of booking: If you have your voucher, your booking is confirmed. We'll see you at the start point. Get in touch if you have any concerns or require more information via the email address or phone number (business hours only) on your voucher.
Child Policy: This is a child-friendly tour. Children between the ages of 6 and 11 inclusively are permitted on this tour. Children younger than 6 are permitted at no extra cost, but please make sure you inform our guides of this before you take the tour.
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Local contact
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