Day 1: Cusco – Sacred Valley Lookout – Pisac – Urubamba – Ollantaytambo – Chinchero – Cusco

Our Classic Sacred Valley Trip begins at 7:30 AM, to avoid the crowd! Our English-speaking guide will pick you up from your hotel lobby. We will begin the day by traveling in a private vehicle from Cusco on the road that winds around the mountains towards the Sacred Valley of the Incas.

After driving for 45 minutes through colorful small towns, we make our first stop either at the Alpaca Farm or Ccochahuasi Animal Sanctuary to visit and observe some unique Andean animals. We will then continue to one of the famous lookout point known as El Mirador “Taray”. From there, we will be able to see the Sacred Valley, the Urubamba River — The source of the longest river in the world “the Amazon River”, and gain some insight into Inca history.

The Sacred Valley of the Incas was one of the main areas the Incas settled. There is an unusual abundance of fertile plains in this high area of the Andes. You will also witness vast contour terracing and irrigation channels left behind by the Incas.

Later on, we will drive towards the ruins of Pisac. Here, you will explore, witness, and learn about Inca culture. You will see amazing works of stone art and impressive agricultural terraces. After exploring, you and your guide will drive back to the lower town of Pisac to stop at a bustling handicraft market. After you spend some time walking around the market bargain hunting, we will meet to continue driving along the Urubamba River (Wilcamayu River) for about one hour to reach Urubamba where we will enjoy a typical lunch at a local restaurant.

After lunch, we will continue driving towards Ollantaytambo archeological site, we will visit the ruins, an important area of Incan construction, built during the Inca’s heydays. This is an extraordinary Inca site because you can find the temple of the sun, which is aligned with the nearby mountains to track important astronomical events including solstices, and rock formations representing the Inca god, Wiracocha.

• If, after your Sacred Valley Classic Trip from Cusco, you are going to end the tour in Ollantaytambo/ Urubamba or take the train from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes, you won’t have the opportunity to visit Chinchero for the traditional weaving demonstration on this circuit. Our guide will be very happy to take you to the train station in time to board your train.

If, your Classic Sacred Valley Trip will end in Cusco, on the way back, we will visit the town of Chinchero to see the local villagers wearing their typical clothes, just as in ancient times and have a traditional weaving demonstration. Afterwards, we will return to Cusco and drop you off at your hotel.