Classic Sacred Valley Tour (All Day)

Get to know one of the most fertile valleys in southern Peru, the Sacred Valley of the Incas, which has been an important region since ancient times due to the richness of its lands nourished by the waters of the Willkamayu (Vilcanota) River. Within this valley, you can appreciate beautiful villages that still cultivate products like corn and potatoes, alongside three significant archaeological centers that held great importance during the Inca era.

ARCHEOLOGICAL CENTER OF PISAQ

Pisac is divided into two zones: the old one, located in the upper part, is an Inca archaeological site, and the current one, situated in the valley, dates back to colonial times. The main square is a lively place filled with colorful handicrafts for sale. This town is renowned for its astronomical observatory.

Pisac’s architecture reflects a mix of indigenous and mestizo influences, with Viceroy Toledo’s constructions built upon Inca remains. Here, you can attend a mass in Quechua, amidst indigenous people and regional mayors. Moreover, you can witness how the Inca agronomists ingeniously solved the problem of planting crops on the slopes of the hills.

Pisac is a prominent tourist attraction due to its Inca archaeological site, forming part of the archaeological circuit of Cusco, along with Ollantaytambo and Machu Picchu, making it a significant source of income for the town, aside from subsistence agriculture.

Pisac is also home to famous Inca legends. Notably, a statue represents the story of Chief Huayllapuma’s daughter, Inquill. According to the legend, she was to marry the man who could build a bridge over the Willcamayu River (now “Vilcanota” or “Urubamba”) in just one night, as it was essential for the place’s defense. Despite the challenging task, Asto Rímac, a handsome prince, accepted the challenge and asked for the princess’s hand. The local authorities arranged everything for Asto Rímac to begin the work, while the princess had to climb a hill without looking back; otherwise, she and her fiancé would turn to stone. Almost at dawn, the prince finished the work, but Inquill, unable to bear the wait, turned around and has remained turned to stone ever since.

PISAQ MARKET

Pisac is a Peruvian town located in the Cusco region, in the province of Calca, and is the capital of the Pisac district. Situated at an altitude of 2,966 meters above sea level, the town is well-known for its craft fair.

At the mountain’s peak lies the archaeological park of Pisac, constructed between the 10th and 11th centuries.

ARCHAEOLOGICAL CENTER OF OLLANTAYTAMBO

Ollantaytambo (in Quechua: Ullantaytampu, “warehouse or inn of Ollanta”) is a Peruvian town and Inca archaeological site, serving as the capital of the homonymous district located in the province of Urubamba, in the department of Cuzco. It is situated approximately 90 km northwest of the city of Cuzco.

During the Inca period, Pachacutec conquered the region and built the town along with a ceremonial center. At the time of the conquest, it served as a fort for Manco Inca Yupanqui, leader of the Inca resistance. Unlike other archaeological sites in Cusco, Ollantaytambo features resistance platforms (to prevent landslides) rather than agricultural ones. Today, it is an important tourist attraction due to its Inca constructions and is a common starting point for the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu.

ARCHEOLOGICAL CENTER OF CHINCHEROS

Chinchero is a Peruvian town and the capital of the homonymous district located in the province of Urubamba, in the department of Cuzco. It is the birthplace of the hero of Peruvian independence, Mateo Pumacahua, who participated alongside the Angulo brothers in the Cuzco Rebellion of 1814.

The town had a population of 3,765 inhabitants according to the 2017 census. It is situated approximately 30 km from the city of Cuzco, at an elevation of 3,754 meters above sea level.

The monumental zone of Chinchero was declared a historical heritage of Peru on December 28, 1972, through the R.S.N° 2900-72-ED Archaeological Park with the National Directorial Resolution No. 515 of the year 2005.

The Chinchero Archaeological Park covers an area of 34,800 hectares. Chinchero was inhabited before the Inca Empire. During the Tahuantinsuyo, the Inca Tupac Yupanqui planned the construction of palaces for the elite. Currently, you can see the remains of the palace upon which the colonial church stands.