The Sacred Valley
Between Cusco and Machu Picchu
After a short but spectacular flight over the Andes; arrive in Cusco at an elevation of 11,440 feet. Immediate transfer to the Sacred Valley at 8,200 feet of altitude.
When traveling between the Inca capital of Cusco and the ancient citadel of Machu Picchu, you pass through a fertile land surrounded by soaring snowcapped mountains and lush forest; a region of breathtaking beauty and magnificent views that was revered by the Incas and named as “the Sacred Valley”.
This blessed area of Cusco is home of finest Inca settlements, important colonial towns, colorful markets, impressive tourist attractions, unique Inca terraces, ancient Quechua communities and mystical power sites, a favorite for meditational and transformational groups. It also provides a unique exceptional setting for a wide variety of half-day and full-day soft adventure activities.
The Sacred Valley is the perfect beginning to your journey through the Peruvian Andes, it is considered the best location to acclimatize gradually to the elevation of the Andes and prevent the discomfort of altitude sickness.
Visit Awana Kancha, the living
museum of the Andes
Sacred Valley
This Living Museum of the Andes showcase the South American Camelids such as llamas, vicuñas, guanacos and alpacas in their native environment. You will also enjoy a spinning and weaving demostration of ancient techniques on how to make clothing from the wool fibers of these animals. You can also see native flowers and some agricultural terraces from the Inca times.
Pisac Indian Market
Sacred Valley
Visit the colonial village of Pisac where a unique Indian Market takes place daily. The variety of products offered is overwhelming, from pottery with reproductions of archaeological pieces, to all kinds of textiles, jewelry and Peruvian handicrafts. During your visit to this bustling marketplace you will have the opportunity to bargain with the artisans and indigenous traders. Grab the items you like, you will hardly see the same one again.
Sacred Valley Classic - Full Day, 8 hours
Pisac Indian Market and Ollantaytambo Archaeological Complex, lunch.
Sacred Valley Markets and Incas - Full Day, 9 hours
Pisac Indian & Chinchero Markets and Ollantaytambo Archaeological
Complex, lunch
Sacred Valley Grand Tour - Full Day, 10 hours
Pisac Indian Market, Ollantaytambo Archeological Complex, Unique Inca Terraces of Moray and Maras Salt Pools, lunch
Sacred Valley Archaeological Circuit - Full Day, 10 hours
Chinchero market, Pisac Archeological Complex, Pisac Indian Market and Ollantaytambo Archeological Complex, lunch
Sacred Valley Grand Circuit - Full Day, 11 hours
Pisac & Chinchero Indian Markets, Ollantaytambo Archeological Complex, Unique Inca Terraces of Moray and Maras Salt Pools, lunch
Chinchero
Sacred Valley
Departure to the unspoiled Andean village of Chinchero for an Impressive weaving demonstration by Nilda Callañaupa. Nilda learned to weave as a child while tending the flocks in the fields of her village.
When she was a teenager, Nilda worked with researchers on preserving the traditional themes and techniques of weaving in the Andean community.
Moray Terraces
Sacred Valley
Pass through unspoiled and picturesque Andean communities on your way to the Incan agricultural experimental center of Moray, famous for its sunken amphitheater, made up of four circular terraces, which appear to fade away into the earth like an artificial crater. The site was apparently an Inca agricultural research station filled with fertile earth and watered by complex irrigation systems, designed for experimenting with crops at various altitudes.
Sacred Valley The Beautiful – Half Day, 3.5 hours
Unique Inca Terraces of Moray and Maras Salt Pools
Sacred Valley Grand Tour – Full Day, 10 hours
Pisac Indian Market, Ollantaytambo Archeological Complex, Unique Inca Terraces of Moray and Maras Salt Pools, lunch
Sacred Valley Unforgettable – Full Day, 8 hours
Unique Inca Terraces, Moray and Maras Salt Pools and Authentic Quechua Village, lunch
Sacred Valley Grand Circuit – Full Day, 11 hours
Pisac & Chinchero Indian Markets, Ollantaytambo Archeological Complex, Unique Inca Terraces of Moray and Maras Salt Pools, lunch
Maras Salt Pools
Sacred Valley
Continue to the impressive Maras salt pools formed by water emerging from a lake inside a mountain in the Urubamba Valley. An amazing view of evaporating ponds for the extraction of salt. Learn about ancestral techniques, which are still used, in agricultural, irrigation and salt-recollection tasks, as well as in Andean festivals and rites.
Sacred Valley The Beautiful – Half Day, 3.5 hours
Unique Inca Terraces of Moray and Maras Salt Pools
Sacred Valley Grand Tour – Full Day, 10 hours
Pisac Indian Market, Ollantaytambo Archeological Complex, Unique Inca Terraces of Moray and Maras Salt Pools, lunch
Sacred Valley Unforgettable – Full Day, 8 hours
Unique Inca Terraces, Moray and Maras Salt Pools and Authentic Quechua Village, lunch
Sacred Valley Grand Circuit – Full Day, 11 hours
Pisac & Chinchero Indian Markets, Ollantaytambo Archeological Complex, Unique Inca Terraces of Moray and Maras Salt Pools, lunch
Authentic Quechua Village
Sacred Valley
This Living Museum of the Andes showcase the South American Camelids such as llamas, vicuñas, guanacos and alpacas in their native environment. You will also enjoy a spinning and weaving demostration of ancient techniques on how to make clothing from the wool fibers of these animals. You can also see native flowers and some agricultural terraces from the Inca times.
Sacred Valley Unforgettable - Full Day, 8 hours
Unique Inca Terraces, Moray and Maras Salt Pools and Authentic Quechua Village, lunch
Ollantaytambo
Archaeological Complex
Sacred Valley
The Incas built it as a fort that included a temple, agricultural terraces, and an urban area. There are two distinct sectors: The religious and worship zone, and the residential area. Ollantaytambo was an important administrative center with probable military functions if one considers the walls and towers. There are also traces of ancient roads and aqueducts. The town of Ollantaytambo is called a “Living Inca Town” since the inhabitants maintain very old practices and customs.
Sacred Valley Classic - Full Day, 8 hours
Pisac Indian Market and Ollantaytambo Archaeological Complex, lunch.
Sacred Valley Markets and Incas – Full Day, 9 hours
Pisac Indian & Chinchero Markets and Ollantaytambo
Archaeological Complex, lunch
Sacred Valley Grand Tour – Full Day, 10 hours
Pisac Indian Market, Ollantaytambo Archeological Complex, Unique Inca Terraces of Moray and Maras Salt Pools, lunch
Sacred Valley Archaeological Circuit – Full Day, 10 hours
Chinchero market, Pisac Archeological Complex, Pisac Indian Market and Ollantaytambo Archeological Complex, lunch.
Sacred Valley Grand Circuit – Full Day, 11 hours
Pisac & Chinchero Indian Markets, Ollantaytambo Archeological Complex, Unique Inca Terraces of Moray and Maras Salt Pools, lunch
The Sacred Valley
An idyllic place for soft adventure activities
Its pleasant climate and overwhelmingly beautiful scenery make the Sacred Valley the perfect setting for soft adventure activities like hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking, white water rafting, lake kayaking, paragliding, ATV, trekking and zip line.
White Water River Rafting - Level III and Level IV
Sacred Valley
Take an exhilarating run down the Urubamba River, with breathtaking scenery all around you. This Class II and III rated, one-day whitewater expedition will get your blood flowing while the leadership of your professional English speaking rafting guide ensures your safety.
Includes all the rafting equipment, such as helmet, life jacket, paddle, self-bailing raft, spray jacket and wet Suit.
Lake Kayaking
Sacred Valley
Huaypo, a lake located near Sol & Luna, awaits us with its intensely blue waters for a delightful day walking, rowing a little, resting and laughing. At lunch time, lunch boxes open up to reveal a delicious and refreshing cold meal. We watch the afternoon unfold, before returning for a warm dinner.
Tandem Paragliding
Sacred Valley
Flying over the valley, acquiring a condor’s view and rising before snow-capped mountains and magical Andean landscapes is a privilege and an experience difficult to equal. Our expert pilot, together with the best equipment and ground staff, are the guaranty for a safe and memorable adventure.
ATV - All Terrain Vehicles
Sacred Valley
This unbeatable experience allows for a lot of fun driving these versatile all-terrain vehicles. We will visit remote spots where you can come across exceptional scenery and spontaneous scenes of this land’s daily life.
Mountain Biking
Sacred Valley
Where the tarmac stops is where our adventure starts. Enjoy a pleasant ride along accessible and comfortable routes, going down valleys, visiting interesting archaeological sites and picturesque villages.
The local landscape allows us to offer bicycle rides ranging from easy to difficult.
Mountain Biking
Pisac and Beyond - Moderate
The adventure begins with a trip across the Sacred Valley in our van, up to the amazing ruins of Pisaq. Ee explore this site, walking on centuries-old paths. We start our bike ride going downhill towards the colonial town to see the famous market where inhabitants of different Andean communities come from far and near to sell and barter their products. The routes we follow are almost all flat and wind alongside the river which teems with herons, ibis and gulls who also accompany us on our journey. Our afternoon route, along the foothills of mountains, takes us on paths with rocks and pebbles here, the valley also narrows. We continue on routes that let us see, from above, the Huarán rapids and the communities of Huicho, Urquillos and Huayllabamba. 8 hours.
Mountain Biking
From Urubamba to Urquillos - Easy
This is an easy ride that takes us on paths through communities around the Sacred Valley, the town of Urubamba, the farms and fields of Chihubamba and from there, towards Yucay, Huayllabamba and Urquillos. We ride on mostly rural routes where there is no traffic. In certain points, when there is no alternative, we have to use paved roads.
This journey of approximately 20 kilometers, crosses mostly flat terrain, and is appropriate for beginners. It’s an excursion into the everyday life of the valley, a chance to encounter villagers as they go about their usual tasks: working in fields, planting, tilling. The stunning views along the way are an added bonus. The town of Yucay has some fine examples of ancient Incan terraces, as well as ruins of fine masonry of the period. Urquillos and Huayllabamba are typical agricultural town that keel alive many cultural traditions. 3 hours.
Mountain Biking
Moray Terraces and Maras Salt Pools - Moderate
Transfer to the colonial town of Maras, known for its centuriesold customs, and its houses, once occupied by Spanish colonials whose coat of arms can still be seen, carved in grand stone doorways. Visit the San Francisco de Maras church which attests to this town’s importance in the Colonial era; it is one of the oldest churches outside of Cusco and features excellent Cusco school paintings and beautiful architecture.
After seeing Maras’ attractions, we begin the circuit towards the salt pools, along bridle paths used by locals going between the town and the valley. The route goes downhill on narrow stony paths and in certain sections, slopes that require care. Ahead of us, are spectacular mountain glaciers! Upon arrival at the salt pools, we learn ancient salt panning technics and continue down the valley crossing small farms of San José de Media Luna and Rumichaca. 3 hours.
Mountain Biking
The Glacier of Chico - Moderate
This is an uphill route, with stunning views of glaciers, that goes via the Chicon gorge to the community of the same name. The ride demands considerable effort and skill. The tour goes along rural paths between small farms in the community of Palcaraqui. We also visit the archaeological ruins of “Sayry Tupac” in Urubamba.
We then begin the ascent along the Chicon gorge which takes approximately one hour. This is a gentle gradual ascent, which gives us time to take in the surrounding scenery, the terraced farmlands with different crops for different levels. When we get to the higher parts of the gorge we enjoy the views of glaciers and forests, with native plants like chachacomos, queuñales and alisos. Our way back is downhill. 3 hours
Mountain Biking
The Huayllarcocha And Mahuaypampa
Communities - Moderate
We begin in the back of a van that takes us to the highest point of the tour, the village of Chincheros. This is noted archeological site, known for its mixture of Incan and colonial structures. From this point, we get on our bikes and take rural routes between fields of potato and other grains. Lovely views of the Vilcanota Mountains accompany us as we ride. From here, we continue our journey to Moray, another significant archaeological site, famous for its concentric terraces built by the Incas. Time to explore these remarkable terraces. In the afternoon, we take a pleasant fun ride to reach Saltpans of Maras. This is a downhill route, along a narrow path that requires us to use our skills, to take care and give our full attention. Once we get downhill, we only need to ride 5 kilometers on flat terrain to get to the end of the tour. 8 hours.
Horseback Riding
Sacred Valley
The Peruvian Paso is a unique breed, characterised by its velvety and lilting gait. An experienced rider will discover a distinct way of riding, while a beginner will find no difficulty in enjoying the gentleness of the gait
We guarantee an incomparable trip to places of magic and beauty hidden in the Peruvian Andes.
Horseback Riding
Half Day Sacred Valley - Easy
After a short orientation, we set off on rural paths, across small villages and communities neighboring the hotel such as Palcaraqui, Rumichaca, San Jose de Media Luna, Pumahanca and Chichubamba. As we travel, we enjoy the rural lifestyle, meeting and greeting villagers in their everyday wear, as they cook, herd cattle and till their fields and like this, we respectfully interact with them, in their cultural space and get a glimpse of their daily rhythms.
Our tour follows mostly rural routes and paths – no asphalt, very few to no cars. At certain points, when there is no alternative, we use paved roads to cross back onto paths or to reach culturally significant destinations on our itinerary. 3 hours
Horseback Riding
Full Day Sacred Valley - Easy
We leave from Via Río Grande (Rumichaca Baja), where we can observe daily life in the communities of the sacred valley, passing the maize fields and Urubamba River vistas. In Pichingoto, we visit with a community so ancient that their origins are lost in myths and legend and marvel at their houses, constructed half into the rock face, which are meant to guard the mountains. From here, one alternative is to ascend to the saltpans of Maras, depending on the time, road conditions and the wishes of the group.
The circuit continues to the Half Moon Gorge, the site of abandoned Incan terraces, till we reach the irrigation reservoirs, from where we can gaze on panoramic Valley views. Through Chajwar, we ascend to the Pumahuanca Gorge and return to your hotel. 8 hours.
Hiking
Sacred Valley
Walking paths of Incan myth and lore await our steps in the heart of the Sacred Valley, leading us to discover the beauty of the Andes and life of the communities that inhabit it.
Hiking
Moray Terraces and Salt Pools - 3 hours, Easy
Walk towards the terraces of Moray. After visiting this fascinating archeological site, we begin walking towards the ancient colonial town of Maras. The path has spectacular views of the Vilcanota Mountains, and as we cross the fields of Maras, we are treated to the sight of their multi-colored crops. Most of this walk is downhill.
In Maras, we visit some houses, watch the preparation of a traditional fermented drink called Chicha and the famous old church of San Francisco de Maras. After a boxed lunch, we continue on to the famous saltpans of Maras. In this section, the path descends approximately 1000 meters into the valley.
Support vehicle at disposal during the hike.
Hiking
Pumamarca & Ollantaytambo - 7 hours, Moderate
Transfer to the communities of Willoq and Patacancha. Visit the community school and get to see of the daily life of inhabitants of this valley. Appreciate their daily chores and the skill of their textile work, their ancient farming techniques and the living legacy they carry of an ancient Andean culture.
Walk down the valley on a pre-Columbian trail, and along irrigation canals that line terraced fields of Pallata. This path takes us to the Incan town of Ollantaytambo. In the afternoon, we walk through the narrow streets of this village and the Ollantaytambo Fortress.
Two-Days and Three-Days hiking adventures are available
