Cusco is recognized as the 'Archaeological Capital of America'.
Cusco, Cuzco or Qosqo are the names by which the ancient capital of the Inca Empire is known. It is a center for archaeological scholars from all over the world who come to Peru to discover the wonders of Machu Picchu and the other ruins scattered throughout the valley.
It was an important administrative center for the Spanish Empire (Viceroyalty of Peru), and can be seen in the large number of manifestations of colonial art and architecture that can be found throughout the city and especially its Plaza de Armas. Today, Cusco is the largest tourist center in the country, receiving more than one million visitors a year.
Cusco is the oldest urban settlement in all of the Americas, more than 3,000 years old, but pre-ceramic samples have been found as old as 5,000 years. The origins of the first inhabitants of the city are lost in legend. Inca legends say that the founders of the city were Manko Qhapaq and Pachakuteq.
At the top of the mountain, large and impressive stone blocks joined together, the most important political and religious center of the Inca empire: Machu Picchu.
Located in the heart of the Peruvian Andes, the sacred Inca citadel built around 1450 and discovered in 1911, still hides enigmas and mysteries about its real purpose that remain hidden to this day and arouse the interest of both visitors and archaeologists from around the world.
Due to its strategic location on top of a high mountain, there are several theories about what it could have meant to the Incas. Some argue that it was built as a great mausoleum for the Inca Pachacutec, while others claim that it was an important administrative and agricultural center whose cultivated areas were used for the sustenance of its inhabitants. However, it is also considered that it was used as a necessary link between the Andes and the Peruvian Amazon or as a resting place for the Inca governor.
The truth is that Machu Picchu is one of the greatest symbols behind the impressive architecture and engineering of the Inca Empire. Although its origin is still under study, the value and transcendence it represented in its time, as well as its imposing design, have earned it to be considered one of the seven wonders of the modern world.
The tour to the Sacred Valley of the Incas in Cusco, is one of the most classic and incredible tours, where you can explore small villages outside the city of Cusco and also its archaeological sites.
The Sacred Valley of the Incas is located 15 km (9 miles) north of the Inca capital of Cusco at 2,800 meters (9,186 feet). The Sacred Valley was once the Inca empire’s main point for the extraction of natural wealth, and one of the most important areas for corn production in Peru.
We have to admire the advanced agricultural techniques of the Incas and their system of andenería (terraces): system of platforms composed of small groups of farmland, arranged in the form of tiers on the hills, where crops are planted. The valleys were also a place of worship to the Pachamama (mother earth).
The Sacred Valley is a must-see destination in Peru and has become one of the most important tourist centers in the country. There are numerous impressive Inca ruins, such as Ollantaytambo, Pisaq and Moray. The Sacred Valley also has two of the most important handicraft markets in the Cusco region: Pisaq and Chinchero.
The Inca Trail is not the only route to Machu Picchu. The city of Machu Picchu was connected by a network of roads known as Qhapaq Ñan.
The great adventure of the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is for those who live passionately, always looking for a new experience!
The Inca Trail is a fascinating dream to fulfill and is the most famous trek in all of South America. The beauty of the views and the archaeological sites surrounding the Inca Trail are unsurpassed.
This tour is ideal for those who are full of energy to hike to Machu Picchu on the trip of a lifetime with the Classic Inca Trail 4 days 3 nights.
The Inca Trail Peru is a well established trek that takes travelers from km. 82 (the starting point 40 minutes from the town of Ollantaytambo) to Machu Picchu through the Sun Gate (also called Inti Punku).
Se trata de la montaña de los Siete Colores, también conocida como Vinicunca o Arcoíris.
Also known as the “Hill of 7 colors”, vinicunca, and colorful mountain, gift of nature for the enjoyment of our eyes. This unique mountain is located more than 100 km from the Imperial City of Cusco, belonging to the town of Pitumarca, is one of the main tourist attractions of Peru recently discovered and made known in 2016.
Vinicunca means “mountain of colors”. It is also known as Rainbow Mountain, Cerro Colorado or in English as Rainbow Mountain. It is located at 5200 meters above sea level and belongs to the Ausangate snow-capped mountain in the Vilcanota mountain range, it is the fifth highest mountain in Peru.
Its coloration is natural due to the large amount of sedimentary stones in erosion, what makes it so beautiful and impressive is how these stones are formed to give it the appearance of a rainbow (7 colors).
Although it is commonly called Rainbow Mountain (Cerro Colorado or Seven Colors Mountain), its real name is Vinicunca, which comes from Quechua.
If you are looking for a hike out of the ordinary, here are the hikes you are looking for
In Cusco you will find countless activities and tourist routes that you can explore; many of them include a visit to Machu Picchu, whether you are looking for a quiet and classic tour or adventure experiences with a touch of immersion with the coexistence with local people.
Live exciting moments in real contact with nature that remains untouched by the hand of man, all well preserved; walk in contact with nature, and the local fauna; if you are patient you will see many animals that come out to walk trusting; since each one is prohibited.
Enjoy hikes of 2 to more days; enjoy good food along the route; professional local guides and discover the magic of visiting this beautiful country that awaits you.
Exciting adventures, all over Peru, wide variety of experiences.
Peru has become in recent years the most fashionable destination in South America. There is no shortage of reasons: an impressive variety of ecosystems, breathtaking landscapes, beautiful cities full of history, culture, traditions, beaches, fauna, flora… and, of course, its delicious and famous gastronomy.
From the Amazon to the desert, from the high peaks of the Andes to the Pacific, passing through the valleys and high plateaus, the country enchants with its incredible contrasts. Although the reasons to visit the country are really endless, we want to show you some compelling arguments for you to embark on the exciting adventure of discovering it. Are you up for it?
Every place on Earth is fascinating and unique, but Peru is one of those countries that manages to be above average. This place has so many natural and cultural treasures that have fascinated people for hundreds of years, and still fascinate them today. There are thousands of reasons to go to this great destination, here are just some of the reasons why you should visit Peru.
1 Day from $ USD 100.00
Sacred Valley Tour 1 Day
Explore the beautiful Cusco Valley with a full day excursion through the magical Sacred Valley. The first point where we will make a brief stop is El Mirador de Taray from here we can appreciate the entire Sacred Valley of the Incas. Then you will visit the town of Pisac, famous for its indigenous market and the beautiful Inca ruins on the hillside overlooking the town.
As you explore the Pisac ruins above, you will stroll through the spectacularly cut stone palaces, enjoying a breathtaking view of Pisac and the Sacred Valley below. At the market, you will have the opportunity to browse through the beautiful handicrafts and Andean garments on display for sale, as well as local fruits, vegetables and other natural products.
After your visit to Pisac, you will stop for lunch at a buffet restaurant offering a variety of Peruvian and international cuisine near the town of Urubamba.
Next, you will visit the spectacular fortress of Ollantaytambo, one of the most monumental architectural complexes of the ancient Inca Empire, commonly called “Fortress” because of its massive walls. The straight, narrow and picturesque streets today form fifteen blocks of houses located north of the main square of the city, which constitute a true historical legacy. Some colonial-style houses are built on beautiful, finely polished Inca walls.
To end our tour of the Sacred Valley on the way back to Cusco we will visit Chinchero, where the remains of the royal hacienda of Tupac Inca Yupanqui are located. You will admire its well-preserved Inca Wall in the main square and visit the beautiful colonial temple with interesting frescoes in the portico, built on the foundations of an Inca building.
*If you have a train ticket to Aguas Calientes on the day of this tour, try to use it from 16:00, because the tour of the archaeological site of Ollantaytambo ends at 15:00 and you will need time to get to the station. Please note that in this case you will miss the visit to Chinchero and will need to inform the guide on the day of the tour that you will end the tour at Ollantaytambo.
In the morning we will pick you up at your hotel and drive you to the Sacred Valley of the Incas, a lush agricultural area created by the Urubamba River, which was an important source of food for the Incas, who still supply most of their products to the city of Cusco!
Our first stop after an hour and a half drive from Cusco is the Pisac Archaeological Center, located on top of a mountain. We then take a bus down to the modern Andean market of Pisac, located in the town of the same name.
We will then move on to the town of Urubamba, which is considered the capital of the valley, where we will have lunch. Here, a buffet lunch will be served in one of the charming tourist restaurants serving traditional Andean cuisine.
Ollantaytambo Fortress is located in a strategic location in the Sacred Valley. This archaeological center is known as the best living example of roads, houses built on Inca stones and Inca engineering from past times. This place is admired for its huge stones on top of the mountain, which was a great defensive bastion against conquerors in the past times.
In the afternoon, we will return to Cusco and make a final stop in Chinchero, where we will have a guided tour of the astronomical center and the Inca moon cult.
We arrive in Cusco around 7pm.
1, Easy
The city of Pisac will be our first point of visit. The city of Pisac has a mestizo architecture, built by Viceroy Toledo on the remains of the natives. The archaeological complex that makes up Pisac was built in the tenth and eleventh centuries of our era, during the time of Inca expansion, and served urban and religious purposes.
From Urubamba there is a beautiful view of the Sacred Valley. Here we will rest and enjoy our Peruvian cuisine, a moment that will tantalize your palate.
Ollantaytambo will be our third point of visit. This beautiful Inca town in Peru is the only one still inhabited by native families. Ollantaytambo was a strategic military, agricultural and religious center for the administration and control of this part of the Sacred Valley of the Incas.
The town of Chinchero will be our last point of visit. It is located near the lagoon of Piuray and was chosen by the Inca Tupac Yupanqui to build his residence, years later the present colonial church of Our Lady of Monserrat was built.
The town of Chinchero is one of the few places in the Americas where the traditional techniques of dyeing fibers with vegetable, mineral or animal dyes are still used. The weavers of Chinchero traditionally weave using the double-sided technique or double warp, creating high-quality textiles with traditional patterns that reflect their experiences and beliefs. You will participate in a demonstration where the villagers will show you these ancient techniques.
The schedules are flexible to the visitor’s taste. If the tourist likes, he/she can spend more or less time in the different tourist attractions. The coordination is directly with the tour guide.
To pay for the tour you must complete the required information in our ‘reservation form’. Then you must pay by credit or debit card (at least 60% of the tour price). The rest can be paid in Cusco before the tour.
The shared service tour allows a minimum of 7 and a maximum of 18 tourists per group. The private tour allows a maximum of 6 tourists per group
The 1 day tour to the Sacred Valley begins with the pick up of the tourist from the door of his hotel. The tour ends with the return at Plaza San Francisco, a few blocks from Cusco’s main square. The ‘Private’ service ends at the door of the visitor’s hotel.
The tour includes a tour guide service in English or Spanish. If you want a guide in another language, you must send an email requesting a private guide in the language of your preference.
The pick up is from the hotel where you are staying, as long as it is in the historic center of Cusco or its surroundings, in case the hotel is outside the historic center, the meeting point is at the door of the main Cathedral located in the Plaza de Armas.
The Sacred Valley tour is a classic tour, which can be booked one or two days before the tour, but we generally recommend a week in advance to guarantee 100% of the tour space.
Lunch is included in the price of the tour, it is a buffet lunch in the city of Urubamba, there you can choose the vegetarian option if it is your case.
Our tour of the Sacred Valley is bilingual, at the time of booking, you choose the group in English or Spanish.
Yes, you can take the train from Ollantaytambo to Machu Picchu, you just have to inform us about your train schedule, so our guide will show you how to get to the train station after the Ollantaytambo tour.
The Sacred Valley tour is a full day tour, which starts at 8:00 a.m. and ends at 18:00 p.m. in Cusco’s main square.
We recommend bringing a passport (mandatory in case of going to Machu Picchu), waterproof clothes, warm jacket, money, comfortable shoes.
In Cusco, I am your travel specialist, with more than 10 years of experience organizing adventure trips.
Thank you for your interest in having an adventure travel experience in Peru operated by South Winds Peru. Please take a moment to complete our short form so that one of our friendly adventure consultants can provide you with all the information for the best trip of your life in Peru.
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