Cusco: Sacred Valley Ollantaytambo & Pisac Ruins with Lunch

Stone terraces and market stalls: a day through the Inca heartland

You visit two major Inca archaeological sites—Pisac and Ollantaytambo—with time to explore the Pisac market on your own, eat a local lunch, and see how the valley's rivers and climate made it the Inca heartland. Transport, guide and meals are arranged; you just show up with your passport.

Step-by-step itinerary

• Visit viewpoint to Sacred Valley
• Explore Pisaq archaeological center
• Shop at Pisaq local market
• Have lunch
• Visit Ollantaytambo archaeological center
• See alpaca textile stores

The Experience

The valley opens below you in layers—agricultural terraces carved into the mountainside centuries ago, still in use, still feeding the region. You're standing at the viewpoint where the scale of it hits: this wasn't just a settlement, it was the Inca food supply, the reason they chose this place. Your guide points out how the rivers that run through here made that possible, how the climate at this altitude stays mild enough to grow what the high Andes couldn't. Then the vehicle moves on toward Pisac, and you realize the day is structured around understanding why the Incas built where they did.

Pisac comes first—the archaeological center sits above the town, and you explore it at your own pace before heading down to the market. This is where locals sell, not where tour groups are herded through stalls of identical alpaca sweaters. You'll see weavers actually working, vendors arranging produce and handicrafts the way they do every day. The market is crowded and real, which means it's also loud and a bit chaotic, but that's the point. After that, lunch happens—included, local—before the drive to Ollantaytambo, the second major ruin of the day.

Ollantaytambo is different: a fortress town built into the mountainside, with the Inca stonework so precise that mortar wasn't needed. The terraces climb steeply, and the town spreads below in a grid pattern the Incas designed. You walk through both the ruins and the modern town that still occupies the same streets, which means you're seeing how this place has been inhabited continuously for five hundred years. The textile stores near the archaeological center sell alpaca goods made locally, not imported. The whole day—viewpoint, market, two major ruins, lunch, transport by private vehicle with a professional guide—takes you through the Sacred Valley without you having to arrange any of it yourself.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup in Cusco, professional guide throughout, private vehicle transport to the viewpoint and both archaeological sites, entry to Pisac and Ollantaytambo ruins, time to explore the Pisac market, and lunch with the group before returning to your hotel.

Good to know

Moderate physical levelNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by Apu Andino Travel Peru

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to see the two main Inca ruins in the Sacred Valley without arranging transport, hiring a separate guide, or figuring out where to eat—the fixed itinerary and included meals mean you spend the day looking, not organizing.

Traveler reviews

4.59★★★★★★★★★★

17 verified traveler reviews

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

How long is the Sacred Valley tour from Cusco?

The tour is a full day. Exact duration depends on pickup location and traffic, but plan for most of your daylight hours.

What's included in the tour?

Professional guide, private vehicle transport, lunch, and entry to the archaeological sites. You do not arrange transport or meals separately.

Do I need a passport for this tour?

Yes. Your passport name, number, expiry and country are required at booking, and you must bring a valid passport on the day of travel.

Can I explore the ruins at my own pace?

Yes. The guide leads you to each site, but you can walk and look around without being rushed through a scripted route.

Is the Pisac market part of the tour?

Yes. After the Pisac archaeological center, you have time to explore the local market where vendors sell handicrafts and textiles.

What's the difference between Pisac and Ollantaytambo?

Pisac is an agricultural and ceremonial center with terraces and a market below. Ollantaytambo is a fortress town built into the mountainside; the modern town still occupies the Inca street grid.

Is this tour physically demanding?

The tour involves walking at altitude (Cusco is at 11,000 feet) and some uphill sections at the ruins. Moderate fitness is recommended. It's not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries or poor cardiovascular health.

What should I bring?

Passport, water, sun protection, and comfortable walking shoes. The altitude is high, so many travelers bring or buy coca tea to help with acclimatization.

Can children go on this tour?

Yes, but children must be accompanied by an adult.

What if I'm not acclimatized to the altitude yet?

The Sacred Valley is slightly lower than Cusco, which can help. Arrive in Cusco a day or two early if possible, and drink plenty of water during the tour.