Pisac Market & Archaeological Complex

Your guide collects you from your hotel in Cusco at 8:00 a.m., and the journey begins by following the road past Sacsayhuamán before descending about 450 m (1,500 ft) into the heart of the Sacred Valley.

Your first stop is the lively Pisac Market, where local artisans sell colorful textiles, ceramics, weavings, and handcrafted souvenirs. After roughly 30 minutes of browsing, the tour continues up the mountain to the Pisac archaeological site, one of the valley’s most impressive Inca complexes.

With your guide, you’ll explore agricultural terraces, stone dwellings, ritual spaces, carved tunnels, and the famous Intihuatana, a ritual stone aligned with the movements of the sun. The visit lasts about 1.5 hours.
(If you prefer to stay longer at the market rather than visit the ruins, you may coordinate this with your guide.)

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Lunch in Urubamba & Visit to Ollantaytambo

After Pisac, you travel deeper into the valley toward Urubamba, where you stop for a buffet lunch (not included). A short drive then brings you to Ollantaytambo, one of the few remaining Inca towns still occupied since pre-Hispanic times.

At the archaeological site, you’ll climb the carved terraces leading to the Temple of the Sun, built with immense granite blocks shaped and polished by expert stoneworkers. The site is also an outstanding example of Inca engineering: ancient fountains, water channels, and agricultural terraces demonstrate the Incas’ ability to adapt technology to the mountain landscape.

Back in town, narrow stone streets, fast-flowing Inca canals, and terraced hillsides dotted with old storehouses reveal why Ollantaytambo is considered a living museum.

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Chinchero: Andean Tradition & Colonial Legacy

The final stop is Chinchero, located at 3,762 m (12,342 ft) and surrounded by snowy Andean peaks such as Chicón and Verónica. Chinchero is known for its traditional weaving communities, lively cultural identity, and remarkable blend of Inca and colonial architecture.

In the main square, you’ll visit the 17th-century church built atop an Inca palace foundation. Inside, vivid colonial-era murals and floral motifs cover the walls. In front of the church stands a monumental Inca stone wall featuring ten trapezoidal niches, a highlight of the site.

Locals often dress in vibrant, handwoven clothing, keeping ancestral textile techniques alive.

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Return to Cusco

After exploring Chinchero, you make your way back to Cusco, where you’ll be dropped off at your hotel—closing a day filled with history, scenery, and living Andean tradition.

Highest altitude: 3,762 m (12,342 ft)
Lowest altitude: 2,792 m (9,160 ft)