Cusco, Sacred Valley & Ollantaytambo Review (No Lunch)

So, you are perhaps planning a visit to Cusco and that Sacred Valley, and thinking about packing in as much as you can in a single day? The “Cusco Sacred Valley Ollantaytambo Without Lunch” tour is certainly one choice people often look at. Is it, though, actually worth your time, energy, and hard-earned travel money? Maybe this review could just assist you in figuring that out, really. Let’s get into the actual details, really looking at what this tour option actually gives you – and also, just as importantly, what it possibly doesn’t.

What You Can Expect

Usually, this trip throws you right into exploring the Sacred Valley right from Cusco, likely hitting Pisac as your initial main spot. You know, Pisac offers both great views of some Inca ruins and also, like, a colorful market (though I suspect that a lot of the “authentic local crafts” seem almost suspiciously made for tourists). Afterwards, your group would then generally press on to Ollantaytambo, that massive Inca fortress town, very which offers a huge amount to discover if you are even slightly curious about old stonework and local history.

Keep in mind, yet, the actual “without lunch” bit, right? That is actually quite a thing. Most tours generally try and squeeze in a buffet somewhere so you don’t get really grumpy. This one seemingly doesn’t. This could be perfect if you like total control of your meals – a simple sandwich from a Cusco shop before you head off, could be, would definitely save money compared to a tourist-aimed buffet. Still, it would likely mean very watching the clock, perhaps, and bringing a bit of strategy, maybe, to how you eat while everybody else snacks, actually.

A Look at Pisac

The Pisac market, so it’s a pretty interesting place to experience some of that local feel, actually. Depending on the specific day you swing by, expect maybe a fair number of vendors hoping you check out their textiles, jewelry, and lots of souvenir stuff. Maybe haggle if you’re very into that, though really remember that every bit of money probably really makes a big difference for these sellers. The Pisac ruins, towering above the marketplace, are pretty great, as well; though the guided time may well feel sort of fast-paced if you are somebody who enjoys lingering. That’s why if you like going deep into some historic details, think of grabbing a solid guidebook or looking up stuff on your phone ahead of time, actually.

Ollantaytambo’s Inca Fortress

Ollantaytambo, well, that’s quite the spot. Seriously, the way those ancient Incas crafted and then stacked these truly massive stones…it really is mind blowing. As your group is herded about the site, maybe try and imagine how they were able to construct things with just pretty basic tools, basically. Usually guides point out some important areas and explain some crucial stories, yet because tours could be kind of time-restricted, very supplementing that knowledge with some personal research might well give you even more appreciation, you know? Also, walking shoes are really necessary here; you will almost definitely be climbing a little.

Potential Pros and Cons of the Tour

Pros:

You get to visit multiple, major Sacred Valley spots inside a day. It’s a pretty good time-saver.
It seemingly could save you a bit of money if you are a “pack your own food” person.
For solo travelers, group tours often are generally the way to meet fellow wanderers.

Cons:

Skipping lunch is really potentially difficult, really especially with all of that activity. Maybe make sure to pack hearty snacks, truly.
Group tours often mean adhering to a schedule, usually with not a lot of space for doing a ton of independent wandering.
Because there might be quite a few other people joining you, prepare a bit for queues or crowds at such spots, I guess.

Is It a Good Fit For You?

How well this trip works seemingly relies so heavily on what you are looking for. Are you somebody hoping to cover a ton in a limited time? Maybe, yes. Do you get easily bothered by fixed schedules and hungry tummies? If this is the case, so maybe consider some alternatives, like private tours that could easily work around what is most important for your own travel experiences. As well, there is the possible choice of that multiple day version; that lets you do it without it feeling as hurried, you know?

Packing Some Tips

Even assuming that this tour specifically doesn’t include any meal, smart packing helps a lot. These are some things you need to take:

Some Decent Snacks: Something with protein that could hold you up for longer than, like, a granola bar, is just generally wise. Trail mix, nuts, that kind of stuff.
Water: Staying completely hydrated at elevation is super important. Maybe carry at least two bottles, and, anyway, have a plan about refilling them.
Layers: Valley weather can sort of change on the fly, so having layers ensures that you don’t end up super chilled (or overheated) somewhere.
Sunscreen plus a hat: The sun in that Valley…man, that could sneak up on anyone. Keep shielded!
Comfortable Walking Shoes: You are basically going to walk quite a bit. Look after the feet.
Cash: Sometimes little shops only take that type of money, and the urge for snacks, truly, might overcome that early “no-lunch” plan, actually.

Some Other Sacred Valley Options

If packing everything into just one day doesn’t sound super ideal, other choices may better suit how you move.

The Longer Tours: Some are multi-day; these tend to spread spots apart more with an additional night stay somewhere really charming.
A Personalized Trip: Maybe you might just create the itinerary by yourself – maybe that helps you go exactly to what feels really engaging for *your* specific needs, yeah?
Mixing in Local Transportation: While it can easily require a little more upfront planning and nerves of steel (sometimes), you could often piece things together through local buses and cabs. This way can really work great if that’s how you’re feeling.

Cost Considerations

Pricing could really fluctuate, but generally, tour costs are usually affected via stuff like the amount inside your group, if there’s that included entrance ticket, and what that actual operator charges, really. In order to genuinely decide if this choice works well given *your* constraints, I’d very advise comparing against different local tour companies but, also, remember that the totally cheapest selection potentially means lower quality experience. Spending slightly more sometimes simply equals even more competent plus aware guides.

Important Information to Note

That altitude is nothing to mess with. Allow a day or so upon coming from really low ground for getting fully acclimatized before getting a super loaded agenda.
Keep that camera (or, like, your telephone!) charged to full blast. That region seemingly calls out just for those photographs!
Maybe try chewing some coca leaves to just relieve elevation; those are commonly sold, just for that.

So, should you, then, hop aboard one of those “Cusco Sacred Valley Ollantaytambo without lunch” expeditions, very? That relies so greatly upon what you look forward to seeing coupled with traveling style together with maybe a tiny amount preparation! Be mindful, prepare effectively. And expect amazing landscape!