Cusco Sacred Valley Tour: Chinchero, Moray & Ollantaytambo Review

Visiting the Sacred Valley from Cusco is a really popular activity, and honestly, it’s easy to see why. You get to explore some super interesting places packed with history and stunning views, all in one day. One such experience is the Cusco Sacred Valley Tour that includes Chinchero, Moray, and Ollantaytambo, offering a taste of what this area has to offer. I took the trip recently, and figured I should share my experience, to give you a better idea of what to anticipate if you’re thinking of booking something similar.

First Stop: The Textile Town of Chinchero

The tour often starts with a visit to Chinchero, and right away I found out that the appeal wasn’t just what was there, but more how genuine everything felt. You can see that it’s about a scenic drive of less than an hour from Cusco, so that bit is fairly relaxing too. Chinchero is really famous for its textile traditions, so there’s lots of chances to watch local women demonstrating the whole process, starting all the way from spinning the wool to weaving these bright, vibrant textiles. They use methods passed down through generations, so you can see all the steps done in the old-fashioned style.

These demonstrations aren’t just for show, because you too get a chance to purchase some of their crafts straight from them, meaning you’re supporting the local community directly. Obviously, it’s all a bit touristy, but knowing your cash goes straight to them made the purchasing easier. Beyond textiles, Chinchero has an attractive plaza with a church that’s colonial. You might notice that it’s built on the remains of an Incan temple. This is just to remind you that wherever you turn in this region, there is another culture peeking out.

For anybody excited about learning about the way people continue their heritage, Chinchero makes an engaging first stop. And, well, if you want to bring back a little something beautiful that also helps the local community, that works too.

Next Up: Moray’s Mysterious Terraces

After Chinchero, it’s off to Moray, a site that is like nothing else you might have ever witnessed. The trip to Moray brings you into a different world with sprawling, almost alien, landscapes. This is an archeological site that’s a bunch of circular terraces dug deep into the ground. As a matter of fact, it’s suspected that these terraces were an agriculture lab for the Incas.

Because of how each terrace has its own microclimate, Incas could, apparently, use this to experiment with crops. This means that they figured out which conditions made what grow best and it feels like seeing a demonstration of ancient ingenuity when you gaze out at it. It is really worth wandering down into the terraces to observe the sheer scale of the place; they’re quite dramatic, too. A trip here gets you imagining what daily life back then looked like and offers a great opportunity for photography that captures all the unique and beautiful sights of Peru. Even a little bit of walking gets you an appreciation of what the Incas could do with their imagination and skills.

Ollantaytambo: Where History Lives

The final spot on many Sacred Valley tours is Ollantaytambo, that is, in a way, more than just ruins. The site is actually a living town that’s been inhabited since the 13th century. When you stroll around the streets, you notice how ancient Inca walls stand right beside more modern structures. As a matter of fact, this combination gives you a feel that time isn’t as straightforward here.

But more, the Ollantaytambo ruins, which are actually on a hill at the end of town, were used to be both a fortress and a temple. As it turns out, climbing to the peak gives you incredible views of the whole valley. Yet, more importantly, you can explore different sections that are all amazing displays of Inca engineering. The way those enormous stones were moved and fitted together with this level of precision is, frankly, mind blowing. Also, the site held a whole battle against the Spanish conquistadors, so I figured I would point that out, so just, you know, make sure to give that thought when you’re wandering.

What makes Ollantaytambo distinct is, yet, how it keeps buzzing with activity today. This is what connects you directly with the old days and lets you feel the past close at hand.

Tour Logistics: What You Ought to Know

Alright, so planning is absolutely the key to actually enjoying your Sacred Valley tour. You ought to choose a tour company that knows all the routes, and one that actually knows a thing or two about the spots. So then, what tour company should you choose? What’s nice is that many tours handle the transportation so it’s fairly simple. In that case, be ready for anything from a small van to a bigger bus, and so the degree of comfort varies a little bit. Usually the tour begins in the morning and finishes in the late afternoon, providing enough time to go to all the vital spots.

When thinking about the weather, the Sacred Valley has its drier times from April to October, making it best to visit in those months. Layers can be essential to stay comfy, due to how temperatures can vary. Additionally, always keep in mind that you’re at high altitude. Going slower and drinking lots of water can help prevent altitude sickness.

Finally, don’t skip sunscreen and a hat. Actually, protecting yourself from sun exposure is quite important in the mountains. By sorting out these details, you’re sure to have a visit to the Sacred Valley that’s hassle-free, and more pleasing too.

What to Bring for a Great Tour

Alright, packing right really changes how much you will enjoy the Sacred Valley. First off, given the range of altitudes, wearing layers means you’ll remain comfy, irrespective of temperature shifts. That, arguably, means packing stuff such as a fleece jacket, a light coat, plus a few t-shirts, too.

Because you will be exploring archaeological sites and possibly be trekking over irregular ground, sturdy footwear really does makes a difference. It also helps you stay comfy, and secure. In that case, select sneakers or hiking boots. Next up, that Andean sun could be seriously intense. So bring along sunblock with good protection plus a brimmed hat for keeping the rays from beating down. Also, do not skip bringing your water container. Always remaining hydrated is extremely critical, to manage with the altitude.

If you might like to grab all of the stunning views, think about having a camcorder. Furthermore, based on which tour that you reserve, packing small things, for example, treats will ensure you will remain fueled as you explore.

Food on the Tour: Taste of the Andes

Alright, one pretty fantastic thing when you travel anywhere is discovering all of the unique local flavors. Well, many Sacred Valley excursions contain dishes offering you that opportunity. Sometimes, your lunch is included in your tour, giving you a set dining location to relish conventional Peruvian cuisine. If, however, the meal isn’t bundled into your excursion, or perhaps you might prefer to have some further choice, many of the villages and cities through that valley, just like Urubamba and Ollantaytambo, have plenty of eateries to attempt.

Well, I thought I would just point out, one of the really popular things in Peru would be trying some cuy, a.k.a. guinea pig. And so it’s common in that area and, hey, maybe you might have an adventurous food inclination. Additionally, obviously, I need to bring up, that it would be worth it trying traditional food stuff such as quinoa soups or dishes which feature local corn types. If, like your pal here, you possess a taste for something lovely, don’t forget to actually explore picanterias, small family-owned restaurants famous because of their conventional dishes plus hospitable vibes. While going there you could appreciate genuine, homey dishes, plus actually assist small firms!

Is This Tour Right for You? Considering Your Travel Style

So, obviously, you will need to really check if that particular excursion suits just your kind of traveling! To begin with, If that is, as an example, you’re short of some time, also, you’d prefer observing loads of top destinations through one sole date, afterward one daily excursion is the really very solid choice. However, assuming that is you actually prefer delving extremely deeply straight into single destinations plus getting really absorbed through every particular spot, afterward, It might be advantageous getting some prolonged visits!

Then, think about just how effective you love actually heading close with groups! Several visitors discover planned outings quite informative coupled with truly effortless because of how that means transportation plus time management will be completed to suit one. But yet, there are a few others preferring solo experiences providing even more adaptability in accordance with traveling for that places they like. Irrespective what design is easily best suits just you, actually being truthful on what will definitely construct your journey the greater amount of fun makes planning rather more fulfilling coupled with fulfilling!

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the altitude in the Sacred Valley, and should I worry about altitude sickness?

So, the height in what that would be described being the Sacred Valley commonly sits from about 8,000 right through to just over 11,000 feet (2,400 as well as about 3,400 meters). So what do I mean by that? Actually the height there is actually still high adequate the ones could encounter what some individuals say to be some form with slight altitude issue, specially when you came directly coming with degrees getting close the coastal location.

What’s the top time going for such kind of journey?

To that end, what I figured I would share is that months starting around May on down to say September, basically constitutes the season thats drier! The fact that I could share about there’ll definitely tend, through all that months, with loads bright heavens alongside bare chance through rainfalls!. Yet actually heading through times beyond doing those may potentially equate towards less amounts travelers, But just know about likely possibilities on periodic bad weather periods, or I should even say rain showers

Could I basically have to buy passes beforehand?

Actually what would usually occur for accessing most places will certainly mean possessing what would actually known as either ‘Boleto Turístico’. Is that OK? So, so it appears doing it such cards commonly deal with entry fee intended for quite a number spots throughout either Cuzco in addition several portions contained in the the very special area with Valleys.. But I mean! What one will really be depending is commonly depending on exactly those particular spots any plans taking an adventurous peek during!. Obviously you could pick all that upward sometimes, getting access through sites on any particular site in fact!.”

Basically in general, you know! Always doing so is wise ensuring passes acquired, primarily the length months what appear busier than more average ones, to find your holiday times go pretty effortless!!.

So actually, what clothes specifically that any idea I wear on top of a Cuzco the Holy the Dale time travel occasion adventure???

So! I figured it would mention it so very clearly!!. Well that what I figured you’d do would try loading layered kind garmenting, is it!! I would say well, what I was really suggesting might definitely getting various stuff consisting of you’re typical shirts well light. Oh what, maybe yeah I saw it yeah!. You should definitely actually get something which kind which should be maybe kind in light or that one could literally pile one an another actually!!! I would personally! I wouldn’t shy out just because! Oh no of well getting some pretty warmer covering such well! May possibly is what should occur when getting down well!!! So also a good well really!!! Well something a bit not easy to damage! Well! Something to take and basically actually traverse an not even level like all the places on there, well actually what really happen be some extremely tough or very rugged locations!!!!

Is one excursion throughout the holy vale basically going hurt one’s budget???!!!

Right alright here is some things you will consider about price!!! Right then to getting such journey one such the blessed vale well actually change just some! I figured I’ll provide various price! Maybe depending like so some stuff right actually what it does get u!!! If I did actually well so something like personal excursions they were expensive right!. Getting transportation with this could affect really the overall charge is well!!!!!!! Getting lunches oh getting inside fee or whatever well can just really depend of all these points!!! Actually some tour or those other things is something pretty crucial actually!!!!!! So always basically know! And check!! Or be sure before getting your purse up well just so that can adjust something well!

Well can you share on me anything such something about! Purchasing gifts well any keeps something well and such during going a time in valleys well of saints????!!!!!

If just by the look is very well you actually got your sights very right a wanting actually what u’ like actually, always that in mind to begin the asking bit well just starting or get some less well not so a lot that it. Be certain while that so I can actually basically know and have! With how that is so pretty pretty that’ll that be helpful! Basically yeah oh there is definitely so just getting something yeah by what their job like is with where it actually goes just so if you grab or pick any the presents while during time during their valley!!! Just keep basically a mind to back those artists for local or community because I told you just yeah!!!

In all to consider here is that journey on that hallowed valley yeah I said about by yeah with chinch with morales then one what his other town that that you look after always there. You well may yeah like you actually are there with what ancient history basically yeah the thing you can tell. Like actually oh to to go in well oh yeah or be to feel the one is in yeah!!!

Well you! When actually planning that thing up! That is you actually take that what be it and what your likes with it like I like it!!!!! Just just yeah actually prepare stuff oh. Do a thing about a head ache and such when what go go and yeah!!! When something it goes the greatest one time what happen!!!!!!!

You are well able you go get yeah or well not so right!!!!! Actually that all that valley trip! From which a local or somewhere yeah basically! It that be worth one with your trip!!!!!

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