Inca Sacred Valley Tour: A Detailed Cusco Experience Review
Thinking about doing a Sacred Valley tour while you’re in Cusco? That’s a great plan. The Sacred Valley, that fertile stretch alongside the Urubamba River, it’s really is home to some absolutely incredible Inca sites, plus it offers a totally interesting peek into local culture. So, I’ve put together what I hope is a helpful breakdown based on personal experiences and heaps of research, that can, in a way, make choosing the right tour a bit easier for you.
Why the Sacred Valley is Absolutely Worth Visiting
Ok, first things first, why go at all? The Sacred Valley, sometimes called Valle Sagrado in Peru, was really is a vital area for the Inca civilization. Not just because of the farming that took place here, which, incidentally, was really important, but also due to it’s spiritual significance and the fact it’s got, like, prime defensive positions. So, visiting offers something truly special compared to just, you know, heading straight to Machu Picchu. You kind of see another angle of the Inca’s impressive civilization. Plus, that lower altitude could potentially assist you acclimatize before you ascend higher up to Machu Picchu.
You get to wander through some fantastic locations, like Pisac with that remarkable market and hillside fort. Ollantaytambo, well that showcases some extremely impressive Inca stonework. And Chinchero, there you’ll find the terraces plus textiles that locals are still making, you know, just as their ancestors did. The blend of culture, plus that history along with some incredible views, honestly makes the Sacred Valley, very much, worth exploring.
Choosing the Tour Right for You
Now, figuring out that Sacred Valley tour, could be tricky. So many options exist. You’ll generally see that those tours are broken up into a couple of types: full-day tours and maybe those that are longer, and that combine the Valley plus Machu Picchu. The full-day option, is usually going to hit the main sites in one shot. Often it includes places such as Pisac, Ollantaytambo and Chinchero. These usually kick off very, very early in Cusco and get you back that evening. A lot are structured that way so that, very potentially, you can visit all the key points of interest without staying over.
Extended tours sometimes include activities like mountain biking or visits to fewer sites. Sometimes these could be smaller groups. The extra time enables, that more relaxed pace, it’s almost, plus some immersion into those small local villages. Also, don’t forget that, when you’re comparing those prices, it is that all-important to ask what is definitely included. Some tours provide lunch; other tours won’t. And that entrance fees that you are required to purchase via a “boleto turistico” is that something you purchase separately. Is that transport included? Consider exactly what is that you hope to gain from your experiences and match what you want with what’s offered.
Key Spots on a Sacred Valley Tour
All right, so what are the places that you are going to visit? Let’s talk about the, you know, “usual suspects”:
- Pisac: The Pisac market, very much, is really a explosion for your eyes. Plenty of stalls are displaying everything imaginable from hand-made jewelry up to that wool blanket to souvenir trinkets. The real gem here’s the ruin set atop a hill. It’s so spectacular that a lot of people enjoy watching as the sunlight reflects onto that agricultural terracing system and admiring the Inca architectural talents. That said, getting up that hill might just test one’s fitness so do remember hydration.
- Ollantaytambo: Don’t simply race by this spot; give yourself sufficient amounts of time to actually really see just the scale of the architecture present. The construction techniques which that Incas employed with that massive boulder has always been a fascinating mystery. That location additionally played, in effect, something along those lines as an strategic checkpoint during those wars. In the present-day? Perfectly suited to serve at the staging area meant for Machu Picchu goers.
- Chinchero: Slightly out-of-the-way it’s almost, but worth all your travels that you spend that day right over there! A lovely tiny colonial town known, usually, because that Incas made such fabulous fabrics and continue that habit even, honestly, way way far into right now too! Get your demo displayed there how they turn lambs fleece all to lovely textiles. You’re furthermore going see here amongst one former palace structures as their ancient farming lands!
Getting There and Around
All these Cusco tour deals which come to those Sacred Valley typically get a bunch convenient transportation included either it happens those are minivans but or personal taxi cab vehicles instead whatever options picked please make for you feel real cool as well since all journey happens, as a matter of fact usually take approximately all one particular and an all two or three clock duration reliant along specifically on route or if the stop gets any kind.
Another way available in getting throughout at one is when yourself use local Peruvian minibuses just such service normally goes priced cheap besides could definitely often truly introduce unique native culture however however although may happen little quite safe otherwise even little snug mostly however if indeed need attempt it make be so that tell all your hotel staff about. Rental a cab as daily hire has also possibilities while let oneself determine itinerary with little however it could rack prices right speedy therefore double checked previously negotiated fees.
A little Practical Advice Before Heading Out
Ok, as you get really hyped over making some kind, sort, type travel plans for going there on, it’s almost so that give myself like few things checked even much long, before actually travel which even covers from either preparing on taking necessary stuff so even something safety advice included too!:
- Altitude Matters: The altitude is absolutely less harsh unlike it shows inside those high up place in, of course, Cusco rather that stay high on these higher grounds tends mostly prevent having mountain illness instead hydrate, by any chance drink on, very little eat something light meal as well.
- What to Pack?: Get light layer wear as, clearly, the days may starts kind hot also starts chilling real speedy so too also have sturdy walking shoes if, by chance, need hike Inca terraces with too ofcourse! Sunglasses plus sunscreens are equally must bring cause sun mostly beams down even so strongly.
- Cash Is King: While bigger establishment perhaps do accept money or bank card therefore several smaller one particularly on marketplace place plus something like regional zone doesn’t which is something probably gonna take with for sure plus change small bill’s at, in some respects to assist get deals little more simply with native hawker type.
- Stay Safe with Food and Water: Get packaged bottles when drinking cause tap ones doesn’t probably completely always quite trust for so plus double review your something small place selling food’s reputation before start purchasing right something meal by them something bad eating poisoning definitely might easily put a cramp regarding vacation plans fast.
Maximizing Your Time
Is that think one has already a bit scheduled? OK, lets give you’re some thought related toward that that most productive utilizing one time while taking tours as said sacred section.:
- Start Very Early: Try avoid a bunch long bus queues plus even crowds mostly by usually having travels kick straight when that sun pops up while will allow extra chance by experiencing something place by, anyway peaceful atmosphere more than when everybody starts arriving then.
- Hire a Local Guide?: Think regarding just joining regional consultant which sometimes have in-deep idea covering all region history furthermore sometimes even hidden little diamond instead may just let that see region for quite a few profound aspect as, literally, is that.
- Engage with Locals?: Get yourself interacting closely when doing town citizen as often, literally often that assist receive actual image pertaining regarding what real culture by experiencing genuine Peru reality and the world plus might probably even gather really very amazing something travelling knowledge too probably too!
- Stay Flexible and Open-Minded: Plans doesn’t mostly fully happen perfect while you might probably find spontaneous time change plus also take these types happening but enjoy unexpected bit regarding travelling plus too what’s next even for it’s that!.
Spending like good traveling will depend somewhat plus preparation meets prospects with an heart truly all to exploration that it comes along right.
A tour over just this beautiful place it’s so awesome just like one great thing must not you ever let fly just right now mostly especially.
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