Is one day enough for the Sacred Valley?

One day is enough to see the main sites: Pisac, Ollantaytambo and Chinchero, plus Moray and Maras on the full route. If you want to hike, stay in a village or linger at the markets, plan more days in the valley.

Should I do the Sacred Valley before or after Machu Picchu?

Many travelers do it before, because much of it is lower than Cusco. You can also combine both: end the day tour in Ollantaytambo and take the train to Machu Picchu from there.

What are the downsides of the day tour?

It is a long day with fixed times, and you share it with a group of up to 17–18 travelers. If you want your own pace, the private tour or going on your own may suit you better.

Is the Sacred Valley Day Tour Worth It?

Q: Is the Sacred Valley day tour worth it?

For most travelers with one day to spare in Cusco, yes: from US$30 you see up to five Inca and Andean sites with hotel pickup, a bilingual guide and lunch included. It is a long day, though — 11 to 13 hours — so it suits people who enjoy full days out.

The answer, in short

For most travelers, yes. From US$30 per person you see Pisac, Ollantaytambo and Chinchero — or all five main sites for US$32 — with hotel pickup, a certified bilingual guide and lunch included. The trade-off is a long day of 11 to 13 hours on a fixed schedule. If you want to slow down, spend more days in the valley instead.

It also works well as a first outing from Cusco, since much of the day runs lower than the city.