Pisac is 33 km from Cusco by paved road. Chinchero is just 30 km away. That is why a Sacred Valley day trip works so well on a first visit to Peru. In one day you can see Inca terraces, a stone town and a high town with Inca palaces. Then you sleep in Cusco again. This guide uses official data from Cusco’s culture office (DDC Cusco) and COSITUC. This is an independent guide, not the official peru.travel site.
If you want everything arranged, see the Cusco and Machu Picchu tour packages or our Machu Picchu with Sacred Valley package. Still deciding where to sleep? Read Cusco vs Sacred Valley: where to stay.
What a Sacred Valley day trip usually covers
Most day routes mix some of these four sites. So here is what DDC Cusco says about each one:
| Site | Access from Cusco | Opening hours | Average altitude |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pisac | 33 km to Pisac town, then 9 km more to the park | 7:00 am to 4:30 pm | 3,400 m |
| Chinchero | 30 km on the Cusco–Urubamba road | 7:00 am to 6:00 pm | 3,750 m |
| Moray | Turn-off at km 65 of the Cusco–Urubamba road, then 7 km from Maras | 7:00 am to 5:00 pm | 3,480 m |
| Ollantaytambo | 61 km via Chinchero, or 92 km via Pisac and Calca | 7:00 am to 4:30 pm | 2,860 m |
Note the closing times. Both Pisac and Ollantaytambo close at 4:30 pm, so plan them earlier in the day.
A simple loop for your Sacred Valley day trip
The two roads to Ollantaytambo make a natural loop. First, take the Pisac and Calca road (92 km). Then, come back through Urubamba and Chinchero (61 km). In total, that is about 150 km of driving.
A calm order looks like this:
- Pisac in the morning. It was a royal estate of the Inca Pachacútec, according to DDC Cusco. However, you reach it by steps cut into the rock.
- Ollantaytambo after lunch. It is a planned Inca town with plazas, palaces, terraces and shrines. It also has a short flat circuit with a ramp at the entrance, about 35 minutes long.
- Chinchero before sunset. It stays open until 6:00 pm. The Inca Túpac Yupanqui built palaces here with great stone blocks.
Moray is also a good swap for Pisac or Chinchero. DDC Cusco calls it a center of farming experiments. It used different ecological levels to grow more crops.
What to look for at each stop
Each site has its own story. Still, here are a few details from DDC Cusco to watch for:
- Pisac: the park covers 9,063 hectares. It sits at the entrance of the Sacred Valley, with a commanding view of the valley.
- Ollantaytambo: the chronicler Sarmiento de Gamboa names Pachacútec as its builder. The town has two main sectors, Qosqo Ayllu and Araccama Ayllu.
- Chinchero: the Killke people lived here before the Incas. The palaces are linked to sacred peaks such as Salkantay and Verónica.
- Moray: its name may come from the Quechua words muyu (round) and uray (below), because of its round, stepped shape.
Tickets: the Circuit III partial ticket
All four sites belong to the Cusco Tourist Ticket. According to COSITUC, Circuit III (Sacred Valley) covers Ollantaytambo, Pisac, Chinchero and Moray. Also, that partial ticket is valid for two days.
A few key rules from COSITUC:
- You cannot buy it online. You buy it in person.
- The main counter is at Av. El Sol 103, in Cusco.
- The ticket does not include a guide or transport.
However, the Maras salt pans are not part of this ticket. Instead, they have their own entry ticket. For full details, read our Cusco Tourist Ticket guide.
Site rules you should know
DDC Cusco lists the same rules for all four parks:
- Respect the visiting hours.
- No food inside the site.
- Do not climb or paint the Inca walls.
- No pets.
- No drones without DDC Cusco permission.
- No alcohol.
- No camping.
So eat before you enter or after you leave. Also keep snacks in your bag for the road.
Altitude on a Sacred Valley day trip
Chinchero is the highest stop, at about 3,750 m. Meanwhile, Ollantaytambo is the lowest, at about 2,860 m. Even so, both are high for most visitors.
If you just landed in Cusco, don’t rush. First rest on your first day, then keep the valley for day two or three. Our Peru altitude guide explains the official health tips.
Access and pace tips
Some sites are easier than others. For example, DDC Cusco says Pisac has rock-cut steps and no flat access. Meanwhile, Chinchero and Moray have flat access to the entrance viewpoint. Ollantaytambo has its short flat circuit.
Therefore, travelers with limited mobility may prefer Chinchero, Moray and the short Ollantaytambo route. Also, bring layers, sun cream and water for a long day outside.
Quick list for the night before
| Check | Why |
|---|---|
| Circuit III ticket | Bought in person, not online |
| Start time | Pisac and Ollantaytambo close at 4:30 pm |
| Cash and ID | For tickets and small purchases |
| Light layers and sun cream | Long hours outdoors at altitude |
| Snacks outside the sites | Food is not allowed inside |
Final word
A Sacred Valley day trip is the easiest way to see the valley without moving hotels. Start early at Pisac, then Ollantaytambo, and finish in Chinchero. Buy the Circuit III ticket in person and respect the site rules. Above all, give your body a day to adjust to the altitude first.
