You may have come to Peru for Machu Picchu, but those who have been would know that it is not the &lsquo;end all and be all&rsquo; of the Unesco-listed area and its surrounds. In fact, Exploring lesser known Inca ruins have oft proven a far more enjoyable and authentic experience far from the madding crowd &ndash; and that&rsquo;s what we propose to do on this amazing day trip from Cusco.

After picking you up at your accommodation, we&rsquo;ll make for the Sacred Valley of the Incas. A stop at El Mirador de Taray is on the cards, allowing us to enjoy sweeping views of the entire lowland from above. Our guides will fill us in on ancient Inca history as we journey, preparing us for the awesome sights ahead.

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After a scenic drive on a narrow road of hairpin turns, passing attractive colonial towns and isolated weaving villages, we&rsquo;ll arrive at Pisac. The bustling town lies at the base of a spectacular Inca fortress perched on a mountain spur. This &ldquo;Andean Shangri-la&rdquo; is home to a famous artisanal market and &ndash; above &ndash; agricultural terraces sweeping down the mountain in huge and graceful curves.

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After marveling at the Inca tombs and well-preserved temples of Pisac&rsquo;s archeological zone, we&rsquo;ll explore the Mercado de Artesania. A buffet lunch at a local restaurant follows the browsing / shopping expedition &ndash;&nbsp;fill up because we have some stair-climbing to do later on!

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We follow the Urubamba River next, past pretty villages to the majestic citadel and military stronghold of Ollantaytambo. It&rsquo;s the best surviving example of Inca city planning, with narrow cobblestone streets that have been inhabited since the 13th century.

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&ldquo;What a fantastic site and in such an amazing place. With a guide you can really get an understanding of the history and the unfortunate demise of the Inca people.&rdquo; &mdash; <a href="https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g294319-d313942-r667703742-Archaeological_Park_Ollantaytambo-Ollantaytambo_Sacred_Valley_Cusco_Region.html" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Flint, United Kingdom</a>

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Finally, we&rsquo;ll wind down at Chinchero, known to the Incas as &ldquo;birthplace of the rainbow.&rdquo; This typical Andean village combines Inca ruins with wonderful mountain views and a colorful market. The latter is less touristy than its counterpart in Pisac, well worth a special trip if just for its local textiles and famous weaving patterns.

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Information - Cusco Tourist Ticket: To enter the Inca ruins of Pisac, Ollataytambo and Chinchero, Cusco Tourist Ticket is needed. There are two options:

<ul>
	<li>BOLETO TURISTICO GENERAL:&nbsp; A full tourist ticket costs 130 Soles. The ticket is valid for 10 days and allows entry to the majority of the Inca sites around Cusco and the Sacred Valley. This is the best option if you plan to visit the Inca ruins of Cusco (Sacsayhuaman, Quenqo, PukaPukara, Tambomachay), muesums in Cusco and other Inca sites in the Valley (such as Moray, Tipon and Pikillaqta).</li>
	<li>BOLETO TURISTICO PARCIAL: The partial ticket costs 70 Soles. This ticket is valid for 1 day and will only allow entry to all of the sites on the Sacred Valley Tour.</li>
</ul>

Peru

Includes: Buffet lunch, transportation, local guide

Ollantaytambo, Pisac & Sacred Valley Tour (Cusco) – Full Day

You may have come to Peru for Machu Picchu, but those who have been would know that it is not the &lsquo;end all and be all&rsquo; of the Unesco-listed area and its surrounds. In fact, Exploring lesse