Private Sacred Valley tour including Buffet Lunch

A Personal Look at the Private Sacred Valley Tour Including Buffet Lunch

If you’re planning a trip to Cusco and want to explore the Sacred Valley without feeling rushed or overwhelmed by crowds, this private tour is a solid choice. For $175 per person, you’ll enjoy a full day (about 10 hours) filled with visits to key Inca sites, charming towns, and a chance to learn about local traditions — all with your own guide and vehicle. The tour is flexible, private, and offers enough time at each stop to really soak in the sights.

What we love most about this experience is the personalized attention from a private guide, like Patricia, who is praised for her wealth of knowledge and helpful recommendations. The second reason is the careful pacing, which means you get to explore each site without feeling hurried, and with the comfort of private transportation. A potential downside? Since entrance tickets to sites like Pisac, Ollantaytambo, and Chinchero aren’t included, you’ll want to budget for those separately. But if you appreciate avoiding big groups and craving authentic, off-the-beaten-path moments, this tour really fits the bill.

This experience is ideal if you value customized itineraries and fewer crowds, making it perfect for travelers who want a relaxed, in-depth look at the Sacred Valley. It’s especially suited for those who enjoy engaging guides and are interested in learning about local Inca history and culture without the hassle of group tours.

Key Points

• Private Experience: The tour is exclusively for your group, ensuring personalized attention and flexibility.
• Comprehensive itinerary: Visits include Awana Kancha, Pisac, Urubamba, Ollantaytambo, and Chinchero, covering key sites and local towns.
• Cultural insights: Guides provide detailed explanations, including local traditions and Inca history.
• Comfort and convenience: Hotel pickup and drop-off, private transportation, and a buffet lunch make the day seamless.
• Additional costs: Entrance tickets are not included, so budget for these separately.
• Ideal for: Travelers seeking a relaxed, informative, and private way to explore the Sacred Valley.

Exploring the Sacred Valley: A Detailed Review

Starting Point and Transportation

The tour kicks off early, with hotel pickup at 8:00 am, which is optimal for avoiding the crowds and making the most of daylight. The private vehicle, driven by a professional driver, takes you comfortably through the scenic landscape of the Sacred Valley. Since it’s a private tour, your group’s pace and interests shape the day—no waiting for strangers or sticking to a rigid schedule.

Awana Kancha: An Introduction to Andean Wildlife

Your first stop at Awana Kancha around 8:40 am sets a friendly tone. This alpaca and llama farm is more than just a photo op; it’s an educational experience. Here, you’ll learn about these iconic animals that play a vital role in local life—covering their uses for textiles, food, and even their cultural significance. The admission is included, so no extra worries there.

What makes Awana Kancha compelling is how it offers a glimpse into everyday rural life that continues to thrive along traditional lines. The guides are eager to explain the animals’ importance, and you’ll get a chance to see and maybe even feed these gentle creatures.

Pisac: The Heart of Inca Archaeology

By approximately 9:40 am, you arrive at Pisac, famous for its impressive archaeological site and bustling market. The ruins include terraces, temples, and the largest known Inca cemetery—truly a highlight. Your guide will illuminate the strategic and spiritual importance of this city, adding context to the stunning architecture and terracing.

The free admission reflects how the site is often accessible to visitors, but your guide’s explanations turn it from mere ruins into a living story. Expect about 40 minutes here—enough to walk around, take photos, and absorb the atmosphere.

Lunch in Urubamba: Savor Local Flavors

At around noon, you’ll reach Urubamba, the valley’s bustling hub with a population of around 25,000. Here, you have the opportunity to enjoy a buffet lunch, a great chance to recharge and sample local cuisine. Your guide will help you choose from the options, ensuring you find something delicious—whether it’s traditional Peruvian dishes or something more familiar.

Spending about 45 minutes in Urubamba balances well with the morning’s sightseeing, avoiding rushed meals and giving you time to relax before continuing.

Ollantaytambo: The Living Inca Town

By 1:30 pm, the tour moves to Ollantaytambo, a place where history and present-day life intertwine. The site is renowned for its massive fortress and terracing, and the town itself is still inhabited with streets that date back to Inca times. Walking through Ollantaytambo feels like stepping into a living museum.

The fortress was the last major Inca stronghold before the Spanish conquest, so it’s packed with stories and strategic importance. Your guide will point out details you might miss on your own, such as the precision of the stonework and how the town’s layout reflects Inca planning.

Chinchero: Textiles and Colonial Heritage

Arriving around 3:50 pm, Chinchero is a charming town where Inca terraces overlook colonial churches. The town’s well-preserved Inca palace and terraces tell stories of cultural blending—an example of South America’s syncretic history.

Here, you’ll also get a mini-lesson in traditional textiles. Local women often demonstrate weaving techniques, giving insight into a craft that has been passed down for generations. This interactive element adds a personal touch to your visit.

Return to Cusco

Expect to arrive back in Cusco around 6:00 pm, ending a full day of exploration. The private nature of the tour means you can unwind after a busy day, reflecting on the sights and stories shared by your guide.

What Travelers Say

The reviews highlight the knowledgeable guides, like Patricia, who makes the experience engaging and informative. One traveler noted, “Patricia was amazing—so much great info and recommendations along the way,” which speaks to the personalized attention you’re likely to receive.

Others appreciated the stunning views and the flexibility of the schedule, which allows for a more authentic experience. The small size of the group and private transportation ensure you can absorb the sites at your own pace, a real advantage over larger tour groups.

Price and Value Analysis

While $175 might seem like a hefty price, it covers a lot: private transportation, a professional guide, hotel pickup and drop-off, and a buffet lunch. Entrance tickets to sites like Pisac, Ollantaytambo, and Chinchero are not included, but that’s common for tours of this type. When you consider the comfort, convenience, and depth of experience, it offers good value, especially if you prefer a personalized approach over crowded group tours.

This tour is perfect for travelers who want an intimate, educational, and relaxed day exploring the Sacred Valley, especially those interested in Inca history, local culture, and authentic experiences.

Who Is This Tour Best For?

This private Sacred Valley tour suits travelers who appreciate customized itineraries and prefer avoiding large groups. It’s ideal if you want to learn about local traditions, enjoy scenic stops, and have enough time at each site to truly soak in the atmosphere. It’s also suitable for those with limited time in Cusco but eager to see the highlights without feeling rushed.

If you’re traveling with family, friends, or a partner who values comfort and personal attention, this tour ensures a memorable, enriching day. Less ideal if your budget is tight, as the cost excludes entrance fees, or if you prefer a more adventurous, less structured experience.

FAQ

Are entrance tickets to sites included?
No, tickets to Pisac, Ollantaytambo, and Chinchero are separate. You might want to budget for these in addition to the tour price.

Is the tour suitable for all ages?
Since it’s a full day of walking and exploring, most travelers should be able to participate, especially with the private transport and flexible schedule.

Does the tour include lunch?
Yes, a buffet lunch is included, offering a variety of local options. Your guide can help with selections.

What’s the best time to join this tour?
Starting at 8:00 am, it’s ideal for maximizing daylight and avoiding larger crowds, especially in popular sites.

Can I customize the itinerary?
Since it’s a private tour, your guide will accommodate your interests and pace, making it quite flexible.

What’s the group size?
It’s a private experience, so only your group participates—perfect for intimacy and tailored attention.

To sum it up, this private Sacred Valley tour offers a well-balanced combination of cultural insights, scenic beauty, and personal comfort. It’s best suited for travelers who value expert guidance, flexibility, and authentic experiences over a cookie-cutter group tour. If you want to explore the Inca heartland at your own pace and enjoy meaningful interactions, this tour makes a compelling choice.