A flexible itinerary allows you to explore the Sacred Valley at your own pace. A few days at the Urubamba Villas offers a unique opportunity for slowing down and mingling with the living Inca culture, while experiencing the timeless spirit of the region. The excursions offered in Urubamba Villas depend on the season and the weather conditions, and are subject to change.

Various excursion programs include quarter, half, or full day duration in three difficulty levels:
Easy (I), Moderate (II) or Difficult (III). Advance booking recommended. All excursions include private transport with driver and are guided by one of our trained professional interpreters in Spanish or English. Interpreters in other languages may be available upon request, subject to additional charge.

¼ DAY EXCURSIONS

PISAC

Visit one of the most impressive Inca ruins, the Pisac Archaeological site, with the finest architecture in all of Sacred Valley, among them Pisaca, a curving wall; the Intihuatana, a solar clock, finely polished stone temples, and a military zone, Q'allaqasa. Visit its colorful market where an artisans’ fair takes place every Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays, an exhibit and sale of fine woven crafts, colorful tapestries, handicrafts and textiles from Pisac and neighboring villages.
DURATION: ¼ day
DIFFICULTY LEVEL: I
SCHEDULE: Morning and Afternoon
FREQUENCY: Daily -
ATTRACTIONS: Archaeological sites, Handicrafts & Photos
TRANSPORT: Provided by Inkaterra
RECOMMENDED FOR CHILDREN.

½ DAY EXCURSIONS

CHINCHERO

Visit Chinchero, a traditional Andean village 40 minutes from Inkaterra Urubamba Villas. This community is surrounded by a breathtaking views of the Sacred Valley of the Incas and the mountain ranges of Urubamba and Salkantay snow peaks. Chinchero means the birthplace of the rainbow in Quechua. This excursion combines Inca archaeological sites, a typical Andean community, remarkable colonial church, mountain landscapes and a colorful traditional market which to date, on its market day practice the tradition of barter of goods. DURATION: ½ day
DIFFICULTY LEVEL: I
SCHEDULE: Morning and Afternoon
FREQUENCY: Daily
ATTRACTIONS: Archaeological sites & Handicrafts
TRANSPORT: Provided by Inkaterra
RECOMMENDED FOR CHILDREN.

PISAQ ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITE & AWANACANCHA

En route from Cusco 29 kilometers (18 miles) from the city, visit the historic Pisaq archaeological site, one of the finest in the Valley. See Pisaca, a curving wall; the Intihuatana group of temples; and the military area known as Q’allaqasa. Stop at Awanacancha, where you can meet native weavers and see South American camelid species, including llamas, alpacas, guanacos and vicuñas.
DURATION: ½ day
DIFFICULTY LEVEL: II
SCHEDULE: Morning
FREQUENCY: Daily
ATTRACTIONS: Archaeological sites & Handicrafts
TRANSPORT: Provided by Inkaterra
NOTE: THIS EXCURSION IS ONLY AVAILABLE EN ROUTE FROM CUSCO TO URUBAMBA VILLAS.

OLLANTAYTAMBO & CATCCO

See Ollantaytambo, an Inca temple and a fortress, with extremely well-built stone walls and steep terraces, one of the few places where the Conquerors lost a major battle. The complex, still under construction at the time of the Spanish Conquest, was never completed. Next, browse the Museum and Cultural Center of Ollantaytambo (CATCCO) which promotes traditional products and handicrafts in the area and sell unique souvenirs made by the same local artisans.
DURATION: ½ day
DIFFICULTY LEVEL: II
SCHEDULE: Morning and Afternoon
FREQUENCY: Daily
ATTRACTIONS: Archaeological sites & Photos
TRANSPORT: Provided by Inkaterra

MARAS, MORAY & YAHUARMAQUI

Visit the ancient salt mines near the village of Maras, where salty springs emerge from the hillside and the Incas built terraces to capture the flows and harvest salt. Continue on to Moray, with its huge circular agricultural terraces, built by the Incas on limestone sinks, which served to plant various crops. It is said to have a cosmological significance, however, the Incas used the terraces as an agricultural laboratory to determine the optimum conditions for each species in varying altitudes. Then visit Yahuarmaqui, a ceramic workshop, where you may select a piece of pottery and decorate it yourself. The finished piece will be fired and delivered to you before you leave the Valley.
DURATION: ½ day
DIFFICULTY LEVEL: I
SCHEDULE: Morning
FREQUENCY: Daily
ATTRACTIONS: Archaeological sites, Handicrafts & Photos
TRANSPORT: Provided by Inkaterra
RECOMMENDED FOR CHILDREN.

FULL DAY EXCURSIONS

WILLOQ

Take a full day colorful excursion that allows you to interact with local people, farmers and excellent weavers in this community, to understand their traditional lifestyle and see how life changes little from one generation to another. You will learn about the methods used by these skilled weavers who produce one of the finest knitted clothes in the region and get a chance to buy some local souvenirs.
DURATION: 1 day
DIFFICULTY LEVEL: I
SCHEDULE: Morning
ATTRACTIONS: Handicrafts, Photos & Local Community
MEAL: Lunch
FREQUENCY: Only on Sundays
TRANSPORT: Provided by Inkaterra

HUCHUY QOSQO TREKKING

This day-long hike up to the archaeological site of Huchuy Q’osqo (Little Cusco) combines rich history with spectacular mountain views. Your challenging trek is rich y rewarded when you arrive at this little-visited former governor’s residence of the Inca Wiracocha. You can roam, virtually alone, through Inca buildings, ceremonial centers, and along graceful plazas.
DURATION: 1 day
DIFFICULTY LEVEL: III
SCHEDULE: Morning
ATTRACTIONS: Archaeological sites & Photos
MEAL: Lunch
TRANSPORT: Provided by Inkaterra

ADVENTURE ACTIVITIES

HORSEBACK RIDING

Choose among the following routes:

HACIENDA HUAYOCARI

Enjoy an interesting horseback ride from Hacienda Huayoccari. Journey for 30 minutes viewing stunning Andean mountains and landscapes. Look out for birds on the road towards the district Huayllabamba. You will reach the town of Urquillos where you can see relics of ancient Inca farming. Finally, visit the village of Huycho and see its impressive agricultural countryside, as well as farmers that are working on the field. Return to the Villas by private transfers.
DURATION: 1/4 day
DIFFICULTY LEVEL: II
FREQUENCY: Daily
SCHEDULE: Morning and Afternoon
ATTRACTIONS: Birds and Photos
SEASON: Year-round
RECOMMENDED FOR CHILDREN.

MORAY

Take pleasure in an impressive horseback ride from Yanahuara towards the valley of Moray. You will visit the amazing circular agricultural terraces and learn how they were built and used in various techniques. After an hour's ride, you will reach the town and salt mines of Maras. After 30 minutes from Maras, you will finally get to Media Luna Valley surrounded by astounding Andean landscapes. Return to Urubamba Villas by private transfers.
DURATION: ½ day
DIFFICULTY LEVEL: III
SCHEDULE: Morning and Afternoon
FREQUENCY: Daily
ATTRACTIONS: Photos
SEASON: Year-round.

LITTLE CUSCO

Take a ride on horseback from the town of Calca towards Huchuy Q'osqo (Little Cusco) archaeological ruins, where you will see replicas of Inca remains similar to Cusco palaces and temples and know its anthropological history. Finally visit Lamay Valley with its stunning views of the Andean mountains and lake. Return to Urubamba Villas by private transfers.
DURATION: ½ day
DIFFICULTY LEVEL: II
SCHEDULE: Morning and Afternoon
FREQUENCY: Daily
ATTRACTIONS: Birds, Medicinal Plants, Archaeological site and Photos
SEASON: Year-round.

LAMAY VALLEY

Enjoy this exhilarating experience of horseback riding from Hacienda Huayoccari in Calca, (2 hours) towards the archaeological ruins of Huchuy Q'osqo (Little Cusco). Finally you reach Lamay Valley where you can observe various Andean birds and spot some interesting medicinal plants. You will return to the Urubamba Villas by private transfers.
DURATION: 1 day
DIFFICULTY LEVEL: III
SCHEDULE: Morning
FREQUENCY: Daily
ATTRACTIONS: Birds, Medicinal Plants, Archaeological site and Photos
MEAL: Lunch
SEASON: Year-round.

VALLEY RIDE

Take a highly enjoyable and interesting horseback ride from the town of Chinchero. In this route you can see the astounding scenery of snow-capped Andean peaks towards the district of Huayllabamba. Visit the towns of Urquillos and Huichi, appreciating the ancient agricultural practices and traditions that still exist to date. The tour culminates at the Hacienda Huayoccari, where you can enjoy the stunning landscape and observe the Andean birds in the area. Return to Urubamba Villas by private transfer.
DURATION: 1 day
DIFFICULTY LEVEL: III
SCHEDULE: Morning
FREQUENCY: Daily
ATTRACTIONS: Archaeological site and Photos
MEAL: Lunch
SEASON: Year-round.

TREKKING

MARAS SALT MINES

Start this interesting walk from the chapel of Maras; walk toward the impressive Salt Mines and see the beautiful terraces finely carved from stone, as well as lintels with sculptures. The salt mines have been exploited since Inca times and during the Vice-royalty, it was the largest salt producer of the southern highlands.
DURATION: ¼ day
DIFFICULTY LEVEL: I
SCHEDULE: Morning and Afternoon
FREQUENCY: Daily
ATTRACTIONS: Birds and Photos
SEASON: April – November.

YUCAY

Trek through the town of Yucay where you will walk through fertile Sacred Valley lands, along a colonial era canal and see some magnificent ancient Inca terraces and stunning views of Andean snow-capped mountains.
DURATION: ¼ day
DIFFICULTY LEVEL: II
SCHEDULE: Morning and Afternoon
FREQUENCY: Daily
ATTRACTIONS: Birds and Photos
SEASON: April - November.

PUMA MARKA

Take this interesting hike from the Puma Marka Inca terraces. A 10 kilometer walk where you can observe the archaeological ruins of Ollantaytambo and you can listen to the guide's talk about its construction and history.
DURATION: ½ day
DIFFICULTY LEVEL: I
SCHEDULE: Morning
FREQUENCY: Daily
ATTRACTIONS: Archaeological site and Photos
SEASON: April- November.

RIVER RAFTING

This intensely active excursion starts with a transfer from your hotel to take you to the Sacred Valley of the Incas, to a private facility located in Pachar; here you will have a briefing about river rafting safety and equipment. The first part of the tour will be in easy waters with spectacular views of the mountains and archeological remains. Then pass through Ollantaytambo and its Inca terraces to continue to rapids class II and III, finishing with "El Resbaladero" (the slippery one) which a strong class III rapid, that includes waves and small whirlpools.
DURATION: ½ day
DIFFICULTY LEVEL: II
SCHEDULE: Morning
FREQUENCY: Daily (according to weather conditions)
ATTRACTIONS: Canoe and birds
TRANSPORT: Provided by Inkaterra

MOUNTAIN BIKING

MORNING RIDE (Urubamba – Huayllabamba – Calca Route).

Enjoy a fun mountain bike ride in the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Depart from Urubamba heading towards Huayllabamba, where you will see stunning landscapes of the valley, Andean snow-capped mountains meeting the blue skies. Pass through typical villages and get to Calca, while observing birds and the idyllic scenery of rustic communities and fields.
DURATION: ½ day
DIFFICULTY LEVEL: II
SCHEDULE: Morning
FREQUENCY: Daily
ATTRACTIONS: Birds and Photos
SEASON: April - November
FOR 12 YEARS OLD AND ABOVE.

HUAYPO LAKE (Huaypo Lake – Maras Salt Mines – Urubamba).

Take an exhilarating mountain bike ride starting from the Huaypo Lake towards the direction of the impressive salt mines of Maras. After viewing the salt mines, take a downhill route to the town of Urubamba, in the heart of the Sacred Valley. Be awed by the towering Andean mountains where the stunning views almost wrap you up from all directions.
DURATION: ½ day
DIFFICULTY LEVEL: III
SCHEDULE: Morning
FREQUENCY: Daily
ATTRACTIONS: Birds and Photos
SEASON: April- November.

CROSS COUNTRY (Moray – Maras Salt Mines)

Step out and speed up in this interesting mountain bike ride starting from the extraordinary circular agricultural terraces of Moray. Then continue to the striking salt mines of Maras and enjoy the views around these salt formations situated high on the mountain side.
DURATION: ½ day
DIFFICULTY LEVEL: III
SCHEDULE: Morning
FREQUENCY: Daily
ATTRACTIONS: Birds and Photos
SEASON: April- November.

ALL DAY RIDE: (Huaypo Lake - Ollantaytambo)

Enjoy the challenge of a mountain bike ride starting from the scenic Lake Huaypo to head towards Ollantaytambo, traveling along 65 kilometers of spectacular views of the Sacred Valley, passing through Inca archaeological ruins, rustic towns and idyllic villages with the spectacular snow-capped Andean peaks surrounding Urubamba.
DURATION: 1 day
DIFFICULTY LEVEL: III
SCHEDULE: Morning
FREQUENCY: Daily
ATTRACTIONS: Birds and Photos
MEAL: Lunch
SEASON: April- November
FOR 14 YEARS OLD AND ABOVE.

For further information and booking inquiries please send us and e-mail.