The Sacred Valley is lower than Cusco: 2,871 m in Urubamba, 2,790 m in Ollantaytambo
Cusco sits at 3,350 m. On the tour, only Chinchero (3,762 m), Maras (3,385 m) and Moray (3,500 m) are higher; lunch, Ollantaytambo and Pisac village are several hundred metres lower. That's why many travellers do it as their first acclimatisation day.
Metre by metre
Altitude at each stop, with the time you visit it
The Super visits the highest point first thing (Chinchero 07:40) and descends through the day; the Traditional first drops via Pisac and climbs to Chinchero at the end (16:45). Both routes cover the same altitudes in a different order.
Altitude sickness
What it is and how it feels
It's the name used in the Andes for altitude sickness: headache, tiredness, shortness of breath on stairs or nausea. It appears mostly in your first hours in Cusco and usually improves with rest, water and light meals. The tour doesn't go higher than you already are in Cusco except at Chinchero, Maras and Moray, and spends the afternoon on the valley floor. What to wear at each altitude is in what to bring on the tour, and how the weather changes in the month-by-month weather.
If you have a pre-existing medical condition, check with your doctor before travelling and bring your medication. This page is a guide; it doesn't replace professional advice.
During the tour
How we look after you and what you can do
- First-aid kit on board, and a guide who watches the group's pace.
- Water: bring at least a litre; in Chinchero, Urubamba and Pisac you can buy more.
- Pace: in Pisac and Ollantaytambo there are stairs; you can go slowly and there are rest points.
- Layers: cold in Chinchero in the morning, strong sun at midday in the valley.
- Let us know when booking if you're travelling with young children or older relatives: we recommend the Traditional or a private tour.
Which route to choose for the altitude
If it's your first day in Cusco
Traditional: the gentlest
An extra hour of sleep, four sites and the whole morning below Cusco. Chinchero comes at the end, after a day of acclimatising. From US$30 →
Super: highest first
Chinchero, Maras and Moray before 11:30, and then it's all downhill. Recommended if you've already had a night in Cusco and want all five sites. From US$32 →
Private: stops when needed
For families and older travellers: agreed times and stops, an unhurried lunch. From US$90 per person →
Mostly lower. Cusco is at 3,350 m; Urubamba, where you have lunch, at 2,871 m and Ollantaytambo at 2,790 m. Only Chinchero (3,762 m), Moray (3,500 m) and Maras (3,385 m) are above Cusco.
Chinchero, at 3,762 m, on both routes. The Super visits it at 07:40; the Traditional, at 16:45.
Many travellers do it this way, because much of the day is spent below Cusco's altitude. Even so, it's a long day: take it easy, drink water, and if you arrived from sea level the night before, the Traditional (07:20, four sites) is the gentlest option.
It's the Andean name for altitude sickness: headache, tiredness, shortness of breath or nausea when you reach high ground. It usually shows up in your first hours in Cusco and improves with rest, water and light meals.
Tell the guide straight away. There's a first-aid kit on board and the guide adjusts the pace. If you have a pre-existing medical condition, check with your doctor before travelling and bring your medication.
Walks of 45 minutes to 1 hour at each site, on uneven ground with stairs in Pisac and Ollantaytambo. There's no trekking; you can go at the group's pace and the guide sets rest points.
Water, sunscreen, a hat and a warm layer: Chinchero is cold in the morning and Urubamba warm at midday. Sweets or coca tea help many travellers. Avoid alcohol the night before.
A first day that goes down, not up
Choose the departure that best fits your acclimatisation and book for tomorrow.