explora Valle Sagrado is situated at 2,800 meters (9,180 feet) above sea level. Common areas include dining room, bar and living room, library/reception area, shop, exploration room. The Spa area includes outdoor swimming pool, hot tubs, massage room, steam rooms and saunas, all set within a preserved colonial building.
Traveling through archaeological Inca sites, following the course of the Urubamba River by bike, visiting Machu Picchu or arriving at a glacier nearby Cusco are some of the explorations carefully designed by explora for its travelers.
Through more than 30 options to explore, either walking, by van or riding a bike, our travelers discover from traditional villages still untouched by globalization to perfectly preserved ancient traces and lost lagoons in the Andean pampa.
Meals are designed so that guests can always feel strong and yet lightweight in their different exploration activities. explora Valle Sagrado's policy is to get the best of all products.
Meals will always be matched by a good wine. There is also a premium wine list for those who want to taste alternatives.
Pumacahua Bath House is a colonial house from the seventeenth century located on one side of the hotel’s corn terraces.
Rescued by our restoration and archeology team, it contains the hotel’ Spa where our guests enjoy massages, the swimming pool and saunas
explora Valle Sagrado features 50 rooms (Standard and Suite) designed for maximum silence and privacy to ensure a deep rest after a long day of exploration.
All our hotel rooms have views to the corn plantations and mountains surrounding the valley. In order to withdraw from everyday life, daily activities must be left behind. Thus, our rooms are not equipped with Wi-Fi, television or minibars.
Standard Room
44 Standard Rooms (430 feet²) with views to the corn plantations and mountains surrounding the valley.
Suite
6 suites (570 feet²) with views to the corn plantations and mountains surrounding the valley.
explora Valle Sagrado offers guests over 25 exploration activities, either on foot or by bicycle. Guides will take travelers to experience the area’s unique geography and Andean culture in all it richness.
Hikes:
The hikes are designed for travelers with different interests and abilities. They vary in length and difficulty. They take place between 9,186 and 15,419 feet above sea level, some requiring prior acclimatization. We always recommend to discuss the exploration with one of our guides to make sure that it suits your preferences.
Easy
Salineras
Hiking begins visiting the colonial downtown of Maras. After crossing the village, the trail descends among potato fields to the community’s salt mines. Type: Half day
Ollantaytambo
The walk takes us through the living Inca town of Ollantaytambo. The trail passes through the old main gate and over cobblestone streets framed by narrow water channels. After visiting the village, we climb to the archaeological site to see its terraces, the ceremonial center and the Royal Building. Type: Half day
Racchi
The walk carries you through orchards and communities to familiarize yourself with the rural landscape and its culture. This exploration takes place at a mean height and offers panoramic views to the Sacred Valley and its snowed capped peaks. It provides a good chance for acclimatization and to understand the area’s geography. Type: Half day
Huertos de Yucay
The exploration begins at Yucay, the former residence of the prominent Inca rulers Tupac Ina Yupanqui, Huaynacapac and Sayritupac, and abundant crop fields.The trail takes you to the area’s platforms and crop fields. Type: Half day
Chinchero
The walk starts in a livestock community. After leaving the village behind, we reach a lagoon surrounded by mountains. This is a remarkable place to take photographs. We walk around part of the lake’s shoreline to ascend through farmer’s paths up to the hills, where we get a panoramic view of the farmlands.
From there, we walk down to the archaeological complex of Chinchero. This exploration allows us to appreciate the identity of Cusco’s architecture, which merges Inca and colonial elements. Type: Half day
Pumamarca
This exploration is an opportunity to discover one of the area’s most puzzling and isolated Inca remains. The walk takes us through the Patacancha valley, with views to the homonymous river. Hiking begins in Ollantaytambo, steadily ascending through a verdant trail along local farm houses and orchards.
The Pumamarca remains pose a conundrum to archeologists and explorers: their origins and functions are still unknown. Additionally and since construction techniques somewhat differ from the Inca tradition, it was presumably built in an earlier period. Type: Half day
La Verónica
This hiking at a high altitude takes us through a private reserve aimed at preserving highland forests and endangered birds. Depending on the season, we can enjoy two different experiences. In the dry season, the snow-capped Verónica hill and the mountains surrounding it are the main attractions.
During the rainy season, views may be are obstructed by clouds, but then the ground steals the limelight: moss cushions; lichens and mushrooms covering the hills’ slopes shine bright due to the moisture. Type: Full day
Colores de Huaypo
During this exploration, we can get to know the daily life of local communities: shepherds, farmers plowing or collecting potatoes, mules loaded with products, small adobe villages and families engaged in small husbandry.
Between November and May, the landscape is lush green and humid, while from June to October the setting features are ochre, red and yellow. Lunch is served beside a lagoon and the last span of the route takes us to at an altitude from where a broad 360° panoramic view can be enjoyed. Type: Full day
Moray
The trail begins at a farming community located amidst hills and goes down to the Inca remains of Moray, from where it continues to the colonial town of Maras.
We see a piece of history in every corner. Afterwards, the trail descends to the bottom of the Sacred Valley and goes through the salt mines. The track crosses barley and potato fields and other crops. Type: Full day
Pisac Trails
During the morning there will be sights towards the mountain range and walks through potato fields, to then descend and cross pampas where shepherds look after their herds. We will rest for a lunch break and in the afternoon, descend from the mountains to the remains of Pisac.
We will use one of our alternative routes to access the back of the remains, which provides for a unique view. This exploration is recommended for every traveler wishing to enjoy an altitude landscape that calls for contemplation. Type: Full day
Cinco Lagunas
This walk begins at an isolated community in the heights of the Andes, at over 13,123 f.a.s.l. From there, the trail goes up to a broad pass from where to observe the breathtaking snow capped Sawasiray and other snowcapped peaks.
A gentle descent takes us through a ravine with plenty llama and alpaca herds, passing beside several lagoons that reflect the large snowcapped peak in the background and the yellow-colored mountains. Type: Full day
Medium
Amaru
In the first part of this exploration, travelers walk over tracks only used by llama and alpaca shepherds. We will move between two lagoons at more than 13,123 f.a.s.l. During the second part and following watercourses, they will explore the mountain slopes with breathtaking views to the valley and stroll freely through farmland, corrals and houses of farm communities to reach a colonial adobe church. Type: Full day
Lloclla
This mountain walk follows tracks used by local shepherds among lagoons serving as water deposits to sustain the area’s rural lifestyle between the valleys of Lamay and Pisac. Old mountain trails, mild slopes, views, and people, among others, invite travelers to relax, walk calmly, breathe deeply and enjoy different perspectives and colors. Type: Full day
Advanced
Tastayoc
This is the highest-altitude exploration we offer in the Sacred Valley. It begins at 13,024 f.a.s.l and gradually climbs up to 15,419 f.a.s.l through a pastureland highly isolated from the rest of the valley. The trail includes several lagoons, some with turquoise waters due to thawing, and others with transparent waters, allowing travelers to learn about high-mountain water ecosystems. This exploration requires prior acclimatization. Type: Full day
Huchuy Qosco
This exploration offers breathtaking views to lagoons at different altitudes, to the farmlands of Chinchero and to the valleys. To reach the remains of the Huchuy Qosqo Palaces, it goes down an Inca trail.
Once in the remains, you cannot miss lying down in the gardens, taking a rest and enjoying the view towards Sacred Valley. This exploration requires prior acclimatization. Type: Full day
Saqsaywaman y Cusco
The trail crosses the mountains that separate the Sacred Valley from Cusco and reaches the Town Square of the Inca’s imperial city. This road simulates the journey followed by the Incas and Spanish conquerors more than 500 years ago.
Before completing the exploration, there is a guided tour to the huge walls of the Saqsaywaman and its archaeological and ceremonial centers. Recommended for travelers in good physical shape. This exploration requires prior acclimatization. Type: Full day
Expert
Incañan
This is the most physically-demanding exploration and the one with the most spectacular landscapes. It crosses the Urubamba mountain chain from north to south, over a trail that goes along the second highest peak in the region, the Sawasiray, with 19,088 f.a.s.l. This exploration requires prior acclimatization. Type: Full day
Biking:
explora offers the unique opportunity to bike ride along the Sacred Valley landscapes. We provide the equipment to ensure our travelers comfort and safety during the explorations. The use of helmets is mandatory as is also the use of sunglasses, sunscreen and appropriate footwear.
Easy
Urubamba River
The road used for this exploration goes down the south side of the Urubamba River, a quiet area of cornfields, old haciendas and manors from the 19th and 20th centuries. This bike ride is recommended for families wishing to take a long walk or for those who want to take on a sports challenge. Type: Half day
Medium
Cuesta del Sapo
From the heights of the Sacred Valley’s slopes we descend over a track in good conditions. The road to the bottom of the valley offers very interesting views to the mountains and the Urubamba River. Once downhill, we will continue bordering the river through an area of cornfields and orchards and densely packed Inca terraces. Type: Half day
Qenqo
The exploration begins in the heights of the pampas and then descends – over a vehicle road – among Quechua communities and farmlands with views to the Sacred Valley and Pisac. In the afternoon, the ride goes follows the south side of the Urubamba river among cornfields, old haciendas and manors from the 19th and 20th century. Type: Full day
Inca tracks
During the morning, this exploration considers a 6 km walk over a mountain trail with 360º views to Cusco and the Sacred Valley. The descent is through potato plantations and pampas where shepherds tend their animals.
In the afternoon, biking starts on the heights of the pampas, then going down through Quechua communities and farmlands, with views to the Sacred Valley and Pisac. Type: Full day
Advanced
Huaypo Views
This exploration crosses the farmlands of Chinchero, visiting vegetable gardens, small farms and villages that shape this landscape. It takes the traveler to the remains of the Moray experimental crop center, the colonial town of Maras and its Inca salt-mines, to finalize with a technical descent through narrow routes to the Urubamba River.
This exploration is recommended for travelers in good physical conditions, experienced in mountain biking and with prior acclimatization. Type: Full day
Overland
Cusco
This exploration shows the best of Cusco in one day. We will descend from the fortress of Saqsaywaman down to the temple of Corincancha, on which the Santo Domingo convent was built, crossing the alleys of the colonial quarter of San Blas. Finally, we reach the main square to have lunch.
In the afternoon, the traveler can continue walking through Cusco with one of our guides or on his/her own. The Museum of Pre-Columbian Art, the San Pedro Market, some Art Galleries or the hundreds of souvenirs stores are some of the options we recommend. Type: Full day
Valle de la Papa
This exploration takes the traveler to one of the most fertile areas in the Sacred Valley. The journey begins towards the Quinsacocha lagoon, a sublime site that features the typical Cusco puna landscape.
Going downhill, we will cross the el Valle de la Papa and next, visit the Quechua community of Chahuaytire, a place with an ancient textile tradition where we will learn about natural dying and back strap loom techniques.
The trip ends with a visit to the stunning archaeological center of Pisac, a city built on a mountain with hundreds of remarkable hanging farm terraces on its slopes. Type: Full day
Maras
This route first takes us to Ollantaytambo, also known as the “living Inca city”.
From there, we will travel to the archaeological site of Moray, a laboratory of experimental farming where different microclimates are used to grow crops. From there, the trip continues to Maras and a large lagoon, an ideal place to take a stroll and have lunch, to then follow to the town of Chinchero. The road crosses several fields where we will see farmers working or looking after their animals. Type: Full day
Machu Picchu
On this full-day expedition, we travel to the famous historical sanctuary of Machu Picchu, one of the most impressive architectural feats of the Inca civilization and a wonder of the world.This version of the expedition to Machu Picchu takes place on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.
It does not include the trek to Inti Punku. This version of the expedition to Machu Picchu takes place on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. It does not include the trek to Inti Punku. Depart the Hotel to the Ollantaytambo train station, located about 45 minutes from explora.
Take the train to the town of Aguas Calientes. Disembark and take a bus to Machu Picchu. We walk through this magical place for approximately three hours. Return to Ollantaytambo by train. We bring a light lunch to eat while we are there. Type: Full day
Machu Picchu - Inti Punku
On this full day exploration, we travel to the famous historical sanctuary of Machu Picchu, one of the most impressive architectural feats of the Inca civilization and a wonder of the world.
On Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays, we hike to the Puerta del Sol or Inti Punku, the gateway through which all the travelers that hike the Inca Trail enter. This point offers a different location from where to admire the sanctuary. Depart the Hotel to the Ollantaytambo train station, located about 45 minutes from explora. Take the train to the town of Aguas Calientes.
Disembark and head to the bus that will take us to Machu Picchu. Enter the Sanctuary and begin our walk towards Inti Punku or Puerta del Sol, the ancient checkpoint to enter the citadel and the beginning of the Inca Trail from Machu Picchu. This trek is a 1.5 km climb at a leisurely pace and the difficulty level is very low. From Puerta de Sol, we have a unique view of the whole sanctuary.
We highly recommend it to all our guests. After completing the trek around 14:30, we begin our tour of Machu Picchu’s most emblematic landmarks. We bring a light lunch to eat while we are there. Type: Full day
