What to bring to the Sacred Valley if you leave tomorrow: passport, soles and three layers
Book for tomorrow: Express US$32 · Classic US$30 · is there space? · how to book
The essentials
- Passport or original ID document: they ask for it at the Tourist Ticket checkpoints.
- Cash in soles for the Tourist Ticket and, on the Express routes, the Maras entrance. The amount reaches you on WhatsApp the night before.
- The WeTravel receipt on your phone; the guide has the list with your name.
- Water: none is sold on the bus; there are shops in Chinchero, Urubamba and Pisac.
- Sunscreen, a cap and sunglasses: the sun at 3,000 m burns even when it is cold.
- Comfortable closed shoes: steps and terraces in Pisac and Ollantaytambo.
- Small soles notes for the artisans in Chinchero and Pisac, who do not take cards.
The three layers, hour by hour
| When | Where you are | What it feels like |
|---|---|---|
| 6:20 am–9:30 am | Cusco and Chinchero, 3,350–3,762 m | Cold, especially May to August: a jacket or fleece, and something to carry for later. |
| 9:30 am–12 pm | Maras, Moray and the drop to Urubamba | The sun is strong; one layer off, cap and sunscreen on. |
| 12 pm–3:30 pm | Urubamba and Ollantaytambo, 2,790–2,871 m | The warmest part of the day; short sleeves. |
| 4:45 pm–7 pm | Pisac or Chinchero and the ride back | It cools off at sunset; the jacket goes back on. |
From November to March add a light rain jacket: the rain comes in the afternoon and passes, and the tour runs anyway.
What you do not need
- Food: the buffet lunch is included at 12 pm; have breakfast in Cusco.
- Poles or hiking boots: the walks are short and on paved paths.
- A big suitcase: on the return bus it is in the way, and on the Ollantaytambo routes it does not come back to Cusco (leave it at your hotel).
- Large dollar notes: the markets and the entrance fees run on soles.
If you finish in Ollantaytambo and carry on to Machu Picchu
The bus does not go back to Cusco: travel with what you need for one or two nights in a bag that fits as carry-on luggage on the train (the rail companies limit the size; check their website). Leave the big suitcase at your hotel in Cusco, which will usually store it free until you return. How the tour fits your ticket →
Tonight, before bed
Time and pickup point, the amount for the entrance fees. If you do not have it by 10 pm, write to us.
Soles for the entrance fees on your route and a bit more for the market. ATMs in central Cusco.
Express: pickups from 6:20 am. Classic: from 7:20 am. Be at the point five minutes early, having eaten.
Bookings for tomorrow: non-refundable; you can move the date if there is space, and we reschedule or refund if we cancel because of the weather.