Saywa Hike in the Sacred Valley
- Availability: Available now
- Group size: 2-10
- Tour Type: Trekking/Hiking
- Max. Elevation: 4230 meters above sea level
Saywa Hike in the Sacred Valley
80 USD Per person
Saywa Hike in the Sacred Valley
The Sacred Valley is known for its imposing Inca precincts such as the grandiose Machu Picchu and Ollantaytambo, its fertile crops of giant grain corn and its picturesque pre-Hispanic towns. Explore the best sceneries of the sacred valley in the Saywa hike. The hike to Saywa Mountain, from where you have a spectacular view of the Peru’s Sacred Valley, is a 1-day hike off the beaten track. This magical excursion will allow you to learn and understand Inca astronomy and their relationship to their beliefs and their application in their daily life and practice. Also enjoy incredible panoramic views of the Sacred Valley of the Incas and the Urubamba city.
The saywas or sukanqas, large stone columns that served as astronomical markers, had the category of wakas (sacred places) and therefore were also erased from the geographical environment. The order of the Spanish crown was that before proceeding with the destruction of a waka, an act should be drawn up to certify its existence and destruction, the name of the place, its location, the use that was given to the waka, the families involved in its maintenance and rituals. To then proceed to its disappearance until there is no more of it. As a final recommendation, the Council of Lima of 1551-1552, provided: that the huacas be demolished, and in the same place, if it were decent, churches be built or at least put a cross.»
In Urubamba, on the hill called Saywa, the remains of two saywas or sukanqas for astronomical use that were used to record the winter solstice (Inti Raymi) and establish with them the start of the Andean New Year and the calendars. We do not know if its difficult access (it is on a high and steep hill), its location far from the town, or perhaps the negligence of the catholic religious authorities in the area to enforce the order of destruction, has been the «happy cause» of his salvation. Apparently, the only thing that was done was to partially collapse them to minimize them and place a wooden cross on top of one of the saywas that is currently venerated every May 3, the day of the Holy Cross.
Highlights of our Saywa Hike in the Sacred Valley
- We will work hard to create a lifetime experience for you and your loved ones on this journey on the Pumamarca hike.
- We have the best and most passionate team of workers.
- Be part of our social and environmental projects.
- Our 1-day Saywa hike has a fair and cheap price compared to other operators.
- Make your one-day trip unhurried and with guides trained in first aid by a physician.
- In addition to all the above, we prepare food for our hikers and team with 100% organic veggies purchased from local producers
Saywa Hike in the Sacred Valley Trip Overview
- Trek Type: Trekking/hiking, scenic, cultural and nature.
- Good for: Those in moderate shape or better.
- Difficulty: Moderate to difficult.
- Language: This tour is done only in English; If you need a Spanish tour, it must be booked privately and done at the initial booking.
- Season: From March 1st to January 31th.
DAY 1. Cusco – urubamba –saywa mountain – Cusco.
- Hiking distance:5 miles/11 km (6 hours).
- Highest altitude:4,130 meters above sea level.
- Considered:Moderate to difficult.
- Meals:Breakfast, snacks and lunch! Box meals.
- Weather:Cold and windy.
IncaGo Expeditions will pick you up from your hotel at 5:00 am. and will take you in a private van to the largest town in the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Once in the town of Urubamba, we will enjoy a delicious and organic boxed breakfast. From this point we will ascend for 3 hours through a path surrounded by beautiful eucalyptus trees and native vegetation. Your tour guide, while going up, will describe and tell you about the medicinal properties of many plants and shrubs in the Cusco region.
Once at the top of Saywa Mountain, we will be amazed by a fascinating 360° view from the top. Without a doubt, from this point you get the most panoramic view of the Sacred Valley, the Vilcanota River and a glimpse of the city of Urubamba from corner to corner. Your guide will also explain the functionality of these curious Inca stone pillars and their astronomical alignments 500 years ago.
After tasting a delicious box lunch, we will descend for two hours to Urubamba, where our private van awaits us. Making the descent enjoying a spectacular sunset and twilight is truly comforting for the soul and the heart. We will be driven for 2 hours back to our hotels in Cusco, where we will arrive around 17:00 pm.
** The highlight of this trek to Saywa Mountain is its fabulous 360° panoramic view of the sacred valley.
Included in the Saywa Hike in the Sacred Valley
Professional local English speaker Guides: All our super leaders grew up in Cusco region and studied tourism for five years at Cusco’s university, they are friendly, funny charming, knowledgeable, professional and will care your safety into our one-day hike
Permits: As soon as we get your details and deposit, we will purchase your permits for the Saywa mountain.
Briefing: You should come to our office at least one day prior to your hike to pay the balance, provide exact information about your accommodation and receive some details for the tour.
Transportation: INCAS PATH will be providing all transportation for this one-day trek. You will be picked up from your hotel at 5:00 am. You will be taken to the starting point of the trek and brought back to the door of your hotel.
Food: We will enjoy a delicious box breakfast and packed lunch. We honor all food restrictions, so be sure to add any that you have on your booking form and let us know.
Details: It is the attention to small details that separates us from other travel agencies, each hiker receives a cloth bag with fruits, cookies, dried seeds and a bottle of water, as well as a plastic rain poncho.
First Aid: Every guide has got training in first aid from a physician and firemen. We elaborate mandatory training sessions every February on the hiking treks, which every INCAS PATH tour guide must attend. Your tour leader is going to have always a first-aid kit for basic medical problems.
Not Included in the Saywa Trek in the Sacred Valley
Due we are hiking the one-day hike program, each trekker needs trekking poles (with rubber tips). They are optional but encouraged for a better comfort. If you don’t want to bring it, it is available for rent:
- Trekking Poles (Pair): $5
Prices
We would love to tour the Saywa hike in the valley of the Incas with you and your loved ones and take care of immortalizing your visit to the land of the Incas. We can leave any day from March to January as the one-day trek is always available
Group Price (2020):
- $80 per person
Private Tour:
Private tours are available and priced by party size.
- 2 Trekkers: $80 per person
- 3 Trekkers: $74 per person
- 4 Trekkers: $59 per person
- 5 Trekkers: $50 per person
- 6 Trekkers: $44 per person
- 7 Trekkers: $40 per person
- 8 or more Trekkers: $38 per person
Packing list
We suggest you to carry lightweight backpack that the is key to feeling good during this one-day hike.
Essentials:
- Good daypack (the smaller, the better)
- Comfortable hiking boots (lightweight with good soles) remember that the path is entirely dirt soil.
- Original Passport.
Inside Your Daypacks:
Daypacks can be any size for hiking, but we always recommend the smaller, the better. Some items are listed below.
- Rain gear.
- Music (IPhone).
- Hand sanitizer.
- Toilet paper and small plastic bag for waste.
- Extra Money for Souvenirs, Drinks & Tips.
- Personal medication.
- First aid kit: band aids, moleskin, etc.
Where do we pick up the hikers for the Saywa trek in the Sacred Valley of the Incas?
The Pick-up will be from your hotel at 5:00 am. Please provide clear contact information of your place of accommodation when approaching our office in Cusco.
Where to pay the remaining amount for the Saywa trek in the Sacred Valley of the Incas?
Most hikers arrive in Cusco 2 or 3 days before the hike for proper acclimatization. Once you are in Cusco, it is imperative that you come to our office to review the last details of your excursion and also pay the remaining amount of your hike.
Reserve for the Saywa trek in the Sacred Valley of the Incas?
We try to make the booking as easy as possible in INCAS PATH. We prepare a reservation form, where you will complete and include all the details for the excursion, and then a deposit of $ 40 per person. Once we have all the deposits and details, we will reserve your permits. Once the permits are in our hands, we will send you, your invoice and confirmation that everything is 100% organized. All excursions once confirmed, are guaranteed.
Permissions for the Saywa trek in the Sacred Valley of the Incas?
Only tour operators licensed by the government, such as INCAS PATH, can obtain the corresponding permits from the government. Once we have obtained your permits, the name and start date cannot be changed under any circumstances. The only information that the government allows us to change are passport numbers.
Passport Number Update?
The government will only allow us to change passport numbers if we have a copy of the new passport and the old passport. If you no longer have your old passport, any identification document that you have in your hands will be accepted while the name is the same as in your passport.
Where to stay in Cusco?
You can stay in a hotel, that you consider convenient, however you must have into account the location of the hotel, because the traffic within the city has become stressful in the last 5 years. Many roads are up to 100 years old; Especially near the main square, the roads are only for pedestrians. We will notify you, if it is not possible to pick you up by car from your hotel and coordinate another nearby pick-up point. For a list of recommended hotels, consult your INCAS PATH sales representative.
Where do I store my luggage?
All luggage not necessary for the hike, must remain in Cusco. All hotels are very helpful and are quite accustomed to storing client´s luggage; or if you wish you can store it safely with our customer service team in our office storage.
Can I stay in the sacred valley?
Yes, as the driving route to get the trailhead, goes through the sacred valley of the Incas.
During the trip, how challenging is the Saywa trek in the Sacred Valley of the Incas?
This hike in the sacred valley is for people in good shape, because it ascends from Urubamba, located at 2,875 meters above sea level, to the Saywa mountain located at 3,903 meters. This hike has a solid 2-hour ascent. The level is from moderate to difficult.
Will I need extra money on the Saywa hike in the Sacred Valley of the Incas?
Of course, if you want to buy some type of drinks, snacks, souvenirs «also remember that, only cash is accepted».
How many people will be in my group on the Saywa hike in the Sacred Valley of the Incas?
We require a minimum of 2 people for our tour, and if you are traveling alone, we invite you to join our groups, that start each day. We can have up to 8 hikers with a guide and if our groups are between 9 and 16 people, we have 2 accredited guides with a lot of experience in this hike. During the low season, it is most likely that the groups are small and during the high season the groups are probably much larger.
Do you need hiking boots for the Saywa hike in the Sacred Valley of the Incas?
We always recommend hiking boots, since if it rains a little the path can become a bit muddy and slippery. Please make sure they have good soles.
Are trekking poles really necessary on the Saywa hike in the Sacred Valley of the Incas?
For this hike, we recommend the use of trekking poles for everyone, especially for those passengers with knee problems or older people. There are several sections during the tour where you will need to use the walking sticks, either climbing or descending the dirt soil path.
Are there any toilets along the Saywa hike in the Sacred Valley of the Incas?
Along the hike there is 1 official place that has toilet. At the beginning of the hike there is a toilet. Please carry a roll of toilet paper in your daypack.
What should I expect from the weather on the Saywa hike in the Sacred Valley of the Incas?
Historically in the Peruvian highlands, we have the dry season that goes from April to October and the rainy season that goes from November to March. Unfortunately, this pattern is changing a bit due to climate change. Be ready with your cap/hat and your bottle of sunscreen, because the solar radiation in Cusco during the day fluctuates between 16 and 18 points. And do not forget to bring warm clothes for the cold at night, since the temperature can drop as low as 0 ° C degrees Celsius.
Can Incas Path please my dietary needs? What kind of food will there be?
For us it is an honor to please all kinds of dietary needs, just let us know at the time of booking. If you are vegetarian, vegan, lactose intolerant, gluten intolerant or any type of allergies, we have a team of chefs with a lot of experience in the preparation of all types of diets. Also remember, that we want to pamper you during your trip to Yanacocha Lake and for that reason we use 100% organic vegetables for the elaboration of our buffets.
What type of outlet is used in Cusco and Machu Picchu?
Most hotels and even homes in Peru now have the standard US output and also that of South America.
What is the standard procedure when it comes to tip?
Tipping is part of the tradition of any trip in Peru and, although we pay good salaries to our entire team, we always appreciate any extra appreciation. Keep in mind that this is not mandatory and that you should never feel pressured for this reason.
In general, participants in a group show their appreciation as a group for their porters and chef and a personal appreciation towards their tour guide, which will be according to their degree of satisfaction with the service provided.
