If you’re like me and visiting Peru’s Sacred Valley, you’ve probably stared up at the massive rock walls and wondered… “Can I climb that?”

The answer is a very satisfying, yes. Rock climbing in the Sacred Valley is not only possible, it’s incredible.

I booked a full-day climbing trip with Peru Climbing Experience, and to put it simply, I could not have asked for a better day. The guides, Jaseh and Joe, are an absolute blast – super knowledgeable, experienced, and just the best types of humans. Only regret: I wish I had more time to climb in the Sacred Valley.

A Review of Climbing in the Sacred Valley

Why I Chose Peru Climbing Experiences

If I’m honest, I didn’t find many alternative options. And since I was traveling solo, I didn’t have a climbing partner handy. So if I wanted to climb, I knew I’d have to seek out a guide.

From the very start, communication was easy. I chatted with Cole via email, who quickly shared all the options, prices, and availability.

Booking was simple, and they even let me pay with Venmo. Together we made a personalized plan and agreed on a full-day multi-pitch climb. After I sent the deposit, we moved over to WhatsApp for all the final details.

All I had to bring was water, sunscreen, my climbing shoes (they have them, but always best to bring your own), and some warm layers (the weather definitely shifted, so don’t forget this part). They handled the rest.

The Guides: Meet Joe & Jaseh

Joe and Jaseh met me at 8:30 AM in the Plaza de Armas in Ollantaytambo, they recognized me by my shoes and greeted me with big hugs. I felt instantly at home (a classic part of the climbing world).

Joe and Jaseh are both based in Urubamba. Jaseh was recovering from a recent surgery when I visited, but having him at the crag climbing nearby with a friend and testing out his new drone definitely amplified my experience. His energy is infectious – what a hype man.

Joe would be my guide for the day. He’s a professional mountain guide from Ecuador with over a decade of experience, and it shows.

His compassion, patience, and respect for nature (and for me) were clear all day. He recognized I had learned multi-pitch techniques before, but we started with the basics to ensure safety first. This attention to detail is exactly what you want in a guide.

Climbing in the Sacred Valley: What to Expect

We drove about 20 minutes from Ollantaytambo to a stunning crag just outside the village of Pachar. In fact, it’s just opposite the famous SkyLodge Adventure Suites. The approach was less than 10 minutes through an expansive corn field and over a water channel. The guys told me they grow the largest corn variety in the world here.

Part 1: The School (A Skills Refresh)

Since I had asked to practice multi-pitch, Joe and I spent the first two hours in an area they call “The School.” We reviewed the basics, mainly setting up anchors, knots and rope protocols. What Joe taught me was a bit different from my previous training, so this repetition was key. We practiced on a small wall before breaking for lunch.

Part 2: Lunch at the Crag

I was not expecting such a great lunch. Joe’s partner, who is Argentinian, prepared a delicious lunch for us, chicken empanadas, alfajores (a must-try dessert), another sweet pie, fresh fruit (granadillas (these are sweet passion fruits, as Joe learned that day) and apples), and chicha morada (a sweet purple corn drink popular all over Peru).

Truly, I did not need any of the snacks I brought. We were set for the entire day.

Part 3: The Main Event (Multi-Pitch Climbing in the Sacred Valley)

After lunch, we moved to the “towers” for two three-pitch climbs. This is where Joe’s patience really shone. On our first climb, I… well, I nearly killed him due to poor execution of what we’d just learned. He was nothing but patient and understanding. Meanwhile, I was holding back tears of embarassment. Let’s hope he didn’t notice.

His calm correction helped me fix my mistakes, and I passed the next two pitches with flying colors (thank God for Joe and walkie talkies).

The routes themselves were fantastic for learning – great friction on the rock and intuitive moves. They were perfect for someone new to multi-pitch, just as the guys had promised. The views from the top, with the snow-capped mountains in the distance, were the best part, especially at golden hour.

The Highlight: By the end of the day, Joe’s patient teaching paid off. I was able to confidently and safely lead a three-pitch route myself all the way to the summit.

We climbed until just after dark, rappelling back to safety, and enjoyed our alfajores on the walk out, alfajores in one hand, flash lights in the other. It was a long, rewarding day – I got back to Ollantaytambo around 7:15 PM.

My Final Advice: Go Rock Climbing in the Sacred Valley

If you’re in the Sacred Valley and have any interest in rock climbing, whether you’re a total beginner or an experienced climber, you must give these guys a ring.

I felt safe, supported, and understood all day. It was an incredible adventure, and I left a better and more confident climber than when I arrived. I highly recommend Jaseh and Joe as climbing guides from Peru Climbing Experiences.