Overview

The Sacred Valley Tour from Cusco is one of the most fascinating full-day cultural experiences in the Andes. This journey takes you through some of the most remarkable destinations of the Sacred Valley, where visitors can discover ancient Inca engineering, traditional Andean culture, and breathtaking mountain landscapes.

Located between Cusco and Machu Picchu, the Sacred Valley was one of the most important agricultural and strategic regions of the Inca Empire. The fertile lands of the valley allowed the Incas to cultivate crops such as maize, quinoa, and potatoes, while the surrounding mountains offered natural protection and spectacular scenery.

This full-day tour explores four extraordinary destinations: the traditional weaving village of Chinchero, the mysterious circular terraces of Moray, the famous Salt Mines of Maras, and the impressive Inca town of Ollantaytambo. Together, these sites offer a complete insight into the culture, technology, and history of the Andean world.

Tour Highlights

  • Visit the traditional Andean village of Chinchero
  • Discover the circular agricultural terraces of Moray
  • Explore the impressive Salt Mines of Maras
  • Walk through the ancient Inca town of Ollantaytambo
  • Enjoy spectacular landscapes of the Sacred Valley

Why Visit the Sacred Valley?

The Sacred Valley is one of the most historically important regions in Peru. Surrounded by dramatic Andean mountains and crossed by the Vilcanota River, the valley was a key agricultural center for the Inca civilization.

Today, visitors can explore well-preserved archaeological sites, traditional villages, and unique landscapes that reflect centuries of Andean culture and history.

Itinerary

Detailed Itinerary:

The tour begins at 8:00 am with pickup from your hotel in Cusco. We travel through the beautiful Andean highlands toward our first destination.

Chinchero – Traditional Textile Village

Our first stop is Chinchero, a charming Andean town known for its rich textile traditions. Local artisans demonstrate the complete process of traditional weaving, from alpaca shearing to spinning and dyeing natural fibers using ancestral techniques.

Chinchero is also home to impressive Inca terraces and colonial architecture, offering a unique blend of history and living culture.

Moray – The Inca Agricultural Laboratory

Next we visit the extraordinary archaeological site of Moray. This complex features circular terraces built into natural depressions in the mountainside.

Many historians believe the Incas used Moray as an agricultural research center to experiment with different crops and microclimates. Each terrace level has its own temperature variation, allowing crops to adapt to different ecological zones.

Maras Salt Mines

The tour continues to the famous Salt Mines of Maras, a spectacular landscape composed of more than 3,000 small salt ponds cascading down the mountainside.

These salt pools have been used continuously since pre-Inca times. Local families still harvest salt using traditional methods, making this site one of the most unique cultural landscapes in Peru.

After visiting Maras, we drive to the town of Urubamba, where you will have time to enjoy lunch on your own.

Ollantaytambo – The Living Inca Town

In the afternoon we visit Ollantaytambo, one of the best-preserved Inca towns in South America. Unlike many archaeological sites, Ollantaytambo is still inhabited, and its original Inca streets and water channels continue to function today.

At the archaeological complex, we climb approximately 247 stone steps to reach the upper terraces of the fortress. From here you can admire massive stone structures that represent some of the finest examples of Inca stonework.

Some of the stones used in the construction weigh more than 80 tons, transported from a quarry located across the Vilcanota River—an incredible engineering achievement.

After visiting Ollantaytambo, we transfer you either to the train station for your journey to Machu Picchu or return you to your hotel.

Maximum Elevation: 3800m / 12,388ft

Total Duration: 8 hours

Departure: Monday to Sunday

Tour Package Details

Inclusions:

  • Private transportation
  • Professional English-speaking tour guide
  • Hotel pick up and drop-off

Exclusions:

  • Lunch
  • Drinks
  • Entrance tickets for Moray and Ollantaytambo (S/ 70 or US$ 21)
  • Entrance ticket to Maras Salt Mines (S/ 20 or US$ 6)
  • Snacks

What to bring:

  • Small backpack for personal items
  • Comfortable walking shoes
  • Sun hat
  • Sunscreen
  • Rain jacket
  • Warm clothes
  • Water bottle
  • Camera

Travel Tips

  • Spend at least one day acclimatizing in Cusco before the tour
  • Bring cash for entrance tickets and lunch
  • Wear layers since the weather can change quickly in the Andes
  • Carry sunscreen due to the high altitude

Prices

Private service:

This tour is offered as a private experience, allowing you to explore the Sacred Valley at your own pace with personalized attention from your guide.

Price 2026

Group Size Price (US$)
2 people 115.00 $ per person
3 people 92.00 $ per person
4 people 76.00 $ per person

Why Choose a Private Tour?

  • Flexible itinerary and personalized attention
  • More comfortable transportation
  • More time to explore each destination
  • Ideal for families, couples, or small groups

Booking Information

Booking deposit required – Online payments

To confirm your reservation, a deposit of US$ 50 + 6% per person is required through PayPal.

Final payment: The remaining balance of the tour must be paid in cash upon arrival in Cusco.

Cancellation Penalties

If the tour is canceled after confirmation, the booking deposit of US$ 50 per person is non-refundable.