About this experience
We will pick you up from your hotel at 8 am and drive you for 1 hour to Moray, a fantastic agricultural amphitheater, where the Incas experimented with various Andean products. Then our driver will take us for 20 minutes to the Salineras de Maras where you will learn the process of extracting mountain salt and its medicinal properties. Afterwards we will make a 1 hour stop so you can have lunch at the restaurant of your choice, (we will give you all the suggestions). After lunch we will visit the imposing administrative center of Ollantaytambo and we will be dazzled by the temple of the sun built on the top of a hill. As a final stop, we will visit Chinchero, a textile town where we will learn the process of weaving and dyeing of Andean looms. This 10-hour tour of the Sacred Valley of the Incas will be led by a certified guide with extensive knowledge of the history, archaeology and geography of the place. And it is worth mentioning that all our guides are very empathetic and engaging.
At a glance
- Duration: 10 hr
Plan your experience
Set aside 10 hr for the experience itself, with additional time to reach your meeting or pickup point.
Before you go
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Local guides to help you plan
A Slow Sacred Valley Itinerary: Pisac, Ollantaytambo, Maras and Moray
Skip the rushed day tour. This three-day route gives the Sacred Valley the time it deserves, with honest notes on transport, food, and where to sleep.
Sacred Valley Travel Guide From Cusco
Plan a Sacred Valley trip from Cusco with practical route choices, transport tradeoffs, overnight options, rail connections, budgeting advice, accessibility questions, and current 2026 travel cautions.
Sacred Valley With Kids Guide
Plan a calmer Sacred Valley family trip with practical advice on Cusco Tourist Tickets, child fares, flexible pacing, rail connections, packing, and accessibility questions.
What is included
- Tour guide with a master in history and archaeology
- Private transportation
- Certified tour guide
Not included
- Entry tickets to all the tourist places (24 USD)
- Food and drinks
Itinerary and highlights
Sacred Valley Tour
At first glance it appears to be a kind of amphitheater, but in reality it was an experimental agricultural center corresponding to the Pre-Inca and Inca era, made up of hills, natural depressions of various sizes where there are concentric terraces, artificial plains, canals, aqueducts and two water reservoirs located in the upper part of the complex.
The Maras Salt Mines have more than 3,000 pools of different sizes and dimensions, which are fed by salt water that springs from the subsoil of the Qaqawiñay mountain. The intense sun causes the water to evaporate, leaving salt crystals that are then “harvested” with a piece of wood that scrapes the salt, which is placed in small baskets to remove the excess water. After a few days, the water flow is turned back on and the process is repeated.
The town of Ollantaytambo originated during the Pachacútec era (1418-1471). Although it was not the first construction, it could be said that it was during the Inca reign that the place experienced a drastic expansion. During those times, Ollantaytambo served as a control point for access to the Sacred Valley. In addition, it was here that corn was domesticated for the first time to be grown in abundance, using the fertile slopes of the Urubamba River valley.
Chinchero preserves a monumentality that fuses Inca and colonial architecture. Its economy is based on textile crafts, with production centers that keep local traditions and customs alive. The communities are still organized under the Inca system of ayllus, led by varayocs, and practice bartering, in addition to celebrating various festivities.
Languages and tickets
- Portuguese — Guide
- English — Guide
- Spanish — Guide
- Mobile Only
Tour operator
- IncaGo Expeditions
Meeting points and locations
Accessibility and practical details
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Cancellation policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Questions about this experience
How long is this experience?
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Service animals allowed
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