About this experience
Explore the Sacred Valley of the Incas on this VIP full-day tour from Cusco, showcasing stunning landscapes and ancient Inca heritage. Start your journey in Chinchero, a charming Andean village known for its vibrant textile center. Marvel at the innovative Moray agricultural terraces before heading to the historic Maras Salt Mines, where salt harvesting has been practiced since pre-Inca times. After a buffet lunch, delve into the rich history of Ollantaytambo, wandering its impressive stone structures and learning about Inca engineering. Perfect for history buffs and culture enthusiasts alike, this tour offers an insightful glimpse into the Andes' past.
- Visit the traditional village of Chinchero and its textile center
- Explore the unique circular terraces of Moray
- Discover the ancient Maras Salt Mines still in use today
- Enjoy a buffet lunch immersed in the Sacred Valley setting
At a glance
- Duration: 12 hr–13 hr
Plan your experience
Set aside 12 hr–13 hr for the experience itself, with additional time to reach your meeting or pickup point.
Before you go
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
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
- First aid kit and emergency oxygen available during the tour.
- Cusco Tourist Ticket (Boleto Turístico)
- Professional guide in English and Spanish
- Return transportation to Plaza Regocijo (Cusco Historic Center).
- Buffet lunch.
- Pickup from accommodations located in Cusco Historic Center.
Not included
- Pickup outside Cusco not included. Extra fees may apply.
- Tips for the guide and driver (optional)
- Drinks
- Breakfast
- Entrance ticket to the Maras Salt Mines (paid on site)
Itinerary and highlights
06:45 AM – Hotel Pickup in Cusco
Your experience begins with pickup from your hotel in Cusco. Our driver or guide will meet you in the hotel lobby to start this full-day journey through the Sacred Valley of the Incas.
07:30 AM – Chinchero: Living Andean Culture
We travel north for about 40 minutes to reach Chinchero, a traditional Andean town that preserves its original Inca urban layout. Here you will visit the archaeological site and the colonial church built on top of ancient Inca foundations. You will also have the opportunity to observe traditional weaving techniques and learn about ancestral textile art practiced by local communities.
09:00 AM – Moray: Inca Agricultural Laboratory
Our next stop is Moray, a fascinating archaeological site composed of circular terraces. These terraces created different microclimates and were used by the Incas as an agricultural research center to experiment with crop adaptation and cultivation techniques.
10:30 AM – Maras Salt Mines: Ancient Salt Extraction
We continue to the impressive Maras Salt Mines, a complex of more than 3,000 small salt pools that have been used since pre-Inca times. The pools are filled with naturally salty water that flows from a mountain spring known as Qoripukiu (“Golden Fountain”). Local families still harvest salt here using traditional methods passed down for generations.
12:00 PM – Lunch in Urubamba
After the morning visits, we head to Urubamba, located in the heart of the Sacred Valley, where you will enjoy a buffet lunch with a variety of Peruvian dishes.
02:00 PM – Ollantaytambo Archaeological Site
Next, we travel to Ollantaytambo, one of the most important and best-preserved Inca towns. This archaeological complex served as an administrative, military, and agricultural center during the Inca Empire. Explore its impressive terraces, temples, and massive stone structures while learning about its strategic importance.
04:00 PM – Pisaq Archaeological Site and Artisan Market
Our final stop is Pisaq, famous for its impressive agricultural terraces and advanced irrigation system used by the Incas. After visiting the archaeological site, you will have time to explore the local artisan market, where you can find handmade textiles, ceramics, and traditional souvenirs.
07:00 PM – Return to Cusco
After a full day exploring the Sacred Valley, we return to Cusco around 7:00 PM, bringing an unforgettable journey through Inca history, culture, and spectacular landscapes to an end
Meeting and pickup information
- Hotel pickup is included from hotels located in Cusco Historic Center. Our team will contact you one day before the tour to confirm the exact pickup time. Please wait in the hotel lobby 15 minutes before the scheduled pickup time. If your accommodation is located outside the historic center or in an Airbnb without vehicle access, we will coordinate a nearby meeting point. Our guide or driver will call your name upon arrival.
Languages and tickets
- English — Guide
- Spanish — Guide
- Mobile Only
Tour operator
- Go Xplore Peru
Meeting points and locations
Accessibility and practical details
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
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?
What are the pickup arrangements?
Our team will contact you one day before the tour to confirm the exact pickup time. Please wait in the hotel lobby 15 minutes before the scheduled pickup time.
If your accommodation is located outside the historic center or in an Airbnb without vehicle access, we will coordinate a nearby meeting point.
Our guide or driver will call your name upon arrival.
Which guide languages are listed?
What ticket format is listed?
What ticket age bands are listed?
What is the cancellation policy?
Traveller reviews and photos
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