About this experience
This Sacred Valley tour is special because of the way it is designed and operated. Unlike many standard tours, we follow a carefully planned route that allows you to visit the main sites in a smooth and enjoyable way, without rushing from place to place.
We work with small groups of no more than 8 travelers, which creates a more personal experience and allows our local Cusco guide to spend more time explaining, answering questions, and adapting the pace to the group. This also means more time to enjoy places like Ollantaytambo and to connect with local culture along the way.
Our focus is on quality, comfort, and authentic experiences, avoiding forced shopping stops and crowded schedules, so you can truly enjoy the Sacred Valley at a relaxed pace.
At a glance
- Duration: 11 hr–12 hr
Plan your experience
Set aside 11 hr–12 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.
Maras Salt Mines Day Trip From Cusco
Plan a practical day trip from Cusco to the Maras Salt Mines, with route estimates, entry guidance, walking considerations, and an optional Moray stop.
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.
What is included
- Visit to Pisac, Moray, Maras Salt Mines and Ollantaytambo
- Transportation in a comfortable tourist vehicle
- Cultural visit to a local Andean community (textile demonstration)
- Small-group guided Sacred Valley tour
- Buffet Lunch in Urubamba
- More time at Ollantaytambo for exploration and photos
- Professional local guide from Cusco
- Hotel pick-up from Cusco Historic Center
Not included
- Personal expenses and tips
- Entrance tickets to Moray - paid there directly since is the government fee
- Entrance ticket to Salt mines - paid there directly since is the government fee
Itinerary and highlights
Pick-up from your hotel in Cusco around 6:30 am (exact time may vary depending on location). After meeting your guide, begin a scenic drive toward the Sacred Valley, enjoying beautiful Andean landscapes along the way as your guide introduces the history and geography of the region.
Andean Community & Textile Experience
Visit Manos de la Comunidad, where you’ll experience the living traditions of the Andes firsthand. Local families warmly welcome you and demonstrate how alpaca and sheep wool is spun, naturally dyed, and woven using ancestral techniques.
You’ll learn about traditional clothing, symbolism in Andean textiles, and daily life in rural communities. This authentic cultural encounter offers a deeper connection with local heritage beyond the archaeological sites.
Pisac Archaeological Park
Explore the impressive Inca ruins of Pisac, dramatically located on the mountainside with panoramic views over the Sacred Valley. Walk through agricultural terraces, ceremonial areas, and stone structures that highlight the Incas’ advanced engineering skills.
After the guided visit, enjoy free time at the colorful Pisac artisan market, well known for its textiles, jewelry, and handcrafted souvenirs made by local vendors.
Visit the fascinating circular terraces of Moray, believed to have functioned as an Inca agricultural research center. These unique depressions allowed the Incas to experiment with crops in different microclimates.
Stroll around the site while your guide explains its purpose, surrounded by stunning mountain scenery that makes this stop both educational and visually unforgettable.
Discover the iconic salt terraces of Maras, where thousands of small pools cascade down the mountainside. These salt pans have been worked since pre-Inca times and are still managed today by local families.
Learn how the famous pink salt of Maras is harvested by hand and enjoy one of the most photogenic landscapes in the Sacred Valley.
Stop in Urubamba, the heart of the Sacred Valley, to enjoy a buffet lunch (if selected) featuring a variety of traditional Peruvian dishes prepared with fresh local ingredients. Relax and recharge while surrounded by peaceful mountain views.
Ollantaytambo – Tour End or Return to cusco.
Explore the historic Inca town and fortress of Ollantaytambo, one of the best-preserved examples of Inca urban planning. Walk through original stone streets, admire massive terraces, and learn about its strategic importance during the Inca period.
The tour ends in Ollantaytambo, making it an ideal option for travelers continuing by train to Machu Picchu or staying overnight in the area or return to cusco.
Meeting and pickup information
- Pick-up is available only from hotels located within Cusco’s Historic Center. Travelers staying outside the Historic Center will be provided with a nearby meeting point
Languages and tickets
- English — Guide
- Spanish — Guide
- Mobile Only
Tour operator
- Cusco Trips
Accessibility and practical details
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- 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?
Travelers staying outside the Historic Center will be provided with a nearby meeting point
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
Traveller experiences load when you reach this section.
