The Sacred Valley Vip Full Day Tour will be an unforgettable journey through Peru’s rich cultural heritage. We will begin at 6:20 a.m. with a pick-up from your accommodation. The first stop will be the archaeological site of Chinchero, where we will visit a local community and the Textile Interpretation Center. The beauty of the surrounding landscapes will captivate you, providing a glimpse into traditional Andean life.
Next, we will visit the Inca agricultural laboratory of Moray, an extraordinary site of circular terraces. We will then head to Maras, a colonial-style town where you will explore its salt mines, with over 3,000 salt pools still used by locals today. These scenic locations will offer a unique view of the ancient Inca way of life and traditions.
At midday, we will travel to Urubamba for a delicious buffet lunch at a local restaurant. Afterward, we will continue to Ollantaytambo, the only Inca town that is still inhabited. You will walk through its ancient streets, preserving the original Inca urban design, and visit the Ollantaytambo Archaeological Site.
Our final destination will be the archaeological site of Pisaq, one of the most significant Inca burial sites. Here, we will explore the impressive terraces and tombs before returning to Cusco, where we will drop you off at the Plaza de Armas around 6:30 p.m.
This tour will be an enriching experience, combining history, culture, and stunning landscapes in one exciting day. You will enjoy a moderate level of difficulty, with a maximum altitude of 3,762 meters above sea level. It is the perfect way to experience the best of the Sacred Valley in a single day.
Cusco Hotel Transfer
4:50 AM
Our journey begins early in the morning with a pick-up from your hotel in Cusco between 6:20 and 6:50 a.m. We will head north from Cusco, traveling through picturesque landscapes until we reach the village of Chinchero. Here, you will explore the fascinating Chinchero Archaeological Site, where we will witness the impressive Inca agricultural terraces and enjoy panoramic views of the Sacred Valley.
Chinchero is also known for its rich textile culture, and we will visit the local community. The Textile Interpretation Center will introduce you to the intricate process of weaving that has been passed down through generations. You will see traditional techniques used to create vibrant textiles that tell the stories of the local people.
The site itself sits at an altitude of 3,800 meters above sea level, offering a stunning view of the valley of the Incas below. This is an excellent spot to adjust to the altitude before continuing our tour. The visit will give you a sense of the daily life of the local Andean communities and their connection to the land.
Next, we will continue our journey to the Moray Archaeological Site. Known for its unique circular terraces, Moray is often referred to as an Inca agricultural laboratory. These terraces were once used by the Incas to experiment with different crops at various altitudes, and they are an extraordinary display of Inca engineering.
As we explore this site, you will have the chance to marvel at the immense circular depressions, which create a natural microclimate ideal for agriculture. The center of each circular terrace is at a different elevation, and the change in temperature between each level creates the perfect environment for crop testing.
Moray sits at 3,500 meters above sea level. It is a captivating place that demonstrates the Inca’s advanced understanding of agriculture and the natural world. The site also offers breathtaking views of the Sacred Valley, and it will leave you in awe of the Inca ingenuity that shaped this area.
After exploring Moray, we will drive to Maras, a small colonial town with a hidden gem its ancient salt mines. These salt flats, also known as Salineras, have been in use since Inca times. The mines consist of over 3,000 salt pools, still managed by local families, and they offer a remarkable sight.
As we approach the salt mines, you will see the white terraces of salt against the brown earth, a stark contrast that is visually striking. You will have time to walk around and learn about the traditional methods of salt extraction still in practice today. The natural landscape surrounding the salt mines is equally impressive, with views of the snow-capped peaks of the Andes.
Maras is situated at 3,380 meters above sea level, offering more stunning views of the Sacred Valley. The contrast between the snowy mountains and the golden-brown salt terraces makes this a truly unforgettable stop on our tour.
Our next stop will take us to Ollantaytambo, the only town in the Sacred Valley that has remained continuously inhabited since Inca times. The town of Ollantaytambo is an extraordinary example of Inca urban planning, with its narrow streets and impressive stone buildings. The town is located at 2,792 meters above sea level, and it offers a stunning view of the valley below.
We will visit the Ollantaytambo Archaeological Site, which was once a royal estate and an important religious center. The massive stone terraces that rise above the town are evidence of the Incas’ advanced engineering skills. As we explore, we will learn about the history of this fascinating site, including its role in the resistance against Spanish colonization.
After our visit, we will take a break and enjoy a delicious buffet lunch in the town. The food will be a perfect way to recharge and prepare for the final stretch of our day.
Our final stop on the Sacred Valley tour will be the Pisaq Archaeological Site. This site is known for its stunning terraces and its significance as one of the largest Inca cemeteries. Located at 3,250 meters above sea level, Pisaq offers a sweeping view of the valley and is one of the most important archaeological sites in the Sacred Valley.
At Pisaq, we will explore the terraces, which were used for agriculture, and the large complex of tombs. We will also visit the main temple, which was dedicated to the worship of the sun. The site offers a peaceful and reflective atmosphere, and it is an ideal place to end our journey through the Sacred Valley.
After our visit to Pisaq, we will return to Cusco, where we will drop you off at the Plaza de Armas around 6:30 p.m. This marks the end of your full-day Sacred Valley adventure, filled with history, culture, and breathtaking landscapes.
This tour was absolutely incredible! The Sacred Valley is stunning, and each site we visited was unique. The guide was very knowledgeable and made the history come to life. We loved the visit to the Moray terraces and the salt mines at Maras. The buffet lunch in Urubamba was delicious. Highly recommend this tour to anyone visiting Cusco!
We had an unforgettable day exploring the Sacred Valley. Chinchero was our favorite spot—such beautiful textiles and breathtaking views. The tour was well-organized, and our guide was friendly and professional. It’s a perfect way to see the highlights of the Sacred Valley in one day!
