Cultural Tours Peru
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1 Day
The Sacred Valley Full-Day Tour from Cusco is one of the most complete and recommended experiences for those who want to discover the history and living culture of local communities. During this guided excursion, you will visit the main archaeological sites of the Sacred Valley of the Incas, uncover ancient traditions that are still preserved today, and enjoy breathtaking views of the Andes mountain range. This Sacred Valley tour is perfect for travelers looking to connect with Inca heritage and explore the most authentic towns of the region in just one day.
The adventure through the Sacred Valley from Cusco begins with hotel pickup and a scenic drive to Chinchero, where you will visit its handicraft market, Andean textiles, and archaeological remains that blend Inca and colonial heritage. The route continues to Moray, with its circular terraces considered an ancient agricultural laboratory, and then to the Maras salt mines, a complex of more than 3,000 salt ponds where pink Andean salt is still produced. Later, in Urubamba, there is a stop to enjoy a buffet lunch prepared with local products.
The journey continues to Ollantaytambo, known as the living Inca town, where you will see its fortress, temples, and agricultural terraces that preserve the original Inca layout. The last stop is at Pisac, with its vast archaeological complex, terraces, and ceremonial temples, as well as its handicraft market, perfect for buying textiles and local crafts. This full-day Sacred Valley tour combines culture, history, and Andean landscapes in a complete experience from Cusco.
Departure from Cusco to Chinchero to visit its textile center, Inca terraces, and handicraft market. Continue to Moray and the Maras Salt Mines. Buffet lunch in Urubamba. In the afternoon, visit the Inca citadel of Ollantaytambo and the archaeological complex of Pisac, with a stop at its handicraft market. Return to Cusco in the evening.
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Discover the Sacred Valley Tour from Cusco, a full-day experience that allows you to explore the region’s history, culture, and most stunning landscapes. The adventure begins early with hotel pickup in Cusco and a scenic 45-minute drive to Chinchero, a traditional town with a rich Inca and colonial legacy.
During the tour, you will visit the main attractions of the Sacred Valley of the Incas, accompanied by expert guides who will reveal the secrets of this ancient civilization. Among the highlights are Moray, with its mysterious circular agricultural terraces; the traditional Maras Salt Mines; the impressive archaeological complex of Ollantaytambo; and the famous ruins and handicraft market of Pisac.
This guided excursion combines unique landscapes, ancestral traditions, and an unparalleled cultural legacy, making it one of the most recommended experiences for those seeking a Sacred Valley tour from Cusco—ideal for history, archaeology, and nature enthusiasts.
Chinchero is one of the most authentic towns in the Sacred Valley of the Incas and a must-visit on any excursion from Cusco. This destination is not only famous for its Andean textiles but also for its landscapes, ruins, and traditional handicraft market.
During your visit to Chinchero, you will enjoy:
This small town perfectly combines living culture, archaeology, and nature, making it an essential stop on any Sacred Valley full-day tour.
After exploring Chinchero, the excursion continues to Maras and Moray, where you will discover more secrets of Inca engineering and agriculture.
Our next stop on the Sacred Valley Tour is Moray, one of Cusco’s most enigmatic and fascinating archaeological sites. This place is known for its circular agricultural terraces, unique in the world, which formed part of a sophisticated agricultural research system developed by the Incas.
In Moray, you will see massive circular depressions in the ground shaped like amphitheaters, built with different terrace levels. Each level created a distinct microclimate, allowing the Incas to experiment with more than 250 plant species. For this reason, many researchers consider Moray to be the world’s first agricultural laboratory.
During your visit, our expert guide will explain how the Incas used this site to adapt crops to different altitudes and temperatures, which was key to the development of agriculture in the ancient empire.
Beyond its scientific importance, Moray also offers:
After exploring Moray, we will head to Maras, famous for its spectacular natural salt mines.
Our next stop will be Maras, one of the most photographed sites in the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Here you’ll find the impressive Maras Salt Mines, a complex of more than 3,000 pre-Inca salt pools spread across the mountainside, creating a unique geometric landscape in the world.
The pink salt of Maras is renowned for its purity, high mineral content, and distinctive flavor. From pre-Inca times to the present day, this resource has been essential for the local economy and the region’s gastronomy. Even today, the salt harvested here is considered one of the most nutritious and healthiest in the world.
During the visit, you’ll learn how local families keep alive the ancestral tradition of salt production. Each family inherits a set of pools and uses the same method as their ancestors: allowing salty water from a natural spring to flow in, waiting for the sun to evaporate it, and then manually collecting the salt crystals.
In Maras you can also enjoy:
Visiting the Maras salt mines is an unmissable experience on any Sacred Valley tour from Cusco, as it combines nature, tradition, and living culture.
After exploring Maras, we will continue our journey toward Ollantaytambo, the living Inca town of the Sacred Valley.
After visiting Moray and the Maras Salt Mines, we will head to Urubamba, one of the most fertile valleys in the region. Here we’ll stop at a local restaurant to enjoy a buffet lunch, prepared with fresh products from the area such as corn, native potatoes, and vegetables grown in the Sacred Valley itself.
Restaurants in Urubamba usually work directly with local producers, offering an authentic and high-quality gastronomic experience. This will be the perfect time to rest, recharge, and savor Peru’s traditional cuisine before continuing on to Ollantaytambo, the next stop on the tour.
After lunch in Urubamba, we will continue on to Ollantaytambo, one of the most important archaeological complexes in the Sacred Valley of the Incas. This ancient citadel served administrative, military, and religious functions during the Inca Empire and is strategically located between two mountains.
On the guided tour, we will explore the main temple, famous for its massive carved stone walls and agricultural terraces climbing the hillside. We will also visit highlights such as the central plaza, the Ñusta’s Bath —a ceremonial water fountain associated with purification rituals—, the Temple of Water, and other religious constructions of great historical value.
Ollantaytambo was not only the site of important battles against the Spanish but also preserves an Inca urban layout still visible today in its narrow streets, water channels, and traditional houses. Due to its importance and state of preservation, it is one of the must-see stops on any Sacred Valley excursion from Cusco.
After visiting Ollantaytambo, we will continue our journey to Pisac, located about 45 minutes away by car. This site hosts one of the most extensive archaeological complexes in the Sacred Valley, considered the second largest after Machu Picchu.
On the guided tour we will explore its main sectors, such as the Temple of the Sun, the Temple of Water, the ceremonial enclosures, and the impressive Inca agricultural terraces that descend along the mountainside. From above, the panoramic views of the valley are spectacular and provide an ideal setting for photography.
As we descend to the town, we will stop at the Pisac handicraft market, famous for its variety of textiles, silver jewelry, and ceramics made by local artisans. It is one of the best places to purchase authentic souvenirs from the trip at affordable prices.
After this final visit, we will conclude our full-day excursion to the Sacred Valley of the Incas, returning to the city of Cusco in the evening.
End of the trip
Upon returning to Cusco, we will conclude our one-day tour of the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Our services will end at the agreed drop-off point, but if you wish, we can also help you arrange additional packages or excursions to continue exploring Cusco, Machu Picchu, and other attractions in Peru.
During your one-day excursion to the Sacred Valley of the Incas from Cusco, everything is organized so you can enjoy the experience without worrying about transportation or logistics. Here’s what the tour includes:
Although the Sacred Valley Tour from Cusco covers the main services, there are some additional expenses you should consider:
To make the most of your one-day excursion to the Sacred Valley of the Incas, it’s important to bring what you need to stay comfortable during visits to different archaeological sites, artisan markets, and Andean villages. The weather in the Andes can change quickly, from intense sun to cold wind or light rain, so being prepared will make all the difference.
In this section, we answer your most common questions about the full-day Sacred Valley Tour from Cusco. Here you will find clear and useful answers to help you plan your trip with peace of mind and fully enjoy your experience in the Sacred Valley of the Incas.
Pisac is located at 2,972 m (9,751 ft) above sea level in the Sacred Valley of the Incas. At this altitude, some travelers may feel mild symptoms of altitude sickness, such as fatigue or shortness of breath, especially if it is their first day in Cusco. It is recommended to acclimatize before taking the tour.
The dry season, between May and September, is ideal due to its sunny days and clear skies. However, from November to March the valley becomes greener due to the rains, which also provide spectacular landscapes.
Chinchero is 28 km (17 miles) northwest of Cusco, about a 45-minute trip by tourist bus. It is the first stop of the tour.
Ollantaytambo is at 2,792 m (9,160 ft) above sea level. During the tour, visitors explore the fortress, the Temple of the Sun, the agricultural terraces, and the famous “Bath of the Ñusta.”
Moray is at 3,500 m (11,482 ft) above sea level and is considered an ancient Inca agricultural laboratory. Its circular terraces created microclimates that allowed experiments with Andean crops.
The Salt Mines are on the mountainside at 3,200 m (10,498 ft) above sea level, 10 km (6 miles) from the town of Maras. More than 3,000 ponds collect salty water from a natural spring, which evaporates in the sun, forming pink salt crystals.
Urubamba is at 2,871 m (9,419 ft) above sea level. It is one of the most fertile valleys in the region and offers fresh local products enjoyed in the lunch included in the tour.
The tour is a full-day excursion, lasting approximately 10 to 12 hours. It starts with hotel pick-up in Cusco around 7:00 a.m. and ends in the city around 7:00 p.m.
The journey is made in tourist minibuses with 15 to 18 passengers, comfortable and safe, allowing travelers to enjoy the valley views throughout the route.
No. The tour includes transportation, guide, and lunch, but entrance fees are paid separately: the Cusco Tourist Ticket (S/ 70 or S/ 130) and the entrance to the Maras Salt Mines (S/ 20).
Pisac is 34 km (21 miles) from Cusco, in the eastern part of the Sacred Valley. Visitors explore its extensive archaeological complex with terraces, ceremonial temples, and its famous artisan market known for textiles and jewelry.
Yes. In Chinchero and Pisac you will find traditional markets where handmade Andean textiles, ceramics, and silver jewelry crafted by local artisans are sold.
During the day, temperatures range between 18 °C and 23 °C (64 °F–73 °F), while in the morning and afternoon they can drop to 5 °C or 10 °C (41 °F–50 °F). The climate is mild but with quick changes typical of the Andes.
It is not the most advisable. Cusco is at 3,399 m (11,152 ft) above sea level, so it is best to rest and acclimatize for at least one day before taking long excursions like the Sacred Valley.
Yes. Ollantaytambo is the starting point of the train to Machu Picchu. Some travelers arrange to stay in the town after the tour and take the direct train to Aguas Calientes to visit Machu Picchu the next day.
Do not hesitate to give us a call. We are an expert team and we are happy to talk to you.
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