English and Spanish-speaking guide
Group tour
Free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund
Pickup included
Check the Dates
Embark on a day tour to Sacred Valley from Cusco to explore a diverse range of Incan wonders, from industrial salt ponds to mountaintop cemeteries. Learn about ancient farming science at Moray and witness traditional weaving techniques in Chinchero before exploring the massive stone architecture of Ollantaytambo. This comprehensive tour handles all logistics and transportation, ensuring a comfortable and educational adventure through the Andes.
Highlights:
- Explore the mysterious circular terraces of Moray, an ancient Incan agricultural laboratory.
- Witness a live textile demonstration in Chinchero to learn ancestral dyeing and weaving secrets.
- Marvel at the 3,000 ancient salt evaporation ponds carved into the mountain at the Maras Salt Mines.
- Discover the massive terrace systems and ancient cemeteries at the mountaintop ruins of Pisac.
- Savor a traditional buffet lunch in Urubamba, the heart of the valley, featuring local organic products.
About this tour:
Embark on a comprehensive Sacred Valley day tour from Cusco, a 13-hour immersive journey through the agricultural, industrial, and military heart of the Inca Empire. This meticulously planned expedition begins with an early morning pickup from your hotel in downtown Cusco, heading north into a landscape of soaring Andean peaks and fertile riverside plains.
Your first encounter with Incan tradition occurs in the picturesque village of Chinchero. Here, you will explore ancient agricultural terraces and the ruins of a royal estate before witnessing a live textile demonstration, where local artisans reveal the ancestral secrets of washing, dyeing, and spinning wool into vibrant, world-famous fabrics.
As the day tour to Sacred Valley from Cusco continues, you will descend into the fascinating laboratory of Moray. This archaeological site features massive, circular terraced depressions that served as a sophisticated agricultural research station, where the Incas experimented with different microclimates to optimize crop production.
Just a short distance away, you will discover the mesmerizing Maras Salt Mines. Carved into the side of the Kachi Qata mountain, these 3,000 ancient salt evaporation ponds have been harvested since pre-Incan times and remain a stunning example of human ingenuity and natural beauty.
The afternoon of your full-day Sacred Valley tour from Cusco is dedicated to the region’s grandest fortresses. You will explore the monumental stone structures of Ollantaytambo, a strategic military and religious site that famously served as a stronghold for the Inca resistance against Spanish colonizers. After a revitalizing buffet lunch in Urubamba to sample authentic Peruvian flavors, the circuit concludes at the mountaintop ruins of Pisac. Here, you can admire one of the largest Inca cemeteries and vast terrace systems that offer breathtaking panoramic views of the entire valley.
Your adventure concludes with a scenic return drive, arriving back in Cusco in the evening with a profound understanding of the Sacred Valley’s enduring cultural legacy.
Included:
- Pickup at your hotel in Cusco
- Professional tour guide
- Tourist transportation
- Buffet lunch in Urubamba
- Return trip to the historic center of Cusco
Essential Information:
- Exclusions: Entrance fees are NOT included. You must provide or purchase the Cusco Tourist Ticket (BTC) for the ruins (S/ 70–120) and pay the separate entrance fee for the Maras Salt Mines.
- Logistics: The tour arrives back in Cusco at approximately 7:00 PM. The order of activities may change due to weather or group progress.
- Recommendations: Bring a sun hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, comfortable walking shoes, and your own water/snacks for the journey between sites.
Activity provider: Trekzy
Frequently Asked Questions
What does this Sacred Valley day tour from Cusco include?
This 13-hour comprehensive journey includes a convenient pickup from your accommodation in downtown Cusco and round-trip tourist transportation throughout the valley. You will be accompanied by a professional bilingual guide who provides deep historical insights at every archaeological stop. To keep you energized for a full day of exploration, a hearty buffet lunch featuring local Peruvian flavors is served in the town of Urubamba.
What is not covered by the tour price?
It is important to note that the mandatory entrance fees for the archaeological sites and the salt mines are not included in the package. You will need to purchase the Cusco Tourist Ticket (BTC), which ranges from 70 to 120 soles, to access the ruins in Chinchero, Moray, Ollantaytambo, and Pisac. Additionally, the separate entry fee for the Maras Salt Mines, breakfast, dinner, and any personal snacks or tips for the crew are excluded.
Where and when does this day tour to Sacred Valley from Cusco begin?
The adventure begins early in the morning with hotel pickups scheduled between 6:30 AM and 7:00 AM for guests staying in the historic center. Once the entire group has been collected, the bus departs north toward the valley to begin the first activity in Chinchero. Starting at this time ensures that the group can visit all five major landmarks before returning to Cusco in the evening.
What should I bring for this tour?
Since the tour involves walking across varied terrain at high altitudes, we strongly recommend wearing sturdy, comfortable walking shoes. You should pack a daypack with high-SPF sunscreen, a sun hat, and sunglasses to protect yourself from the intense Andean sun. It is also a good idea to bring your own water and a few small snacks, as the journey between certain archaeological sites can take some time.
What should I know before I go on this tour?
Travelers should be prepared for a long and active 13-hour day that involves a significant amount of walking and climbing ancient stone stairs. The order of the itinerary may shift depending on weather conditions or the pace of the group to ensure the best possible experience at each site. Additionally, please make sure to have your original passport and either physical cash (soles) or your pre-purchased tourist ticket ready for the various checkpoints.
What will I experience during this full-day Sacred Valley tour from Cusco?
You will experience a profound immersion into the diverse ingenuity of the Inca Empire, ranging from the intricate textile arts of Chinchero to the massive stone fortresses that guard the valley. Walking through the circular laboratory of Moray, you will see firsthand how ancient scientists mastered agricultural microclimates, while a visit to the Maras Salt Mines reveals an industrial marvel of 3,000 ponds that have been active for centuries. The visual contrast between the shimmering white salt pools and the lush green valley floor provides some of the most iconic views in the Andes.
In the afternoon, you will experience the military and religious weight of Ollantaytambo, where the colossal stone terraces tell stories of fierce resistance and sacred ceremonies. The journey concludes at the mountaintop ruins of Pisac, offering a panoramic perspective of the Urubamba River and the ancient cemetery carved into the cliffs. Throughout this Sacred Valley tour from Cusco, the combination of professional storytelling, authentic buffet dining, and breathtaking mountain scenery creates a complete picture of the “Sacred Valley of the Incas.”