Super Sacred Valley 1-Day Tour
The Experience
The Super Sacred Valley Tour is one of the best alternatives if you are short on time and wish to experience the Sacred Valley to the fullest.
Summary
On this Andean adventure, we will visit several major attractions:
Chinchero: Known as the land of the rainbow and located at one of the highest points of the valley, this town is inhabited by the last Quechua families who still maintain their traditions and customs.
Moray: An Inca agricultural experimental center used in ancient times to organically adapt different Andean vegetables to various conditions of humidity, temperature, soil pH, and altitude. Once the seeds were adapted, they were distributed to different towns for cultivation and production.
Maras Salt Mines: The largest salt flat in Cusco, comprising over 4,000 small ponds filled with salt water from a natural spring. Once the water evaporates, it leaves behind crystallized salt which, in addition to sodium chloride, contains minerals such as calcium, iron, magnesium, zinc, and copper.
Ollantaytambo: The gateway to the last Inca bastion, Machu Picchu; it is considered a “Living Inca City” because original Inca architecture serves as the foundation for the modern town.
Pisaq: One of the most important tambos (resting places) in the Sacred Valley, which served administrative and agricultural functions. It is situated in a strategic position to monitor those traveling from the Antisuyo (Peruvian Jungle) toward Cusco.
This itinerary allows you to explore the Sacred Valley in its entirety.
Tour Overview
Sacred Valley – Moray Salt Mines
Our journey will begin with a hotel pick-up between 6:30 and 6:45 AM. The tour officially starts at 7:00 AM. Our first stop will be the Archaeological Zone and Quechua House located in Chinchero, where you will experience their living culture firsthand.
Next, we will visit the Moray Archaeological Park, considered an Inca agricultural laboratory used to adapt food crops to different soil types, humidity levels, and temperatures. We will then pass through the town of Maras, home to the Salt Mines, where we will observe the community-led extraction of natural salt and its production process. Afterward, we head to Urubamba to enjoy a delicious buffet lunch.
Following lunch, we will visit the archaeological sites of Ollantaytambo (regarded as the "Living Inca City" due to the Inca architecture of the homes still inhabited by Inca descendants; it also serves as a gateway for the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu and the Andean jungle). Finally, we make our way to the Pisaq archaeological park (famous for its agricultural terraces, various Inca neighborhoods perched on the highest mountain peaks, and the only place in the Valley where you can see an Inca cemetery). To conclude the visit, we will head to the town of Pisac for a 30-minute stop, allowing passengers to explore the craft market. We will finish our tour at approximately 7:00 PM in downtown Cusco, near the Plaza de Armas.
What's Included
- Hotel pick-up in Cusco.
- Tourist transportation for the entire circuit.
- Professional Guide (Spanish or English).
- Entry tickets to all attractions.
- Buffet Lunch (Don Angel Restaurant).
What's Not Included
- Travel insurance.
- Meals and beverages not mentioned in the program.
- Extra activities and tips for staff (optional).
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Explore the Wonders of Chinchero, Moray, Maras, Ollantaytambo, and Pisac (Full-Day Tour):
We will pick you up from the comfort of your hotel in Cusco between 6:30 and 6:55 AM, marking the start of an unforgettable journey into the heart of the Sacred Valley. Our adventure begins in Chinchero, a picturesque village where we will immerse ourselves in a rich textile heritage at the local Textile Interpretation Center.
Our itinerary then takes us to the stunning Moray Archaeological Site, known as the innovative agricultural laboratory of the Incas. The exploration continues at the Maras Salt Mines, a spectacle of salt terraces that captures the essence of pre-Inca tradition.
Upon reaching Urubamba, we will enjoy a premium buffet lunch that fuses Peruvian and Andean flavors—a true delight for the senses. Reinvigorated, our trip leads us to Ollantaytambo, a strategic Inca retreat and the gateway to Machu Picchu. There, we will uncover the enigma of its stone terraces and marvel at the Temple of the Sun and the Princess Baths fountain.
The return route holds one final gem: Pisac. We will ascend to its imposing mountaintop archaeological site, and upon heading down, we will dive into its colorful craft market—a showcase of local talent where you can find exclusive handicrafts.
We will conclude our journey back in Cusco, arriving at Plaza de San Francisco between 7:00 and 7:30 PM with hearts full of memories and cameras packed with photos. An experience you will treasure forever!