Overview
The Sacred Valley Tour of Peru is the center of the ancient Inca Civilization. While the city of Cusco and the awe-inspiring Machu Picchu are thronged by travelers, there are several other attractions in the Sacred Valley that offer unique insights into these Andean Highlands. At Guiding Machu Picchu, we have a specially designed full-day tour of Chinchero, Maras, Moray, and Ollantaytambo which let you discover the unusual topographical features of these regions
If your legs are up for it, hike the Short Inca Trail 2 Day past stunning mountain vistas, up to the wondrous Machu Picchu, built mere decades before Columbus arrived in the New World.
Pre-trek briefing
For Sacred Valley Tour 1 Day, you will have a thorough briefing with your experienced adventure tour guide, 1 or 2 days before your tour. Your guide will meet you at your hotel and you can take this opportunity to ask final questions and make any final preparations
Sacred Valley highlight
- Urubamba Mountain Ranges
- Urubamba Valley
- Chinchero Inca site, Moray, Salt ponds, Ollantaytambo
- Best lunch
- Best Guided tour
- Unique views
Itinerary
Sacred Valley Tour - Chinchero - Moray - Ollantaytambo
We will pick you up at your hotel at 7:30am, with our private van and head towards the Sacred Valley of the Incas, where your first view of the Sacred valley is at the Chinchero. This stunning scenery of the Urubamba valley is laid out before you, with traditional farming communities in the valley floor and mountain ranges peaks rising from the end of the valley. Keep reading for a sneak peak of the highlights!
Chinchero
The bucolic town of Chinchero lies on the way to Urubamba. Its constructions take you back in time since they were built right over the foundations laid by the Incas. Rustic mud houses, made of adobe, dot the landscape, on which also stand white stone structures with thatched roofs. Chinchero is also the weaving center of Peru, and it is possible to watch local women spin and weave wool into lovely patches of fabric.
Moray
The archaeological site of Moray, next on our list, is a visual delight to behold. Often termed as the Inca Greenhouse, this region is full of circular step farms in the mountains. The ingenious farming technique of ‘Andenes’ (terrace farming using steps cut into the mountains) helped the Incas to grow crops on the slopey hills of Moray. It is also believed that they used these circular terraces to conduct agricultural experiments. An example of extreme Inca landscaping, these historic terraces have their own micro weather, suitable for the observation of astronomical and weather-related changes
Salt mines
The Salt Mines (Salineras), close to the colonial town of Maras, are Pre-Inca. Hundreds of saltpans decorate the hillside and have been used for salt extraction since before the Incas time. A natural spring at the top of the valley discharges a small stream of water heavily laden with salt, which is diverted into saltpans and evaporated to produce a salt that is of very high quality. This is one of the few places in the world where you can find naturally pink salt! This is a shorter walk than Pisac.
Ollantaytambo
We finish our tour in Ollantaytambo, exploring the archeological site for about 1 hour. Like Pisac, this is a very extensive site. You will learn about the incredible architecture of the Sun Temple, admire the water fountains, the Incahuatana and the impressive storehouses. Finally, we will return to Cusco, dropping you at your hotel around 6:30 pm or if you have train to Machu Picchu we can drop you at the train station and also you can stay there one night.
Inclusions
Included
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Fluent English speaking local guide
- Chicha beer tasting in a local Chicheria
- Small group tour with 2-8 people
- Sacred Valley day tour
- Entrance fee for each inca site
- Lunch buffet (vegetarian and vegan food options available)
Not Included
- Entrance to Maras Salt Mines (S/ 10 per person)
- Tips for the Guide
