Your Sacred Valley of the Incas Full Day Tour begins with hotel or Airbnb pick-up in Cusco between 6:15 and 6:45 AM. The exact pick-up time will be confirmed after your reservation, once we receive the name and location of your accommodation. Travelers staying near the historic center may also meet us directly at the Machu Picchu Team office, located at Portal Nuevo 270, Plaza Regocijo, at 6:45 AM.
Once the group is ready, we will leave Cusco and begin the scenic journey toward the Sacred Valley. Our first destination is Chinchero, located approximately 45 minutes from the city. Here, you will visit the archaeological complex, admire its impressive Inca terraces, and see the colonial church built over ancient Inca foundations. You will also enjoy a traditional textile demonstration led by a local family, who will explain how alpaca wool, natural dyes, and ancestral weaving techniques are still used today.
After visiting Chinchero, we will continue to Moray, one of the most fascinating archaeological sites in the Sacred Valley. Moray is famous for its large circular terraces, believed to have been used by the Incas as an agricultural experimentation center. Your guide will explain how the different levels created distinct microclimates for growing and adapting crops.
A short drive will then take us to the Maras Salt Mines, where thousands of salt pools cover the mountainside. These pools have been used since pre-Inca times and are still managed by local families. You will learn how the salty spring water is directed into the pools and naturally evaporated to produce different varieties of salt. You will also have time to take photographs and visit the small local stalls.
At approximately 12:30 PM, we will arrive in Urubamba, where you will enjoy a buffet lunch at a local restaurant. The buffet includes a selection of traditional Peruvian dishes, salads, side dishes, and vegetarian options, giving you time to relax and recharge before continuing the tour.
After lunch, we will travel to Ollantaytambo, one of the most important and best-preserved Inca towns in Peru. Your guide will lead you through the archaeological complex, including the impressive terraces, ceremonial areas, water channels, and the Temple of the Sun. From the upper section, you will also enjoy panoramic views of the town and the surrounding mountains.
Travelers continuing to Machu Picchu by train may choose to finish the tour in Ollantaytambo, subject to prior coordination. The visit usually ends at approximately 3:00 PM, allowing enough time to continue to the train station.
The final archaeological stop of the day is Pisac, located in the eastern section of the Sacred Valley. The site is known for its extensive agricultural terraces, ceremonial areas, ancient structures, and impressive views over the valley. Your guide will explain the historical importance of Pisac while giving you time to explore and take photographs.
After visiting Pisac, we will begin the return journey to Cusco. We expect to arrive at Plaza Regocijo, near Cusco’s Plaza de Armas and the Machu Picchu Team office, between 6:30 and 7:00 PM.
Travel time between the attractions usually ranges from 30 minutes to one hour, while each visit lasts approximately 30 minutes to one hour, depending on traffic, group pace, and local conditions. If you do not already have the Cusco Tourist Ticket, you can purchase it at Chinchero, the first archaeological stop of the tour.
Tour Summary
- Hotel pick-up: Between 6:15 and 6:45 AM
- Tour duration: Approximately 12 hours
- Places visited: Chinchero, Moray, Maras Salt Mines, Ollantaytambo, and Pisac
- Maximum altitude: Chinchero, approximately 3,700 meters above sea level
- Minimum altitude: Ollantaytambo, approximately 2,700 meters above sea level
- Tour type: Guided cultural and archaeological full-day tour
- Weather: Generally mild and sunny, with cooler and windy conditions in higher areas
- Meal included: Buffet lunch in Urubamba
- Transportation: Round-trip tourist transportation from Cusco
- Estimated return: Between 6:30 and 7:00 PM
