Visiting: Chinchero · Moray · the Maras salt mines · Ollantaytambo · Pisac
Overview
The Sacred Valley of the Incas Full-Day Tour takes you through one of the most extraordinary corridors of Andean civilization, with five iconic stops that blend ancient history, living traditions and breathtaking landscapes. You begin in Chinchero, where Inca heritage lives on in traditional weaving and a colonial church built over Inca foundations; continue to Moray, with its mesmerising circular agricultural terraces; then visit the Maras salt mines, thousands of family-run salt pools cascading down the mountainside since pre-Inca times.
After a buffet lunch in Urubamba you explore Ollantaytambo, one of the few places in Peru where the original Inca urban grid is still inhabited, before ending the day at Pisac, with its vibrant artisan market and a spectacular hilltop archaeological site overlooking the valley. With an expert bilingual guide, small groups and a scenic route along the Urubamba River, it's one unforgettable full day.
🌿 Perfect for your first days in Peru. The valley floor sits at about 2,800 m — some 600 m lower than Cusco — so this gentle, mostly cultural day is one of the best ways to acclimatise before Machu Picchu. The walking is light and there's no demanding hiking, making it ideal for all ages.
Your Day — Step by Step
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1
Office start (6:45 am) → Chinchero
The tour begins at 6:45 am from our office at Portal Nuevo 270, Plaza Regocijo, near the Plaza de Armas (hotel pick-up isn't offered, as the historic centre's narrow streets make it unreliable). From there we set off on the scenic drive into the Sacred Valley, our first stop being Chinchero, about 45 minutes from Cusco.
In Chinchero your guide walks you through the Inca archaeological remains and a colonial church built on Inca foundations, before a traditional weaving demonstration by a local family — where you'll see how natural dyes and Andean techniques are still used today.
Good to know: Chinchero is the first stop, so if you haven't bought the Boleto Turístico (Tourist Ticket) yet, you can purchase it here.
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2
Moray → the Maras salt mines
Next we head to Moray, known for its impressive circular agricultural terraces. Your guide explains how the Incas used these concentric structures as an experimental farm, and you'll have time to explore the site and take photos.
A short drive on takes us to the Maras salt mines, still in use today, where thousands of salt pools are harvested by hand. You'll learn about the salt-harvesting process, admire the striking landscape and browse small stalls offering handcrafted salt products.
Good to know: The Maras salt mines aren't covered by the Tourist Ticket — entry is a separate 20 soles, paid in cash at the gate.
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3
Buffet lunch → Ollantaytambo
Around 12:30 pm we stop in the charming town of Urubamba, nestled in the valley, for a buffet lunch featuring Peruvian cuisine — with vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options for all dietary preferences.
After lunch we continue to Ollantaytambo, one of the most important archaeological sites in the valley. Your guide walks you through the Temple of the Sun, the Inca terraces and the water channels, finishing around 3:00 pm. If you're continuing to Machu Picchu by train, you can end your tour here.
Good to know: Ollantaytambo wraps up around 3:00 pm — the ideal point to leave the tour if you're catching an afternoon train onward to Machu Picchu.
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4
Pisac → return to Cusco
We then head to the Pisac archaeological site, known for its extensive terraces and panoramic views over the valley. Your guide explains the site's significance and you'll have time to take photos and explore the area (and, if you like, browse the famous Pisac market).
After exploring Pisac we begin the drive back to Cusco, arriving at Plaza Regocijo between 6:30 and 7:00 pm. Note: if you choose to finish in Ollantaytambo, you won't visit Pisac, as it's on the return route to Cusco.
Good to know: Travel time between sites runs about 30 minutes to 1 hour, with a similar 30 minutes to 1 hour to explore at each stop.
Tour at a Glance
| Duration | Full day (no overnight) |
| Five stops | Chinchero · Moray · Maras · Ollantaytambo · Pisac |
| Difficulty | Easy — light walking at each site |
| Altitude | Valley ~2,800 m · highest stop Chinchero ~3,762 m |
| Great for | Acclimatising before Machu Picchu · all ages |
| Meals | 1 buffet lunch (in Urubamba) |
| Group size | Small group · max 18 |
| Start / End | Our office 6:45 am · back ~6:30–7:00 pm |
What's Included
Tap any item to see the full details.
Included
Not included
The Cusco Tourist Ticket (Boleto Turístico)
Entry to the main Sacred Valley sites is covered by the Boleto Turístico, which is not included in the tour price and is bought on the day (at Chinchero, the first stop). It's paid in cash, in Peruvian soles only — cards and foreign currency aren't accepted, so bring the exact amount. There are two options:
| Ticket | Price | Covers |
|---|---|---|
| Partial (BTG) | 70 soles | Chinchero, Moray, Ollantaytambo & Pisac · valid 2 days |
| Full (BTG) | 130 soles | 16 sites incl. Cusco city & ruins · valid 10 days |
The Maras salt mines are not part of the Tourist Ticket — entry is a separate 20 soles, paid in cash at the gate. If you're also doing the Cusco City Tour or other sites, the full ticket can be better value.
Prices — 2026 Season
This is a small-group cultural day tour of the Sacred Valley. We offer a regular rate, plus a special promotional rate for travelers who have already booked another tour with us (such as the Inca Trail, Salkantay Trek or a Machu Picchu tour). Entrance tickets are paid locally in soles and are not included.
| Rate | Price per person | Who it's for |
|---|---|---|
| Regular | $27 | Booking this tour on its own |
| Promotional | $23 | Already booked another tour with us |
Prices per person, group service. You can book online (a small card fee applies) or at our Cusco office up to one day before. Remember to bring extra cash in soles for the Tourist Ticket and the Maras entrance.
What to Pack
This is an easy, mostly cultural day — no special hiking gear needed, just comfortable clothes and good walking shoes for the archaeological sites.
- Always with you: plenty of cash in soles (Tourist Ticket 70/130 + Maras 20 + lunch extras/souvenirs), a reusable water bottle and some snacks.
- Clothing: dress in layers (t-shirt, sweater, comfortable trousers), a waterproof jacket or rain poncho, and sun protection — sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat for the strong high-altitude sun.
- Extras: a small daypack, your camera or phone for the salt mines and ruins, and any personal medication. Pack light.
How to Book
Book online or in person at our Cusco office (Portal Nuevo 270, Plaza Regocijo). There are daily departures and you can reserve up to one day before (until 9:00 pm). Pay safely by debit or credit card online (a small processing fee applies), or in cash (USD, EUR or soles) at the office.
- Choose your date — daily departures available.
- Enter your details (name, nationality, hotel in Cusco, WhatsApp number).
- Pay securely by card online, or reserve and pay at our office.
- Confirm — you'll get an instant confirmation email, then meet us at the office at 6:45 am on your tour day.
Free rescheduling: you can reschedule or switch to a similar tour (Palcoyo, Humantay Lake, Rainbow Mountain or Ausangate 7 Lakes) at no extra cost until 7:00 pm the day before your tour, subject to availability.
Full refund: cancel at least 24 hours before the tour for 100% back.
Partial refund (50%): cancel within 24 hours but before 7:00 pm the day before.
No refund: cancellations after 7:00 pm the day before are non-refundable.
Agency cancellations: if we must cancel for weather or other unforeseen reasons, you receive a 100% refund. To make changes, email info@machupicchuteam.com.
Frequently Asked Questions
The tour starts at 6:45 am from our office at Portal Nuevo 270, Plaza Regocijo, just steps from Cusco's Main Square. Hotel pick-up isn't offered for this tour because heavy morning traffic and the narrow streets of the historic centre make it unreliable; meeting at the office ensures a punctual, smooth departure. We offer free luggage storage there if you need it.
Yes — it's one of the best first-day activities from Cusco. The valley floor sits at about 2,800 m, roughly 600 m lower than Cusco (3,400 m), so spending the day here helps your body adjust gradually before Machu Picchu. The activity level is light, with no strenuous hiking, just easy walking around the archaeological sites.
Entry to the main Sacred Valley sites needs the Cusco Tourist Ticket (Boleto Turístico), which isn't included in the tour and is bought on the day at Chinchero. The Partial ticket (70 soles) covers Chinchero, Moray, Ollantaytambo and Pisac and is valid 2 days; the Full ticket (130 soles) covers 16 sites including Cusco city and is valid 10 days. The Maras salt mines (20 soles) are separate. Bring cash in soles — cards and dollars aren't accepted.
Yes. The Ollantaytambo visit finishes around 3:00–3:30 pm, and you can end your tour there if you're taking a train to Machu Picchu or staying overnight in the valley — many travellers combine the Sacred Valley with Machu Picchu this way. If you finish in Ollantaytambo you won't visit Pisac, since it's on the return route to Cusco. Just let us know when you book.
Five highlights of the Sacred Valley: the weaving village and ruins of Chinchero, the circular agricultural terraces of Moray, the dazzling Maras salt pools, the great Ollantaytambo fortress with its Temple of the Sun, and the terraced ruins and artisan market of Pisac — all along the scenic Urubamba River, with a buffet lunch in Urubamba in between.
Included: comfortable transport, a professional bilingual guide and a buffet lunch. Not included: the Tourist Ticket, the Maras entrance, tips and breakfast. Bring cash in soles for the tickets, comfortable clothes and walking shoes, a rain jacket, sun protection, water, snacks and your camera. Groups are usually 14–16 people (max 18), and we cater to vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free diets at no extra cost.
