Super Sacred Valley of the Incas Tour + Moray and Maras Salt Mines Full Day (Sacred Valley VIP)
Dificulty
Easy
Duration
1 Day
Group Size
14 a 19 People
Max Altitude
3,600 m.s.n.m
Description
Sacred Valley VIP Tour a Journey to the Essence of the Inca Empire. The Sacred Valley of the Incas is one of the most emblematic destinations in Cusco, a land full of history, culture and natural beauty. During this tour, you will discover charming Andean villages with their impressive agricultural and ornamental terraces, fertile fields bathed by the legendary Vilcanota River and a mild climate that makes this valley a magical and welcoming place.
In addition to being an unforgettable experience, this tour is the perfect option to acclimatize to the altitude before visiting Machu Picchu or other destinations in the region. This special itinerary includes the most fascinating sites in the region:
Pisac and Ollantaytambo. Two of the most impressive archaeological centers in the Sacred Valley, with Inca terraces, sacred temples and streets full of history.
The Salineras de Maras. A spectacular set of miles of salt pools that have been exploited since pre-Inca times.
Moray. An Inca agricultural laboratory, with circular terraces that showcase their advanced knowledge of agriculture.
On this 1-day VIP Sacred Valley Tour, you will not only explore the incredible legacy, but also live a unique experience in the heart of the Inca Empire!
Day 1: Cusco | Chinchero - Moray - Maras Salt Mines - Urubamba - Ollantaytambo - Pisac – Cusco
Our exciting journey begins around 7:00 AM when we pick you up from your accommodation. Once the group is complete, we will depart in our private transport towards Chinchero, a charming town in the Sacred Valley. Here, you will explore its ancient Inca walls and ruins while learning about its fascinating history. You will also enjoy a textile art demonstration by talented local women who will share their knowledge of this ancient tradition.
Our next stop is the impressive circular terraces of Moray, where the Incas conducted agricultural experiments to enhance their crops in different microclimates.
Then, we will visit the astonishing complex of over 3,000 salt pools, used since Inca times for the extraction of some of the finest salt in the world. Here, you will have the opportunity to purchase this product as a souvenir of your trip.
Lunch in Urubamba – We will take a break to enjoy a delicious buffet lunch featuring a wide variety of traditional Peruvian dishes, perfect for tasting the authentic flavors of the region.
Ollantaytambo – We continue to the “last living Inca city,” famous for its imposing architecture, with temples, water fountains, and high terraces surrounded by spectacular Andean landscapes. You can stroll through its cobbled streets and capture incredible photographs while learning more about its history with our expert guide.
Pisac – Our next stop is the archaeological site of Pisac, known for its impressive terraces, the largest Inca cemetery in the region, and the Intihuatana, a ritual stone used to predict the solstices and equinoxes of the Inca agricultural calendar. The most fascinating aspect is that this Inca city is shaped like a condor, a sacred symbol in Andean cosmology.
Pisac Market – To end the day on a high note, we will visit its traditional market, where you can buy unique handicrafts and take home a special souvenir from this incredible journey.
After a day full of history, culture, and breathtaking landscapes, we will return to Cusco and drop you off at your hotel so you can enjoy a well-deserved rest.
Return to Cusco – Approximate arrival time: 6:30 PM.
Experience a unique adventure exploring the greatness of the Sacred Valley of the Incas!
- TOUR DURATION: Full day
- TOTAL WALKING TIME: 6 hours
- DIFFICULTY LEVEL: Easy
- MINIMUM ALTITUDE: 2,790 m / 9,153 ft
- MAXIMUM ALTITUDE: 3,754 m / 12,316 ft
Incluye
✓ Pre-departure information call
- The night before the tour, you will receive a WhatsApp call from your guide, who will provide important information about your trip. To ensure you receive all necessary details, it is essential that you provide us with accurate and complete personal information.
✓ Field staff
- •Professional guides:
Our official tour guides speak English and Spanish and are professionally trained and certified. We select them for their experience, responsibility, passion for exploration, and pride in sharing our culture and history. During each experience, they will ensure your safety and comfort so you can enjoy your time without worries.
✓ Meals
- Buffet lunch included:
Enjoy a buffet lunch at a renowned restaurant in Urubamba, the heart of the Sacred Valley. The menu offers a wide variety of dishes, including vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options to satisfy all tastes.
✓ Transportation
- All transportation is included in this tour. You will be picked up from your hotel and travel in private transportation along with the group to the excursion site. We provide specialized transportation for the Sacred Valley tour, ensuring a comfortable journey between each site of interest.
✓ Emergency equipment and remote medical assistance
- First aid kit:
We carry alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, iodine tincture, germicidal soap, cotton, gauze, bandages, medical adhesive tape, surgical gloves, and pain relievers for muscle and stomach aches, as well as antipyretics. If you take prescribed medication, please bring your own. - Portable oxygen tank
✓ Important:
- Please note that only a medical professional can issue a prescription. Our guides do not have the authority to prescribe treatments to clients. Throughout the hike, all medications will be administered under your consent and at your own responsibility. If you have a medical prescription, it is recommended that you bring your own medication.
No Incluye
× Cusco tourist ticket
- This ticket is required and allows you to access many of the most popular attractions in Cusco and the Sacred Valley, including archaeological sites and museums.
From 70.00 soles (US$ 20.00) to 130.00 soles (US$ 36.00) per person.
× Entrance ticket to Maras salt mines
- The entrance fee is 20 soles per person (US$ 6.00).
× Meals not included
- Breakfast and dinner in Cusco.
× Personal clothing and hiking gear
× Travel insurance
- This is not a requirement, but we always recommend that our clients purchase it in case of flight issues or unexpected health problems. Please check if your travel insurance policy has altitude restrictions—some policies are void above (4,000 m / 13,123 ft).
× Additional costs
- Delays beyond the administration’s control (landslides, bad weather, itinerary modifications due to safety concerns, illness, government policy changes, political instability/strikes, etc.).
✓ Tips for your crew
- Tipping is a common practice in tourism and excursions. Although we pay fair wages to our entire team, any extra is always appreciated, especially considering the hard work they do. Usually, group participants pool their tips together.
- Original ID or Passport.
- Sun hat and wool hat for different temperatures.
- Warm clothing (jacket, scarf, gloves, hats).
- Short-sleeved T-shirt.
- Trekking shoes or waterproof boots for your comfort, if they are sneakers with rubber or thick soles it is an excellent option.
- Rain gear: A good raincoat, rain pants (only for the rainy season).
- Long pants.
- Sunglasses.
- Small backpack to carry water, snacks, camera, etc.
- 2 liters of water (there are options to buy along the route).
- Snacks such as apple, cereal bar, candy and chocolates.
- Personal medical kit.
- Sunscreen.
- Cash in soles for personal expenses.
✓ Price per person
• $40 USD – Adults
✓ Price guarantee
- Once your reservation is confirmed, we guarantee that the price will not increase under any circumstances. Therefore, before booking, please make sure to read all the important information about the tour.
✓ How to book
- You can reserve your spot online through our website, where our booking platform will guide you step by step. The tour payment can be made with any credit or debit card, and you can also pay in your home currency for added convenience.
Please note that IZIPAY charges a 5% commission, which we ask the client to cover as it is a fee for using their service. This charge applies only to online deposits.
✓ Cancellation policy
- Partial refund: If you cancel within 24 hours but before 5:00 p.m. on the day prior to the tour, you will receive a 50% refund.
- No refund: Cancellations made after 5:00 p.m. on the day prior to the tour are not eligible for a refund.
✓ Recommendations:
- We strongly recommend that you fully understand all booking and cancellation policies before making your payment to ensure your investment is protected and you have a seamless booking experience for your adventure.
✓ Group excursions
- Group trips consist of different types of people, so physical conditions and ages may vary. By joining a group trip, you also accept that some people may be faster or slower than you. Therefore, everyone can go at their own pace along the route.
It is possible that a group may wish to modify the itinerary; however, the guide will make the final decision, consulting all participants beforehand to determine if such modifications are feasible.
✓ Pickup of clients
Please note:
- All pickups are carried out within the city of Cusco, but we recommend booking a hotel in the historic center with a good location. Our guide or staff will confirm your pickup time the day before the tour. Due to traffic conditions, the pickup time may vary by 30 to 45 minutes.
Cusco is an ancient city with many narrow, cobbled streets. Some hotels and Airbnbs are located on streets without vehicle access or on steep uphill paths, making it difficult to transport luggage. We strongly recommend booking accommodation with easy access.
✓ Lost items
- Please pay attention to where you leave your belongings and remember to collect everything before leaving our transportation, camps, or restaurants. You are solely responsible for your belongings during the tour.
✓ Weather
- The weather is, of course, unpredictable. The dry season in Cusco typically runs from April to October, but this does not prevent rain in June or sunshine in December. No matter when you are hiking, make sure to bring rain gear, including a waterproof jacket, pants, poncho, and waterproof gloves. Many people forget gloves, but the cold and humidity can make hiking very uncomfortable.
Additionally, be prepared for all four seasons in a day. Hiking in the Andes involves multiple microclimates, so you need to be prepared. Layering is essential, as it allows you to adjust to different temperature changes. Bring a warm jacket since the nights will be cold.
✓ Altitude sickness (soroche) and stomach pain
For those arriving in Cusco directly from sea level, we recommend arriving two days before your hike. Two of the most common health issues among tourists in Cusco are altitude sickness (soroche) and stomach pain due to slow digestion.
- Altitude sickness: Some symptoms include headaches and nausea. There are some over-the-counter medications (pills) that help minimize these symptoms, such as Aspirin, Diamox, Soroichi Pill, and Alti Vital. If symptoms persist, oxygen therapy is the next step. We have the necessary equipment and trained staff ready to assist our hikers in such cases.
- Stomach pain: We recommend drinking 3-4 liters of water per day to stay hydrated. Hot drinks like coca leaf tea are particularly beneficial, along with soups, vegetables, and carbohydrates (avoiding fried or heavy foods). Sweets, chocolates, cookies, and fruits are also good options. In general, opt for easily digestible foods. Avoid alcohol and smoking.
Ensure you get at least eight hours of sleep and avoid excessive physical exertion. Keep your body at a comfortable temperature by wearing warm clothing to protect yourself from the cold. When adjusting to the altitude, follow this general rule: eat lightly and drink plenty of fluids.
This valley was a sacred area for the Incas because it encompassed a vast and highly productive agricultural region. The main crops cultivated by the Incas included corn, potatoes, olluco, quinoa, and coca leaves, which were considered sacred.
Many people arrive in Cusco the same way as you. Along the route, the highest point is Chinchero, while the other locations are at a lower altitude than Cusco. Regardless, the guide will always be attentive to your well-being.
The Sacred Valley tour is one of the most comfortable. However, each archaeological site requires some walking, as it is the only way to visit them. If someone in your group has difficulty walking, we recommend booking a private tour. This way, you can explore at your own pace instead of following a group.
No, it is not necessary to purchase tickets in advance. All entry tickets for the tourist sites can be purchased on the same day of the excursion.
The tour runs all year round, subject to weather conditions.
We recommend booking in advance because there are two seasons (high and low), which differ in the number of tourists. To avoid any inconvenience related to availability, it’s best to secure your spot early.
Any luggage not needed for the excursion should remain in Cusco. Most hotels in Cusco are accustomed to storing luggage. If you don’t have a place to store it, you can leave it in our office until the end of your adventure. We will ensure your belongings are kept safe, so you don’t have to worry!
The best time to visit the Sacred Valley in Cusco is during the dry season, which generally lasts from May to September. During these months, the weather is more stable, and there is less chance of rain, making it easier to explore archaeological sites and enjoy outdoor activities.
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