Ultimate Sacred Valley Tour – 6 Sites in 1 Day from Cusco
Full-day Sacred Valley Tour from Cusco: Taray Viewpoint, Pisac Ruins & Market, Moray, Maras Salt Mines & Ollantaytambo
The Sacred Valley Tour from Cusco is the best way to experience the heart of the Inca Empire in just one day. Located between Cusco at 3,400m and Machu Picchu at 2,430m, the Sacred Valley of the Incas is a fertile paradise of towering Andes peaks, rushing rivers, traditional Quechua villages and some of the most important Inca sites in Peru.
This is much more than a sightseeing tour. With our licensed local guides, you will explore ancient terraces built into sheer mountainsides, a pre-Inca salt mine still in use today, an Inca agricultural laboratory with different microclimates, and the last living Inca town of Ollantaytambo that has not changed since Inca times.
Unlike Cusco, the Sacred Valley sits at a lower altitude around 2,800m / 9,186 ft, with a warmer climate and rich soil. This was the breadbasket of the Inca Empire and today it is still one of Peru’s most important fruit and vegetable growing regions. You will see checkerboard fields of corn, quinoa and potatoes as we drive through the valley.
This tour is perfect for every traveler. It is easy, cultural, photographic and ideal for acclimatization before hiking to Machu Picchu or Rainbow Mountain.
Places You Will Visit on This Tour:
- Mirador of Taray: The most famous viewpoint of the Sacred Valley for classic postcard photos
- Pisac Inca Ruins at 2,972m / 9,751 ft: Immense Inca cemetery with over 2,000 tombs, temples and farming terraces
- Pisac Traditional Market: Colorful Andean market where local people keep traditional culture alive
- Moray at 3,500m / 11,482 ft: The Greenhouse of the Incas, circular terraces used for agricultural experiments
- Maras Salt Mines at 3,000m / 9,842 ft: Over 3,000 pre Inca salt pans with naturally pink salt
- Ollantaytambo at 2,792m / 9,160 ft: The magnificent fortress, Sun Temple and last living Inca town
The Ultimate Sacred Valley Tour Highlights
- Visit 6 of the best sites in the Sacred Valley in one perfect day from Cusco
- Explore the extensive Pisac ruins with your licensed local guide and learn the true history
- See the Moray circular terraces, an Inca agricultural laboratory with artificial microclimates
- Photograph the spectacular Maras Salt Mines with thousands of white and pink salt pools
- Discover the fortress of Ollantaytambo, the Sun Temple and the last battle between Inca and Spanish
- Walk through a living Inca town with original Inca streets, water channels and stone houses
- Small group experience, maximum 8 guests, average 4 to 5 people per guide
- Professional local trekking guide fluent in English and Spanish, licensed by the Ministry of Tourism
- Private comfortable transportation from your hotel in Cusco, door to door service
- Perfect easy day for acclimatization at lower altitude than Cusco
Full Itinerary
Cusco Pickup and Drive to Sacred Valley
To begin this rewarding cultural day, your professional, licensed, local English-speaking guide will meet you at your hotel lobby in Cusco at 7:30am. Set off in our private van on a beautiful 45 minute drive to the Sacred Valley.
Travel through Sacsayhuaman high above Cusco and enjoy your first views of the Andes. As we descend into the valley, the climate becomes warmer and the landscape changes from high puna to fertile valley floors.
Mirador of Taray – First View of the Sacred Valley
Stop at the famous Mirador of Taray, the most spectacular viewpoint of the entire Sacred Valley. From here you will see the Urubamba River winding through checkerboard fields, traditional villages and massive snowcapped peaks in the distance. Your guide will explain the geography and importance of the valley. This is the best place for your first panoramic photos.
Pisac Archaeological Site at 2,972m
Continue to the town of Pisac and drive up to the incredible archaeological site of Pisac located high above the town. This is one of the largest Inca complexes in the region.
Spend over an hour exploring with your guide. See the immense Inca cemetery, the largest in South America with more than 2,000 tombs carved into the mountain. Learn about the massive farming terraces that dominate the mountainside and protected the city from landslides. Visit the Temple of the Sun, Temple of the Moon and ceremonial baths. Your guide will explain the advanced Inca architecture and water systems.
Pisac Traditional Market
Head down to the colorful market in the town of Pisac. This is not just a tourist market. Local Quechua people from remote mountain villages come here to sell and trade. You will see women in traditional embroidered clothing, handwoven textiles made from baby alpaca, silver jewelry and ceramics. It is a great place to buy authentic souvenirs directly from the artisans. Your guide will help you with bargaining and explain the meaning of the designs.
Urubamba – Lunch Stop
We then drive along the Urubamba River to the town of Urubamba, the heart of the Sacred Valley. Here we stop for lunch. Lunch is not included to give you flexibility. You can choose a delicious buffet lunch with many Peruvian options for around 50 to 70 soles, or a la carte restaurants from 25 soles. Your guide will recommend the best options for vegetarian, vegan and gluten free diets.
Moray – The Inca Agricultural Laboratory at 3,500m
After lunch, drive to the fascinating archaeological site of Moray. This site is completely different from any other Inca site you will see.
Moray consists of several huge circular terraces that form deep bowls. The Incas created different microclimates on each level. The deepest terrace is warmer and more humid than the top. Archaeologists have found soil samples from all over the Inca Empire here, proving the Incas used Moray to experiment with crops from different regions. This was truly the greenhouse and agricultural research station of the Inca Empire. Your guide will demonstrate the temperature difference and explain how it worked.
Maras Salt Mines at 3,000m
Next, visit the famous pre-Inca salt mines of Maras, called Salineras. This is one of the most photographed sites in Peru.
High on the mountain above the salt pans is a natural spring heavily laden with salt. This spring has been diverted into over 3,000 individual salt pools. As the water evaporates in the Andean sun, the salt is left behind. Local families have owned and worked these same pans for generations, since before the time of the Incas.
You will see brilliant white, brown and naturally pink salt. Pink salt gets its color from minerals and is one of the only places in the world where it occurs naturally. You can purchase high quality salt to take home. The views of the pools against the Andes are unforgettable.
Ollantaytambo – The Last Living Inca Town at 2,792m
Our final stop is the magnificent archaeological site and town of Ollantaytambo. This town is special because it is the only town in Peru that is still inhabited since Inca times. The streets, houses and water channels are original Inca.
Explore the massive fortress for about one hour with your guide. Climb the steep stone steps to the Sun Temple at the top, built from huge pink granite blocks brought from 6km away. See the impressive Wall of the Six Monoliths, the Temple of Water and the storehouses high on the mountain. Learn about the last great battle between the Inca and the Spanish conquistadors that was fought and won by the Inca here.
After the fortress, have time to stroll through the old town and admire the perfect Inca stonework and flowing water channels that still provide water to the town today.
Arrival Back to Cusco
We return to Cusco through the beautiful Sacred Valley as the sun sets over the Andes. Relax in our private van and reflect on an amazing day. We will drop you off at your hotel around 6:30pm, door to door service.
- Duration: Full Day 7:30am to 6:30pm – Door to door service from Cusco
- Distance: 90km each way by private van, plus 3 to 4 km of easy walking total at sites
- Elevation: Cusco 3,400m to Sacred Valley 2,792m to 3,500m, lower and easier for acclimatization
- Difficulty: Easy, minimal walking, van waiting at each site, suitable for all ages
- What You Will See: Taray Viewpoint, Pisac Ruins and Market, Moray Circular Terraces, Maras Salt Mines, Ollantaytambo Fortress and Living Town
Hourly Schedule
Please note that all times shown are for guidance only and serve as an example schedule. Actual timings may vary depending on traffic, walking pace, photo stops, weather conditions and local conditions on the day.
7:30am Private pickup from your hotel in Cusco, private van to Sacred Valley, 45 min scenic drive
8:30am Mirador of Taray viewpoint, panoramic photos and history explanation
9:30am Pisac archaeological site, 1.5 hour guided tour of terraces, temples and cemetery
11:00am Pisac colorful traditional market, free time for shopping and local culture
12:30pm Drive to Urubamba, optional buffet lunch, not included
2:00pm Moray archaeological site, guided tour of circular agricultural laboratory
3:00pm Maras Salt Mines, 3,000 salt pans, pink salt, photos and shopping
4:00pm Ollantaytambo fortress and living Inca town, 1 hour guided tour
6:30pm Arrival back at your hotel in Cusco, end of tour
What’s Included for The Ultimate Sacred Valley Tour ?
Included
- Private comfortable transportation to and from your hotel in Cusco with private van, door to door service
- Professional local guide fluent in English and Spanish, licensed by Ministry of Tourism, born in Cusco
- Small group experience, maximum 8 guests, average 4 to 5 people per guide
- All local taxes and arrangement fee
- First aid kit and emergency oxygen for your safety
- Walking sticks available on request
Not Included
- Tourist Ticket for archaeological sites:
- 70 soles for partial ticket valid 1 day for Pisac, Moray, Ollantaytambo and Chinchero, or 130 soles for full ticket valid 10 days for 16 sites. Must be paid in Peruvian soles cash at first site.
- Maras Salt Mines entrance:
- 20 soles per person, paid in cash at the entrance
- Lunch in Urubamba not included, 50 to 70 soles for buffet, many options
- Tips for guide and driver, optional but greatly appreciated
- Travel insurance recommended
Price – Cusco City Tour Half Day
Tour Details: From $75 USD per person | Private groups from $150 total | 5 sites in 4 to 5 hours: Qoricancha, Sacsayhuaman, Qenqo, Puka Pukara, & Tambomachay | Daily departures 9:00 AM & 1:30 PM
Standard Price – Shared Service
- Cusco City Tour – Half Day: $75 USD pp
- Half-day cultural tour (Qoricancha Temple of the Sun, Sacsayhuaman Fortress, Qenqo, Puka Pukara, Tambomachay) in small groups with a licensed local guide
Private Group Prices – Any Date, 100% Private
- Group of 1 to 6 Persons: $150 Total
- $150 for the total group (not per person). Private guide, chauffeur, and private van (no others added). Flexible start time
- Group of 7 to 12 Persons: $180 Total
- $180 for the total group (not per person). Private guide, chauffeur, and private van (no others added). Best for large families
Key Information
- Note: Standard price is $75 USD per person. Private prices are per group, not per person. Entrance tickets not included (Tourist Ticket S/70 + Qoricancha S/20, payable in cash in soles). Our guide helps you purchase at the first site. Hotel pickup in Cusco historic center included
What to Bring – Ultimate Sacred Valley Tour
Tour Details: Full day 7:30 AM to 6:30 PM across 6 sites: Taray, Pisac Ruins & Market, Moray, Maras Salt Mines, & Ollantaytambo
Cash, Tickets, and Documents
- Cash in Soles (S/90 + Lunch)
- S/70 for Tourist Ticket (Pisac, Moray, Ollantaytambo) + S/20 for Maras Salt Mines, plus S/50 to S/70 for Urubamba buffet lunch
- Small bills (10, 20, 50 soles) and coins
- Cards not accepted at archaeological sites (ATMs in Cusco charge high fees)
- Passport Copy + Small Daypack (20L)
- Passport copy needed for Tourist Ticket validation
- Bring only a small 20L daypack for water, jacket, camera, and tickets (leave large luggage at hotel)
- Hotel pickup and drop-off included
Clothing, Footwear, and Weather Protection
- Sun Protection (Hat, SPF 50+, Sunglasses)
- Sacred Valley is 2,792m to 3,500m; UV is extreme even on cloudy days (you can burn in 20 minutes)
- Essential for Taray viewpoint and Maras salt pans
- Layered Clothing (T-Shirt + Fleece)
- Cold morning in Cusco at 7:30 AM, hot midday in Urubamba Valley
- Wear breathable layers you can add or remove (no heavy trekking gear needed for this easy cultural tour)
- Light Rain Jacket or Poncho
- Andean weather changes fast (even in dry season May to October, afternoon showers are possible)
- Light waterproof jacket is enough
- Van waits at each site, but Moray and Maras are exposed
- Comfortable Walking Shoes (Sneakers OK)
- Total walking 3 to 4 km on gentle paths, but Pisac and Ollantaytambo have uneven Inca stone steps
- Sneakers or light trail shoes with good grip are perfect (no hiking boots, heels, or flip-flops)
Hydration, Snacks, and Electronics
- Water Bottle (1L) + Small Snacks
- Full day at altitude means you dehydrate fast; bring 1L reusable bottle
- Pack small chocolate, crackers, or coca candy
- Lunch is at 1:00 PM in Urubamba, so snacks keep you going at Pisac and Moray
- Camera + Power Bank
- Best photo spots: Taray panorama, Maras white salt pans, and Ollantaytambo fortress
- Phone battery drains fast at altitude
- Tripods allowed except inside Pisac market (drones not allowed at any site)
