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Sacred Valley Full Day
Chinchero, Moray, Maras, Ollantaytambo & Pisac · Full-Day Tour from Cusco
Full day · Moderate · Max. 3,400 m · Up to 18
Overview
Join our Sacred Valley of the Incas full-day tour from Cusco and explore one of the most important and beautiful destinations in Peru. Located between Cusco and Machu Picchu, the Sacred Valley is famous for its impressive Inca ruins, traditional villages, colorful markets, and stunning mountain views. This classic tour is the perfect choice for travelers who want to discover the history, culture, and beauty of the Inca Empire in a single day.
Along the way you enjoy breathtaking landscapes, ancient archaeological sites, and authentic Andean culture, with in-depth commentary from a professional bilingual guide at every stop. The Sacred Valley is a must-see before visiting Machu Picchu, and because it sits about 600 meters lower than Cusco, it also makes an ideal first-day excursion for gradual acclimatization.
The tour departs at 6:45 AM from our meeting point in Plaza Regocijo and returns in the early evening. Because of heavy early-morning traffic and the narrow streets of the historic center, we meet directly at Plaza Regocijo rather than offering individual hotel pick-ups, ensuring a punctual and smooth departure for everyone.
Why you'll love this trek
- The complete Sacred Valley in one day — Chinchero, Moray, Maras, Ollantaytambo and Pisac.
- Breathtaking Andean landscapes, great Inca sites and living highland culture.
- See the Maras salt pools and the circular Inca terraces of Moray.
- An expert bilingual guide brings each site to life along the way.
Itinerary
your day, hour by hour
6:45 AM. The tour departs from our meeting point in Plaza Regocijo, just steps from Cusco's Main Square. Please arrive 10 minutes early for a punctual departure, followed by a 45-minute scenic drive through the Andean highlands.
Approx. 8:10 AM, about 40 minutes. Step into one of the most authentic highland villages in the Sacred Valley. Explore the Inca ruins and the colonial church built directly over original Inca foundations, watch a live traditional textile-weaving demonstration, and browse the local artisan market, with free time for photos and shopping.
Approx. 9:20 AM, about 35 minutes. Discover one of the most visually spectacular and intellectually fascinating sites in Peru. The mysterious circular terraces of Moray descend into the earth like a natural amphitheater and are believed to have served as an advanced Inca agricultural research station, with each ring maintaining a different microclimate.
Approx. 10:15 AM, about 20 minutes. Thousands of individual salt pools cascade down the mountainside in a breathtaking mosaic of white, pink, and amber. The Maras Salt Mines have been in continuous use since pre-Inca times and remain family-operated to this day, a truly unique living heritage site.
Approx. 11:15 AM, about 50 minutes. Enjoy a well-deserved buffet lunch in the town of Urubamba, beautifully situated along the banks of the Sacred Valley river.
Approx. 1:25 PM, about 50 minutes. One of the most impressive and best-preserved Inca sites in existence. Climb the massive stone terraces of the temple complex, hear the legendary story of the Inca resistance against the Spanish conquistadors fought right here, and walk through streets that have remained unchanged for over 500 years.
Approx. 3:35 PM, about 45 minutes. End your Sacred Valley adventure at Pisac, home to both a spectacular hilltop archaeological site overlooking the valley and one of the most vibrant artisan markets in the Andes. Browse handcrafted textiles, ceramics, and jewelry, or soak in the panoramic views across the valley, before the roughly 50-minute return drive to Cusco.
The tour concludes at Plaza Regocijo, in the heart of Cusco, between approximately 6:30 and 7:00 PM. If you plan to take a train to Machu Picchu or stay overnight in Ollantaytambo, you may end your tour there at around 3:30 PM at no extra cost (in that case you will not visit Pisac, as it is on the return route to Cusco).
What's included
Included
- Round-trip transportation. Comfortable tourist transport from Cusco and throughout the entire Sacred Valley route, including all transfers between sites.
- Professional bilingual guide (English and Spanish). An expert guide accompanies your group throughout the entire tour, providing in-depth commentary and leading guided tours at every archaeological site visited.
- Buffet lunch. A delicious buffet lunch at a top-rated tourist restaurant in the Sacred Valley, with a wide selection of traditional Peruvian and international dishes (vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options available on request).
- Departure and drop-off at Plaza Regocijo. The tour departs from and returns to Plaza Regocijo, in the heart of Cusco's historic center, just steps from the Main Square. Free luggage storage is available at our office (daily 7:00 AM to 10:00 PM).
Not included
- Entrance tickets / Cusco Tourist Ticket (Boleto Turistico). Admission to the archaeological sites is not included. Tickets can be purchased individually or as a combined Boleto Turistico, in cash and soles only, at Chinchero (the first stop). The Partial Ticket (S/ 70, 4 sites, valid 2 days) is sufficient for this tour; the General Ticket (S/ 130, 16 sites, valid 10 days) is recommended if you plan to visit more sites. Your guide will advise on the best option on arrival.
- Personal expenses and souvenirs. Any personal purchases, including handicrafts, textiles, or jewelry at the Pisac or Chinchero markets, are at your own expense.
- Additional drinks and snacks. While a buffet lunch is included, any additional beverages, snacks, or extra food consumed outside the included meal are not covered.
- Tips for guide and driver. Gratuities are not included and entirely optional, though a tip is a meaningful way to recognize the local team and is always warmly appreciated.
- Travel insurance. Not included. We strongly recommend comprehensive travel insurance before your trip to cover any unforeseen circumstances, medical emergencies, or cancellations.
What to bring
A suggested packing checklist for this trip.
Essential
Clothing
Equipment
Recommended
Pricing
Our Sacred Valley full-day tour operates as a group service with an average of 14 to 16 participants and a maximum of 18 people per group. Every group is accompanied by a professional bilingual guide (English and Spanish), ensuring a safe, informative, and personalized experience from start to finish. We are direct local operators, so you book and travel directly with us, with no intermediaries.
Good to know
Acclimatize first. Spend at least 2 days in Cusco (3,400 m) before any high-altitude trek. Our guides carry emergency oxygen and are first-aid trained.
- To cancel or make changes, please email us at info@machupicchuonline.com.
- Rescheduling: you may switch to a similar tour, such as Palcoyo, Humantay Lake, Rainbow Mountain, or 7 Lagoons, at no extra cost, as long as you notify us before 7:00 PM the day before your tour.
- Cancellations by Machu Picchu Online: if we must cancel the tour due to weather, political issues, or any unforeseen circumstances beyond our control, you will receive a full 100% refund.
- Full refund (100%): cancel at least 24 hours before the tour.
- Partial refund (50%): cancel within 24 hours but before 7:00 PM the day before the tour.
- No refund: cancellations made after 7:00 PM the day before the tour.
Frequently asked questions
Where does the Sacred Valley tour begin?
Where does the tour end? Can I finish in Ollantaytambo?
Do I need a Cusco Tourist Ticket (Boleto Turistico)?
What will I see on the Sacred Valley tour?
How far is the Sacred Valley from Cusco?
Is the Sacred Valley tour good for acclimatization?
How large are the tour groups?
What should I bring?
What is the cancellation and refund policy?
Why book with Machu Picchu Online
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