The Sacred Valley of the Incas served as the agricultural, spiritual, and political heart of the Inca Empire. Sheltered by the high Andes and watered by the Urubamba River, this fertile region allowed the Incas to sustain a civilization that thrived at high altitudes. Our tour is designed to provide a comprehensive exploration of this landscape, focusing on the four most significant locations in the region: Pisac, the Maras Salt Mines, Moray, and Ollantaytambo.
We take you beyond the typical tourist route to provide a deep immersion into Inca history. This itinerary is led by licensed guides who focus on the archaeological significance, engineering achievements, and cultural legacy of these sites. By limiting our group sizes, we ensure a higher quality experience that values your time and allows for genuine exploration.
3399 m.s.n.m
Up to 12
Group or private
Self-guided
Moderate
1 day
7:30 AM | The Scenic Ascent
Depart Cusco, beginning with a stop at the Mirador of Taray. Instead of just a quick photo, use this vantage point to explain the geography of the Urubamba valley, how the river connects the various ecological zones you are about to visit.
8:30 AM – 10:30 AM | Pisac: Architecture and Ancient Resting Places
Rather than rushing through the ruins, focus on the sheer scale of the agricultural terraces and the necropolis. Highlight the contrast between the sophistication of the Sun Temple architecture and the haunting presence of the 2,000+ tombs in the cliffside. Limit the market visit to a short, focused window to emphasize that the true artisan trade is best observed in the quiet corners of the village, not just the crowded stalls.
11:00 AM – 12:30 PM | Moray: The Inca Greenhouse
Include Moray to showcase the scientific brilliance of the Inca. Frame this stop as a “laboratory tour.” Explain how the drastic temperature differentials between the top and bottom terraces allowed the Inca to adapt crops from all over the empire, essentially stress-testing their food supply for future expansion.
12:30 PM – 1:30 PM | Lunch in Urubamba
Offer a curated choice: a local buffet for variety, or a list of intimate, chef-driven restaurants in the area that focus on farm-to-table Andean ingredients.
1:45 PM – 2:45 PM | Maras: The Salt Springs
Focus on the tactile nature of the site. Explain that these pans have been privately held by families for generations, predating the Inca. Mention the unique geological source, the hypersaline spring, and the distinct pink hue of the mineral-rich salt, which makes it a globally prized culinary ingredient.
3:15 PM – 4:45 PM | Ollantaytambo: The Living City
End your exploration in the last “living” Inca town. Focus the tour on the integration of the modern and the ancient, how the original stone channels still carry water through the town streets. Explore the Sun Temple and the storehouses, emphasizing their role as the final gateway to the road leading to Machu Picchu.
5:00 PM – 6:30 PM | Departure or Rest
For guests who want to avoid the long drive back to Cusco, provide the option to conclude the tour in Ollantaytambo. If they choose to stay, we highly recommend Andenes Del Inca Hotel at Ollantaytambo. This allows for a more relaxed evening, letting them experience the town as the day-trippers depart and the atmosphere becomes quiet and authentic.
You have the option to purchase a 1 Day or a 10 Day Boleto Turistico.
The partial ticket, or 1 Day ticket, costs 70 soles (about $20 USD) per person and is valid for 1 day. You can visit many sites as you like in one day with no further charge. There are no discounts with this ticket.
Both tourist tickets, 1 day or 10 day, allow access to different archaeological sites around Cusco and the Sacred Valley. This is the best way to visit all the archaeological sites of the region. Most of the main sites are not accessible for free.
The general ticket allows you over the next 10 days to enter 16 archaeological and cultural sites in Cusco, the south valley, and the Sacred Valley. The price of this ticket is 130 soles (about $40 USD) and is valid for 10 days. This is the cheapest and most convenient way to plan to see different sites in a few days. The cost for students under 25 (with the presentation of a valid ISIC card) and for teenagers under 18 (with the presentation of an identity card) is 70 soles ($20 USD). Children under 8 are free.
List of sites included in the Boleto Turistico:
Note: The entrance tickets to the main archaeological sites like Sacsayhuaman, Pisac, Ollantaytambo, Chinchero, Tipón, and Moray are sold individually. You must buy the Boleto Turistico to visit them. You can get it on Avenida el Sol nearby the Peru office or at the time you enter the first site you are visiting. YOU MUST PAY IN SOLES, NO CREDIT CARD OR US DOLLARS ARE ACCEPTED.
Important: These entrances are not included in the Boleto Turistico:
Full-Day Sacred Valley Tour Prices – Perfect for Groups or Private Travelers. Spend more time at the Inca cities in small or private groups!
GROUP PRICES (Per Person)
***Price per person is based on the number of people in the group. When the group is finalized, each person will pay based on the size of the final group. There is no guarantee of how many persons may join, except the limit is 10 persons per group. ***A minimum of 2 people is required to start a group.
PRIVATE GROUP PRICES (Any date)
***Private group price is based on the group total, not per person, and will be completely private with your own guide, chauffeur, and private van. No others will be added to your group. ***Minimum is 1 person; a single traveler will pay $197 USD for the private group.
This is a full-day commitment designed to help you get the most out of your time. Pickups begin around 7:30 AM to ensure we reach the sites before the larger crowds arrive. You can expect to be back at your hotel or the Plaza de Armas by approximately 6:30 PM to 7:00 PM.
We classify this as a moderate-intensity tour. While you aren’t hiking long distances, you will be walking on uneven, ancient stone paths and climbing steep Inca stairs. If you have any mobility limitations, please let us know when booking so our guides can provide extra support and help you navigate the sites at a comfortable pace.
Yes, this is essential. Cusco and the Sacred Valley sit at high elevations (between 2,800m and 3,400m). We strongly recommend arriving in Cusco at least 24 hours before this tour to rest and hydrate. This adjustment period significantly improves your energy levels and enjoyment during the day.
The Boleto Turistico (Tourist Ticket) is the official government pass required to enter most archaeological sites in the region.
Crucial: You must pay in cash (Peruvian Soles) at the gate of the first site we visit. Credit cards and foreign currency are not accepted at the entrances.
No. The Maras Salt Mines are managed independently and are not part of the government’s Boleto Turistico. There is a separate entry fee of 20 Soles (~$6 USD) per person, which must be paid in cash at the salt mine entrance.
Yes. We include a high-quality buffet lunch in the Urubamba Valley. This meal is designed to be substantial and includes a wide variety of Peruvian staples, including plenty of vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options.
We highly recommend it. Completing this tour 1 or 2 days before heading to Machu Picchu serves as a “historical primer.” It gives you the architectural and cultural context of the Inca Empire, which makes your visit to the citadel of Machu Picchu much more impactful and easier to appreciate.
No. We run a history-focused expedition, not a shopping tour. We value your time. While we do allow time to explore the artisan market in Pisac for your own interest, we do not make forced stops at commission-based tourist shops.
Tipping is completely discretionary, but it is standard practice in Peru to tip your guide and driver if you feel they went above and beyond to make your day memorable. There is no set amount—simply tip what you feel the service is worth.
The Andean climate is unpredictable; it can be sunny one moment and chilly the next.
Preparation is the secret to a stress-free day in the Andes. Because the climate here can shift from intense high-altitude sun to cool mountain breezes in minutes, your packing strategy should revolve around one concept: Layering.
Below is the optimized packing list to ensure you stay comfortable, compliant with local site rules, and ready to explore.
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