Sacred Valley

Your professional tour guide will pick you up from your accommodation in the historic center of Cusco, or from a nearby meeting point, between 6:00 AM and 6:30 AM. Travel first to Chinchero, a small rustic town with a long tradition of textile weaving. See various textiles woven using traditional Incan techniques, followed by a visit to the first archaeological site and a beautiful old church. Next, you will visit Moray and see the agricultural terraces built along the hillsides. These terraces were built by the Incas to grow an abundance of crops on less-than-ideal mountain terrain. Right next to this area, at Moras, there are over 5000 salt ponds which were used by the Incas for salt extraction. This helped preserve their foods for long periods. After learning about Incan agricultural techniques, make your way to Urubamba, the capital of the Sacred Valley, for a buffet lunch. After lunch, make your way to two historical towns, Ollantaytambo and Pisaq. In Ollantaytambo, you will climb over 200 steps to reach the top of the ancient terraced fortress overlooking the town. An optional drop-off is available in Ollantaytambo for those who need to stay in town or have other plans. In Pisaq, you will visit an archaeological site followed by some time to shop some souvenirs.

Get picked up from your hotel in Cusco and set off for Chinchero, situated at an elevation of 3,762 meters. Take a tour of a weaving workshop, where local artisans continue the Quechua tradition. See how they use natural plants to extract colors for their Andean art. Continue to Moray, situated at an elevation of 3,450 meters (11,318 feet). Marvel at the mesmerizing terraced landscape and irrigation system. Next, visit Maras Village and see the preserved colonial architecture and thin-stoned buildings. Proceed to the remarkable Salineras salt mines, comprising 3,000 small pools. Explore this historic site that dates back to pre-Inca times and continues to produce salt that is processed and distributed in the region. Finally, return to the city in time to enjoy lunch on your own.

Pick up from hotel 6:30 am CHINCHERO HANDICRAFT MARKET. This town is located 28 km from Cusco on the paved road to Urubamba. It is like a beautiful colonial temple built on Inca foundations. Its main attraction, however, is its handicraft market, originally dedicated to the barter of agricultural products between the villagers of the valley and those of the highlands. Currently, the market is a true spectacle of color and movement that causes the fascination of the tourist with its offer of handicrafts and textile garments made in the purest pre-Columbian style. MORAY. It is located 7 km. from Maras, 01 hour from the city of Cusco by the route of Chinchero is one of the most spectacular visits where there are circular terraces of different sizes. They are terraces of agricultural experimentation and places of concentration of feminine energy, for which it is considered as a magnetic center of the Pachamama. SALT MINES OF MARAS. Located northwest of the town of Maras known by some as “salt mines” are made up of about 3000 small wells. The salt has been obtained since pre-Hispanic times through a system of drying salt water that comes from a subway stream in the sun. Once the water has evaporated, the salt is ready for sale. URUBAMBA A great place with Inca productions, most primordially corn, and today a beautiful countryside, with great production of fruit trees. An excellent place to enjoy our typical buffet lunch of the area. OLLANTAYTAMBO Typical Inca village located 21 km. from Urubamba (2800 masl). It was named in honor of the cacique Ollanta, famous for his romance with an Inca princess, daughter of Pachacutec. One of its best preserved areas extends to the north of the Hanan Huacaypata plaza, a total of 15 blocks of mansions built on carved stone walls. In the vast archaeological site, located on the hill that names the town, buildings such as the Temple of the Sun, the Intihuatana and the Baths of the Princess stand out. PISAC Pisaq is located 33 km from Cusco by paved road (from the Sacred Valley of the Incas). It has an ancient town, an archaeological site considered among the most important of Cusco, and a modern town of colonial origin. This place also has a very famous Pisac handicraft market that attracts thousands of visitors. The tour can also end in Ollantaytabo for tourists who have planned their trip to Machu Picchu (15:30 PM). END OF THE TOUR IN CUSCO 19:00 PM

We will pick you up from your hotel and travel to Chinchero, a small rustic town with a long tradition of textile weaving. See various textiles woven with traditional Incan techniques. Next, you will visit the Moray agricultural terraces that were built along the hillsides. These terraces were built by the Incas to grow an abundance of crops on less-than-ideal mountain terrain. Right next to this area, at Moras, there are over 5000 salt ponds which were used for a long time by our ancestors. This helped preserve their food for long periods. After learning about Incan agricultural techniques, make your way to Urubamba, the capital of the Sacred Valley of Urubamba where you are treated to a buffet lunch. After lunch, make your way to the historical town of Ollantaytambo. At Ollantaytambo, climb over 200 steps to reach the top of the ancient terraced fortress that overlook the town. This was an important defensive location during Incan times. After visiting Ollantaytambo, the tour guide drops you off you at the train station or the main square in Ollantaytambo.

Day 1 of the Inca Jungle trail begins with a 6:00 AM pickup from the Cusco Main Square. Travel through Chinchero, Urubamba, and Ollantaytambo in the Sacred Valley. The adventure starts at Abra Málaga pass, offering views of Huacay Willca. After receiving biking gear, a downhill bike journey through Puna and Cloud Forest zones lasts about 3 hours (50 km), ending at Huaman Marq’a ruins. A short van ride and walk lead to Santa Maria, then to Pispitayoc village for an overnight stay in an eco-house in the forest, with dinner included. Day 2 of the Inca Jungle trail starts with a breakfast, where the guide teaches coffee roasting. The hike then follows part of the Inca Trail network, the Qhapaq Ñan, offering views of diverse birds and plantations like coca, coffee, and fruit trees. After reaching the Huancarcasa viewpoint at 1750 meters, there's a relaxing break with panoramic views. The trail then descends to Qellomayo village at 1200 meters for lunch. The final leg of the day's trek, about 2 hours, leads to the optional Cocalmayo thermal baths at 1450 meters, before arriving in Santa Teresa at 1515 meters for dinner and overnight stay. Day 3 begins with a hearty breakfast in Santa Teresa (1515m). The trek then continues for 3 hours through coffee and coca plantations, leading to Hidroeléctrica at 1900m, where lunch and a break are scheduled. Post-lunch, the journey resumes for another 3 hours along the train track, arriving in Aguas Calientes (1950m), the town near Machu Picchu. The afternoon is free for leisure. In the evening, the group gathers for dinner and discusses the upcoming climb to Machu Picchu. Day 4, the final day, starts early at 4:00 am with a hike up to Machu Picchu at 2400m, lasting about 1.5 hours. At the citadel, a 2-hour guided tour covers the most significant parts of Machu Picchu. Post-tour, there's free time for personal exploration. The journey concludes with a return to Aguas Calientes at 1950m to collect belongings, followed by a train ride to Ollantaytambo. From there, a bus takes you back to Cusco, marking the end of the service.

We will pick you up in the morning from your hotel or accommodation in the city of Cusco and thus begin our adventure to the north of the region. The first place of visit will be Chinchero, we will visit a local community to see the Textile Interpretation Center, we will also take a guided tour of the Moray Archaeological Site considered the Inca Agricultural Laboratory, later we will pass through the town of Maras and we will also visit the Mines of Salt. We will go to the town of Urubamba, where we will have a buffet lunch of our Peruvian cuisine. At noon, we will continue our trip to our restaurant in Urubamba. We will take advantage of the time to have a delicious and nutritious Novo Andean buffet lunch, of exquisite Cusco cuisine. Continuing with our tour we go to the Archaeological Site of Ollantaytambo, which in the time of the Incas was a tambo or place to rest, it is also the starting point to reach the Sanctuary of Machu Picchu. We will explore its most important stone buildings, such as: the large stone terraces, the Temple of the Sun and the fountain of the Princess Baths of the time. Returning to Cusco, we will head towards the town of Pisac. Upon reaching the town we will ascend until we reach the Pisaq Archaeological Site, which is built on top of a mountain. Upon returning to the town of Pisac we will visit its picturesque artisan market in the area, the local residents are experts in working with minerals, we will be able to make some purchases in the place. We will end the excursion by returning to the city of Cusco, the tour will end in the Plaza de San Francisco, around 6:30 or 7:00 p.m. approximately. Cusco Altitude: 3,350 meters above sea level (10,990 feet). Chinchero Altitude: 3,762 meters above sea level (12,342 feet). Moray Altitude: 3,762 meters above sea level (12,342 feet). Maras Altitude: 3,762 meters above sea level (12,342 feet). Urubamba Altitude: 2,780 meters above sea level (9,120 feet). Ollantaytambo Altitude: 2,790 meters above sea level (9,153 feet). Pisac Pueblo Altitude: 2,972 meters above sea level (9,750 feet). Pisaq Altitude: 3,300 meters above sea level (10,826 feet).

Your tour will start with your group pick-up. From there you will drive for about an hour to Chinchero, making a short stop in this town to visit one of the last traditional families. You will also learn about ancient textiles and the weaving process. After driving 30 minutes more, you will arrive to Moray, the ancient Inka agriculture laboratory located in a rare topographical depression in which the Inkas developed into unique circular terraces. You will learn how this entire area was also watered by a well-engineered irrigation system. After enjoying Moray, you will continue for another hour to the Salineras Salt Mines of Maray, your last destination on your tour. The salt mine is actually a vast collection of terraces born from a water stream high on a mountain. Over many centuries this salt spring has been channeled to 1,000 small pools. People wait for the sunny days to evaporate the water which leaves the pure salt behind, a technique of which has been used since pre-Inka times. You will finally drive approximately 1.5 hours back to Cusco, where your group will be dropped off near the Main Plaza de Armas.

DAY 1: We will start this great adventure with the pick up from your hotel at 8:00 am to go to the Sacred Valley of the Incas, Pisac, Colonial Inca, discover one of the Inca archaeological sites, on top of the mountain with impressive stone walls, agricultural terraces, irrigation systems and the largest cemetery of the Inca Empire. Time to shop at the craft market, where artisans sell their ceramics, textiles, jewelry, Andean instruments, alpaca products, and souvenirs. We will continue our trip of approximately 1 hour through the Sacred Valley to Urubamba where we will have time to have lunch in one of the local restaurants that offers several traditional dishes, made with fresh products. In the afternoon, visit the archaeological complex of Ollantaytambo, where you can appreciate the technique with which the Incas worked the stone, the last Inca citadel standing. The city is built on ancient Inca buildings. Explore the archaeological site of the city that has temples, terraces, warehouses and a large Inca monolith. Next, we will depart by train from the Ollantaytambo station, we will arrive at the Aguas Calientes station, where our staff will assist you to stay in one of the hotels in Aguas Calientes. (Select between a tour with or without accommodation). DAY 2: In the morning the guide will pick you up at the hotel to board the transport that will ascend an intricate path giving us a spectacular view of the Urubamba River that shapes the famous canyon. The Lost City of the Incas, Machu Picchu, will welcome you with its incredible terraces, stairways, ceremonial precincts and urban areas where energy emanates from all over the place. After a guided tour, you will have the opportunity to have lunch in one of the restaurants in the area. At the coordinated time, we will return by train and we will be transferred to the hotel in Cusco, ending with a great experience.

Embark on an incredible experience on four wheels during this guided ATV adventure tour from Cusco through the Sacred Valley. Take in views of the Urubamba Mountains as you venture to Maras and the archeologist site of Moray. Leaving by van from Cusco, travel for approximately one hour to the community of Cruz Pata in the heart of the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Get ready for the start of your adventure after approximately 15 minutes of ATV training. Once ready, drive approximately 1.5 hours to the archaeological site of Moray to closely observe the remains of the terraces built by the Incas to experiment with the adaptation of crops. Later, hop back in the van to continue to the salt mines of Maras (outside only). Enjoy beautiful views of the Urubamba Mountain range and contemplate the peaks of the Verónica and Chicón Mountains. At the historic salt mines, you'll have the opportunity to take pictures from a viewpoint as well as buy the products made from the same salt that is found there. At the end of the trip, take a different route back to the city of Cusco, ending a day full of adrenaline.

Explore the Sacred Valley of the Incas on a guided tour from Cusco. Visit the town of Chinchero, the circular agricultural terraces of Moray, and the Maras Salt Mines. Enjoy a buffet lunch in Urubamba and end the tour in Ollantaytambo. Start the day with a hotel pick-up from Cusco and head to the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Admire the diverse crop fields and picturesque towns that contrast with the snowy mountains and sacred mountains that have been venerated since before the Incas. Visit the town of Chinchero, located at 3,772 meters above sea level. Explore the town's archaeological sites, a 17th-century colonial church with canvases from the Cusqueña School, and a typical market where you can still exchange. Focus on traditional weaving handmade by pure Andean women. Next, visit the circular agricultural terraces of Moray, an experimental agricultural center. Continue to the Maras Salt Mines, which contain more than 4,000 wells from which one of the best salts in the world is extracted. Head to Urubamba to enjoy a buffet lunch in a typical restaurant in the area. Taste typical flavors of the region before continuing to the living Inca city of Ollantaytambo. Admire its military fortress, which was built to protect the Sacred Valley from possible invaders. End the tour at 3:30 PM when your transportation leaves you near the Ollantaytambo train station.