Sacred Valley Tour, Cusco

4.9 (8 reviews)
Immerse yourself in the wonders of the Sacred Valley and experience the rich culture and history of the region with a local guide.

Overview

Embark on an unforgettable journey through the Sacred Valley, where you'll explore the Pisac ruins and terraces, then wander the town's cobblestoned streets and local market. Next, visit the ancient salt mines of Maras, featuring over 3,000 salt pools carved into the mountainside. Conclude your adventure at Ollantaytambo, a site rich in history as a religious, astronomical, and military stronghold, where you'll marvel at the impressive terraces and massive stones, leaving you with lasting memories of the wonders of ancient Inca civilization.

Highlights

  • Explore the archaeological site of Pisac, including Inca burial grounds and terraces
  • Wander through cobblestoned streets of Pisac's town and visit local market stalls
  • Witness the impressive Salt Mines of Maras, with over 3,000 salt pools
  • Learn about the history of Ollantaytambo and its importance

Know before you go

Duration
7 hours
Recommended for
All ages
Group
Private
Food & Drink
Lunch Included

What you'll do

Begin your day with a trip to Pisac, a significant archaeological site in the region featuring Inca burial grounds, ancient irrigation systems, and religious centers. Your guide will lead you through the ruins and terraces to learn about their history and significance. Visit the llama sanctuary, where you'll have the chance to walk past the animals' corrals and feed them, adding a fun and memorable touch to your day. Following that, you'll head down the valley to visit the charming town of Pisac. Wander through the cobblestone streets and explore the bustling plaza, where locals sell fresh produce and handmade souvenirs from their stands. You can take some time to browse and shop before moving on to your next destination.

Next, you'll stop at the fascinating salt mines of Maras (Salineras de Maras), a village known for its ancient salt production. Believed to date back to pre-Incan times, Maras is home to over 3,000 salt pools carved into the mountainside, which are filled daily by a natural stream of water. Your guide will explain the history and significance of this unique site while you marvel at the stunning landscape.

Following your visit to Maras, continue on to Ollantaytambo, an ancient site with terraces that feature massive stones at the top. Home to an important religious and astronomical center, Ollantaytambo was also a military fortress during one of the largest battles between the Incas and the Spanish. Your guide will share fascinating historical anecdotes as you explore the ruins and take in the impressive structures.

During your adventure, enjoy a buffet-style lunch with a variety of delicious options to choose from. Although some guests prefer ordering individual meals, the buffet offers a chance to sample different dishes and satisfy various tastes. Kindly inform your specialist of any dietary restrictions for a personalized dining experience.

Start times

  • Daily
    8:00 am

What's included

  • Private transportation
  • English-speaking expert guide

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Traveler reviews

8 total ratings, 4 with reviews
4.9
Feature ratings
Quality of Experience
4.9
Food
4.8
Guides, Drivers and Staff
5.0
Transport
5.0
Ciarra
Ciarra N.
Manhattan, NY | Reviewed on Nov 16, 2022
We had Flor as our guide again and the same driver, and both were excellent. Very flexible with the plan and stopped where we needed. Very patient with us as we shopped at the market in Pisac. When we were about to start the hike up the temple in Ollantaytambo, I spotted my host family from 6 years ago in the market and Flor let us stop to catch up. Also turns out my host mother is her Aunt! It was a very wonderful feeling to have family here. Then we continued our tours and had a great time.... Read more

We had Flor as our guide again and the same driver, and both were excellent. Very flexible with the plan and stopped where we needed. Very patient with us as we shopped at the market in Pisac. When we were about to start the hike up the temple in Ollantaytambo, I spotted my host family from 6 years ago in the market and Flor let us stop to catch up. Also turns out my host mother is her Aunt! It was a very wonderful feeling to have family here. Then we continued our tours and had a great time. Flor took some great photos of my husband and I, thank you For!

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Kimberly
Kimberly A.
Hampton, NE | Reviewed on Oct 21, 2022
Day 2 with Sonya and she is still INCREDIBLE!!! She knows the history well and she laid a great foundation for Machu Picchu portion. Professional, knowledgeable and personable. Read more

Day 2 with Sonya and she is still INCREDIBLE!!! She knows the history well and she laid a great foundation for Machu Picchu portion. Professional, knowledgeable and personable.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Joni
Joni G.
Richardson, TX | Reviewed on Jul 22, 2022
Salt Mines super cool
All the ruins amazing
Read more

Salt Mines super cool
All the ruins amazing

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Amanda
Amanda S.
Highlands Ranch, CO | Reviewed on May 24, 2022
I was disappointed in the “llama sanctuary” I wanted to interact more with the llamas and alpacas. The experience at the “llama sanctuary” is basically just walking past corrals of llamas (you can feed them though, which is fun) Read more

I was disappointed in the “llama sanctuary” I wanted to interact more with the llamas and alpacas. The experience at the “llama sanctuary” is basically just walking past corrals of llamas (you can feed them though, which is fun)

Tips for future travelers

It’s a very long day. The Inca sites are cool. Could have done without this day in our itinerary and perhaps skipped right to Machu Picchu or rainbow mountain or done an extra day in Lima

Quality of Experience
Food
Buffet style so lots of choices. However, I would prefer to order my meal instead of doing a buffet
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Edwin
Transport

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Itineraries with Sacred Valley Tour