One day in the Sacred Valley: the full-day itinerary from Cusco
The Sacred Valley of the Incas is where the empire grew its food, built its finest temples and still weaves its brightest textiles. In a single full day from Cusco you can see its five essential stops — Pisac, Ollantaytambo, Maras, Moray and Chinchero — with lunch in the heart of the valley and a guide to explain them.
The day, hour by hour
| Time | Stop |
|---|---|
| 6:00 am | Pickup from your hotel in Cusco |
| 8:00 am | Pisac: terraces, ruins and a craft centre |
| 10:30 am | Ollantaytambo: the Inca temple-fortress |
| 12:30 pm | Buffet lunch in the valley |
| 2:30 pm | Maras salt pans and Moray terraces |
| 4:30 pm | Chinchero: Inca site and traditional weaving |
| 7:00 pm | Back at your hotel in Cusco |
Pisac
The day begins high above the town of Pisac, where sweeping Inca terraces curve around the mountainside below a ceremonial and residential complex. Afterwards, a stop at a craft centre shows traditional silverwork. More in our Pisac guide.
See the Sacred Valley in one day
Pisac, Ollantaytambo, Maras, Moray and Chinchero with guide, transport and buffet lunch — from US $35 per person.
Ollantaytambo
Ollantaytambo is a living Inca town whose streets and water channels are still in use. Above it rise the temple terraces and the huge stone blocks of the Sun Temple, hauled from a quarry across the river. It is also the station for trains to Machu Picchu. More in our Ollantaytambo guide.
Maras and Moray
After lunch, the tour climbs to the high plateau. At Maras, thousands of salt pools fed by a salty spring cascade down the hillside, still harvested by local families. At Moray, circular terraces sink into the ground like an amphitheatre, believed to have been an Inca agricultural laboratory. Read more about Maras and Moray.
Chinchero
The last stop is Chinchero, a village with Inca walls, a colonial church built on an Inca palace and a long weaving tradition. Local weavers show how alpaca wool is spun and dyed with plants and minerals. More in our Chinchero guide.
Price and what is included
| Included | Not included |
|---|---|
| Door-to-door tourist transport | Cusco Tourist Ticket (BTC) for the sites |
| Certified bilingual guide | Maras entrance, paid at the salt pans |
| Buffet lunch and a snack | Tips |
| First-aid kit and oxygen | — |
The BTC covers Pisac, Ollantaytambo, Moray and Chinchero; our BTC guide explains the options.
Tips for the day
- Wear comfortable shoes: Pisac and Ollantaytambo have uneven Inca steps.
- Bring cash for the Maras entrance, crafts and the market stalls.
- Layer up: it is cold at 6:00 am and warm at midday in the valley.
- Going on to Machu Picchu? Our Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu 2-day tour ends the day in Aguas Calientes instead of Cusco.
- Short on time? The half-day Maras and Moray tour covers the high plateau only (US $30).
Frequently asked questions
Yes. The full-day tour from Cusco visits Pisac, Ollantaytambo, Maras, Moray and Chinchero between 6:00 am and 7:00 pm.
From US $35 per person in a shared group, or US $120 per person private, with buffet lunch included.
No. The Cusco Tourist Ticket (BTC) and the Maras entrance are paid separately.
No. It is a relaxed day at moderate altitude, with some walking on uneven stone paths.
Our route starts at Pisac, continues to Ollantaytambo and finishes on the high plateau at Maras, Moray and Chinchero, on the way back to Cusco.
