Best Seller Experience

Sacred Valley of the Incas
Full Day Tour from Cusco

A full-day Sacred Valley tour from Cusco through the fertile heart of the Inca Empire — the ruins of Pisac and Ollantaytambo, the Maras salt mines, the circular terraces of Moray and the weaving village of Chinchero.

Full Day · 12 h
3,762 m
Easy
4.9 · 465 reviews
Max 14 travelers
Breakfast & Buffet Lunch
Meals
Up to 14 People
Group Size
3,762 m / 12,343 ft
Max Altitude
Easy
Difficulty
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About this tour

Discover the breathtaking Sacred Valley of the Incas, a vibrant region near Cusco cradled by stunning Andean landscapes. With INKANET ADVENTURE you explore this fertile heart of the Inca Empire, home to remarkable archaeological sites like Ollantaytambo and Pisac that still showcase the Incas’ ingenious engineering and agricultural mastery.

Beyond ancient ruins, the Sacred Valley pulses with authentic Andean traditions in charming villages like Chinchero, Maras and Moray. Stroll through bustling markets, admire intricate textile craftsmanship, marvel at sweeping Vilcanota River views and discover how the Incas chose sacred sites using astronomy and deep reverence for nature — all while savouring local delicacies like corn and quinoa.

12 h
Duration
3,762 m
Max altitude
Easy
Difficulty
Max 14
Group size

Tour Highlights

Read our complete guide: Sacred Valley of the IncasRoute, difficulty, best time and insider tips

Pisac Ruins

Explore the spectacular hillside ruins of Pisac, famous for their sweeping agricultural terraces and panoramic valley views.

Pisac Market

Wander the vibrant Pisac market, where you'll find local crafts, textiles and souvenirs made by Andean artisans.

Ollantaytambo

Discover the impressive fortress of Ollantaytambo, a remarkably preserved Inca town with terraces and ceremonial centres.

Moray Terraces

Visit the mysterious circular terraces of Moray, an Inca agricultural laboratory built to harness unique microclimates.

Maras Salt Mines

Marvel at the stunning Maras salt pans — thousands of terraced pools worked by local families since pre-Inca times.

Chinchero Weaving

Meet the weavers of Chinchero and learn the ancestral art of dyeing and weaving with alpaca wool and natural pigments.

Day-by-day itinerary

A full, scenic day through the Sacred Valley — ruins, salt mines, terraces and weaving villages, returning to Cusco by evening.

FULL
DAY

Full Day · Sacred Valley of the Incas

06:00 AMHotel pickup in Cusco. We collect you from your hotel and set off toward the Sacred Valley, travelling through beautiful Andean scenery to our first stop.

08:00 AMPisac. We explore the archaeological complex of Pisac, known for its terraces and panoramic views, followed by a stop at a handicraft centre where you'll learn about traditional Inca goldsmithing.

10:30 AMOllantaytambo. We continue to the impressive Inca fortress of Ollantaytambo, which preserves its original architecture — ideal for those connecting by train to Machu Picchu.

12:30 PMBuffet lunch. Enjoy a delicious buffet lunch with traditional Peruvian flavours in the heart of the valley.

02:30 PMMaras & Moray. The adventure continues at the Maras salt mines, famous for their pink salt pools, and the agricultural laboratory of Moray with its mysterious circular terraces.

04:30 PMChinchero. Finally we arrive in the traditional village of Chinchero to explore its archaeological site and learn about the ancestral process of weaving with alpaca wool and natural dyes.

07:00 PMReturn to Cusco. The tour concludes around 7:00 PM with the return to Cusco, dropping you at your hotel after a day full of history, living culture and unique Andean landscapes.

Good to know: This is a relaxed, scenic day at moderate altitude. Some sites such as Ollantaytambo involve walking on uneven Inca stone terrain, so comfortable shoes are recommended.

Inclusions & exclusions

Exactly what is covered in your Sacred Valley tour — and what to budget separately.

What's Included

  • Comfortable transport — tourist van, door-to-door from your hotel.
  • Buffet lunch with traditional Peruvian flavours.
  • Snack for the journey.
  • Certified bilingual guide — expert in Inca history & culture.
  • First aid kit & oxygen on board at all times.

Not Included

  • Tips for guide and driver (optional, appreciated).
  • BTC — Cusco Tourist Ticket (Boleto Turístico), required for the archaeological sites.
  • Maras entrance ticket (paid locally at the salt mines).

Before you go

A few essentials we recommend to make your Sacred Valley day the most rewarding possible.

Easy on the altitude

The Sacred Valley sits lower than Cusco, so it’s a gentle day for acclimatizing. Still, take it easy, hydrate well and bring sun protection — the Andean sun is strong at midday.

Physical fitness

The hike is rated moderate: 3 hours uphill + 1.5 hours back down. If you can walk steadily for 4–5 hours at home, you'll be fine. Horses are available at the trailhead (~ US $20) if needed.

Best time to go

Dry season: April to October. Skies are clearer, trails firm, colors most vibrant. Avoid the rainy season (Dec–Mar), when colors mute under cloud cover. We run tours year-round but recommend the dry months.

Sun & weather

The Andean sun is intense at 5,000 m. Bring sunscreen SPF 50+, a wide-brim hat, sunglasses, lip balm with SPF, and dress in layers. Pre-dawn is below freezing; midday can hit 18°C in the sun.

Cancellations & weather

Free cancellation up to 30 days before the tour. In case of dangerous weather (snowstorms, road closures), we'll offer a free reschedule or full refund. Safety always comes first.

What to pack

Travel light but smart. Here's exactly what we recommend bringing for a comfortable, safe day at altitude.

Essentials

  • Passport — required for the entrance ticket.
  • Hiking boots (broken in) — terrain is rocky & uneven.
  • Warm layers — fleece + thermal base. Pre-dawn below 0°C.
  • Wind & rain jacket — weather changes fast.
  • Beanie & gloves — your extremities will thank you.
  • Sun hat + sunglasses — UV at altitude is brutal.
  • Sunscreen SPF 50+ + lip balm with SPF.
  • Reusable water bottle 1–1.5 L.
  • Daypack 20–25 L — light, comfortable.
  • Peruvian soles in cash — for the Tourist Ticket, Maras entrance, market crafts & tips.

Nice to Have

  • Camera + extra battery — cold drains batteries fast.
  • Snacks — energy bars, dried fruit, nuts.
  • Coca leaves or candy — helps with altitude.
  • Personal medication + altitude pills (if prescribed).
  • Microfiber towel — handy for sweat or rain.
  • Trekking poles — useful for descent (we provide if needed).
  • Travel insurance card — emergency contacts.
  • First-aid items — band-aids, blister patches, ibuprofen.

Pricing & group rates

Transparent pricing — no hidden fees. The more travelers in your group, the lower the price per person.

Group TypeGroup SizePrice / PersonWhat's Different
Shared Group
Most popular
2 – 14 travelersUS $40 / ppMixed international group, set departure (4 AM)
Private Group
★ Best experience
2 – 6 travelersUS $120 / ppYour group only · flexible departure · personalized pace
Family Package4+ adults & kidsUS $35 / pp10% discount for families with children under 12
Student DiscountValid ISIC cardUS $35 / pp15% off with student ID (under 26)
Group discounts apply automatically. Book 4+ travelers and we'll send a custom quote within 2 hours. Larger groups (10+) qualify for additional savings — message us on WhatsApp.

Payment & refund highlights

Secure online payment

Pay with Visa, MasterCard, American Express. All transactions SSL-encrypted via Izipay.

Free cancellation

Full refund for cancellations 30+ days before. 50% refund 15–29 days before. Weather-related cancellations from our side = full refund or free reschedule.

Frequently asked questions

Quick answers to the questions we hear most often. More? See the full FAQ page or reach us on WhatsApp.

Standard tours last a full day, usually from around 6:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., covering the valley's most emblematic sites.
The best time is the dry season, May to September, when there is less rain and more stable, sunny weather.
No special training is needed. Most sites are accessible to everyone, though some — like the ruins of Ollantaytambo — involve walking on uneven terrain, so comfortable shoes help.
Yes — especially at the Pisac and Chinchero markets, where traditional textiles, ceramics and souvenirs are widely available.
Comfortable clothing and walking shoes, sunscreen, a hat, water and a camera. Layers are useful as the weather can change through the day.
From
$35 / pp
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