The Sacred Valley VIP tour (Full Day) is a half-day journey from Cusco that will take you to the Sacred Valley of the Incas. The valley is known for being one of the most fertile regions in southern Peru and has been of great importance since the time of the Inca civilization, which persists to this day.
The Sacred Valley VIP tour is designed for people with little time, allowing them to visit several important places in a single day.
On the Sacred Valley VIP tour, the attractions are visited in the following order: Chinchero (40 minutes), Salineras de Maras and Moray (30 minutes), lunch in the Sacred Valley, then we will visit Ollantaytambo (30-40 minutes), and finally we will visit Pisac. We usually arrive at the latter place when the archaeological center is closing, so if we are lucky, we will have the opportunity to take our last tour here.
In Ollantaytambo, the group splits between those who board the train to Machu Picchu Pueblo and those who finish the tour visiting Pisac and returning to Cusco. If you wish to connect with Machu Picchu Pueblo to then visit Machu Picchu, we recommend our Sacred Valley Tour with VIP Connection to Machu Picchu (2 Days).
If you want to spend more time visiting the attractions of the Sacred Valley, we recommend the Classic Sacred Valley Tour (approximately one and a half hours per location).
Itinerary
Day 1: Sacred Valley VIP (Full Day)
On this day, we will pick you up from your hotel between 6:35 am and 6:45 am to start our tour of the Sacred Valley of the Incas. The Sacred Valley is located at an altitude of 2,790 meters above sea level and includes Chincheros, Moray, Salineras, Urubamba, Ollantaytambo, and Pisac. Each of these locations houses archaeological remains built by different Incas. The Sacred Valley holds great historical significance as one of the main agricultural centers, recognized for its fertile lands that produce the best corn grains today.
Our first stop will be Chincheros, a place that has preserved its traditional textile and ceramic art. Here we will stay for about 40 minutes, and we will visit the colonial church, known for its outstanding paintings from the 15th and 17th centuries. Next, we will visit Moray, an agricultural research center where crop experiments were conducted at different altitudes. Afterward, we will explore the Salineras de Maras, also known as the Maras Salt Pools, which consist of over 3,000 wells of different sizes and dimensions. These wells are owned by local families who harvest the generated salt and treat it with iodine before selling it in the market. We will spend 30 minutes in Maras and Moray.
Continuing our journey, we will arrive in Urubamba, where we will enjoy a buffet lunch. After the meal, we will visit the city of Ollantaytambo, which dates back to the 15th century. Finally, we will explore Pisac, known for its archaeological site and vibrant craft market. The tour in Pisac will last 30 to 40 minutes. At the end of the tour, we will drop you off approximately 2 to 3 blocks from the main square of Cusco.
Inclusions
Included:
- Pick-up from your hotel. Hotel pickups start from 6:35 am for group tours. For private tours to the Sacred Valley, the pick-up time can be arranged.
- Bilingual professional guide (Spanish and English). In group tours, the tour is conducted in Spanish and English, one after the other. In private tours, you can choose to have the tour in Spanish, English, or Portuguese.
- Transportation. Includes tourist transportation to the attractions.
- Buffet lunch. We will enjoy a buffet meal in Urubamba.
- For the lunch, you can serve yourself spaghetti, white meat (chicken crackling, loin, loin stew, trout crackling), red meat (lamb stew, loin meat, pork crackling), quinoa fried rice, legumes, Andean potatoes, as well as white rice or garden rice (Peruvian dish with vegetables). At lunch, you also have 2 varieties of salads: cooked (carrot, broccoli), raw (lettuce, cucumber, tomato, excellent vegetarian options). If you want soup, you can serve yourself quinoa soup. For dessert, you can try mazamorra morada or rice pudding (both are among the most popular Peruvian desserts), gelatin, or a peach stew. Hot drinks are included: muña tea, coca tea, coffee.
Not Included
- Partial Tourist Ticket
- ( S/. 70.00 Soles – Foreigners | S/. 40.00 Soles – Peruvians)
- Entrance to the Maras Salt Mines
- ( S/. 20.00 Soles – Foreigners | S/. 10.00 Soles – Peruvians)
Recommmendations
- Tourist Ticket. To visit various cultural attractions in Cusco, you require a Partial Tourist Ticket or a General Tourist Ticket.
- General Tourist Ticket: S/. 130.00 Soles – Foreigners | S/. 70.00 Soles – Peruvians. Includes entry to 16 tourist sites in Cusco, which are the Regional Historical Museum, Puca Pucara, Contemporary Art Museum, Tambomachay, Popular Art Museum, Pisac, Qorikancha Site Museum, Ollantaytambo, Qosqo Native Art Center, Chinchero, Inca Pachacutec Monument, Moray, Sacsayhuaman, Tipón, Q’enqo, and Piquillacta.
- Partial Tourist Ticket: S/. 70.00 Soles – Foreigners | S/. 40.00 Soles – Peruvians. Includes entry for 1 day to 1 circuit of attractions. There are three circuits: Circuit I (Sacsayhuaman, Qenqo, Tambomachay, Puca Pucara), Circuit II (Regional Historical Museum, Contemporary Art Museum, Popular Art Museum, Qorikancha Site Museum, Qosqo Native Art Center, Inca Pachacutec Monument, Archaeological Park of Tipón, Archaeological Park of Pikillacta), Circuit III (Pisac, Ollantaytambo, Chinchero, Moray).
- Camera
- Sunblock
- Water bottle
- Sun glasses
- Windbreaker jacket
- Long-sleeve shirt
- Hiking or trekking shoes
- From November to March: it is recommended to bring a rain poncho.
- Clothes suitable for a day trip
- Peruvian soles in cash
