We designed the Sacred Valley VIP Tour such that you are able to view all of the most important sites of the Sacred Valley in one day! We selected it such, that you will get the best experience seeing only the most astonishing Inca ruins and the most exquisite landscapes.
Learn about the Peruvian culture and artisanal textile production in Chinchero, then move on to marvel at the agricultural laboratory of the Incas in Moray, discover the ancient salt mines of Maras, and finally admire the extraordinary architectural Inca masterpieces of Ollantaytambo and Pisac. All in just one day!
We recommend this tour to everyone who wants to experience and view the most outstanding Inca ruins by discovering our prime selection of touristic attractions of the Sacred Valley. This Tour is especially suitable for people who are short on time or simply want to have the top-notch in one day!
 Duration: 1 Day |  Altitude: 3385 m / 11105.6 ft |
 Difficulty: Easy |  Season: All year |
Itinerary
Sacred Valley Vip Tour
We will pick you up from your hotel between 6:30 AM to 7:00 AM. You can relax and enjoy the views while we will drive for about 40 minutes toward the north.
Our first visit will be to the archeological complex of Chinchero, where you will have a guided tour in order to give you some background information. In addition to this, you will have some time to explore the town of Chinchero itself, a village that is still known for upholding many traditional ways of living since the Inca times and is situated in a very important agricultural zone. You will be able to see the colonial church and tower that were constructed on top of ancient Inca temples, while you will also see the many local artisans that still make their textiles manually using ancient techniques.
After our visit to Chinchero, we will drive towards the circular terraces of Moray. This place is one of the most incredible Inca ruins, as the Incas used the circular terraces with their varying microclimates as an agricultural experimentation laboratory in order to domesticize, acclimatize and experiment with the hybridization of an array of plants. Here our guide will give you a guided tour explaining to you this scientific Inca laboratory that will leave you speechless. You will have enough time to walk around and feel for yourself the difference in the microclimate of the various terraces.
Hereafter we will visit the salt mines of Maras which already existed even since pre-Inca times. Our guide will explain to you in detail the whole procedure of making salt and how these impressive 3000 shallow salt pools are owned by approximately 380 families. This naturally occurring salt mine originates from a salty spring that filters itself through the mountain Qoripukiu (spring of gold).
After this salty experience, we will move on to have a tasty lunch buffet in Urubamba, prepared entirely from the local products of the Sacred Valley.
Fully energized by this delicious lunch we will continue our journey to the archeological complex of Ollantaytambo. These Inca ruins are said to have been a very important administrative, military, religious, social, and even economic center that was controlling access to Machu Picchu. Here you will be able to visit all the most important stone structures such as the great stone terraces, the Temple of the Sun, and the fountain of the Princess’ bath.
Finally, we will drive to our last stop, the archeological ruins of Pisac. These ruins are interesting as the land was exploited through intelligent platform systems with an additional irrigation system that allowed for the cultivation of some of the best corn in the world. As these ruins are on top of a mountain slope, you will be able to take some amazing panoramic photos, enjoy a gorgeous view of the Sacred Valley, and marvel at the astonishing architectural mastery of the Incas.
This is our last stop and thereafter we will return to the city of Cusco, arriving there at approximately 7 PM.
Important information
Departure: 6:30 AM every day
Duration: 9 hours
Optional: You can take this tour as a connection to Machupicchu, for this you will have to stay in Ollantaytambo and wait for the departure time of your train to Machupicchu village.
Included
TOUR INCLUDES
- Hotel search service in Cusco.
- Tourist transport.
- VIP excursion to the Sacred Valley with buffet lunch and in a local restaurant.
- Services with bilingual professional orientation (Spanish or English).
- Tickets to attractions included.
TOUR DOES NOT INCLUDE
- National or international plane tickets.
- Services not detailed in the program.
CONTACT US
More Information
What is the Sacred Valley in Peru?
About 15 km north of the city of Cusco is where lies the marvelous Sacred Valley of the Incas. With its exquisite lush green vegetation and its aptitude for agriculture, it was a very populated region of the Incas. Nowadays, that translates into a multitude of different Inca ruins that are scattered all along the valley whilst the majestic Urubamba River meanders its way right through its middle.
This beautiful gem is a must-see when visiting Cusco, as it inhabits some of the most stunning landscapes, embellished with gorgeous flora and fauna, plenty of hiking routes to relish the scenery, a magnitude of touristic activities from paragliding to rafting, and some of the most stunning Inca ruins with an impressive historical past.
Our recommendation is to buy the Cusco Tourist Ticket, with which you will have access to various tourist attractions in the Sacred Valley, or check out our Cusco Tours to explore this magical place.
Where is the Sacred Valley in Peru?
The Sacred Valley of the Incas is located in the province of Urubamba in Cusco – Peru. It is located 15 km / 9.3 mi northeast of the city of Cusco.
It is reached by a paved road from the city of Cusco. A drive through one of the nearest villages will take you about 40 minutes.
From there you can move around the other villages in the valley. It is even possible to get there by train.
When is the best time to visit the Sacred Valley?
The best time to visit the Sacred Valley is during the dry season from April to October as there is a lower chance of rain and generally more sunlight.
During the rainy season, you will have a higher chance of rain, but even then you will also find sunny days during the rainy season.
The two seasons of Cusco:
- The dry season (from April to October)
- The rainy season (from November to March)
The climate in the Sacred Valley of the Incas is rather temperate, but the different villages can vary in their climate so expect a mix of hot and cold as we make our way through the valley.
What is the altitude of the Sacred Valley in Peru?
The different towns in the Valley have the following altitudes:
- Pisac: 2980 m / 9776.9 ft above sea level
- Calca: 2929 m / 9609.6 ft above sea level
- Urubamba: 2870 m / 9416 ft above sea level
- Ollantaytambo: 2850 m / 9350.4 ft above sea level
How far is the Sacred Valley from Cusco and Machu Picchu?
The Sacred Valley is more or less at a distance of approximately 39 km / 24.3 mi away from Cusco. Machu Picchu is from Cusco approximately at a distance of 73 km / 45 .4 mi away.
What to pack for the Sacred Valley Vip Tour?
- A light daypack
- Drinking water
- Raining poncho
- Sunhat and sunscreen
- Some additional Snacks
- Original passport and if applicable student card «ISIC»
- Extra money in soles
Main cities and tourist attractions of the Sacred Valley
Pisac
Pisac is located 33 kilometers from the city of Cusco and is known as the gateway to the Sacred Valley. It is world-renowned for its handicraft market and its impressive archaeological ruins, located in the upper part of the town. This town is valuable for its location and fertile land. It’s Inca and colonial constructions are admirable. Also, Pisac is famous for being an ideal place for spiritual retreats.
Urubamba
Urubamba is one of the most remarkable cities of the Sacred Valley of the Incas. It was born during colonial times and is considered the corn capital of the world.
This is possible thanks to the fact that it is watered by numerous rivers that rise in the peaks of the glacial mountains. All this territory was appreciated by the Incas because of the fertility of its lands. It is one of the best places to relax. There you will see many foreigners who decided to leave their countries and stay there.
Ollantaytambo
Ollantaytambo is located 97 kilometres northeast of the city of Cusco. During Inca times it was a fortified city with temples, defensive walls as well as urban and agricultural sectors.
It is known to have served as an administrative checkpoint. It is conjectured to be one of the most important archaeological sites in Peru and South America.
Chinchero
Chinchero is located 28 kilometres from the city of Cusco. It is one of the points of the valley located at the highest altitude: 3,772 meters above sea level (12,375 ft).
Here resided the palace of the emperor Tupac Yupanqui, which was destroyed by the Spaniards. In its place they built the colonial church of Nuestra Señora de Monserrat. This church, built in the 17th century, includes canvases of the ‘Cusco School’. The village is also famous for its handicraft market where bartering is still practiced.
Maras
Maras is famous for its proximity to hundreds of salt wells that form a spectacular landscape. In Maras you can see more than 5,000 salt extraction wells built in Inca times.
Moray
Moray is located 74 kilometres from the city of Cusco and is home to the famous Inca circular terraces. This set of concentric circular terraces gives the sensation of being an artificial crater.
Moray was one of the main ‘agricultural research centres’ of the Inca empire. It was dedicated to the experimentation and sowing of crops from different places.
The different climates and altitudinal levels were constructed with the intention of making it possible to grow crops from the coast and jungle in cold climates.
Price
HOW MUCH DOES THE SACRED VALLEY VIP TOUR COST?
We have price alternatives that accommodate all budgets, prices per person, expressed in US Dollars.
Make your quotes and reservations by email [email protected], you can also communicate with one of our sales executives at the telephones detailed below, we will be happy to assist you.
Phone – WhatsApp: +51 969 787 221
Phone – WhatsApp: +51 986 994 218
HOW TO BOOK THE SOUTH VALLEY CUSCO TOUR?
To start the reservation process, please send us the following information:
- Name and surname:
- Passport number:
- Nationality:
- Date of Birth:
- Phone:
- Very important – We need the address and information about the hotel that you are staying at, in the city of Cusco, to be able to pick you up at the time when the tour starts
To confirm reservations it is required to pay 50% in advance and the other 50% can be paid upon arrival at your destination.
PAYMENT METHODS
- IZIPAY
- PAYPAL
- WESTER UNION
- MONEYGRAM
- TRANSFER TO OUR BANK ACCOUNT PERU
GENERAL CONDITIONS
- All rates for our Peru Packages are expressed in US dollars (subject to currency exchange rates) and are priced per person
- The rates for Peruvians only include VAT
- All our rates are subject to availability and circumstances
- Children under 2 years and 11 months are considered INF (babies) and are not permitted on this tour
- Children from 3 to 10 years and 11 months are considered DCC (child) and thus eligible for special rates and obliged to share the room with their parents
- Children over 11 years old are considered adults
- Minors must travel with an identity document
- Rates do not apply to holidays, Easter, long weekends, national holidays, Christmas, or New Year
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