Sacred Valley of the Incas: Complete Tour 2025 from Cusco

VIP Sacred Valley of the Inkas Description

Introduction

The area primarily between the towns of Pisac and Ollantaytambo, northwest of Cusco, has been called the "Sacred Valley of the Incas," irrigated by the Vilcanota River, which later changes its name to Urubamba. Since pre-Hispanic times, it has been the ideal place for the foundation of settlements, with the Incas making the most of the beauty and fertility of this land by establishing themselves along both banks of the river. They built urban centers, palaces, fortresses, temples, religious sites, sanctuaries, and places of ritual significance in stone, all reflecting the mystical Andean tradition.

Discover the cultural and scenic richness of the Sacred Valley of the Incas on a fascinating one-day tour. Visit the impressive archaeological sites of Chinchero, Moray, the Maras Salt Mines, Ollantaytambo, and Pisac, while exploring the history, engineering, and living traditions of this sacred valley. Enjoy a delicious buffet lunch in Urubamba and immerse yourself in the magic of a region that was essential to the Inca civilization.

GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATION AND CLIMATE OF THE CUSCO VALLEY

Located in the heart of the Sacred Valley, Urubamba (2,871 meters above sea level) is 78 km northwest of Cusco city on the route to Pisac (1 hour and 25 minutes by car) or 57 km (45 minutes by car) from Cusco via the Chinchero route.

Its altitude of 2,800 meters above sea level gives it a milder climate. As with regions at this elevation, its climate is marked by two seasons: rainy and dry. The wet season occurs from November to April, when downpours can appear in seconds, and unfortunately, the sky is not always blue. However, the rainy season has its advantages, as the mountains turn a vibrant green, and temperatures tend to be mild. During the dry season, the sky colors are bright, but the air is so dry that the skin can feel cracked. Nights are generally very cold, with possible frost at dawn. The starry sky is truly spectacular during this time of year. Climatically speaking, the Sacred Valley is an ideal place. The ancient Peruvians recognized this and traveled here to heal. Despite reaching high temperatures and being a region full of vegetation, the valley is free of mosquitoes due to its altitude. Additionally, it is difficult to feel suffocated as there is always a fresh breeze.

Important

To receive all the information on how to make a reservation, please write to us at:

info@viajesmachupicchu.com

Our team will get back to you promptly with all the necessary details and assistance.

VIP Sacred Valley of the Inkas Summary

06:30 a.m. – Pickup from the hotel and departure to Chinchero.

Chinchero – Visit to the archaeological site and traditional textile workshop.

Moray – Exploration of the Inca circular terraces used for agricultural experiments.

Maras Salt Mines – Observation of over 3,000 salt ponds exploited since pre-Inca times.

Urubamba – Buffet lunch featuring products from the Sacred Valley.

Ollantaytambo – Tour of the archaeological complex, an important Inca military, social, and economic center.

Pisac – Visit to the archaeological site and handicraft market.

07:00 p.m. – Return to Cusco and transfer to the hotel.

Detailed Itinerary: Super Sacred Valley 2025

Day 1: VIP Sacred Valley of the Incas from Cusco

tour in Cusco Peru

At 6:30 a.m., we will pick you up from your hotel in our bus and begin our visit to the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Forty minutes from the city of Cusco, we will arrive at the archaeological center of Chinchero, a living town that preserves the original Inca layout and is located in an important agricultural area. Its colonial church and tower were built on top of Inca temples, and local artisans offer textiles made with ancestral techniques.

Next, we will continue by bus to Moray, a circular system of terraces that takes advantage of the natural sinkholes in the area. These terraces with microclimates were used for the domestication, acclimatization, and hybridization of plants.

tour through Maras

Then, we will visit the Maras Salt Mines, which have been exploited since pre-Inca times. With more than 3,000 shallow pools, they belong to approximately 380 families. The salt comes from natural sources that emerge from the hill Qoripukiu (golden spring).

Our next stop will be Urubamba, where we will enjoy a delicious buffet lunch featuring local products from the Sacred Valley.

After lunch, we will continue by bus for 30 minutes to the archaeological center of Ollantaytambo, an ancient Inca city that functioned as an administrative, military, social, and economic center. It was a strategic control point for access to various ecological zones.

Sacred Valley of the Incas

Finally, we will visit Pisac, whose name comes from the Quechua word P'ísaca (partridge). Its lands were utilized through advanced terrace and irrigation canal systems, allowing for the cultivation of the famous giant white corn (parcay sara). The archaeological site features religious, urban, and agricultural areas built on elevated and secure terrain.

In Colonial Pisac, we will explore its traditional market, which initially served as a place for exchanging local products and has now become an important artisan marketplace due to the daily influx of tourists.

We will return to Cusco at approximately 7:00 p.m.