Sacred Valley Full Day VIP

This VIP tour to the Sacred Valley of the Incas begins at 7:30 AM. We will pick you up from your hotel in Cusco 10 to 15 minutes before the start of the tour. We will begin by visiting the picturesque village of Chinchero, known as the City of Rainbows, to see the Church of Our Lady of Montserrat, built in 1607 on the site of the palace of Túpac Yupanqui. We will also see the terraces and the artisan market. We will continue our tour by visiting the town of Maras and the agricultural experimentation platforms of Moray. It is believed that in this fascinating area, the Incas created their own microclimate to adapt plants, flowers, and many other products from different parts of the Inca Empire. After this, we will visit the salt mines, known as “salineras,” located just below Maras. These mines are still in operation, and farmers work in them during the day. At the end of the tour, and back in our private transport, we will head to the town of Urubamba, where we will enjoy a buffet lunch that will allow you to savor the delicious Peruvian cuisine. In the afternoon, we will visit the Fortress of Ollantaytambo, which was a strategic military, agricultural, and religious center for administering and controlling the Sacred Valley of the Incas. This can be deduced from the structures that were presumably used for agricultural storage and military purposes, such as walls and watchtowers (probably to protect against jungle ethnic groups). This archaeological site comprises a series of superimposed terraces, showcasing the impressive and large, finely carved stone blocks located on the upper terrace. Finally, we will visit the city of Pisac. This impressive site will give you an idea of ​​the advanced knowledge the Incas achieved in architecture. As with other Inca constructions, some studies reveal that it wasn’t a fortress, but rather a kind of royal estate, owned by the Inca Pachacuti, comprised of platforms, domestic and ceremonial structures, and aqueducts that supplied water for agriculture. Another good reason to visit Pisac is its artisan market, where you can find unique and authentic souvenirs.

CHINCHERO: This town is located 28 km from Cusco on the paved road to Urubamba. Here you’ll find the remains of what was once the royal estate of Túpac Inca Yupanqui. Its main attraction is its beautiful colonial church built on Inca foundations. However, its artisan market, originally dedicated to the exchange of agricultural products between the inhabitants of the valley and those of the highlands, is a true spectacle of color and activity that fascinates tourists with its offering of handicrafts and textiles made in the purest pre-Columbian style. If you dream of going, we’ll accompany you.

MORAY: Located 7 km from Maras, an hour from the city of Cusco via the Chinchero route, this is one of the most spectacular sites featuring circular terraces of varying sizes. These terraces were used for agricultural experimentation and are considered centers of feminine energy, a magnetic center of Pachamama (Mother Earth).

MARAS SALT MINES: Located northwest of the town of Maras, these mines, sometimes called “salt mines,” consist of approximately 3,000 small pits. Salt has been harvested since pre-Hispanic times using a sun-drying system that uses saltwater from an underground stream. Once the water evaporates, the salt is ready for sale.

URUBAMBA: A magnificent area with Inca agricultural traditions, the most important being corn. Today, it boasts a beautiful countryside with abundant fruit orchards. An excellent place to enjoy our typical local buffet lunch.

OLLANTAYTAMBO: A typical Inca town located 21 km from Urubamba (2800 m above sea level). It was named in honor of the chief Ollanta, famous for his romance with an Inca princess, daughter of Pachacuti. One of its best-preserved areas extends north of the Hanan Huacaypata plaza, comprising 15 blocks of mansions built on walls of carved stone. In the vast archaeological site, located on the hill that gives the town its name, notable structures include the Temple of the Sun, the Intihuatana, and the Princess’s Baths. From Ollantaytambo, a dirt road ascends to the Málaga Pass (4200 m above sea level) and heads towards the Andes Mountains, passing through villages such as the picturesque Huilloc, home to the renowned Huairuro birds.

PISAC: Located 33 km from Cusco via paved road (from the Sacred Valley of the Incas). It features an ancient town, an archaeological site considered one of the most important in Cusco, and a modern town of colonial origin. This area is also home to the famous Pisac artisan market, which attracts thousands of visitors and members of the surrounding communities from remote villages, all dressed in colorful traditional clothing.

WHAT’S INCLUDED?

• Tourist transportation.
• Professional guide service in English and Spanish.
• Buffet lunch in Urubamba

NOT INCLUDED

• Extra drinks
• Snacks

WHAT SHOULD YOU BRING?

• Bring your original passport with an expiration date no less than 7 months from now.
• Wear athletic shoes, comfortable walking shoes, or sneakers.
• Bring a water bottle.
• Drink plenty of fluids during your excursions.
• Bring a raincoat (long poncho) during the rainy season.
• Bring long-sleeved shirts.
• Bring long pants.
• Bring sunscreen and a wide-brimmed hat for sunny days.
• Bring sunglasses.
• Bring medications and/or personal items (contact lens solution).
• Bring a camera or video camera.
• Keep checks and small denominations of soles or dollars on hand.