Customizable private tour with flexible departure dates. Solo travelers are welcome—contact us for availability and a personalized quote.
Overview
The Sacred Valley played a fundamental role during the Inca era, serving as a gathering place for spiritual ceremonies and a hub for thriving agricultural activity. Adorned with farming terraces, the Sacred Valley enjoys a surprisingly warm climate amidst the towering Andean peaks, making it a fertile land for abundant harvests.
The Urubamba River also known as “Willkamayu” or the “Sacred River”—flows through the valley; it was believed to be a reflection of the Milky Way. Our ancestors viewed it as a divine symbol and undertook the monumental task of shaping the landscape to mirror the celestial constellations of the Milky Way. The valley is home to a treasure trove of ancient temples, sacred sites, and portals to other dimensions, inviting today’s visitors to connect with its profound spiritual legacy and ancestral wisdom.
Visit the highlights of the Sacred Valley in one full day, including:
- The Maras Salt Mines
- The Inca agricultural laboratory of Moray
- Authentic textiles in a local community—alongside llamas and alpacas!
NOTE:
Since pick-ups for our services often take place early, we recommend booking a hotel in Cusco city center. If you are staying at an Airbnb, we can arrange to pick you up at a well-known landmark.
PRIVATE AND CUSTOMIZED OPTION
Can’t find the date you’re looking for? We can open a new departure; a minimum of 2 participants is required.
For us, private trips mean more intimate experiences—averaging 6 participants per group—with full support from a highly trained private staff. Choose your travel date and join our incredible expeditions. Our departures are exclusively for you on the date of your choice. Please feel free to email us at travel@pumadventures.com or call us at +51 987 555 135 if you have any questions or would like to confirm availability by phone.
NOTE REGARDING PRICES
Prices are stated in US dollars (USD), and all payments must be made in that currency. Prices are per person and apply to a PRIVATE service; a minimum of 2 people is required.
Request Your Personalized Quote
Experience the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu on a journey tailored to your travel preferences. Prices vary depending on group size, travel dates, and selected services.
Contact our team for a personalized quote and let us help you plan your unforgettable adventure in Peru.
Included
- • Pick-up from your hotel on the morning of the excursion.
- • Private transportation to and from Cusco.
- • All entrance fees and permits.
- • English-speaking guide.
- • Lunch.
Not included:
- Tips for staff.
- Airfare.
- Travel insurance.
- Hotel in Cusco.
- Breakfast.
- Snacks and water.
WHAT TO BRING
In Cusco, you can experience all four seasons in a single day, so be prepared for sun, rain, and both cold and warm weather.
We recommend bringing a cap or hat, sunscreen, sunglasses, a sweater, a raincoat or plastic poncho, a warm hat, and gloves.
YOU SHOULD ALSO BRING
A lightweight backpack to carry your belongings:
- • A water bottle and some snacks.
- • Cash for snacks, souvenirs, and tips.
- • Passport.
- • Sunscreen.
- • Personal medication.
- • Credit or debit card.
Private Sacred Valley Full Day
Cusco to Sacred Valley of the Incas
Today, we will start the day by enjoying the outdoors, staying active, meeting local people, and reconnecting with nature.
Our team will pick you up from your hotel at 8:00 a.m., and we will take short walks as we explore the most iconic sites in the Sacred Valley: the Maras Salt Mines and Moray. In the afternoon, we will visit Chinchero, where we will have lunch with the local community and a local family, interact with the residents, and learn about their ancestral traditions. If you enjoy working with your hands, you can take part in a workshop on the natural dyeing of sheep and alpaca wool, as well as pick up some souvenirs from your trip or gifts for your friends before returning to the hotel.
ON THIS TOUR, YOU WILL EXPLORE THE FOLLOWING HISTORICAL SITES
THE PICTURESQUE VILLAGE OF CHINCHERO
Visit extensive agricultural terraces that have remained unchanged, alongside the remains of ancient structures dating back to the Inca era all set within a landscape of remarkable natural beauty. You will also discover a charming 16th-century church in Chinchero; this small, intimate space is a jewel of colonial art, with walls and ceilings entirely adorned with paintings. Its grand wooden door features intricate carvings depicting various biblical scenes, while the altar stands out for its elaborate ornamentation and religious figures. In the village of Chinchero, the local people still wear their traditional attire a vibrant, living cultural heritage that becomes even more apparent and authentic during the Sunday market.
THE MARAS SALT MINES
The Maras salt mines are a striking site located in a rugged valley. Since the time of the Incas, thousands of salt pools have been carved into the landscape the new ones added each year to extract a valuable resource: salt. The salt comes from a mineral-rich spring that emerges from higher ground nearby. A system of terraces is used to collect it; as the water evaporates, it leaves behind salt ready for harvesting. The landscape is breathtaking, with a vivid contrast of colors: the white of the salt, the greens and browns of the surrounding vegetation, and the terraces ranging in hue from ocher to brown all framed by the imposing, towering Andes mountains. To this day local residents continue to extract salt using traditional, artisanal methods, just as the Incas did centuries ago; you may very well have the opportunity to witness this process during your visit.
THE CIRCULAR TERRACES OF MORAY
The archaeological site of Moray is unique in the region; here, you will find Inca terraces arranged in concentric circles that descend into the ground. Each level reaches a height of up to 1.20 meters (4 feet), and the terraces are distributed across two natural depressions. The view is stunning, whether observed from above or from below. It is believed that this site may have functioned as a kind of agricultural laboratory, where experiments were conducted by taking advantage of the distinct microclimates present at each level of the terraces. It is truly impressive impossible to overlook. Today, thanks to this site, Peru boasts more than 3,000 varieties of potatoes, over 20 varieties of quinoa, more than 100 types of corn, and many other agricultural products.
