Sacred Valley: Full Day Trip from Cusco with Lunch & Ruins

Ancient terraces, salt pools and village life in the Sacred Valley

You’ll travel from Cusco through Chinchero’s high plains to Moray’s ancient crop circles, walk among Maras’ blinding white salt pools, climb Ollantaytambo’s fortress terraces and end up wandering Pisac’s mysterious ruins—all with a local guide and a hearty lunch along the way. Expect moments of laughter, surprise and maybe even a little awe mixed in.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup from Cusco, all guided visits with a bilingual guide who brings history alive at every stop, plus a buffet lunch in Urubamba (with vegan options) before returning back to your hotel in the evening.

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Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore Sacred Valley highlights

• Visit Chinchero village and market
• See Moray circular agricultural terraces
• Explore Maras salt mines landscape
• Tour Ollantaytambo fortress and temple
• Discover Pisac Inca ruins and terraces

The Experience

Ever wondered what it feels like to stand where rainbows are born? Chinchero was our first stop out of Cusco, and I swear the air up there is different—thin, crisp, almost sweet. Our guide, Julia, pointed out the adobe houses and that old stone wall in the plaza. She joked about how locals still believe this is where rainbows begin. I tried to ask one of the women about her weaving (my Spanish is rough), and she just smiled and handed me a bit of alpaca yarn. It felt warmer than I expected.

Moray was next—a place that looks like something aliens might’ve built if they were obsessed with farming. The circular terraces go down so deep you get dizzy peering over the edge. Julia explained how each ring has its own microclimate. The sun came out for a second and you could actually feel the temperature shift as we walked lower. Someone in our group tried to shout an echo but just got laughed at by some kids selling coca leaves near the entrance.

The salt pools at Maras are wild—thousands of shallow pans gleaming white against red earth. You can taste salt on your lips just from the breeze. A guy named Luis showed us how his family’s been harvesting here for generations; he let us dip our fingers in one of the pools (salty, cold, gritty). There’s a church nearby too—adobe walls, faded paintings inside—felt oddly peaceful after all that brightness outside.

I’ll be honest: by Ollantaytambo my legs were tired but climbing those steep terraces was worth it for the view alone. You can see whole communities moving below—people in red ponchos heading to market, kids chasing stray dogs. Pisac was last; its stonework is so precise it almost doesn’t look real. Julia told us an old legend about a princess turning to stone for love—I probably missed half of it because I was distracted by this weirdly perfect silence up there. Still think about that quiet sometimes.

Top questions

How long does the Sacred Valley day trip from Cusco take?

The full day trip usually takes around 10-12 hours including all stops and transfers.

Is lunch included on this Sacred Valley tour?

Yes, a buffet lunch in Urubamba is included with vegan options available.

Which sites are visited during this day trip?

The tour visits Chinchero, Moray, Maras salt mines, Ollantaytambo and Pisac.

Is hotel pickup provided in Cusco?

Yes, hotel transfer from Cusco is included in the tour price.

Are guides bilingual?

The guided tour is led by bilingual guides who speak English and Spanish.

Do I need to be very fit for this Sacred Valley trip?

The tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels but involves some walking and stairs.

Can I buy handicrafts or souvenirs during the trip?

You can shop at local markets in places like Chinchero and Pisac during your visit.

Are entry fees included in this Sacred Valley tour?

The inclusions mention guided visits but check with your provider if entry fees are covered or extra.