Sacred Valley, Maras & Moray: Full-Day Tour with Lunch

Summary

Explore Sacred Valley’s ancient sites, taste local lunch and walk Maras salt flats in one Cusco day trip

You’ll feel the pulse of Sacred Valley in just one day—touching ancient stones at Ollantaytambo, tasting homemade soup in Urubamba, walking past shimmering Maras salt pools, and catching glimpses of daily life from Chinchero to Pisac. With hotel pickup and lunch included, it’s a full day that lingers long after you’re back in Cusco.

What’s the experience like?

I’ll be honest—I signed up for this Sacred Valley, Maras & Moray tour mostly because I was short on time and didn’t want to miss anything big around Cusco. But standing in Chinchero that morning, breathing in the sharp cold air while our guide Marco explained the Quechua weaving patterns (he even let me try—my fingers fumbled), I realized I’d underestimated how much these places would get under my skin. The colors of the textiles were so much brighter than any photo I’d seen. And the women selling them? They had this way of smiling with their eyes but never quite stopping their hands.

The drive between stops felt like flipping through a book where every page is a new landscape—Moray’s terraces spiraling down like some green amphitheater, then suddenly the white shock of Maras salt pools sparkling under a thin sun. Marco told us about families who still harvest salt by hand; you could smell it, almost metallic and clean. At one point he pointed out a hawk circling above—everyone stopped talking for a minute just to watch. It was that kind of day: busy but somehow peaceful too.

Lunch in Urubamba wasn’t fancy but honestly? The quinoa soup tasted like someone’s grandmother made it. We all sat together—me, two Australians, a couple from Lima—and swapped stories about altitude headaches and favorite ruins. Ollantaytambo’s stones felt cool and rough under my palm; Pisac’s market was noisy and bright, with kids darting between stalls selling everything from corn snacks to tiny flutes (I bought one and can’t play it at all). By the time we got dropped near Cusco’s main square at sunset, my legs were tired but my head was full—in that good way where you know you’ve really seen something.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Visit Sacred Valley and nearby sites

• Pick up from hotel
• Visit Chinchero archaeological site
• Explore salt mines of Maras and Moray site
• Have buffet lunch
• Visit Ollantaytambo archaeological site
• Visit Pisac archaeological site
• Return to Cusco near main square
• Finish point

Top questions

How long does the Sacred Valley & Maras-Moray tour last?

The tour runs from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., about 12 hours total.

Is hotel pickup included for this day trip from Cusco?

Yes, hotel pickup is included at the start of the tour.

Which sites are visited during the tour?

The tour visits Chinchero, Moray terraces, Maras salt mines, Urubamba (for lunch), Ollantaytambo ruins, and Pisac market.

What is included in the price?

The price includes a professional guide, air-conditioned transport, entry fees, and buffet lunch.

Is lunch provided on this Sacred Valley tour?

Yes, a buffet lunch is included in Urubamba as part of the day trip.

How many people are on each tour group?

The group size ranges from minimum 2 to maximum 8 people for personalized service.

Are infants or children allowed on this tour?

Infants can join but must sit on an adult's lap during transport.

Is this tour suitable for travelers with limited mobility?

This tour is not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries or pregnant travelers.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup in Cusco, all entry fees to Chinchero, Moray terraces, Maras salt mines, Ollantaytambo ruins and Pisac market; guided by a local expert throughout; plus an air-conditioned vehicle for comfort between sites and a traditional buffet lunch in Urubamba before returning near Cusco’s main square in the evening.