Sacred Valley, Moray & Salt Mines Private Day from Cusco

Summary

Sacred Valley Full Circuit with Local Guide & Lunch

You’ll travel from Cusco through Sacred Valley’s highlights with a local guide — exploring Chinchero’s terraces, Moray’s ancient rings, Maras salt mines, Ollantaytambo ruins and Pisac cemetery. Includes hotel pickup and an Andean buffet lunch in Urubamba. Expect moments you’ll remember long after you’re back home.

What’s the experience like?

“Wait, is that snow on the peaks?” I asked our guide, Luis, as we bumped along the road out of Cusco just after sunrise. He grinned and nodded — apparently it’s normal this time of year. The air smelled like eucalyptus and dust, and I kept trying to catch glimpses of the valley opening up below us. Our first stop was Chinchero. There was this quiet in the morning air, except for a woman weaving by the roadside who smiled when I tried to say “sumaq” (beautiful) in Quechua — probably butchered it. Luis explained how the Incas built these terraces to work with the land instead of against it. I hadn’t expected to feel so small standing there.

Moray was next — those circular terraces look almost unreal in photos but seeing them up close is another thing entirely. The wind picked up and you could smell earth and something faintly sweet (maybe wildflowers?). Luis told us about ancient agricultural experiments here; honestly, I still can’t wrap my head around how precise they were. Then Maras: hundreds of salt pools shining white under the sun. You can taste salt in the air if you breathe deep enough — or maybe that was just me being hungry before lunch.

Lunch was in Urubamba — buffet style, lots of quinoa and roasted corn. I ate way too much rocoto relleno because it reminded me of my grandmother’s cooking back home (not Peruvian at all, but still). After that we drove to Ollantaytambo where kids were playing soccer right by these massive stone walls older than any cathedral I’ve seen. Some people caught their train to Machu Picchu here; we wandered through Pisac last, where the light was already going gold over all those hillside tombs and terraces. It’s a lot for one day but somehow didn’t feel rushed — maybe because Luis kept making us pause and just listen to the wind or watch a hawk circling overhead.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Sacred Valley Highlights Tour

• Visit Chinchero archaeological site
• Explore Moray agricultural terraces and Salineras salt mines
• Lunch in Urubamba town
• Visit Ollantaytambo archaeological site and train terminal
• Tour Pisac archaeological center and terraces

Top questions

How long does this Sacred Valley private day tour take?

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

Which sites are included on this Sacred Valley route?

You visit Chinchero, Moray agricultural terraces, Maras salt mines (Salineras), Urubamba for lunch, Ollantaytambo archaeological site, and Pisac.

Is hotel pickup included from Cusco?

Yes, hotel pickup in Cusco is included at around 6:30 a.m.

Is lunch provided during the tour?

Yes, an Andean buffet lunch is included in Urubamba.

How many people can join this private tour?

The group size is minimum 2 people and maximum 8 people for personalized service.

Are there any fitness requirements?

The tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels but not recommended for pregnant travelers.

Can I take the train to Machu Picchu after visiting Ollantaytambo?

Yes, some travelers stay at Ollantaytambo station to catch their train to Aguas Calientes for Machu Picchu.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup in Cusco early morning, private transportation with a local guide throughout Sacred Valley’s main sites — Chinchero, Moray terraces, Maras salt mines, Ollantaytambo and Pisac — plus entry fees and an Andean buffet lunch in Urubamba before returning by evening.