Sacred Valley: Pisac, Moray, Maras Salt Mines & Ollantaytambo Tour

Summary

Walk Inca terraces at Moray, shop Pisac market, taste salt in Maras

You’ll walk among Inca terraces at Moray, wander Pisac’s lively market, breathe salty air at Maras mines, and climb Ollantaytambo’s ancient stones—all with a local guide from Cusco. Includes hotel pickup and an Andean lunch in Urubamba. Expect moments that stick with you long after you’ve left.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing that hit me was the quiet—standing above those circular terraces at Moray, you just hear wind and a few distant voices. Our guide, Javier, traced a finger along the edge of a stone and told us how the Incas experimented with crops here. I tried to imagine potatoes growing in all those rings. It’s funny, I’d seen photos before but being there, the scale gets you. The air smelled faintly earthy, kind of sweet after last night’s rain.

We’d started earlier in Pisac. The market was already humming—women in bright skirts arranging fruit pyramids and little kids darting between stalls. I bought a woven bracelet (probably overpaid but whatever) and tried to chat with one vendor about her alpaca scarves; she smiled and corrected my Spanish gently. Then we climbed up to the Pisac ruins—steep stone steps, ancient terraces curling around the hillside. Javier pointed out an old cemetery tucked into the cliffs. I’d never seen anything like it.

After Moray came Maras—the salt mines are wild, all those white pools stacked down the mountain like patchwork. You can actually taste the salt in the air if you breathe deep enough (I did). Lunch was in Urubamba: warm quinoa soup and roasted chicken—simple but perfect after all that walking. There was a moment when everyone went quiet at our table, just eating and looking out at the river through open windows.

Ollantaytambo was our last stop. The stones there feel impossibly heavy; you can see water still running through channels built by Incas centuries ago. Javier showed us a carved face on the mountain—he said it’s Wiracocha watching over the valley. By then my legs were tired but I didn’t really want it to end yet, you know? Still think about that view sometimes when things get noisy back home.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Sacred Valley full day tour

• Pick up from Cusco hotel early
• Visit Pisac ruins and terraces
• Explore Pisac local market
• Shop local handicrafts in Pisac
• Visit Moray agricultural terraces
• Explore Maras Salt Mines
• Lunch in Urubamba local restaurant
• Visit Ollantaytambo ruins and rock formation

Top questions

How long is the Sacred Valley day trip from Cusco?

The tour lasts a full day, typically starting around 6:30-7:00am and returning to Cusco by 6:00pm depending on traffic.

Is hotel pickup included for this Sacred Valley tour?

Yes, hotel pickup from central Cusco is included in your booking.

What sites are visited on this Sacred Valley tour?

You’ll visit Pisac Market & Ruins, Moray Agricultural Terraces, Maras Salt Mines, and Ollantaytambo Ruins.

Is lunch provided during the day trip?

Yes, an Andean buffet lunch in Urubamba is included as part of your tour.

How many people are usually on this group tour?

The group size ranges from 2 up to 8 participants for a more personal experience.

Are guides bilingual for this Sacred Valley tour?

Your guide speaks both English and Spanish throughout the day trip.

Is there time to shop at Pisac Market?

Yes, there’s a stop for optional handicraft shopping at Pisac Market during the morning.

Does this tour require good physical fitness?

A moderate level of fitness is recommended due to walking and climbing at several sites.

What’s included

Your day includes early morning hotel pickup from Cusco city center with private transportation through the Sacred Valley; visits to Pisac Market and ruins, Moray agricultural terraces, Maras Salt Mines and Ollantaytambo; guidance from an English or Spanish-speaking local expert; plus a buffet lunch featuring Andean dishes in Urubamba before heading back in the evening.