Amazing trip, thoughtful logistics, and a guide who made Machu Picchu unforgettable.
Thi W TripadvisorSignature Peru Tour
Sacred Valley VIP Tour – 1 Day
Slogan Here
StartsStarts at
DurationDuration
Physical LevelEasy
SitesCusco, Soraypampa
Trip Overview
Introduction
The Sacred Valley is not just a stop between Cusco and Machu Picchu. It is a full day of stone terraces, highland air, artisan hands, salt ponds, Inca engineering, and Andean villages where daily life still moves with the rhythm of the mountains.
This VIP route is designed for travelers who want to see more in one day without feeling lost in a rushed, crowded schedule. From the first views above Cusco to the wide valley floor of Urubamba, every stop adds a different layer: textiles in Chinchero, circular terraces in Moray, white salt pools in Maras, the living Inca town of Ollantaytambo, and the powerful terraces of Pisac.
With Andeara, the day feels organized, warm, and practical. You travel with a guide who knows when to explain, when to give you space, and where the best viewpoints usually are. It is a full route, yes, but done with care, clear timing, and a real sense of place.
Day by Day Schedule
Morning – Cusco to Chinchero
Your day begins with tourist transportation from Cusco. As the city starts to fade behind you, the road climbs toward the high plateau of Chinchero. The air can feel cold in the morning, especially during the dry season, so a light jacket is useful.
In Chinchero, the landscape opens with wide fields, mountain views, terraces, and local weaving spaces. This stop helps you understand the link between land, clothing, color, and daily Andean work.
Technical details
- Altitude: Around 3,700 meters
- Walking level: Easy to moderate
- Ground type: Stone paths, dirt areas, village streets
- Climate feel: Cold or fresh in the morning
- Transport: Tourist vehicle from Cusco
Day highlight: Andean weaving, highland landscapes, and the first strong view of Sacred Valley life.
Mid-Morning – Moray
The route continues toward Moray. The road passes open farmland, small homes, eucalyptus trees, and dry hills depending on the season.
At Moray, you will stand above circular terraces that descend into the earth like a stone amphitheater. The site feels different from other Inca places because the form is softer, more rounded, and strongly tied to agriculture.
Technical details
- Altitude: Around 3,300–3,500 meters
- Walking level: Easy to moderate
- Ground type: Dirt paths and stone edges
- Climate feel: Sun can feel strong, wind can be cold
- Transport: Tourist vehicle between Chinchero and Moray
Day highlight: Circular terraces used by the Incas to manage crops and microclimates.
Late Morning – Maras Salt Mines
From Moray, the road moves toward Maras. The terrain becomes drier, with clay-colored slopes and open views over the valley.
The Salt Mines appear suddenly on the mountainside: hundreds of white and cream-colored ponds fed by salty spring water. The light can be intense here, so sunglasses help. Local families still work these salt ponds, and the site gives the day a strong human touch.
Technical details
- Altitude: Around 3,000–3,300 meters
- Walking level: Easy
- Ground type: Viewpoint areas, dirt paths, some narrow sections
- Climate feel: Dry, sunny, reflective light from the salt ponds
- Transport: Tourist vehicle from Moray to Maras
Day highlight: Salt ponds worked by local families, with one of the most striking visual contrasts in the valley.
Maras Salt Mines are not part of the Cusco Tourist Ticket and normally require a separate entrance paid in Peruvian soles. Several current operators list this local entrance at around S/15–S/20, with S/20 commonly requested for foreign travelers.
Midday – Lunch in Urubamba
After the morning route, you continue toward Urubamba, the lower and warmer part of the Sacred Valley. This is the best moment to slow down, have lunch, drink water, and let the body recover from the altitude changes.
Lunch is usually served in a buffet-style restaurant, with Andean ingredients such as corn, potatoes, quinoa, vegetables, soups, chicken, trout, sauces, fruits, and warm drinks depending on the restaurant.
Technical details
- Altitude: Around 2,870 meters
- Walking level: Very easy
- Ground type: Restaurant area
- Climate feel: Warmer than Cusco and Chinchero
- Transport: Tourist vehicle from Maras to Urubamba
Day highlight: A warm lunch stop in the valley, with time to recharge before the afternoon route.
Afternoon – Ollantaytambo
The route continues to Ollantaytambo. This town has a strong Inca layout: stone walls, narrow streets, water channels, and terraces rising above the valley.
The archaeological area requires walking up stone steps. It is not a long climb, but it can feel demanding because of altitude and sun exposure. Take it slowly. The reward is a wide view of the town, the valley, and the mountains around it.
Technical details
- Altitude: Around 2,800–2,900 meters
- Walking level: Moderate
- Ground type: Stone stairs, terraces, uneven paths
- Climate feel: Warmer, with strong sun on clear days
- Transport: Tourist vehicle from Urubamba to Ollantaytambo
Day highlight: Terraces, Inca stonework, and one of the strongest valley viewpoints.
Late Afternoon – Pisac and Return to Cusco
The final part of the route takes you toward Pisac. The road follows the valley, passing fields, villages, and mountain walls.
Pisac is known for its large terrace system and artisan market. Depending on timing, traffic, and group pace, the guide will manage the stop so the day remains organized. This is often the moment when travelers feel the full size of the valley: wide slopes, long terraces, and the Urubamba River below.
After Pisac, the transportation returns to Cusco.
Technical details
- Altitude: Around 2,970 meters
- Walking level: Easy to moderate
- Ground type: Stone paths, terraces, market streets
- Climate feel: Mild in the afternoon, cooler near sunset
- Transport: Tourist vehicle from Ollantaytambo to Pisac and back to Cusco
Day highlight: Pisac terraces, market atmosphere, and the final valley views before returning to Cusco.
Inclusions
What’s Included
Included in group service
- Tourist transportation
- Bilingual guide
- Guided stops in Chinchero, Moray, Maras, Ollantaytambo, and Pisac
- Lunch coordination in Urubamba
- Return transportation to Cusco
- Basic assistance from our reservations team
Included in private service
- Private tourist transportation
- Private bilingual guide
- Hotel pickup in Cusco
- Custom pace during the route
- Guided stops in Chinchero, Moray, Maras, Ollantaytambo, and Pisac
- Lunch coordination or restaurant booking support
- Optional drop-off in Ollantaytambo or Sacred Valley hotel
- Assistance before and during the service
What’s Not Included
Not included unless clearly stated in your booking
- Sacred Valley Tourist Ticket
- Maras Salt Mines entrance
- Lunch
- Drinks
- Tips
- Personal purchases
- Travel insurance
More Tour Information
- Tour name: Sacred Valley VIP Tour – 1 Day
- Starting point: Cusco
- Ending point: Cusco or Ollantaytambo, upon request
- Main stops: Chinchero, Moray, Maras Salt Mines, Urubamba, Ollantaytambo, Pisac
- Tour type: Group or private service
- Duration: Full day
- Difficulty: Easy to moderate
- Walking surface: Stone steps, dirt paths, uneven ground, paved village streets, and viewpoints
- Highest point: Chinchero, around 3,700 meters above sea level
- Lowest main area: Urubamba and Ollantaytambo, around 2,800–2,900 meters above sea level
- Best for: Couples, families, solo travelers, groups of friends, first-time travelers in Cusco
- Not ideal for: Travelers with serious mobility limitations, since some sites require walking on steps and uneven ground
- Meals: Buffet lunch in Urubamba, according to selected service
- Entrances: Not always included; confirm with reservations before booking
- Machu Picchu: Not included in this tour
The Sacred Valley Tourist Ticket usually covers Chinchero, Moray, Ollantaytambo, and Pisac, while Maras Salt Mines requires a separate local entrance fee. The Partial Tourist Ticket III is commonly used for this route.
- Cover the full VIP Sacred Valley route in one day — Chinchero, Moray, Maras Salt Mines, Urubamba, Ollantaytambo, and Pisac.
- Start in Chinchero, a high Andean town known for weaving, local markets, terraces, and wide views over the mountains.
- Walk around Moray’s circular terraces, one of the clearest examples of Inca agricultural intelligence, where each level has a different temperature feel.
- See the Maras Salt Mines, thousands of white salt ponds worked by local families, with bright contrasts between salt, clay, sun, and mountain slopes.
- Have lunch in Urubamba, the warm heart of the valley, where local products, corn, potatoes, soups, grains, and fresh vegetables usually take center stage.
- Reach Ollantaytambo, a living Inca town with stone streets, water channels, steep terraces, and one of the strongest archaeological sites in the valley.
- Finish with Pisac, known for its immense terraces, valley views, and artisan market.
- Move with better timing — we aim to stay ahead of the busiest flow whenever road conditions, ticket lines, and local schedules allow.
- Travel with a local guide who turns the route into a clear story, not just a list of stops.
Hotel Pickup
For private service, pickup is normally arranged from your hotel in Cusco. If your hotel is located on a narrow street with vehicle restrictions, we will coordinate the closest accessible point.
For group service, pickup may depend on your hotel location. In some cases, travelers need to meet at a central point to keep the route on time.
Luggage Storage
If you are returning to Cusco, leave large luggage at your hotel whenever possible.
If you will end in Ollantaytambo or continue toward Machu Picchu later, ask reservations before the tour so we can help coordinate your bags. Private service gives more flexibility for luggage.
Payment Conditions
A deposit is required to secure your service because guides, drivers, vehicles, restaurant spaces, and operations staff must be arranged before the travel date.
The remaining balance must be paid before or on the day of the tour, according to the terms confirmed by reservations.
Entrance tickets are separate in many cases because they are managed by local ticket offices and may require cash in soles.
Return from the Sacred Valley to Cusco
This tour does not include Machu Picchu. The normal return is by tourist transportation from Pisac back to Cusco.
If you need to finish in Ollantaytambo, Urubamba, Pisac, or another Sacred Valley hotel, please request private service or confirm availability before booking.
Availability
This tour can usually be booked with reasonable advance notice. For group service, booking at least 24 hours in advance is recommended, but availability is not guaranteed during busy dates.
For private service, we recommend booking earlier so we can assign the best guide and vehicle for your group.
This tour does not require Machu Picchu entrance tickets or Inca Trail permits.
Machu Picchu, Trains, and Circuits
This Sacred Valley VIP Tour does not include Machu Picchu, train tickets, Huayna Picchu, Machu Picchu Mountain, or Machu Picchu circuits.
If you want to continue to Machu Picchu after the Sacred Valley, the best option is often to finish the tour in Ollantaytambo and take a train to Aguas Calientes. This works better in private service because the timing can be planned around your train schedule.
If you want this option, ask reservations for a custom plan.
Entrance Tickets
For this route, travelers normally need:
- Sacred Valley Tourist Ticket Partial III: for Chinchero, Moray, Ollantaytambo, and Pisac
- Maras Salt Mines entrance: paid separately
- Cash in Peruvian soles: recommended because some entrance points may not accept cards
The Cusco Tourist Ticket system includes sites such as Pisac, Ollantaytambo, Chinchero, and Moray; Maras Salt Mines are separate and not covered by that ticket.
Travel Restrictions
Strikes and Demonstrations
Strikes and demonstrations can happen in Peru and may interrupt routes in Cusco and the Sacred Valley. Roads can be blocked, and transportation may need to change.
If this happens, our operations team will coordinate the safest possible option with you. In some cases, the tour may change, start earlier, take another route, or be canceled for safety reasons.
Your safety is always the priority.
Lost Objects
Please check your seat, bags, restaurant table, and transportation before leaving each place. Travelers are responsible for their own personal items during the tour.
Health and Mobility
This is not a hard trek, but it does include altitude, stairs, uneven ground, sun exposure, and a long day on the road.
Travelers with heart conditions, severe altitude sensitivity, recent surgery, strong knee problems, or serious mobility limitations should speak with their doctor before taking the tour.
Older travelers can do this route comfortably in private service, especially with slower walking, shorter climbs, and more flexible timing.
Weather Conditions
The Sacred Valley changes quickly. A cold morning can become a sunny midday, and rain can appear during the wet season.
Bring layers, sunscreen, water, and a rain jacket if you travel from November to March.
Text prepared according to your uploaded style instructions.
Clothing
- Light jacket
- Comfortable walking pants
- Breathable shirt
- Warm layer for the morning
- Rain jacket during rainy season
- Hat or cap
- Sunglasses
Travel gear
- Small daypack
- Reusable water bottle
- Sunscreen
- Camera or phone with battery
- Portable charger
- Small cash in Peruvian soles
- Personal snacks
Documents
- Passport or ID
- Student card, if applicable
- Travel insurance information
- Booking confirmation
Personal items
- Personal medication
- Motion sickness tablets, if needed
- Altitude medication, only if recommended by your doctor
- Hand sanitizer
- Tissue paper
- Lip balm
Special requirements
If you travel with special equipment, medical devices, professional filming gear, walking aids, wheelchairs, service animals, or other specific needs, please inform our reservations team in advance. Some archaeological sites have uneven ground, stairs, narrow access points, and local rules.
Require More Information
Contact Us
Let our local experts help you choose the perfect Peruvian adventure.
Traveler Reviews