Cusco: Sacred Valley and Maras Salt Mines Full-Day Tour

The "Cusco: Sacred Valley and Maras Salt Mines Full-Day Tour" offers an enriching exploration of Peru’s cultural and natural wonders. Visitors embark on a journey through the renowned Sacred Valley, uncovering the ancient Inca ruins, colonial architecture, and traditional Andean weaving. The tour’s highlight is the captivating Maras Salt Mines, where an ancient salt extraction process has been practiced for centuries. With seamless transportation and flexibility, this tour promises an unforgettable experience for those seeking to enjoy the rich tapestry of Peruvian heritage.

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Key Points

This one-day tour from Cusco takes visitors to explore the Sacred Valley, including the Inca ruins of Chinchero, the agricultural terraces of Moray, and the Maras Salt Mines.
The tour provides roundtrip transportation and includes a workshop on traditional Andean weaving in Chinchero, highlighting the region’s rich cultural heritage.
Participants will learn about the unique microclimate and ancient farming techniques used at the Moray archaeological site.
The highlight of the tour is the Maras Salt Mines, where visitors can observe the traditional salt extraction process and purchase local salt products.
The tour concludes back in Cusco, ensuring a seamless and convenient experience exploring the cultural and natural wonders of the Sacred Valley.

You can check availability for your dates here:

Tour Overview and Pricing

The tour, titled "Cusco: Sacred Valley and Maras Salt Mines Full-Day Tour," is priced from €41.60 per person and lasts for one day.

It offers free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance and allows customers to reserve now and pay later.

The tour starts and ends in Cusco, visiting highlights like Chinchero, Moray, Maras Salt Mines, Urubamba, Ollantaytambo, and Pisac.

Included are a professional bilingual guide, roundtrip transportation, a buffet lunch with vegan options, and admission fees.

However, the tour isn’t suitable for pregnant women, wheelchair users, or people with epilepsy.

Customers should bring their passport, hiking shoes, and cash.

Looking for more options in Sacred Valley? We've reviewed plenty of other experiences.

Itinerary Highlights

Starting at C. Garcilaso 256 in Cusco, the tour takes visitors to the Chinchero District to explore Inca ruins and a colonial church.

There, they’ll participate in a workshop on traditional Andean weaving.

Next, they’ll visit the agricultural terraces of Moray for a guided tour.

The agricultural terraces of Moray await visitors for a guided tour, offering a glimpse into the region’s rich agricultural history.

The highlight is the Maras Salt Mines, where they’ll learn about the salt extraction process.

After a buffet lunch with vegan options in Urubamba, the tour continues to Ollantaytambo for a guided tour of the ruins and Temple of the Sun.

The final stop is Pisac, offering a workshop on local crafts and a guided tour.

Starting Point and Ending Point

The tour begins at C. Garcilaso 256 in Cusco. This is the starting point where guests are picked up for the day-long excursion.

After visiting the various highlights across the Sacred Valley, the tour concludes at C. Saphy 440, also in Cusco. This is where guests are dropped off, completing the circuit.

The tour provides roundtrip transportation, making it convenient for travelers to focus on experiencing the cultural and natural wonders without having to worry about logistics.

The starting and ending points ensure a seamless journey through the sacred landscapes surrounding the historic city of Cusco.

Chinchero District

Departing from Cusco, the tour takes guests to the Chinchero District, a picturesque highland town known for its Inca ruins and colonial architecture.

Visitors will tour the Inca ruins, including the town’s former royal estate, and the 17th-century colonial church.

They’ll also observe a workshop demonstrating the traditional Chinchero weaving techniques, which have been passed down through generations.

The visit to Chinchero provides a glimpse into the area’s rich cultural heritage and the ongoing preservation of indigenous craftsmanship.

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Moray

Next, the tour takes guests to Moray, an extraordinary archaeological site known for its unique agricultural terraces.

These terraces are believed to have been used by the Inca as an experimental agricultural laboratory to test different crops and growing conditions.

The Inca used Moray’s unique terraces as an experimental agricultural laboratory to test different crops and growing conditions.

The site features:

Concentric circular terraces that descend into a central depression, creating a unique microclimate.
Evidence that the Inca used this site to study the effects of altitude, temperature, and moisture on crops.
Guided tours that provide insights into the Inca’s advanced farming techniques.
Stunning views of the surrounding mountains and valleys.

There's plenty more to explore in Sacred Valley

Maras Salt Mines

After exploring the unique agricultural terraces of Moray, the tour then takes visitors to the Maras Salt Mines.

This ancient Inca salt extraction site features thousands of small terraced pools where salt is harvested from the salty spring water.

Visitors can witness the intricate process of salt production, which has remained largely unchanged for centuries.

The guide leads the group through the captivating landscape, explaining the historical and cultural significance of this remarkable site.

Guests have the opportunity to purchase salt products before continuing on to the next destination.

Urubamba

After exploring the Maras Salt Mines, the tour group arrives in Urubamba for a well-deserved lunch break.

The tour includes a buffet lunch with vegan options, providing a diverse and satisfying meal to fuel the rest of the day’s activities.

A diverse and satisfying buffet lunch with vegan options to fuel the rest of the day’s activities.

The lunch break includes:

A selection of Peruvian staples like rice, potatoes, and vegetables.
Freshly grilled meats and fish for those who prefer.
A variety of local salads and sides to complement the main dishes.
Desserts featuring tropical fruits and traditional Peruvian sweets.

After lunch, the tour continues to the next destination, Ollantaytambo.

Ollantaytambo and Pisac

From Urubamba, the tour continues to the ancient Inca ruins of Ollantaytambo. Here, the group embarks on a guided tour of the Temple of the Sun, exploring the impressive stone structures and learning about the site’s history. Following the Ollantaytambo visit, the tour moves on to Pisac. Visitors participate in a workshop on local crafts and then enjoy a guided tour of the Pisac ruins, marveling at the Inca’s remarkable engineering and architectural feats.

| Highlights | Duration |

| — | — |

| Guided tour of Ollantaytambo ruins | 30 minutes |

| Workshop on local crafts in Pisac | 30 minutes |

| Guided tour of Pisac ruins | 30 minutes |

Since You Asked

Is Transportation From the Hotel Included in the Tour Price?

Yes, roundtrip transportation from the customer’s hotel in Cusco is included in the tour price. The tour includes hotel pickup between 6:40 and 7:00 am to take customers to the starting point.

Can We Stop for Any Additional Sightseeing During the Tour?

The tour includes transportation from the hotel and stops at the scheduled sightseeing destinations. While it doesn’t allow for additional unplanned stops, the itinerary covers the key highlights of the Cusco Sacred Valley and Maras Salt Mines.

Are There Any Dietary Restrictions for the Buffet Lunch?

The buffet lunch includes vegan options, so travelers with dietary restrictions can be accommodated. The tour overview doesn’t mention any other specific dietary needs being catered for, so it’s best to check directly with the tour operator.

Is There an Option to Extend the Tour Duration?

The tour doesn’t offer an option to extend the duration. It’s a set 1-day itinerary that can’t be customized. Travelers should plan accordingly to see all the highlights within the given timeframe.

How Many People Are Typically in Each Tour Group?

The tour group size typically ranges from 4 to 15 people. The exact number can vary depending on demand and availability. Travelers should check with the tour operator for the group size details when booking the tour.

The Sum Up

The Cusco: Sacred Valley and Maras Salt Mines Full-Day Tour offers a comprehensive exploration of Peru’s cultural and natural wonders. From the Inca ruins and colonial charm of Chinchero to the mesmerizing Maras Salt Mines, this tour provides an immersive experience. With convenient transportation and flexible cancellation options, it’s an excellent choice for those seeking to discover the breathtaking Sacred Valley.

You can check availability for your dates here: