The Sacred Valley with Lunch in Pukapunku tour promises an immersive cultural experience. Guests will explore renowned Inca sites, savor a traditional Peruvian feast, and gain insights from knowledgeable guides. From the picturesque Pisaq ruins to the salt mines of Maras, this full-day journey offers a compelling window into the region’s rich heritage. What secrets might these ancient landscapes reveal?

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Key Points

The tour includes visits to archaeological sites in the Sacred Valley, such as Pisaq, Ollantaytambo, Chinchero, Moray, and Salineras.
The tour duration is 12 hours, and the cost is $39.99 per person, with a full refund available up to 24 hours in advance.
The tour includes hotel pickup, transportation, an English- and Spanish-speaking guide, guided visits, and a buffet lunch in Urubamba.
The Chinchero site showcases the hacienda of Túpac Inca Yupanqui, providing insights into Inca agricultural prowess and architectural mastery.
Moray features circular terraces that served as an Inca agricultural experimentation site, showcasing their advanced understanding of agriculture and environmental engineering.

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Tour Overview

The full-day tour in the Sacred Valley visits several archaeological complexes, including Pisaq, Ollantaytambo, Chinchero, Moray, and Salineras.

The tour lasts 12 hours and costs $39.99 per person. Travelers can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

The tour includes hotel pickup, transportation, an English- and Spanish-speaking guide, guided visits, and a buffet lunch.

Travelers should bring their passport, comfortable clothes, and cash. The tour isn’t suitable for pregnant women or individuals over 95.

Alcohol and drugs are prohibited.

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Itinerary Details

Pickup from hotel or agreed meeting point occurs between 6:35 a.m. to 6:55 a.m.

The first stop is Chinchero, site of Túpac Inca Yupanqui’s hacienda.

Next, visitors explore Moray, the Inca’s unique agricultural circular construction.

They then visit the salt mines with their multiple salt wells.

Lunch is served in Urubamba, featuring over 25 varieties of typical dishes.

After lunch, the tour visits Ollantaytambo, a military, religious, and cultural center.

The final stop is Pisaq, known for its stunning monumental center.

The tour concludes around 7:00 p.m. with drop-off at Plateros street.

Chinchero: Túpac Inca Yupanqui’s Hacienda

Chinchero, the first stop on the tour, showcases the hacienda of Túpac Inca Yupanqui, the ninth Sapa Inca.

This historical site provides insights into the Inca’s agricultural prowess and architectural mastery. Visitors explore the well-preserved ruins, marveling at the intricate stonework and irrigation systems engineered by the Inca.

The well-preserved ruins of Chinchero showcase the Inca’s impressive agricultural techniques and architectural accomplishments.

The guide offers fascinating details about Túpac Inca Yupanqui’s reign and the cultural significance of Chinchero.

Travelers gain a deeper appreciation for the Inca’s enduring legacy as they wander through this captivating archaeological complex, setting the stage for the day’s exploration of the Sacred Valley.

Moray: Inca Agricultural Wonders

After exploring the historical hacienda of Túpac Inca Yupanqui in Chinchero, the tour continues to the intriguing site of Moray.

This Inca agricultural complex features a series of circular terraces descending into the earth.

Moray’s unique design served several purposes:

Experimentation with microclimate conditions for crop cultivation.
Terrace levels simulating different elevations and temperatures.
Testing of various crops and their adaptation to diverse environments.
Inca’s advanced understanding of agriculture and environmental engineering.

Moray’s ingenious construction showcases the Inca’s sophisticated knowledge of agriculture, climate, and engineering – a true marvel of the ancient world.

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Salineras: Salt Mines of Maras

From Moray, the tour proceeds to the remarkable salt mines of Maras, known as Salineras.

These ancient salt evaporation ponds have been in use since Inca times. Visitors can observe the intricate network of over 3,000 small pools carved into the mountainside, which capture and evaporate salty spring water.

The pure salt is then harvested by local families who own the individual pools. With its striking visual contrast of white salt against the arid Andean landscape, Salineras offers a unique insight into a centuries-old tradition still thriving today.

The pure salt is harvested by local families, offering a unique glimpse into a centuries-old tradition in the arid Andean landscape.

The tour provides an opportunity to explore this captivating natural wonder.

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Urubamba: Feast of Typical Dishes

Continuing the tour, visitors are treated to a lunch showcasing over 25 varieties of typical Peruvian dishes in the town of Urubamba.

The buffet-style feast includes:

Cuy (roasted guinea pig), a traditional Andean delicacy.
Lomo saltado, a stir-fried beef dish.
Quinoa salads, highlighting the Andes’ superfoods.
A selection of local produce, such as potatoes, corn, and tubers.

The lunch provides a flavorful and immersive culinary experience, allowing visitors to savor the rich diversity of Peruvian cuisine in the heart of the Sacred Valley.

Ollantaytambo: Military, Religious, and Cultural Center

The ancient Inca city of Ollantaytambo served as a military, religious, and cultural center during the Empire’s reign. Its strategic location and impressive stone fortifications made it a stronghold against Spanish conquistadors.

Visitors can still see the remains of storehouses, temples, and agricultural terraces that highlight the city’s importance. The guided tour explores the site’s intricate engineering and architectural wonders, offering insights into the Inca’s advanced construction techniques.

Tourists marvel at the enormous stone blocks that were quarried and transported from distant locations, showcasing the Inca’s remarkable engineering feats.

Pisaq: Monumental Inca Splendor

After exploring the military, religious, and cultural significance of Ollantaytambo, the tour moves on to the final stop, Pisaq. Known for its stunning monumental center, Pisaq provides a glimpse into the Inca’s architectural prowess.

The tour explores:

The Pisaq ruins, an extensive Inca archaeological site featuring impressive terraces, temples, and fortifications.
The bustling Pisaq market, where visitors can browse local handicrafts, textiles, and produce.
The Inca necropolis, a series of burial chambers carved into the mountainside.
The Pisaq agricultural terraces, an engineering marvel designed to maximize crop production.

Since You Asked

Is There an Age Limit for This Tour?

The tour is not suitable for individuals over 95 years old. However, there is no specified minimum age limit for the tour, so it may be appropriate for most adults and children.

Can I Bring My Own Food?

The tour requires guests to purchase the included buffet lunch in Urubamba. Bringing one’s own food is not permitted. The tour is not suitable for pregnant women or individuals over 95 years old.

What if I Need to Cancel the Tour?

The tour offers free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. Customers can easily cancel their reservation and get their money back if they need to change their plans.

Do I Need to Pay for the Tour in Advance?

The tour offers a ‘Reserve now & pay later’ option, allowing customers to reserve their spot without having to pay in advance. There’s also free cancellation up to 24 hours prior for a full refund.

Are There Any Discounts Available for This Tour?

The tour description doesn’t mention any discounts, but there’s a "Reserve now & pay later" option available, which allows booking the tour without upfront payment. The overall price starts at $39.99 per person.

The Sum Up

The Sacred Valley with Lunch in Pukapunku tour offers an immersive cultural experience, exploring Inca archaeological sites and indulging in a traditional Peruvian feast. Guests will journey through the heart of Peru’s rich heritage, guided by knowledgeable experts who provide insights into the Inca civilization. This full-day tour promises a memorable adventure, concluding around 7:00 p.m.