- Duration
- 1 day
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Max altitude
- 3,760 m
- From
- $49 pp
Private tour prices
Group tour from $49 per person. Prefer your own guide and schedule? Private prices per person, by group size:
| Travelers | Price per person |
|---|---|
| 1 traveler | $227 |
| 2 travelers | $130 |
| 3 travelers | $95 |
| 4 travelers | $73 |
| 5-6 travelers | $62 |
| 7-10 travelers | $55 |
Quick answer
A Sacred Valley tour is a full day trip from Cusco through the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Our tour picks you up around 6:30 am and visits five places: the weaving village of Chinchero, the circular terraces of Moray, the Maras salt mines, the Ollantaytambo fortress and the Pisac ruins, with a buffet lunch in Urubamba. You are back in Cusco around 7:00 pm. The tour is easy, the valley is lower than Cusco, and it costs $49 per person. Site entry is paid separately with the Cusco tourist ticket plus the Maras fee, about S/90 in total.
| Duration | Full day, about 12 hours |
|---|---|
| Pickup | 6:30 to 7:00 am from your Cusco hotel |
| Stops | Chinchero, Moray, Maras, Urubamba, Ollantaytambo, Pisac |
| Lunch | Buffet lunch in Urubamba, included |
| Highest point | Chinchero, 3,760 m / 12,340 ft |
| Difficulty | Easy, short walks with some stairs |
| Entry tickets | Not included, about S/90 (US$25) cash |
| Price | $49 per person |
What You See on the Sacred Valley Tour
On this Sacred Valley tour you see the five best known sites of the valley in one day: Chinchero, Moray, the Maras salt mines, Ollantaytambo and Pisac.
Many cheaper tours visit only Pisac, Ollantaytambo and Chinchero. Ours adds Moray and Maras, the two places most travelers later say they did not want to miss.
Chinchero
An Andean town with Inca walls under a colonial church and a weaving cooperative that shows how wool is cleaned, dyed with plants and insects, and woven by hand.
Moray
Huge circular Inca terraces sunk into the ground. Each ring has a slightly different temperature, and many researchers think the Incas used it to test crops.
Maras Salt Mines
More than 3,000 small salt pools on a hillside, fed by a salty spring and still worked by local families today.
Ollantaytambo
A steep Inca fortress and temple above a town where people still live in Inca-era streets. It is also where the train to Machu Picchu starts.
Pisac
Wide Inca terraces and a ridge-top ceremonial center, plus silver workshops and the artisan market below.
What Our Sacred Valley Tour Includes
Our Sacred Valley tour includes hotel pickup in Cusco, a tourist van all day, an English-speaking local guide and a buffet lunch in Urubamba.
Entry to the sites is not included in any shared tour price, because every visitor pays it directly with the Cusco tourist ticket.
- Pickup and drop-off at hotels in Cusco's historic center
- Tourist van with a professional driver
- English-speaking local guide
- Buffet lunch in Urubamba with vegetarian options
- First-aid kit and emergency oxygen
| Not included | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Cusco tourist ticket, partial Circuit 3 (Chinchero, Moray, Ollantaytambo, Pisac) | About S/70, cash |
| Maras salt mines community entrance | About S/20, cash |
| Drinks, snacks and souvenirs | Your choice |
| Tips for guide and driver | Optional |
Sacred Valley Tour Price and Booking
Our Sacred Valley tour costs $49 per person in a shared group, with transport, guide and buffet lunch included.
Add about S/90 (around US$25) in cash for the site tickets, so the real cost of the day is close to $58 per person. When you compare Sacred Valley tours, check whether lunch is included and whether Moray and Maras are on the route, because those two things change the real price most.
To book, send the form below or message us. Tell us your date, hotel and whether you want to finish in Ollantaytambo for the Machu Picchu train.
Sacred Valley Full Day Tour Itinerary
The Sacred Valley full day tour runs in a loop: north to Chinchero, down to Moray and Maras, lunch in Urubamba, along the river to Ollantaytambo, then back to Cusco through Pisac.
| Time | Stop | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| 6:30 to 7:00 am | Cusco | Hotel pickup |
| 7:45 am | Chinchero | Weaving demonstration, Inca walls and colonial church |
| 9:15 am | Moray | Guided walk around the circular terraces |
| 10:30 am | Maras | Salt mines walk and small salt shops |
| 12:30 pm | Urubamba | Buffet lunch |
| 2:00 pm | Ollantaytambo | Guided visit of the fortress and Temple of the Sun |
| 4:45 pm | Pisac | Inca terraces and silver workshop |
| About 7:00 pm | Cusco | Drop-off at your hotel |
Is a Sacred Valley Tour Worth It?
A Sacred Valley tour is worth it if you have only one free day in Cusco and want to see the main Inca sites outside the city without planning transport, because the sites are far apart and public buses do not link them well.
The honest downside is pace. Five stops in one day means about 45 minutes to 1.5 hours at each place, and Pisac comes late in the afternoon. If you love ruins and have more time, spend a night in the valley instead and visit Pisac and Ollantaytambo slowly.
Cusco Tourist Ticket and Entrance Fees for the Sacred Valley
You need the Cusco tourist ticket (Boleto Turistico) to enter Chinchero, Moray, Ollantaytambo and Pisac, plus a separate cash fee at the Maras salt mines.
Most travelers buy the partial Circuit 3 ticket, about S/70, which covers exactly these four valley sites and is valid for 2 days. The full ticket, about S/130, adds sites in and around Cusco and is valid for 10 days. Your guide can help you buy it at the first stop. Carry soles in cash.
| Ticket | Covers | About |
|---|---|---|
| Partial Circuit 3 | Chinchero, Moray, Ollantaytambo, Pisac | S/70, 2 days |
| Full tourist ticket | Circuit 3 plus Cusco city sites and more | S/130, 10 days |
| Maras salt mines | Salt mines only | S/20, cash |
Classic Sacred Valley Tour vs Super Sacred Valley Tour
A classic Sacred Valley tour visits Pisac, Ollantaytambo and Chinchero. A super Sacred Valley tour, which is the one we run, adds Moray and the Maras salt mines on the same day.
| Compare | Classic tour | Our super tour |
|---|---|---|
| Stops | Pisac, Ollantaytambo, Chinchero | Chinchero, Moray, Maras, Ollantaytambo, Pisac |
| Length | About 10 hours | About 12 hours |
| Ticket needed | Partial Circuit 3 | Partial Circuit 3 plus Maras fee |
| Best for | A slower day | Seeing everything in one day |
Ending the Tour in Ollantaytambo for the Machu Picchu Train
Yes, you can end the Sacred Valley tour in Ollantaytambo and take the evening train to Aguas Calientes, then visit Machu Picchu the next morning.
Tell us when you book. You skip Pisac and the drive back, and we keep your big bag safe or send it back to your Cusco hotel, because trains allow only a small bag of about 5 kg. Book a train leaving after about 4:30 pm.
Sacred Valley Tour Pickup from Cusco, Urubamba or Ollantaytambo
We pick you up from hotels in Cusco's historic center. If you are already staying in the Sacred Valley, in Urubamba or Ollantaytambo, we can join you to the route on the way, so you start later and finish closer to your hotel.
Sacred Valley Elevation and Altitude
The Sacred Valley floor is about 2,800 to 2,900 m (9,200 to 9,500 ft), around 500 m lower than Cusco, so most people feel better there than in the city.
The highest stop is Chinchero at 3,760 m, early in the day. Because the valley is lower, many travelers do this tour on their first or second day to help acclimatize before harder trips.
| Place | Elevation |
|---|---|
| Cusco | 3,400 m / 11,150 ft |
| Chinchero | 3,760 m / 12,340 ft |
| Moray | 3,500 m / 11,480 ft |
| Maras salt mines | 3,000 m / 9,840 ft |
| Urubamba | 2,870 m / 9,420 ft |
| Ollantaytambo | 2,790 m / 9,150 ft |
| Pisac ruins | 3,300 m / 10,830 ft |
Best Months for a Sacred Valley Tour
The Sacred Valley tour runs all year. April to October is the dry season with sunny days, cold mornings and the most visitors. November to March brings afternoon rain and very green terraces.
| Months | Weather | Tip |
|---|---|---|
| April to May | Dry, green valley | Best balance of weather and crowds |
| June to August | Dry, cold mornings | Busiest, book a few days ahead |
| September to October | Dry, warmer | Good light, fewer people |
| November to March | Rain most afternoons | Bring a rain jacket, Maras pools can be muddy |
What to Bring on a Sacred Valley Day Trip
Bring layers, because mornings are cold and middays are warm, and cash in soles for tickets and the market.
- Original passport (students: ISIC card for ticket discount)
- About S/90 in cash for tickets plus extra for souvenirs
- Light jacket, sun hat, sunglasses and sunscreen
- Comfortable shoes with grip for Ollantaytambo's stairs
- Water bottle and a snack
- Rain jacket from November to March
Group, Private or Half Day Sacred Valley Tours
Our shared group tour is the best value. A private Sacred Valley tour lets you choose the stops and spend longer at each one; ask us for a private quote.
A half day tour usually covers only Moray and Maras, or only Pisac. If you want the valley itself, the full day is the better choice.
Who This Cusco Sacred Valley Tour Is Best For
This Cusco Sacred Valley tour suits first-time visitors, families, older travelers and anyone acclimatizing, because walking is short and the valley is lower than Cusco.
- Travelers with 3 to 5 days in Cusco
- People who want Moray and Maras without a second day trip
- Guests heading to Machu Picchu who can end in Ollantaytambo
- Not ideal if you want long, slow visits at each ruin
Where Is the Sacred Valley in Peru?
The Sacred Valley of the Incas lies along the Urubamba River in the Cusco region of southern Peru, starting about 30 km (19 miles) north of Cusco and running past Pisac, Urubamba and Ollantaytambo toward Machu Picchu.
From Cusco it is about 1 hour to Pisac and about 1.5 to 2 hours to Ollantaytambo by road.
Sacred Valley Full Day Tour Reviews
“Honestly, I booked this mostly for the views, but the Inca sites ended up being my favorite part. Every stop felt different and the guide gave just enough background to make everything more meaningful.”
Verified Traveler
“We did this tour from Cusco as a couple and it was one of our easiest sightseeing days in Peru. Transport was comfortable, timings were clear, and there was a nice balance between history, scenery and free time.”
Verified Traveler
“If you’re looking for a Sacred Valley tour from Cusco, this is a very convenient option. We covered several important places in one day without having to arrange separate transport ourselves.”
Verified Traveler
“The valley was much bigger and more impressive than I expected. Between the mountains, villages and archaeological sites, there was always something different to see. Definitely one of the better full day trips from Cusco.”
Verified Traveler
“Our guide was the best part of the experience. He explained the Inca history in a simple way and answered all our questions throughout the day. It made the Sacred Valley sightseeing tour feel much more personal.”
Verified Traveler
“We had already spent a few days in Cusco, so getting out into the valley was a nice change. The landscapes were amazing, and the day never felt too long even though we covered quite a lot.”
Verified Traveler
“This was a great introduction to the Sacred Valley before our Machu Picchu trip. Seeing the different Inca sites first helped put everything into context later. I’d recommend doing this tour early in your Peru itinerary.”
Verified Traveler
“I’m usually not a big fan of full-day group tours, but this one was surprisingly relaxed. There was enough time at the main stops and we didn’t feel like we were being rushed back onto the vehicle every few minutes.”
Verified Traveler
Sacred Valley Full Day Tour: FAQs
How long is the Sacred Valley tour from Cusco?
The Sacred Valley tour from Cusco takes about 12 hours, from a 6:30 am pickup to about 7:00 pm back at your hotel.
Is the Sacred Valley a day trip from Cusco?
Yes, the Sacred Valley is an easy day trip from Cusco: the first sites are about 1 hour away and a full day covers the five main stops.
How far is the Sacred Valley from Cusco?
The Sacred Valley is about 30 km (19 miles) from Cusco: about 1 hour to Pisac and 1.5 to 2 hours to Ollantaytambo.
Is lunch included in the Sacred Valley tour?
Yes, a buffet lunch in Urubamba is included in our Sacred Valley tour, with vegetarian options.
Are entrance fees included in the Sacred Valley tour?
Entrance fees are not included. You pay about S/70 for the partial Cusco tourist ticket and about S/20 at Maras, in cash.
Do I need a tour for the Sacred Valley?
You do not need a tour for the Sacred Valley, but a tour is the easiest way to reach Moray and Maras, which have no direct public transport.
Can the Sacred Valley tour end in Ollantaytambo?
Yes, the Sacred Valley tour can end in Ollantaytambo so you can take the train to Machu Picchu. Tell us when you book.
How high is the Sacred Valley?
The Sacred Valley floor is about 2,800 to 2,900 m (9,200 to 9,500 ft), roughly 500 m lower than Cusco.
Is the Sacred Valley tour hard?
The Sacred Valley tour is easy. Walks are short; the most effort is the stairs at Ollantaytambo, which you can climb at your own pace.
Should I do the Sacred Valley before Machu Picchu?
Doing the Sacred Valley before Machu Picchu is a good idea, because the valley is lower than Cusco and helps you acclimatize.
Is the Sacred Valley tour good for kids?
The Sacred Valley tour is good for kids who can handle a long day in a van; the Maras salt pools and Moray are favorites with children.
How much do you tip a Sacred Valley tour guide?
Tipping is optional. Many travelers give the guide about S/20 to 30 and the driver about S/10 for a full day tour.
Plan your trip
- Pisac Ruins: The Inca Citadel and Market Town of the Sacred Valley
- Moray Ruins: The Inca Circular Terraces of the Sacred Valley Explained
- Maras Salt Mines: How the Salineras de Maras Work and How to Visit
- Ollantaytambo: The Inca Fortress Town of the Sacred Valley Explained
- Day Trips from Cusco: The Best One-Day Escapes Compared
