Machu Picchu Sacred Valley – Sacred Valley to Machu Picchu

An enthralling two-day tour begins with an early morning pickup from your hotel in Cusco. We will then embark on a 45-minute drive to Chinchero. Home to the Andean textile weavers, Chinchero will delight you in many ways.

Chinchero

First, we will be visiting the Inca ruins that nestle on a hilltop. The whitewashed church was built on the remains of what was once an Inca Royal Palace. The farming terraces and water channels are intact as it was built during the Inca Civilization.

We will then visit an Andean textile center where you will learn about the processing of wool from scratch. This is the best place to buy some souvenirs, so spare some change for that.

Maras

Our next stop will be just a few minutes away in the town of Maras. Home to the Salt Mines, Maras has been in existence since the Pre Inca times. It is a profession that has been passed down over generations.

Salt farmers here continue to practice the traditional Solar evaporation method. They fill natural spring waters in these salt puddles and wait for them to evaporate. They then manually scrape out the Salt. Maras Salt is pinkish in color and tastes a bit different.

Moray

We will then visit Moray. This is the most notable site in the entire Sacred Valley of the Incas. It served as an agricultural laboratory for the Incas. They implemented a spiral technique method of cultivation with natural depressions in which structures resembling an amphitheater were built.

These platforms are approximately 1.8 meters high. They are like superimposed concentric circles that are gradually expanding. It is proven that there are over 20 microclimates on each platform.

The Incas used this to determine at which temperature a crop could grow well. Thanks to their invention, Peru now produces over 2000 varieties of Potatoes.

Urubamba

We will then have a brief stop in Urubamba. Here we will be visiting a local restaurant where we will be serving you a buffet lunch.

Ollantaytambo

After lunch, we will be driving you to the “living Inca town”, Ollantaytambo. Snuggled between two peaks, the town maintains its authenticity as during the Inca times. The water channels which run through the town were built by the Incas and are still functioning.

Ollantaytambo is also home to two Inca ruins. This was the most sacred site to the Incas. However, in 1531, when the Spaniards wanted to conquer Ollantaytambo, they fought the infamous battle of Ollantaytambo here, turning their sacred land into a deadly battleground.

Our tour guide will be giving you a detailed tour of the Inca complex.

After the tour, we will be driving you to the train station where you will be boarding the train to Machu Picchu pueblo, also known as Aguas Calientes. The two hours journey offers stunning views of the Andes and highland villages.

Once in Aguas Calientes, we will be accommodating you in an ensuite hotel room for the night.

Meals Included: Lunch

Early in the morning, we will be taking the 25 minutes bus ride up the hill to the entrance of Machu Picchu. Our tour guide will assist you in entering the citadel. Your original passport will be verified here against your entrance ticket. 

Once inside the citadel, you will witness the golden rays of the sun beaming on the walls of the lost Inca city.

The two hours guided tour to Machu Picchu begins with a detailed introduction to the citadel. You will be visiting the main square, remains of the royal quarters and Inca temples, ceremonial sites, and more.

After the tour, if you have booked to climb Huayna Picchu (temple of the sun) or Machu Picchu mountain, our guide will be directing you to the respective trailhead. 

Alternatively, you can visit Sun gate or Intipunku. It is a short hike and requires no permit. Those hiking the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu enter the citadel through here.

After a full-day tour, you will be taking a bus back down to Aguas Calientes. You will have some free time to explore the town or have lunch. Later in the evening, you will be taking the train back to Ollantaytambo.

Our representative will meet you at the train station and will drive you back to your hotel in Cusco. We will be reaching Cusco by 09:30 PM.

Includes Train Tickets