The Sacred Valley Tour is a remarkable opportunity to take in the rich history and stunning landscapes of the Inca civilization. Travelers can explore the awe-inspiring ruins of Ollantaytambo, witness the ancient salt-harvesting techniques at the Salt Maras Mines, and discover the innovative agricultural site of Moray – all while benefiting from private transportation and a knowledgeable guide. With rave reviews and a Badge of Excellence, this personalized tour ensures an enriching experience. For those seeking to delve deeper into the captivating heritage of the Andes, this tour presents an unparalleled chance to uncover the secrets of the Sacred Valley.
Key Points
- This private tour offers transportation from Urubamba or Ollantaytambo to visit Ollantaytambo ruins, Salt Maras Mines, and Moray ruins.
- The tour is highly recommended with 100% traveler satisfaction and a Badge of Excellence.
- The guided tour provides insights into the history, significance, and engineering feats of the Inca ruins.
- Explore the ancient salt-harvesting techniques at the Salt Maras Mines and the Inca’s agricultural experimentation site at Moray.
- The tour includes entrance tickets and a knowledgeable English-speaking guide, ensuring a hassle-free and informative exploration of the landmarks.
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Contents
- Key Points
- Tour Overview
- Highlights of the Itinerary
- Visiting Ollantaytambo
- Exploring the Salt Maras
- Discovering the Moray Ruins
- Included in the Tour
- Traveler Experiences and Feedback
- Booking and Logistical Details
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I Customize the Tour Itinerary to My Preferences?
- Is There a Discount for Booking the Tour in Advance?
- Can I Bring My Own Food and Drinks on the Tour?
- Are There Any Restrictions on Photography at the Sites?
- What Is the Maximum Group Size for the Private Tour?
- Recap
- Our Top Picks in Cusco
- More Tours in Cusco
- More Tour Reviews in Cusco
- Not for you? Here's more things to do in Cusco we have recnetly reviewed
Tour Overview
The Sacred Valley Tour offers a private transportation experience, with travelers being picked up from Urubamba or Ollantaytambo.
The tour boasts 17 reviews with a 100% traveler recommendation and a Badge of Excellence. It includes visits to the Ollantaytambo ruins, the Salt Maras Mines, and the Moray ruins.
Round-trip transfers are provided, and there are no shared accommodations or group tours. The tour guide is English-speaking, and the Cusco Tourist Ticket and Entrance Ticket to the Maras Salt Mines are included.
Tips aren’t covered, so visitors should bring extra cash for entrance fees.
You can also read our reviews of more tours and experiences in Cusco.
Highlights of the Itinerary
Visitors to the Sacred Valley Tour first explore the impressive Ollantaytambo ruins, a sun temple and agricultural center of the Inca Empire.
The guided tour lasts 45 minutes to an hour, giving travelers ample time to wander the site’s religious and agricultural sectors.
Next, the tour visits the Salt Maras Mines, where salt-crusted terraces cling to the hillside. Guests spend around an hour exploring the mines, snapping photos of the striking landscape.
Finally, the tour heads to Moray, the Inca’s agricultural experimentation site, where the guide provides insights into the ruins.
Throughout the day, the private transportation and knowledgeable English-speaking guide ensure an immersive and customized Sacred Valley experience.
Visiting Ollantaytambo
As travelers arrive at Ollantaytambo, they’ll find themselves in awe of the sun temple’s impressive grandeur.
During the guided tour, which lasts 45 minutes to an hour, visitors will explore the temple’s agricultural and religious sectors. The guide will provide insights into the temple’s history and significance, explaining how it served as an administrative center and fortress for the Inca Empire.
Travelers will marvel at the intricate stonework and the engineering feats that allowed the Incas to construct such a remarkable structure high in the Andes mountains.
This stop on the Sacred Valley tour offers a captivating glimpse into the Inca’s advanced civilization and their deep connection to the natural world.
Exploring the Salt Maras
After exploring the grandeur of the Ollantaytambo ruins, the tour moves on to the captivating Salt Maras, a remarkable site where visitors can witness the ancient Inca salt-harvesting techniques.
The tour guide leads the group through the salt-crusted terraces, explaining the intricate process of extracting salt from the natural spring water. Guests have approximately one hour to wander the site, taking in the breathtaking views and snapping photos of the picturesque salt ponds.
The guide provides insights into the historical significance and ongoing use of this unique Inca innovation, leaving visitors with a deeper appreciation for the engineering feats of the ancient civilization.
Discovering the Moray Ruins
From the Salt Maras, the tour continues to the Moray ruins, an intriguing Inca archaeological site showcasing the civilization’s advanced agricultural experimentation.
The guide provides in-depth details about this unique location, explaining how the Incas constructed a series of enormous concentric terraced depressions, likely used for experimenting with crop cultivation at various altitudes and microclimates.
Visitors can:
- Admire the impressive engineering and scale of the site.
- Envision the Incas’ innovative agricultural practices.
- Capture stunning panoramic views of the surrounding Andean landscape.
The tour offers an immersive experience, allowing travelers to gain a deeper understanding of the Incas’ agricultural prowess and their remarkable adaptation to the challenging Peruvian environment.
Included in the Tour
The Sacred Valley tour includes several key inclusions to provide travelers with a comprehensive and enriching experience.
Private transportation is provided from either Urubamba or Ollantaytambo to the various sites throughout the Sacred Valley. An English-speaking tour guide accompanies visitors, offering insights and details about the Inca ruins and historical significance of the locations.
The Cusco Tourist Ticket and entrance ticket to the Maras Salt Mines are also included.
While tips aren’t covered, travelers should bring extra cash for any additional entrance fees.
With these thoughtful inclusions, the tour ensures a hassle-free and informative exploration of the Sacred Valley’s captivating landmarks.
Traveler Experiences and Feedback
Travelers have provided overwhelmingly positive feedback on their experiences with the Sacred Valley tour.
The tour has an impressive 100% traveler recommendation and a Badge of Excellence. Reviewers highlighted several key aspects:
- Excellent communication and knowledgeable guides, such as Carlos, who provided insightful local knowledge.
- Customized itineraries that allowed them to visit sites before larger groups arrived, creating an immersive and exclusive experience.
- Overall satisfaction with the private transportation, seamless logistics, and the opportunity to explore Ollantaytambo, Salt Maras, and Moray at their own pace.
The tour’s exceptional ratings and numerous glowing reviews underscore its ability to deliver a memorable and enriching experience for visitors to the Sacred Valley.
Booking and Logistical Details
Although the Sacred Valley tour offers free cancellation up to 24 hours prior, travelers must select a start time of 1:00 am for early pickup.
The tour is operated by Come See Perú Tours, with prices starting from $119.00. While not wheelchair accessible, the experience is suitable for most travelers.
The tour includes private transportation, an English-speaking guide, a Cusco Tourist Ticket, and an entrance ticket to the Maras Salt Mines. Tips aren’t included, so travelers should bring extra cash for any additional fees.
With a 5.0 rating based on 17 reviews, the tour is highly recommended for its excellent communication, knowledgeable guides, and customized itineraries.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Customize the Tour Itinerary to My Preferences?
Yes, the tour can be customized to your preferences. The provider offers private transportation and a flexible itinerary, allowing you to tailor the experience to your interests within the available sites and duration.
Is There a Discount for Booking the Tour in Advance?
Yes, you can save by booking the tour in advance. The company offers a free cancellation policy up to 24 hours before the experience, so you can lock in the rates early without risk.
Can I Bring My Own Food and Drinks on the Tour?
Yes, travelers can bring their own food and drinks on the tour. The tour itinerary allows for time to explore the sites, so guests can enjoy their personal snacks and refreshments during breaks or at designated picnic areas.
Are There Any Restrictions on Photography at the Sites?
There are no specific restrictions on photography at the sites. Visitors are generally allowed to take photos, though they should be mindful not to disturb other guests or damage the historic structures.
What Is the Maximum Group Size for the Private Tour?
The private tour has no fixed group size, as it’s a personalized experience. The tour company accommodates groups of various sizes, allowing for a more intimate and customized exploration of the sites.
Sacred Valley Tour From Either Urubamba or Ollantaytambo
“We did a full day tour with Come See Peru and had the best time. Our guide, Carlos, was extremely knowledgeable about each site we visited and real…”
Recap
The Sacred Valley Tour from either Urubamba or Ollantaytambo offers an exceptional opportunity to take in Inca history and natural wonders. With private transportation, a knowledgeable guide, and rave reviews, this personalized tour ensures an enriching experience. From the awe-inspiring Ollantaytambo ruins to the innovative Moray site, travelers will be captivated by the stunning landscapes and cultural insights throughout the journey.
