Super Sacred Valley: A Full-Day Private Inca Experience

7:30 AM: Pickup from your hotel in Cusco. We head through Saqsaywaman and over the mountains towards the Sacred Valley, descending 1,500 feet to the valley floor, alongside the Urubamba River and the village of Pisac. Pisac Market: We stop for 30 minutes at the traditional market, where you can shop for local souvenirs. Pisac Ruins: Afterward, we drive up to the Pisac ruins for a 90-minute guided tour. Explore the impressive Citadel, including temples, altars, tunnels, caves, and the famous Intihuatana ("Hitching Post of the Sun"), all while enjoying breathtaking views over the valley. If you prefer to spend more time at the market rather than visiting the ruins, please inform your guide so arrangements can be made for your pickup.

Next, we drive for 30 minutes to reach Ollantaytambo, a town nestled amidst the sacred mountains. Here, we’ll spend about one hour exploring its remarkable Incan heritage. The highlight is the Temple of the Sun, with its massive, perfectly carved stone blocks, polished surfaces, and impressive terraces. We’ll also admire the stone water fountains and ancient stairways. As we explore, you'll experience the charm of the local people, dressed in traditional attire, surrounded by the stunning landscapes of the Patacancha and Willoq Valleys.

We continue our journey towards Urubamba, a charming town located in the heart of the Sacred Valley. Here, we’ll make a 45-minute stop for lunch (not included), allowing you to relax and enjoy the peaceful surroundings. You’ll have the opportunity to explore local eateries or cafes, where you can sample traditional Peruvian dishes or enjoy a light snack before we proceed with the rest of our tour. The town is a perfect place to unwind, with stunning views of the valley and mountains in the background, making it a pleasant and refreshing break during the day.

Next, we journey towards the awe-inspiring Moray, the Inca agricultural laboratory. The drive takes about 1.5 hours, but along the way, we’ll be treated to breathtaking Andean landscapes, passing fields of golden wheat, traditional villages, and snow-capped mountains. The stunning scenery makes this part of the journey a memorable experience in itself. Upon arriving at Moray, your guide will take you through the site, showcasing its impressive amphitheater-like terraces. These circular, bowl-shaped terraces are believed to have served as an agricultural testing ground, where the Incas experimented with crops in varying microclimates to determine the best growing conditions. The site is not only a marvel of engineering but also a testament to the Inca Empire's ingenuity, offering you a unique glimpse into their advanced agricultural practices.

After exploring Moray, we’ll head to Maras, just two miles away, to visit the stunning salt evaporation ponds. These ancient pools, used by the Incas and possibly pre-Inca civilizations, are carved into the mountainside and capture salty water from a natural spring. As the water evaporates, salt is left behind and collected through a communal process. The famous sal de Maras, a pink table salt, is harvested here. The sight of the shimmering salt ponds against the Andean backdrop is truly breathtaking, resembling a landscape covered in snow or ice.

On our way back, we’ll make a brief yet fascinating stop at Chinchero, where we’ll visit the renowned Church of Our Lady of Monserrat and the nearby archaeological site. The church, built on the foundations of an Inca palace, blends colonial and Inca architecture, and its vibrant frescoes and intricate designs make it a must-see. The ruins nearby, with their impressive agricultural terraces and panoramic views, offer a glimpse into the area’s rich history. After exploring Chinchero, we’ll continue our journey back to Cusco, where we expect to arrive around 6:30-7:00 PM. This will mark the end of an enriching day filled with history, culture, and stunning landscapes.