Take time for a fantastic road tour to explore a scenic drive so stunning they’ve been recognized by the National Geographic for its one-of-a-kind aspects. Experience Sacred Valley history and culture including small hikes, Inca sites and galleries, handicrafts, restaurants and other shops that can be found along the road. Historical sites like Ollantaytambo, Moray, Salineras salt ponds and local markets, make excellent walking tours to take in the local atmosphere and culture.
Season: All year
Journey through the Sacred Valley’s stunning landscapes, where breathtaking mountain vistas and verdant fields unfold at every turn, offering a serene and picturesque start to your adventure.
Step into a mysterious Inca agricultural “laboratory” of massive concentric terraces. This extraordinary site showcases ancient farming genius with unique micro-climates — a place where history, nature, and imagination meet.
Marvel at thousands of terraced salt flats etched into the hillside. These centuries-old “salt mirrors” sparkle under the sun, offering incredible views and a glimpse into traditional Andean salt harvesting.
Discover a living Inca town framed by ancient stone terraces and a grand fortress. Climb historic steps, learn the stories of the Temple of the Sun, and soak up panoramic valley views together.
Embark on an unforgettable journey through Peru’s Sacred Valley, where ancient Incan wonders and breathtaking landscapes collide. Discover vibrant markets, awe-inspiring ruins, and charming artisan centers as you traverse this mystical region. Join River Explorers for an adventure filled with history, culture, and stunning natural beauty!
The trip through the Sacred Valley ranges 85 km – 56 m east to north eastern Cuzco.
We depart from your hotel towards Chincheros on a relaxing drive for about 30 minutes. Chincheros, a farming village and one of the best producers of potatoes, quinoa, and barley. This village is also known for its weaving centers, terraced Inca ruins and the colonial church. Our first stop is a visit to one of the centers where we will learn the weaving process. They raise alpacas and llamas for fiber, collect plants and flowers for natural dyes, spin thread on simple spindles, and create lots of cloth on basic backstop looms just as their ancestors had done for hundreds of years.
We continue on with the tour, heading north, driving down to the village of Maras and then to Moray, a mythical Inca agronomy center built for agricultural purposes. The site contains three natural earth holes worked into circular terraces. Every terrace in Moray recreates twelve different micro-climates and twenty different ecological zones.
After exploring these remarkable terraces, we make our way to the nearby Salineras salt ponds, where thousands of dazzling white pools spill down the mountainside. Here we learn how local families have harvested salt for generations, using traditional evaporation techniques that date back to Inca times.
With the Vilcanota mountain range emerging to the northeast, a quick stop will be the perfect opportunity to appreciate exceptional vistas of the Sacred Valley. An exquisite lunch awaits us at a local restaurant, featuring typical dishes from the region such as grilled lamb, trout and pork, lomo saltado, ceviche (fish marinated with lemon, garlic and other spices), beans, potatoes, corn, and much more. For those who don’t eat meat, there is also plenty of vegetarian and vegan food.
We continue driving for 20 more minutes through the magnificent terrain of the Sacred Valley until Ollantaytambo. Get ready for a nice hike. Your guide will explain the history behind the walls of Ollantaytambo. Ascending a very steep staircase through multiple giant terraces that overlook the city and massive carved rocks, we arrive to the amphitheater at the very top. A little further is the most important structure of Ollantaytambo, the Temple of the Sun. We will then continue walking along a narrow road to a peculiar structure that many historians believe was an Inca calendar carved in a rock, supposedly used to determine the solstices. A few meters away are the well-known royal Inca baths.
We continue on with the tour, heading south following the Upper Urubamba River. Along the way, Andean Quechua farmers harvest the fields with techniques unchanged since ancient Inca times. We can also see contemporary influence connected with old culture and traditions. The Sacred Valley tour ends at your hotel, arrival time approximately between 7 to 8 pm.
Enhance your experience by pairing this trip with Sacred Valley rafting, or select from our range of Cusco tours.
Private transportation: You will have exclusive use of a vehicle for your travel needs throughout the tour.
Entrance fees to all sites: All admission costs for the attractions and locations on the itinerary are covered in the package price.
English-speaking guide: A knowledgeable guide fluent in English will accompany you, providing information and assistance throughout the tour.
Lunch: A meal is included as part of the package, ensuring you have sustenance during your excursion.
