3 options for a 1-day trip to the Sacred Valley
3 options for a 1-day trip to the Sacred Valley
https://www.ticketmachupicchu.com/options-trip-sacred-valley/During the 1 day trip through the Sacred Valley of the Incas, the visitor can visit Pisac, Urubamba, Ollantaytambo and Chinchero. These incredible sites have Inca archaeological ruins, beautiful landscapes and a lot of tradition. The excursion to the Sacred Valley can be done with a tour or on your own. As a second option, tourists can also visit the archaeological site of Moray and the salt mines of Maras. What adventures does this area full of tourist attractions have to offer? Know everything you can do in a day trip to this destination.
- 1 day trip
- 1 day trip to Moray and Maras
- 1 day Sacred Valley adventure trip
- Information on the Sacred Valley of the Incas
Beautiful natural scenery in the Sacred Valley of the Incas
1 day trip
The Sacred Valley includes several traditional towns of Cusco, among them Pisac, Urubamba, Ollantaytambo and Chinchero. These 4 places are the most visited by tourists because there are archaeological sites, hotels, restaurants and a variety of tourist attractions. You can hire a tour, rent a car and do it on your own or travel by public transportation.
Pisac
Start your 1 day trip in Pisac (2,972 m.a.s.l.). This place is located 34 kilometers from the city of Cusco. There is an Inca archaeological site of great historical value. Do not forget to visit the traditional market of the place. On Sundays they offer handicrafts at good prices. Make your visit in the early hours of the day.
Urubamba
Continue your excursion to Urubamba (2,871 m.a.s.l.) This important site is located only 39 kilometers from Pisac. There is a beautiful Plaza de Armas and colonial church. Make your visit at noon and enjoy a typical dish in the local restaurants. Do not forget to try their delicious corn, considered the largest in Peru.
Ollantaytambo
The next stop is in Ollantaytambo (2,792 m.a.s.l.). This town is the only one in Peru that still keeps its ancient Inca urban planning. There you will find the famous Ollantaytambo fortress, a very important historical site. Make your visit in the afternoon. Currently there are hotels and restaurants suitable for tourists. It is located 25 kilometers from Urubamba.
Chinchero
Before sunset, during the return to the city of Cusco, do not forget to visit Chinchero (3,762 m.a.s.l.). This town keeps the ancestral wisdom in the spinning of clothes made of alpaca. There, the Inca Tupac Yupanqui had his palace built with a beautiful system of terraces. Only 30 kilometers separate Chinchero from the city of Cusco.
Pisac archaeological complex
1 day trip to Moray and Maras
The salt mines of Maras and the archaeological site of Moray are two of the most famous attractions of the Sacred Valley of the Incas. To visit them you only need half a day. The rest of the time you can walk around Chinchero or Urubamba. This excursion can be done with a tour or on your own.
Moray
Start your 1-day trip in the archaeological site of Moray (3,500 m.a.s.l.). It is located 62 kilometers from the city of Cusco. Appreciate the beauty of its unique system of terraces in the form of an amphitheater. There, the Incas cultivated diverse products such as potatoes, oca and coca leaves.
Maras
Only 8 kilometers from Moray is located the Salt mines of Maras (3,300 m.a.s.l.). This site has up to 3 thousand natural salt wells that were formed millions of years ago. The whiteness of the place is perfect for taking the best pictures.
Both tourist attractions take half a day on average. Use the rest of the time to visit Chinchero, Urubamba, Ollantaytambo or Pisac. The tours to Maras and Moray take half a day and then return to Cusco.
Maras natural salt wells
1 day Sacred Valley adventure trip
The mountainous geography of the Sacred Valley offers a diversity of adventure sports. These should be contracted with specialized tours. In a 1-day trip, it is recommended to practice only one sport. The options are the following:
Quad biking in Maras and Moray
ATV tours through the salt mines of Maras and the archaeological site of Moray are the most popular adventurous options in Cusco. Includes transfer, previous training, equipment and guide.
Cycling in the Malaga pass
The Malaga pass (4,200 m.a.s.l.) is located 43 kilometers from Ollantaytambo. From there begins the descent by bicycle for about 1 kilometer. These tours are 1 day and generally include bicycles, safety equipment, transportation and professional guide.
Rafting in the Vilcanota river
The Vilcanota River runs through almost the entire Sacred Valley of the Incas. The canoeing adventures take place there, in the Cusipata area, where beginners and experienced tourists can dare to do this extreme sport. Services include complete equipment, transportation, professional guide and lunch.
Paragliding in Chinchero
Paragliding flights take place in the Sacred Mountain in Chinchero, from where you can appreciate all the scenic beauty of the Sacred Valley. The flights last between 15 or 30 minutes and fly over heights of up to 1000 meters. Anyone can dare to do it.
Quad biking tours through Maras and Moray
Information on the Sacred Valley of the Incas
Where is it?
The Sacred Valley is located in the Andes of Cusco in Peru. Its extensive territory has high mountains, rivers, towns, archaeological ruins and more. Pisac, in the north, is only 34 kilometers from the city of Cusco.
How high is it?
All the towns and sites that occupy the Sacred Valley are located above 2,500 meters above sea level. Ollantaytambo is at 2,792 meters above sea level. Chinchero, at 3,762 meters above sea level.
Where to stay?
There is a great variety of hotels in the Sacred Valley. Services vary from lodges to 5 star hotels. The best services are found in Urubamba and are booked online.
Where to eat?
The Sacred Valley has high quality restaurants offering typical Peruvian food, fusion, pizzerias and foreign food. The best are in Urubamba. Typical local dishes include ceviche, causa rellena, papa a la huancaína and pisco-based cocktails.
How to get to Machu Picchu?
To get to Machu Picchu from the Sacred Valley you have to board a train at the Ollantaytambo station. Other options are to take the Inca Trail or the alternative route through Hydroelectric.
Sacred Valley Tour
The tours to Maras and Moray, Pisac, Urubamba, Ollantaytambo and Chinchero in 1 day and adventure sports are contracted in the city of Cusco. These include entrance to the archaeological sites, lunch, transportation and tour guide service.
Sacred Valley without tour
To make a trip without a tour you only need to board the public transportation services in Pavitos Street (Cusco) and visit the favorite places on your own. Another option is to hire private transportation or rent a vehicle. Adventure sports are only possible with tours.
Advice from people who have been there
By: Lucía M.“Beautiful and to be visited with time!“
“It is well worth the time. Tours are rushed and you can't appreciate its beauty and culture. It is really beautiful. I recommend doing it by private tour and with good guides to get the most out of it.“
By Ticket Machu Picchu – Last updated, July 11, 2024