Cusco: Full-Day Sacred Valley and Maras Tour

More than 3,000 salt pools spread across the Salineras at Maras, and they’re just one stop on a day that also takes you to Incan sites, a textile center and a craft market. This tour links several very different places in the Sacred Valley without asking you to arrange transport between them.

I like the range: you get archaeological sites and local craft stops in one outing. I also like that lunch in Urubamba is included, so you don’t have to plan a separate meal during a full day on the road.

The main consideration is the pace. Twelve hours is a long day, and entrance fees may add to the advertised $33 price, depending on the option you choose.

The day at a glance

• Chinchero starts the route with an archaeological zone and textile center.
• Moray and Maras offer two distinct stops, followed by a visit to the Salineras and its more than 3,000 salt pools.
• Urubamba is the lunch break, with a buffet meal included.
• Ollantaytambo brings Incan architecture into the day’s itinerary.
• Písac pairs an archaeological park with a craft market before the return to Cusco.
• The base price may not cover all entries, so check the selected option and budget for listed fees.

A full Sacred Valley route, from Chinchero to Písac

This is a broad, busy introduction to the Sacred Valley. You leave Cusco in the morning, travel between several towns and archaeological sites, and return to central Cusco at the end of the day. Hotel pickup is included for accommodation around central Cusco; if you’re staying outside that area, you’ll be given a meeting point.

The route puts a lot into one outing. That saves you the work of arranging separate transport to Chinchero, Moray, Maras, Ollantaytambo and Písac, but it also means your time at each stop is part of a tightly packed day. If you want long, unhurried visits at every site, a tour covering fewer places may suit you better.

An English- or Spanish-speaking guide accompanies the trip. No guide names are provided, so you can’t choose a particular guide in advance based on the information available. The guide’s role is useful on a route with several archaeological stops: you have someone to explain what you’re seeing and help keep the day moving.

Chinchero opens with archaeology and textiles

The first stop is Chinchero, where the day takes in an archaeological zone and a textile center. It’s a useful start because it brings two sides of local culture together: evidence of the area’s past and a place focused on textile work.

The exact length of the visit and what you’ll see demonstrated at the textile center aren’t specified. Think of it as an introduction rather than a promise of a particular workshop or hands-on activity. If textiles are a main interest, you may want to ask your guide what is included once the day begins.

Moray and Maras make a memorable pairing

The route continues to the archaeological park of Moray, then passes through the town of Maras on the way to the Salineras salt mines. These stops give the day a welcome change of scene from the first visit. Moray is an archaeological site; the salt mines are a working-looking expanse of pools and a striking place to see how the valley’s resources are used.

The Salineras have more than 3,000 salt pools. That number gives you a sense of the site’s scale, though your visit time and access arrangements are not specified. You’ll want comfortable shoes, sunglasses, a sun hat and water, all recommended for the activity.

Entry is an important detail here. The listed information gives a Maras entrance fee of 10 soles per person, while also saying that Maras entrance is included if you select the relevant option. Check what your booking includes before you go, rather than assuming the $33 starting price covers it.

Urubamba gives you a proper lunch stop

After the morning visits, the tour stops in Urubamba for a buffet lunch. Having a meal included is a practical plus on a 12-hour excursion: you don’t need to find a restaurant on your own or build a separate lunch plan into the day.

Additional food and drinks are not included. If you like to have water or a snack on hand, bring them along. The tour recommends carrying water, and the long duration makes that a sensible bit of preparation.

Ollantaytambo brings Incan architecture into focus

After lunch, you travel to the archaeological sites of Ollantaytambo. The tour highlights the area’s Incan architecture, making this a key stop for visitors who want to see major built remains as part of a guided day trip rather than arranging a separate visit.

The time available at the site is not stated. Since the itinerary includes several more stops after Chinchero, Moray and Maras, you should expect to share your day across the whole route, not spend most of it in Ollantaytambo alone. If this is the site you care about most, ask how much time the group will have there.

Písac closes the route with ruins and a craft market

The last planned area is the archaeological park of Písac, followed by a visit to the nearby town and its craft market. The pairing is handy: you get an archaeological visit and then time to look at local crafts before heading back to Cusco.

Písac comes late in a full day, after several other stops. That sequence makes the tour efficient for covering the valley, but you may be tired by the time you reach the market. If browsing is high on your list, keep a little energy for it. The tour ends with drop-off in central Cusco.

What the $33 price does and doesn’t cover

At $33 per person, the tour bundles transport, hotel pickup in central Cusco, a guide, lunch and a full route through several places that would otherwise take planning to connect. That can be good value if you want a guided overview and prefer not to arrange each leg yourself.

But the headline price is not the full cost in every case. The tour information lists a 70-sol touristic ticket per person and a 10-sol Maras entrance fee per person as not included. It also says that entrances to the ruins and Maras are included if you select the appropriate option. These details make the booking choice important: compare the entry-included option, if offered, with the base price and the fees you’d pay separately.

Additional food and drinks are also extra. The buffet lunch is included, so you can at least count on a meal during the route. If you are comparing this with a shorter excursion, weigh the added stops and transport against the longer day and any admission costs.

How to prepare for a 12-hour outing

Wear comfortable shoes and bring sunglasses, a sun hat and water. Those are the specific items recommended for the tour, and they suit a day that includes several outdoor visits. Check the weather before you leave, and dress so you’re comfortable moving between stops.

Pickup is provided from accommodation around Cusco City center. If your lodging is outside the pickup area, a meeting point will be arranged instead. The day lasts about 12 hours, but starting times vary with availability, so confirm your departure time when checking dates.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which offers flexibility if your plans are still taking shape.

Who should book this tour?

I’d consider this tour if you have one day to see several Sacred Valley highlights and want transport, a guide and lunch arranged together. It’s especially practical if you’re comfortable with a long itinerary and would rather cover a broad range of places than spend a half-day at one site.

You may prefer a slower plan if you want extended time at Moray, Ollantaytambo or Písac. The tour covers a lot, and the schedule leaves limited room to linger. Before booking, check which entry fees are included in your chosen option and add any extra charges to your budget.

FAQ

How long is the Sacred Valley and Maras tour?

The tour lasts 12 hours, with pickup in Cusco and drop-off in central Cusco.

Where does the tour pick me up?

Pickup is included from accommodation around Cusco City center. If you’re staying outside that area, a meeting point will be set.

Which languages does the guide speak?

The live guide speaks English and Spanish.

What places are included in the route?

The itinerary includes Chinchero, Moray, Maras and the Salineras salt mines, lunch in Urubamba, the archaeological sites of Ollantaytambo, and the archaeological park and craft market at Písac.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A buffet lunch in Urubamba is included. Additional food and drinks are not included.

Are entrance fees included in the price?

It depends on the option selected. The tour information lists a 70-sol touristic ticket and a 10-sol Maras entrance fee per person as extra, while also noting that ruin and Maras entrances are included with the relevant option. Check the details of your selected option before booking.

What should I bring?

Bring comfortable shoes, sunglasses, a sun hat and water.

Can I cancel for a refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.