Super Sacred Valley (All Day)

The Classic Sacred Valley Tour is a half-day tour from Cusco that takes you to the Sacred Valley of the Incas. The valley is known for being one of the most fertile regions in southern Peru and has held great significance since the time of the Inca civilization, which continues to this day.

During this half-day tour of the Sacred Valley from Cusco, you will visit key sites that provide an overview of the valley and its influence on modern life.

The Special Sacred Valley tour is designed for individuals with limited time, allowing them to visit multiple important sites in a single day.

ARCHEOLOGICAL CENTER OF CHINCHEROS

Chinchero is a Peruvian town and the capital of the homonymous district, located in the province of Urubamba in the department of Cusco. It is renowned as the birthplace of Mateo Pumacahua, a hero of Peruvian independence who played a significant role in the Cuzco Rebellion of 1814, alongside the Angulo brothers.

According to the 2017 census, Chinchero had a population of 3,765 inhabitants. It is situated approximately 30 km from the city of Cusco, at an altitude of 3,754 meters above sea level.

The monumental zone of Chinchero was declared a historical heritage of Peru on December 28, 1972, through the R.S.N° 2900-72-ED Archaeological Park, as stated in the National Directorial Resolution No. 515 of 2005.

The Chinchero Archaeological Park spans an area of 34,800 hectares. It was occupied even before the Inca Empire. During the Tahuantinsuyo period, Inca Túpac Yupanqui planned the construction of palaces for the elite. Presently, you can witness the remains of the palace upon which the colonial church stands.

MORAY

Many archaeologists and anthropologists believe that the Moray ruins were once used for conducting agricultural experiments. Part of the evidence supporting this theory is the intricate irrigation system built into the terraces, which was supplied by water from a reservoir located high in the mountains.

Another fascinating aspect is the temperature variation within the terraces. Each terrace experiences a temperature difference of 5°C, and the sun shines on each terrace at a unique angle and intensity.

The microclimate of Moray likely enabled the Incas to conduct agricultural research and identify the optimal conditions for various crops to thrive. This suggests that the Incas utilized their environmental knowledge to capitalize on natural resources.

MARAS SALT MINES

Las Salineras de Maras (The Salt Mines of Maras) consists of over 3,000 natural salt wells located near the town of Maras. Each well has a dimension of 5 square meters.

These 3,000 pools are supplied by an underground hypersaline spring that originated 110 million years ago during the formation of the Andes Mountains.

Currently, these natural salt pools attract hundreds of tourists, providing a breathtaking view of the landscape.

The people of Maras market and sell this salt, continuing the tradition established by the Incas centuries ago.

ARCHAEOLOGICAL CENTER OF OLLANTAYTAMBO

Ollantaytambo (in Quechua: Ullantaytampu, meaning “warehouse or inn of Ollanta”) is a Peruvian town and an Inca archaeological site. It serves as the capital of the homonymous district located in the province of Urubamba, in the department of Cusco. Ollantaytambo is situated approximately 90 km northwest of the city of Cusco.

During the Inca period, Pachacutec conquered the region, establishing the town and a ceremonial center. It served as a fortress for Manco Inca Yupanqui, the leader of the Inca resistance during the time of the Spanish conquest. In Ollantaytambo, you will find defensive platforms (used to prevent landslides) instead of agricultural terraces, which are more commonly seen in other archaeological sites in Cusco. Today, Ollantaytambo is an important tourist attraction due to its Inca constructions and being one of the main starting points for the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu.

PISAQ MARKET

Písac is a Peruvian town located in the Calca province of the Cusco region. It is also the capital of the Pisac district.

Situated 30 kilometers from the city of Cusco, at an altitude of 2966 meters above sea level, the town is renowned for its craft fair.

At the mountain’s summit lies the Písac Archaeological Park, which was constructed between the 10th and 11th centuries.