Enjoy a beautiful drive through the Sacred Valley, taking in stunning mountain views. Discover how the Incas excelled at farming while visiting Moray. Taste the salt from the Maras Salt Mines and explore over 3,000 salt pools, still in use since Inca times. Spend time browsing the local market in Chinchero. Most importantly, immerse yourself in the ancient citadel of Machu Picchu while touring with an expert guide from Aventuras Inca Trail Best.
Sacred Valley Exploration & Train to Aguas Calientes
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Your adventure begins with a pickup from your hotel in Cusco at 8:00 AM. We’ll drive into the beautiful Sacred Valley of the Incas, making our first stop after about 45 minutes at Chinchero. This vibrant Inca living town features impressive farming terraces used by the Incas for potato cultivation. You’ll then visit the famous 16th-century Roman Catholic Church, adorned with stunning, colorful paintings. After exploring the church, we’ll visit a traditional craft center where local women demonstrate their ancestral weaving techniques to create beautiful alpaca sweaters.
Next, we’ll drive to the Moray Inca Site, renowned as the largest Inca agricultural experimentation center, featuring unique circular farming terraces where the Incas studied soil and weather effects on crops. A short drive from Moray leads us to Maras, home to the breathtaking Salt Mines carved into the mountainside. Here, over 3,000 small salt pools, each individually owned by a family from Maras, have been cultivated in the same traditional manner since Inca times and serve as the primary source of salt for the entire Cusco region.
We’ll enjoy a delightful lunch in Urubamba before heading to our final attraction of the day, the Ollantaytambo Fortress. Known as the ‘living Inca city,’ Ollantaytambo was a crucial village during Inca times, boasting magnificent sites, including the Temple of the Sun, built with massive stones transported over 4 kilometers. After exploring, we’ll have dinner in Ollantaytambo before boarding the 7:00 PM train to Aguas Calientes. The train ride takes approximately 2 hours. Upon arrival, we’ll ensure you safely reach your hotel for a restful night’s sleep.
A valid passport is required for all travelers to enter Machu Picchu. Plan to arrive in Cusco at least 2 days prior to the tour for altitude acclimatization.
For the train journey to Aguas Calientes, passengers are generally allowed one small bag or backpack (typically up to 5 kg/11 lbs). Your main luggage can be stored securely at your hotel in Cusco and will be waiting for your return on Day 2.
This tour involves early mornings, significant walking, and altitude changes. While children can participate, it is generally recommended for those accustomed to active travel. Parents should consider their child’s stamina and interest in historical sites when deciding.
The dry season, from May to October, is generally considered the best time to visit Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley. During these months, you can expect sunnier days and less rainfall, though mornings and evenings can still be chilly.
Yes, vegetarian and other dietary restrictions can usually be accommodated. Please inform us of any specific dietary needs when booking your tour so that arrangements can be made with restaurants and hotels to cater to your requirements.
To help prevent altitude sickness, it is highly recommended to arrive in Cusco at least 2 days prior to your tour to acclimatize. Drink plenty of water, avoid alcohol and heavy meals, and consider consulting your doctor about altitude sickness medication before your trip.
Traveler Experiences
Recent comments
A very enriching experience, full of history and good coordination even with changing weather during the route.
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Embark on an exciting 3-day adventure that combines the best archaeological attractions of the Sacred Valley of the Incas with a condensed version of the renowned Inca Trail, culminating at the breathtaking…
