The Sacred Valley VIP Tour with Maras and Moray takes you deep into the heart of the Inca world in one full, well-planned day. You'll feed alpacas at a local farm, watch the whole valley open up below you at the Taray Viewpoint, explore the hilltop ruins and colorful market of Pisac, and walk the circular terraces of Moray. Then, after thousands of white salt ponds at Maras, the day ends in Ollantaytambo — a living town where families still walk the same stone streets the Incas built.
And you don't have to plan a thing. We include hotel pickup, comfortable transport, entrance tickets, and a buffet lunch in Urubamba, along with a local guide who turns each stop into a story you'll remember. With a small group and a relaxed pace, there's always time for one more photo, one more question, one more moment to take it all in.
Tour Type Small Group Tour
Duration Full Day
Activities Visit local villages, Inca sites, local marketss
Average Group Size 12 peopleTour Type English, Spanish
Starts/Ends Cusco / Cusco
Meals Buffet Lunch
Destinations Pisac - Ollantaytambo - Moray - Salineras Maras
Overview of the Sacred Valley VIP Tour with Maras and Moray
The Sacred Valley VIP Tour with Maras and Moray is one of the most complete day tours from Cusco — and one of the most rewarding. In a single day, you'll stand above ancient terraces, wander through a market bursting with color, watch families harvest salt the same way their ancestors did, and end up in a town where people still live along original Inca streets.
This tour goes beyond the classic route. You'll visit the Taray Viewpoint, the Pisac archaeological site and its famous market, the circular terraces of Moray, the Maras Salt Mines, and the fortress town of Ollantaytambo — with comfortable transport, entrance tickets, a professional local guide, and a buffet lunch in Urubamba all taken care of.
And because we keep our groups small, the day never feels like a race. There's time to ask questions, linger over a photo, and walk at a pace that feels right for you. From your first view of the valley to your last steps through Ollantaytambo, every hour is planned so you can simply enjoy it.
Tour Highlights
- Small-group VIP experience: A relaxed pace, comfortable transport, and a guide who has time for your questions.
- Taray Viewpoint: Take in your first full view of the Sacred Valley — river, terraces, and mountains in one sweep.
- Pisac Inca site: Explore terraces, ancient neighborhoods, and ceremonial areas built high above the valley.
- Pisac Market: Wander through stalls of handwoven textiles, ceramics, silver jewelry, and local treats.
- Moray terraces: Walk around the circular terraces where the Incas tested crops in different microclimates.
- Maras Salt Mines: See thousands of white salt ponds, still worked by local families today.
- Ollantaytambo fortress: End the day in a living Inca town, beneath one of the valley's mightiest sites.
- All-inclusive comfort: Tickets, transport, expert guiding, and buffet lunch — all included, no surprises.
Sacred Valley VIP Tour at a Glance
- 7:00 a.m.: We pick you up from your hotel in Cusco's historic center.
- Alpaca farm: Meet and feed llamas, alpacas, vicuñas, and guanacos, and see how their wool becomes Andean textiles.
- Taray Viewpoint: Stop for a sweeping view of the valley, the Urubamba River, and the mountains around it.
- Pisac ruins: Explore terraces and ceremonial spaces at one of the most impressive Inca sites in the valley.
- Pisac market: Browse handmade textiles, ceramics, and jewelry — and try a famous Pisac empanada.
- Buffet lunch in Urubamba: Recharge with a varied Peruvian buffet at a carefully selected local restaurant.
- Moray: Visit the circular terraces and learn how the Incas worked with microclimates.
- Maras Salt Mines: Walk near the salt ponds and see a tradition local families keep alive today.
- Ollantaytambo: Explore the Inca fortress and stroll through one of the most beautiful towns in the valley.
- 6:00 p.m.: Approximate return and drop-off at your hotel in Cusco.
Note: Times are approximate and may vary depending on traffic, weather, group pace, and local conditions. If you have a train to Machu Picchu or an Inca Trail departure from Ollantaytambo, you can request drop-off near the train station.
Included
- Pickup from your hotel in Cusco's historic center.
- Comfortable tourist transportation.
- Professional bilingual tour guide: English and Spanish.
- Cusco Tourist Ticket for the Sacred Valley sites included in this tour.
- Entrance ticket to the Maras Salt Mines.
- Buffet lunch at a carefully selected local restaurant in Urubamba.
- Drop-off at your hotel in Cusco.
Not Included
- Breakfast and dinner.
- Personal expenses, souvenirs, and drinks.
- Travel insurance, highly recommended.
Extra Upgrades and Private Service
- Private service: Your own guide, your own vehicle, and a rhythm that follows you — not a schedule.
- Vegetarian options: Vegetarian meals are available as part of the buffet lunch selection.
- Ollantaytambo drop-off: Continuing to Machu Picchu? We can drop you near the train station instead of returning to Cusco.
The Sacred Valley, The TreXperience Way
TreXperience is a 100% Peruvian, Cusco-based operator, and we bring the same care to a day tour that we bring to our treks. Here's what that looks like in the Sacred Valley:
- Prepared for the Journey: Clear pickup details, honest walking info, and simple advice so you know exactly what to expect.
- Guided by Local Experts: Professional bilingual guides who turn stones and terraces into stories you'll remember.
- Andean Hospitality: A fresh Peruvian buffet lunch, warm service, and time to try the famous Pisac empanadas.
- Comfort & Timing: A small group, comfortable transport, and a route ordered so the day flows without rushing.
- Care for Our Team: Fair conditions and real respect for the guides and drivers who make your day possible.
- Respecting the Valley: Your visit supports Pisac's artisans and the families who still work the salt ponds of Maras.
The Andes provide the adventure. We take care of everything around it.
Prefer a shorter day? See our Maras, Moray and Chinchero Half-Day Tour.
Sacred Valley VIP Tour with Maras and Moray Full-Day Itinerary
Your Full Day in the Living Sacred Valley, with Maras and Moray
The day starts early — 7:00 a.m. pickup from your hotel in Cusco's historic center — but it starts easy. You settle into our comfortable transport, the city slips behind you, and the road climbs toward the Sacred Valley while your guide shares what's ahead. No rushing, no guesswork: the whole day is paced so you can actually enjoy it.
Your first stop is an alpaca farm — and fair warning, it's hard to leave. You'll meet llamas, alpacas, vicuñas, and guanacos up close, feed them by hand, and learn why these animals have meant so much to Andean families for generations. You'll also see how their wool becomes beautiful handwoven textiles. Keep that in mind — it makes the markets later in the day much more meaningful.
Then comes the moment the valley reveals itself. At the Taray Viewpoint, the Sacred Valley opens up below you: the Urubamba River winding through farming fields, terraced hillsides, small villages, and mountains on every side. Take your time here. It's a favorite photo stop, and it helps you understand the land you're about to spend the day exploring.
From there, you climb to Pisac, one of the most impressive Inca sites in the valley. Terraces stack down the mountainside, ceremonial areas rise above ancient neighborhoods, and nearby sits one of the most remarkable Inca cemetery areas in the Andes. Your guide ties it all together — how this one place connected farming, astronomy, religion, and control of the entire valley.
Down in the modern town, Pisac's famous handicraft market is waiting. Wander between stalls of handwoven textiles, ceramics, silver jewelry, and paintings — and if you smell something delicious, follow it: the well-known Pisac empanadas are worth the small detour. It's a wonderful place to take home something made by the same hands that keep these traditions alive.
By midday, you'll have earned a good meal. In Urubamba, a buffet lunch at a carefully selected local restaurant gives you time to sit down, recharge, and taste a variety of fresh Peruvian and regional dishes. Vegetarian options are available — just let us know when you book.
In the afternoon, the day changes character. First comes Moray, where enormous circular terraces sink into the earth like a green amphitheater. Each level holds its own microclimate, and many historians believe the Incas used this place to test crops — a centuries-old experiment carved into the landscape, and one of the most fascinating sites you'll see all day.
Then the scenery flips completely. At the Maras Salt Mines, thousands of white salt ponds spill down the mountainside, bright against the brown earth. Local families have worked these ponds for generations — and still do today, using the same patient methods. It looks like nothing else you'll see in the valley.
Your final stop is the one many travelers talk about on the ride home: Ollantaytambo. Climb the massive terraces of the fortress, stand in its ceremonial spaces, and take in one last sweeping view of the valley. Then walk through the town itself — because Ollantaytambo never stopped being an Inca town. Its original streets, stone walls, and water channels are still part of everyday life.
From there, we head back to Cusco and drop you off at your hotel around 6:00 p.m. And if you're catching a train to Machu Picchu or starting an Inca Trail tour, just let us know in advance — we can drop you off near the Ollantaytambo train station instead, saving you the ride back.
It's a lot to fit into one day — and that's exactly the point. Landscapes, history, markets, food, Inca engineering, and living traditions, all connected by one well-planned route and a guide who brings it to life. All you have to do is show up ready to enjoy it.
Price of the Sacred Valley VIP Tour with Maras and Moray
The Sacred Valley VIP Tour with Maras and Moray costs US$120 per person — and that's the full price of your day. Entrance tickets, hotel pickup, comfortable transport, buffet lunch, and an expert local guide are all included, in a small group that never feels rushed.
Compared to our Classic Sacred Valley Tour (US$95), this VIP route adds Moray, the Maras Salt Mines, the Taray Viewpoint, and the alpaca farm — four more experiences for just US$25 more.
Group Tour:
| Service | Price per Person |
|---|---|
| Small Group Tour | US$ 120 |
Private Tour:
Want the valley at your own pace? Go private: your own guide, your own vehicle, and a day that follows your rhythm.
| Number of Travelers | Price per Person |
|---|---|
| 1 | US$ 320 |
| 2 | US$ 198 |
| 3 | US$ 160 |
| 4 | US$ 140 |
| 5 | US$ 135 |
| 6 | US$ 130 |
| 7 | US$ 125 |
| 8 | US$ 120 |
| 9 or more | Contact us for a special price |
Booking and Payment
Pay online through our booking system, or at our office in Cusco — credit card, PayPal, or wire transfer. Need another option? Just ask.
Cancellation Policy
Book with confidence: this tour is fully refundable up to 72 hours before departure. If your plans change, your money comes back.
Prefer a tailor-made private experience? Write to us at info@trexperienceperu.com.
Sacred Valley VIP Tour - Packing List
Packing for the Sacred Valley VIP Tour with Maras and Moray is easy once you know one thing: in the Andes, the weather likes to change its mind. Locals joke that you can get four seasons in one day — a chilly 7:00 a.m. pickup, strong sun by midday, and a cool breeze again on the ride home. So the trick isn't packing more. It's packing layers.
You'll be in comfortable transport between stops, so a light daypack is all you need for the short walks on stone steps, terraces, and market streets. One friendly tip from experience: leave some empty space in that daypack — the Pisac market has a way of filling it.
What to Bring to the Sacred Valley VIP Full-Day Tour?
A Few Local Tips That Make a Big Difference
- Dress like an onion. Start the morning with a fleece or jacket over a t-shirt, peel layers off as the sun climbs, and put them back on in the late afternoon. From November to March, keep your rain poncho near the top of your bag — not the bottom.
- Respect the Andean sun. At this altitude, the sun is much stronger than it feels, even on cloudy days. Sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat are your best friends — and reapply the sunscreen after lunch.
- Bring soles in small bills. Cash makes life easier at the Pisac market, for a warm empanada, for salt sold by the local families at Maras, and for the small fee some public restrooms charge along the way.
- Wear shoes you already trust. Many of the steps you'll walk were laid centuries ago — beautiful, but uneven. Comfortable, broken-in walking shoes beat brand-new ones every time.
- Sip water all day. Staying hydrated is the simplest way to feel good at altitude. Keep your bottle within reach, not buried in your bag.
- Carry your passport. You may be asked to show it along with your entrance tickets at some sites, so keep it somewhere safe and easy to reach.
And if you forget something? Don't worry. Cusco is full of small shops where you can grab sunscreen, a poncho, or an extra layer before the tour — and our team is always happy to point you in the right direction. When you know what to expect, you're free to simply enjoy the day.
Essential Information for the Sacred Valley VIP Tour
A little local knowledge makes any trip better. Here's everything worth understanding before your Sacred Valley VIP Tour with Maras and Moray — how the tickets work, what the altitude really feels like, when to visit, and how to plan the days around it.
How the Entrance Tickets Work
Visiting the Sacred Valley involves two different tickets, and both are included in this tour. The Cusco Tourist Ticket (Boleto Turístico), managed by COSITUC, covers archaeological sites like Pisac, Moray, and Ollantaytambo. The Maras Salt Mines are privately managed by the local community, so they require a separate entrance — many travelers don't know this until they reach the gate.
With us, both are arranged before you arrive, so you walk straight in at every stop. Planning to explore more of Cusco on other days? Our Cusco Tourist Ticket guide explains which ticket combinations make sense for your itinerary.
Altitude: What to Expect and How to Feel Good
Here's some good news: the Sacred Valley sits around 2,800 m / 9,186 ft — noticeably lower than Cusco at 3,400 m / 11,152 ft. That's why this tour works so well in your first days in the region: your body gets a gentler day while you see some of the best places in the Andes. Many travelers actually feel better in the valley than in the city.
You'll still be at high elevation, so the simple rules apply: sip water all day, take stairs and terraces at your own pace, and go easy on heavy meals and alcohol the night before. If you have a heart or lung condition, check with your doctor before traveling — the CDC's high-altitude travel advice is a good place to start.
Best Time to Visit the Sacred Valley
Honestly? There's no bad time — the valley just shows you two different personalities. The dry season (May to September) brings clearer skies, crisp mornings, and the most reliable views. The rainy season (November to March) paints the valley deep green, with showers that usually come and go rather than lasting all day. April and October sit in between and are quietly excellent months.
Whatever the season, the Andean day follows the same rhythm: cool at 7:00 a.m., strong sun by midday, cooler again by late afternoon. Dress in layers and you're ready for all of it.
Money, Shopping, and Small Expenses
Your tickets, transport, guide, and lunch are covered — so the only money you need is for the fun parts. Bring Peruvian soles in small bills for the Pisac market, a warm empanada, drinks with lunch, and the small fee some public restrooms charge. Some market stalls accept cards or payment apps, but cash gives you more freedom to buy from smaller artisans.
One purchase worth knowing about: at Maras, the local families who work the ponds sell their own salt. It's inexpensive, easy to pack, and one of the most authentic souvenirs in the valley — your purchase goes directly to the people keeping the tradition alive.
Which Sacred Valley Tour Is Right for You?
We run three versions of the Sacred Valley, and the right one depends on your time and interests. This VIP full-day tour is the most complete: it adds Moray, the Maras Salt Mines, the Taray Viewpoint, and the alpaca farm to the classic circuit. The Classic Sacred Valley Tour follows the traditional Pisac–Ollantaytambo–Chinchero route. And if you're short on time, the Maras, Moray and Chinchero Half-Day Tour covers three highlights in an afternoon.
Our honest advice: if you have a full day free, this VIP route gives you the most complete picture of the valley in a single trip.
How to Fit This Tour into Your Peru Itinerary
A rhythm that works beautifully: arrive in Cusco and take it easy, do the Cusco City Tour in the afternoon of day one or two, then take this Sacred Valley tour as your first full day — the lower altitude helps you acclimatize while you explore. From there, Machu Picchu is the natural next chapter, and the Ollantaytambo drop-off connects you straight to the train.
Prefer it all arranged as one trip? Our Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu 2 Days combines both, and the Luxury Cusco, Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu 4 Days turns it into a premium journey.
Sacred Valley VIP Tour Frequently Asked Questions
What exactly is included in the US$120 price?
Everything your day needs: hotel pickup and drop-off in Cusco's historic center, comfortable transport, a professional bilingual guide, the Cusco Tourist Ticket, the separate Maras Salt Mines entrance, and a buffet lunch in Urubamba. The only things not covered are breakfast, dinner, drinks, and personal purchases.
What time does the tour start and end?
Pickup is around 7:00 a.m. from hotels in Cusco's historic center, and you're back at your hotel around 6:00 p.m., depending on traffic and group pace. We confirm your exact pickup time after booking.
Is this tour good for my first days in Cusco?
Yes — it's one of the best choices you can make. The valley sits lower than Cusco, you're seated between stops, and the walks are short. Many travelers do this tour on their first or second day and feel great.
How much walking is involved? Is it hard?
No hiking experience needed. Expect short to moderate walks at each site — stone steps, terraces, and market streets — always at the group's pace, with plenty of time to rest. If any climb feels like too much, your guide can suggest an easier path or a good spot to wait and enjoy the view.
Is this tour suitable for kids and older travelers?
Yes. Families and older travelers join this tour regularly — the mix of short walks, animals, markets, and time in the vehicle keeps the day comfortable for all ages. If anyone in your group has limited mobility, write to us before booking and we'll tell you honestly what to expect at each site.
What is lunch like? Can you handle dietary restrictions?
Lunch is a buffet at a carefully selected local restaurant in Urubamba, with a variety of Peruvian and regional dishes — a great chance to try several in one sitting. Vegetarian options are available; just mention your dietary needs when you book so we can arrange things in advance.
Can I be dropped off in Ollantaytambo for my train to Machu Picchu?
Yes, and it's a smart move — you save the drive back to Cusco and wake up closer to Machu Picchu. Just let us know in advance so we can organize the drop-off near the train station. It also works if you're starting an Inca Trail tour from Ollantaytambo.
Should I book the group tour or the private service?
The small-group tour (US$120) is perfect for most travelers: personal, well-paced, and great value. Go private if you want to set your own rhythm — more time for photos, a slower pace for kids or grandparents, or extra minutes at your favorite stop. Private pricing starts at US$320 for one traveler and drops as your group grows.
What happens if my plans change?
You're covered. This tour is fully refundable up to 72 hours before departure, so you can book your date now and adjust later if your trip shifts.
How do I book?
Click BOOK NOW, choose your date, and pick group or private service. Our team then contacts you to confirm your pickup details. Questions first? Write to us — a real person in Cusco answers.