Sacred Valley VIP Private Tour Full day

Detailed: Sacred Valley VIP Private Tour Itinerary

Exclusive Morning Commute (07:00 AM) Your exclusive VIP Private Tour begins with a personalized, prompt pick-up at 07:00 AM from your hotel in Cusco. Our state-of-the-art private transport ensures your commute to the Sacred Valley is not just direct but luxurious, setting the tone for a premium day of exploration.

CHINCHERO (VIP Stop): Step Back into the Living Inca Town Our first dedicated stop is the charming village of Chinchero. This is a complete VIP stop where you will enjoy a curated, private tour with our elite expert guide. We go beyond the standard tour, visiting:

• The ancient, massive farming terraces.
• The vibrant local market.
• The traditional handicraft center, offering you an intimate, non-hurried immersion into local culture.

MARAS: A Private Glimpse at the Immortal Salt Puddles We then descend into the breath-taking Maras Salt Mines. Here, you will not just observe; you will have a closer, more exclusive look at the iconic, non-ending grid of salt puddles. Your local expert will reveal the fascinating pre-Inca techniques that the farming locals still practice today, providing a deeper connection to this unique landscape.

MORAY: The Ultimate Agricultural Laboratory Our next stop is the massive, concentric rings of Moray. As our private guest, you will gain unparalleled insights into why this site is considered the pinnacle of Inca civilization’s agricultural prowess. We explore the profound experimental techniques the Incas used to adapt crops, the exact reason Peru now boasts such a legendary variety of potatoes and corn.

OLLANTAYTAMBO (VIP Stop): The Living Fortress After our scientific exploration, we journey to the famous OLLANTAYTAMBO. This is a dedicated VIP stop where our expert local guide will reveal the secrets of this immense, living fortress. We ensure you experience the full beauty of the ancient village, followed by a personalized tour of the renowned, monolithic archaeological complex, allowing you to absorb its sheer scale without distraction.

URUBAMBA (VIP Lunch): A Premium Feast We break for sustenance in the picturesque heart of the Sacred Valley, Urubamba. This is a dedicated VIP lunch break where we pause for a gourmet buffet. We ensure this stop is a highlight, offering a curated selection of premium local and international cuisine in a superior setting, recharging you for the rest of your adventure.

PISAC (VIP Stop): Explore the Skyline Ruins and Market Our grand finale is a journey to PISAC. This is a complete VIP stop where you will receive a specialized, private tour. First, we explore the spectacular Inca ruins that nestle on the hillside, often described as an architectural wonder equal to Machu Picchu. Next, we journey down to the world-renowned Pisac market. Here, you can walk around at your own pace, with our guide ready to assist, making this the best possible location for securing quality local textiles and souvenirs.

Exclusive Return to Cusco (06:00 PM) We conclude your premium day with a comfortable, direct private transfer back to Cusco, arriving around 06:00 PM.

TOUR ITINERARY INFORMATIVE GUIDE: DETAILED SITE BREAKDOWN

Tour Complejo Arqueologico Chinchero:

Chinchero is a small Andean Indian village located high up on the windswept plains of Anta at 3765m about 30km from Cusco.

There are beautiful views overlooking the Sacred Valley of the Incas, with the Cordillera Vilcabamba and the snow-capped peak of Salkantay dominating the western horizon. Chinchero is believed to be the mythical birthplace of the rainbow. Its major claim to tourism is its colourful Sunday market which is much less tourist-orientated than the market at Pisac.

The village mainly comprises mud brick (adobe) houses, and locals still go about their business in traditional dress. The village may have been an important town in Inca times. The most striking remnant of this period is the massive stone wall in the main plaza which has ten trapezoidal niches. The construction of the wall and many other ruins and agricultural terraces (which are still in use) are attributed to Inca Tupac Yupanqui who possibly used Chinchero as a kind of country resort.

• 1 hour • Admission Ticket Not Included

Maras Moray Tours:

Everywhere you look in Cusco you can see how advanced the Incas were in their agricultural techniques, such as the terracing system and irrigation using aqueducts. In Moray, for example, they used circular terraces that demonstrate the high level of culture the Inca civilization achieved.

Moray is 4.5 miles from the town of Maras and 39 miles from Cusco. The main feature that impresses travelers is its system of circular agricultural terraces, which are up to 330 feet deep. They are build using retaining walls connected by an irrigation system.

Moray can be considered a crop lab– they used the terraces to create micro-climates and grow various products.

• 1 hour • Admission Ticket Not Included

Tour Salinas de Maras:

The salt mines, or the famous “salt pools” of Maras are located in the rural community of Pichingoto. This site is highly recommended for photography lovers because of its impressive landscape that stretches out in all of its splendor. It is also perfect for hikers and mountain bikers, since this trail connects the salt mines with the villages of Tarabamba and Pichingoto.

Highlights of this area include the Moray archaeological site, a sort of amphitheater formed of various circular terraces. Also worth visiting is the Sanctuary of Tiobamaba, a colonial church built of adobe that houses paintings from Cusco such as The Last Supper.

• 1 hour • Admission Ticket Not Included

Tour Ollantaytambo:

Ollantaytambo is a lovely village that preserves the designs of Inca buildings located at an altitude of 9160 feet in the province of Urubamba. Among this place’s most impressive attractions are the ceremonial temple in worship of water and a fortress that guarded the entrance to the valley to repel any invasions. The temple has a set of terraces lying one atop the other which visitors scale via a steep stairway.

The fortress is a stone colossus that was built between two mountains to protect the valley. The area also holds the Temple of Inti (the sun god), Incamisana, the baths of the Ñustas (princesses), the Cachiccata funerary towers, and a group of tiered and very steep terraces on the side of a hill.

Ollantaytambo also contains the mountain called Pinculluna or Tunupa, which holds the vestiges of Inca architectural structures which seem to have been a storehouse for various foodstuffs.

• 1 hour • Admission Ticket Free

Tour Pisac:

Pisac’s fascinating stone block walls show a balanced proportion, from its size to the perfect joints of each stone, forming a wonderful architectural complex that captivates visitors in the Sacred Valley.

The word Pisac has a Quechua origin meaning partridge, a hen-like bird that inhabits the area. According to theories, this complex was slightly similar to the “Royal Estate” of the Inca Pachacutec, that’s why it has a variety of facilities such as terraces, a ceremonial room, palaces, walls, and towers all connected to each other, without any amalgam.

Intihuatana:

Known as the most important ceremonial and religious site in Pisac, it has buildings made of sedimentary rocks. The translation of its name from Quechua means “Sundial”. It is located at the top of the mountain and from that point the whole valley can be appreciated.

• 1 hour • Admission Ticket Free

**Booking & Logistics

1. Is this tour completely private or will I share the vehicle with other tourists?

This is a 100% private VIP experience. The vehicle, professional driver, and expert tour guide are exclusively dedicated to your group. You will never be mixed with outside travelers.

2. What are the exact start and end times of the full-day tour?

Your private transport will pick you up directly from your Cusco hotel lobby at 07:00 AM. You will return to the city and be dropped off at your hotel at approximately 06:00 PM.

3. Does the private transport pick me up from any hotel or Airbnb?

Yes. We provide door-to-door service from any hotel, boutique accommodation, or Airbnb located within the historic center and downtown areas of Cusco.

**Itinerary & Destinations

4. How many Inca archaeological sites and towns do we visit in a single day?

This comprehensive VIP itinerary covers 5 major highlights of the region: Chinchero (town, terraces, and weaving center), the Maras Salt Mines, the Moray agricultural rings, the living Inca town of Ollantaytambo, and the Pisac ruins and handicraft market.

5. Is a buffet lunch included in the tour price?

Our standard private service includes a designated stop in Urubamba for a premium buffet lunch featuring local Peruvian and international cuisine. *Note: Please check your specific booking voucher details, as lunch inclusions can be customized based on your preferences.

6. Can we skip a site if we want to spend more time at another destination?

Absolutely! Because this is a private VIP tour, the itinerary is highly flexible. If you wish to spend more time taking photos at the Maras Salt Mines and less time at a market, just let your private guide know.

**Tickets & Restrictions

7. Are the entrance tickets to the archaeological sites included?

No, entrance fees are not included. To access Chinchero, Moray, Ollantaytambo, and Pisac, you will need the *Boleto Turístico del Cusco* (Cusco Tourist Ticket). You can easily purchase this in cash (Soles) at the very first stop of the tour.

8. Do I need a separate ticket for the Maras Salt Mines?

Yes. The Maras Salt Mines are managed locally by the community and are not covered by the standard tourist ticket. The entrance fee is approximately 20 PEN (Peruvian Soles) per person and must be paid in cash at the site entrance.

9. Can we walk inside the actual salt puddles in Maras?

To preserve the natural purity of the salt and protect the environment, walking directly inside the fragile salt pans has been restricted. However, our VIP tour takes you to exclusive viewpoints where you can get a spectacular, close-up look at the entire grid for perfect photos.

**Physical Fitness & Preparation

10. How physically demanding is the Sacred Valley VIP Private Tour?

The physical level is considered low to moderate. While sites like Ollantaytambo and Pisac involve climbing ancient stone steps, you can explore them at your own comfortable pace. If anyone in your group prefers to skip a climb, they can relax and enjoy the scenery or local markets below.

11. Is altitude sickness a major concern during this tour?

Actually, the Sacred Valley is lower in altitude than Cusco city! Cusco sits at roughly 3,400 meters (11,150 ft), while the valley drops to about 2,870 meters (9,400 ft). This makes the tour a fantastic way to enjoy your day while your body continues to acclimatize.

12. What essential items should I bring in my daypack?

We highly recommend bringing original passports, cash in local currency (Peruvian Soles) for tickets and souvenirs, a camera, sunblock, insect repellent, a sun hat, and plenty of water.

**Weather & Apparel

13. What should I wear for a full day in the Sacred Valley?

Weather in the Andes can change rapidly. We strongly advise dressing in layers (a t-shirt, a warm fleece or sweater, and a windbreaker or waterproof jacket). Comfortable hiking shoes or sneakers with good grip are mandatory for walking safely on the stone trails.

14. Does the tour still operate if it rains?

Yes, the tour operates rain or shine, all year round. The Inca ruins look beautiful and misty during rainy periods. Our modern private vehicles are fully prepared for all weather conditions, and our guides will adapt the paths to keep you safe and dry.

15. Is this tour suitable for families traveling with children or senior citizens?

Yes, this is one of the best tours for families and seniors. Since you have a private vehicle and a dedicated guide, there is no pressure to rush or keep up with a large crowd. We tailor the entire day to the energy levels and needs of your family members.