Classic Sacred Valley Private Tour: Maras, Moray & Ollantaytambo

The Heart of the Inca Empire

Immerse yourself in the breathtaking landscapes and profound history of the Sacred Valley of the Incas. This bespoke private Sacred Valley tour is designed with complete flexibility in mind: whether you are staying in historic Cusco or relaxing in one of the top 5-star luxury hotels in the Sacred Valley, your private chauffeur and historian guide will seamlessly begin your journey from your doorstep.

Enjoying the mild, lower-elevation climate of the valley (2,800m), you will explore the region's most iconic architectural and agricultural triumphs. Witness over 3,000 gleaming white salt pools terraced into the canyon at Maras, decode ancient Inca microclimate experiments at the concentric circular terraces of Moray, savor an authentic countryside lunch, and step back in time in Ollantaytambo—a living Inca town dominated by a monumental pink-granite fortress. Want to also visit the Pisaq citadel and indigenous weavers? Explore our Amaru, Pisaq & Ollantaytambo Cultural Expedition or our 7-Day Incan Empire Luxury Package.

Expedition Highlights

Detailed Sacred Valley Itinerary

The Living Museum Route

Average Valley Altitude: 2,800 m / 9,186 ft · Duration: 8 - 9 Hours

1. Tailored Private Departure

Your private chauffeur and historian guide will greet you at the lobby of your hotel (either in Cusco or the Sacred Valley). As we drive across the high plateau toward the valley, you will enjoy sweeping views of snow-capped Andean peaks and golden fields of quinoa and barley.

2. The Andean Town of Maras & Salt Mines

We first arrive at the colonial town of Maras, renowned for its carved stone doorways and adobe streets. Just outside town lies a surreal sight: over 3,000 terraced salt pans (Salineras de Maras) fed by a hypersaline subterranean spring. Your guide will explain the ancestral harvesting methods and the prized pink Maras gourmet salt.

3. Moray's Circular Agricultural Laboratory

A short scenic drive takes us to Moray, where the Incas sculpted deep, concentric circular terraces into natural limestone sinkholes. Your historian guide will reveal how these stepped rings created temperature variations of up to 15°C (27°F) between the top and bottom—allowing the Incas to hybridize and domesticate crops from across South America.

4. Exclusive Andean Countryside Lunch

Descending to the lush floor of the Urubamba Valley, we stop at a premier countryside restaurant. Here, you will enjoy a freshly prepared Andean lunch included in your tour, featuring organic valley produce, native corn, and regional specialties.

5. The Living Inca Town & Fortress of Ollantaytambo

In the afternoon, we explore Ollantaytambo, the best-preserved living Inca town in Peru. Walk along ancient cobblestone alleys fed by original Inca water channels before ascending the monumental stone terraces of the fortress—admiring the six pink granite monoliths of the Temple of the Sun and learning how Manco Inca's warriors defeated the Spanish cavalry here in 1537.

6. Seamless Return or Train Connection

As the late afternoon sun illuminates the valley, your private chauffeur will escort you safely back to your hotel in Cusco or the Sacred Valley—or drop you off directly at the Ollantaytambo station to board your train to Machu Picchu.

Inclusions & Prices