SACRED VALLEY OF THE INCAS TOUR WITH MORAY & THE SALT MINES.

We will pick you up at your hotel at 7:30am, with our private van and head towards the Sacred Valley of the Incas, taking the direct route to Pisac. We drive first to the Ccochahuasi Animal Sanctuary which has a variety of Peruvian animals including a Peruvian Puma, and the great Condor, the national bird of Peru, and then you are off to the mirador of Taray to enjoy a classic view of the Urubamba valley with crops dressing the mountains like a carpet. Onward, we drive to the archaeological site of Pisac, where you can see the biggest Inca cemetery with more than 2000 tombs. There we can admire the incredible farming terraces carved into the mountain, explore the Inca tunnel and the religious area of this important citadel. Here we will spend more than 2 hours, exploring the Inca city.

Then we head back to the colourful market of Pisac, spend some time visiting it and then drive to Urumbamba for lunch and on to the Pre-Inca Salt Mines and then to the archeological site of Moray. After a time to visit the Salt Mines and Moray, we finish our tour in Ollantaytambo. We explore the archeological site for 1.5 hours and admire the water fountains, the Sun Temple, the Incahuatana and the impressive storehouses. Finally, we will return to Cusco, dropping you at your hotel around 6.30pm.

PISAC MARKET.

Pisac is located at the entrance of the Sacred Valley. It is a quaint Inca Village that is famous for its being the largest pre-Columbian style handicraft and textile market in the region of Cusco and its archeological Ruins. At the colorful Inca market in Pisac, you will be able to appreciate a mixture of colors and Inca Culture and Tradition.

You will have plenty of opportunities to test your bartering skills, interact with the local artisans and purchase their hand-made souvenirs. You will discover Alpaca goods of all types, such as sweater, shawls, hats, gloves, spreads and much more, woven textile rugs, a huge silver jewelry market much of which is made right there, decorations, alpaca rugs, art work and trinkets of all types. Be sure to try out fresh made pizza and empanadas made in large old fashion Inca ovens.

PISAC ARCHAEOLOGICAL RUINS.

The archeological ruins of Pisac are considered to be one of the finest remaining Inca archeological sites in the country. You will explore the Inca Tunnel and discover the biggest Ancient Inca Cemetery anywhere with more than 2000 tombs. Further down the mountain is the Temple Complex constructed from exquisitely carved pink granite, featuring a sun temple, ceremonial alters, water channels and wells. Then finally a few hundred yards further down the mountain is a beautiful urban area located on a high semi-circular ledge. The ruin is surrounded by vast sweeping agricultural terraces which harmoniously blend into the natural curvature of the landscape.

MORAY.

The stunning Inca site of Moray is also known as “The Greenhouses of the Incas.” Different levels of terraces are carved into a huge bowl, part of which was further excavated by the Incas. The terraces have varied microclimates depending on how deep into the bowl they are placed. It is believed they were used by the Incas to provide the optimal conditions for their crops.

SALT MINES.

The Salt Mine (Salineras), close to the colonial town of Maras, are Pre-Inca. Thousands of saltpans have been used for salt extraction since before the Inca era. A hot spring at the top of the valley discharges a small stream of heavily salt laden water, which is diverted into saltpans and evaporated to produce a salt that is now used for human and animal consumption.

OLLANTAYTAMBO.

It is here in this beautiful, strategic spot, that the Inca Pachacutec built his fortress/sanctuary of Ollantaytambo. It is a beautiful setting and the hills that surround it hide some of the most impressive ruins in the Valley. It contains structures such as the Temple of the Sun, the Royal Hall, the Incahuatana and the Baños de la Princesa (Princess Baths). This site is one of the few places where the Spaniards lost a battle during the conquest.