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Maras
30m
The Maras Salt Mines, or Salineras de Maras, are a dazzling patchwork of thousands of shallow pools carved into the mountainside, used since Inca times to harvest salt from a natural spring. The sunlight reflecting off the white salt creates a spectacular view, especially against the backdrop of the Sacred Valley. Visitors can watch local families continue the centuries-old tradition of salt production in this unique and beautiful setting.
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Maras Moray Tours
30m · Admission ticket included
Moray is a fascinating Inca archaeological site made up of circular terraces built into a natural depression in the earth. These concentric rings create different microclimates, which the Incas are believed to have used as an agricultural laboratory to experiment with crops at various altitudes. Surrounded by stunning Andean scenery, Moray offers both a glimpse into ancient farming ingenuity and a breathtaking spot for photography.
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Chinchero
30m
Known as the “Town of the Rainbow,” Chinchero is a charming Andean village famous for its vibrant textile traditions and stunning mountain views. Its colonial church, built atop Inca foundations, overlooks ancient agricultural terraces, while the local market bursts with colorful handwoven goods. Visiting Chinchero offers a genuine glimpse into living Inca heritage.
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Ollantaytambo
30m
Ollantaytambo is a remarkable Inca town and fortress, known for its massive stone terraces that climb the mountainside. Once a strategic military, religious, and agricultural center, it was also the site of a rare Inca victory over Spanish forces. Today, it’s one of the best-preserved living Inca towns, with original cobblestone streets, ancient aqueducts, and breathtaking views of the Sacred Valley.
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Sacsayhuaman
1h · Admission ticket included
Explore the sacred sites of Sacsayhuaman, Qenqo, and Tambomachay in the morning. In the afternoon, enjoy a walking tour through Cusco’s charming streets, visiting the Sun Temple (Qorikancha), the 12-Angled Stone, the grand Cathedral, and Casa Garcilaso Museum. Optionally, attend a live Andean dance performance at the Centro Qosqo de Arte Nativo.
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Tambomachay
30m · Admission ticket included
Tambomachay, often called the “Bath of the Inca,” is an archaeological site known for its finely carved stonework and flowing aqueducts fed by natural springs. Believed to have been a place of ritual purification and water worship, it showcases the Inca’s advanced hydraulic engineering amidst the serene Andean landscape.
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Qorikancha
30m · Admission ticket included
Qorikancha, or the Temple of the Sun, was the most important sacred site of the Inca Empire. Once covered in sheets of pure gold that reflected the sunlight, it served as a religious center dedicated to Inti, the Sun God. The Spaniards later built the Santo Domingo Convent on its foundations, creating a striking blend of Inca stonework and colonial architecture that still stands in Cusco today.
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Cusco Cathedral
30m · Admission ticket included
Dominating the Plaza de Armas, the Cusco Cathedral is a masterpiece of colonial architecture built atop an Inca palace. Completed in the 17th century, it houses an extraordinary collection of Cusqueña School paintings, intricate wood carvings, and priceless religious treasures. Blending Spanish Renaissance style with Indigenous artistry, it’s both a place of worship and a living testament to Cusco’s layered history.
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Casa Garcilaso
30m · Admission ticket included
Housed in a beautiful colonial mansion, the Casa Garcilaso Museum showcases Cusco’s rich history and culture through an impressive collection of artifacts, textiles, ceramics, and colonial art. The building itself was once the home of Inca Garcilaso de la Vega, the famed chronicler who bridged Inca and Spanish worlds, making it a place where history and heritage come vividly to life.
