Sacred Valley Tour Review: Moray, Salineras, Ollantaytambo & Pisac

Sacred Valley Tour Review: Moray, Salineras, Ollantaytambo & Pisac

Thinking about a trip to Peru’s Sacred Valley? You see, this area is just overflowing with history and absolutely amazing sights, is that so? I took the “Sacred Valley with Buffet” tour, and it’s almost a jam-packed day visiting Moray, Salineras, Ollantaytambo, and Pisac, could be? In this review, I’m going to walk you through what to anticipate, things I liked, and a few tips that I think might make your trip even better, might be!

First Stop: The Mysterious Moray Terraces

Moray Terraces Peru

Moray was really the first spot on our trip, which is almost like stepping onto another planet, right? These are these big, terraced circles that just go down into the earth, is that they’re built by the Incas, of course, too, but people think they actually used this place almost like an agricultural testing ground, just a bit, you know? Every terrace has, like your own microclimate, it’s almost like, and they apparently used that for experimenting with growing different crops, could be?

What’s super fascinating is that, is that the temperature variation between the top and bottom terraces can be seriously significant, apparently! As I was saying, this allowed them to try growing crops that wouldn’t normally survive at that altitude, you know, really showing off their knowledge and farming skills, literally! The site is very amazing and peaceful; as a matter of fact it’s just a fantastic intro to the ingenuity you will see all through the Sacred Valley, is that so?

Next Up: Salineras Salt Mines, a Sparkling Landscape

Salineras Salt Mines Peru

From Moray, you usually make your way to Salineras, as a matter of fact this spot is super different and visually very arresting, just a little, right? The Salineras are shallow pools, you know, just built into the side of a mountain and filled with very salty spring water, is that they are?

What’s super unique is that these salt ponds have been in use, like, for hundreds of years, first! Every family has, like your own set of pools, or, too it’s almost, and they are really passing the method of harvesting salt down through generations, might be? The views really are wonderful – a patchwork of gleaming white terraces contrasting against the earthy mountainside, or what, eh? That said, it’s is that it’s very fun to actually watch the process and definitely pick up some naturally harvested salt as a souvenir, arguably.

Lunch Time: The Sacred Valley Buffet Experience

Peruvian Buffet

Most “Sacred Valley with Buffet” tours are just throwing in lunch at, is that it’s usually a restaurant in Urubamba, a popular spot? The buffets often showcase local Peruvian fare, very! Assume you’ll get items that are filling staples like, is that it’s the lomo saltado (stir-fried beef), causa (mashed potato dish), and maybe quinoa soup, right? Actually, they really also provide choices for vegetarians, naturally.

Really, the buffet is okay – it’s filling and is that it’s letting you to sample different things, actually, you see? At the end of the day, don’t go in anticipating some fancy food; as a matter of fact it’s that it’s more regarding fueling up for the second half of your tour, that, in fact, basically.

Ollantaytambo: A Living Inca City

Ollantaytambo Peru

Following lunch, we moved to Ollantaytambo, you know, right, actually? Actually, this is an amazing site with both huge archaeological value and is that it’s just a bit of a vibrant town to actually poke around in, actually! This place was, you know, just used as a fortress, for example a temple, or sometimes just a place where they could live, might be.

Getting on up to the top of the terraces is generally really worthwhile, because, is that so it is? Because there you have the best views across the entire valley, too it’s almost, might be, eh? Really, notice the extremely built stone work – some of the stones are extremely huge, after all, right? In that case, spend a moment wondering about the means they had to do to transport them and get them up there to start with, almost, or what, basically?

Pisac: Markets and Mountain Views

Pisac Market Peru

The Pisac part of the trip normally is dependent upon the day that you visit, naturally, of course! As a matter of fact Pisac is famed for its market – it is more hectic on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays, by the way.

You are sure to come across vendors selling anything from textiles, could be, to jewelry to handcrafted trinkets; for instance if the market is really what you are after, this place is generally wonderful to actually buy souvenirs, arguably? But as I was saying, also take time to climb the mountain up to the Pisac archaeological site. After all it’s overlooking the valley with seriously mind-blowing panoramic views, you know?

Tour Considerations: Things to Keep in Mind

Alright, so a day exploring around in the Sacred Valley could be rather tiring; for example this kind of thing goes on, right? You can easily assume you’re at an extremely elevated altitude all day, right, like, eh? Keep hydrated, consider that, and take things carefully, literally! This could also get, too it’s almost, surprisingly sunny at these heights, I see, maybe. Wearing, maybe some SPF is generally a solid option in this case, I think.

Moreover the schedules is that they’re extremely hectic on these types of tours, in other words, just basically, really, is that right or what? Get ready to, is that it’s to not spend as much time at any site as you’d like, too! In contrast, if you actually like exploring on your own or need a thing more slow, it is better to find some personal transport and go through the Sacred Valley for two or three days as an alternative.

What to bring with you on this adventure

Basically, prepare to actually get something wonderful from the wonders in store, for instance with a few essentials in your travel rucksack: Comfortable footwear; for instance trekking or even strong shoes, could be! This means that getting to any spots could be rather uneven, so in that case it is better to get protection! A portable battery; for instance that camera would use battery power!

That said, altitude illness can often cause difficulties. Chat to, or to say speak with your physician with some medicines if you are at any sort of possibility, really, honestly. Get cash when you travel: There exist several opportunities, for instance shopping at many wonderful native outlets, basically! Take a tiny backpack with the necessities with any day!

Is This “Sacred Valley with Buffet” Tour Worth Doing?

The “Sacred Valley with Buffet” tour really is an enjoyable intro to some of the greatest sites in the region, could be, arguably? Getting to see Moray, and Salineras, and Ollantaytambo, too it’s almost Pisac, or sometimes on the same day is just offering you a wonderful feeling of what the Sacred Valley has got. Actually, it can seriously is that it’s perfect for someone on a bit of a short schedule. Nevertheless be warned: you may prefer longer with any site to enjoy exploring it well.

  • Moray: Unique and impressive Inca agricultural site.
  • Salineras: Visually amazing salt mines with centuries of history.
  • Ollantaytambo: Impressive Inca town and fortress.
  • Pisac: Known for the amazing market (on some days) plus beautiful overlooks of nature.

Okay, that brings us to the closing portion of our Sacred Valley trip, alright? That tour isn’t really regarding a basic trip between many gorgeous regions but also relating to engaging oneself around Incas, that’s wonderful for culture buffs, is that right?

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