Cusco, Chinchero, Moray & Maras Tour: My Honest Review

So, you’re thinking of doing that Cusco, Chinchero, Moray, Maras, and Ollantaytambo tour, huh? That is something to consider. You know, the one that packs a bunch of cool spots into a single day, that too with lunch thrown in? I recently gave that one a whirl, and I thought I would share my experiences, in a way that will assist you decide if it’s the best bet for your precious vacation time. After all, time is, like, very important when you are planning to extract the maximum value from a vacation. I’m talking about, like, everything from breathtaking scenery to those little moments where you almost trip over a llama (almost!). Let’s, right, just get into it, as they say. Very soon you will feel as prepared for your trip as I wish I’d been for mine.

Why Choose This Tour, or What’s the Big Deal Anyway?

Okay, so first off, you might be wondering what’s, basically, so special about cramming all those destinations into just one day? Well, if you are short, very, on time and still want to glimpse, like, a good chunk of what the Sacred Valley has to give, this trip is worth a shot. We are talking, just a little, about hitting up old Inca ruins, watching people, very, still weaving with old-timey methods, and checking out salt mines which look like they are from some other world. To be quite honest, prior to booking it I felt this anxiety I wouldn’t manage, you know, to see everything in the Sacred Valley because I didn’t think I’d be blessed with the time. I’m, sort of, really pleased that I gave this tour a try because of just how well-rounded it really is. Oh, and there’s lunch, obviously! I guess that, very, beats worrying over where to eat while seeing sights. It’s like, the whole thing is super-convenient if you wish a good peek at the Sacred Valley’s top destinations, particularly when time is tight.

My Personal Experience, so It is Something like This…

The tour kicks off super early, usually around 7 AM, that means, you know, setting that alarm for a time nobody really likes to see when they are on vacation. However trust us, it’s really worth getting out of bed for. You want to dress in layers, basically, because the Andes weather? Can be a tad bipolar. I put on jeans, a tee shirt, and, by the way, a light jacket. In a way I was prepped for both chilling mornings and warmish afternoons. Anyway, we began in Chinchero. We saw that little spot with those Inca walls and that pretty church built right on top. The tour included, as a matter of fact, a weaving demonstration by local women, too it’s almost. Seeing how those textiles come about by olden ways was neat. After this, you know, it was on towards Moray.

Moray’s Terraces, it is a Visual Feast That.

Moray’s terraces honestly looked alien to me. It might sound a bit mad, yet seeing how deep and rounded they go is pretty mind blowing. The guide then explained how those terraces used to work almost like an agricultural science lab, where those Inca peoples tried different types of crops at distinct levels. I took too it’s almost, a whole bunch of pictures. However truly, none of those capture the genuine enormity and exceptional nature of the place. So, if you enjoy seeing something fairly remarkable, Moray is definitely going to capture the imagination! That is something.

Maras Salt Mines: Shiny White Wonders, right?

The Maras Salt Mines happened to be next, and I was, literally, left with my mouth gaping! Those thousands of ponds climb along the mountain slopes. So, if the sunlight touches them, the view gets unbelievably shiny! Apparently the way of obtaining salt in that particular place has pretty much been similar for centuries. Loads of photo ops there, for sure! Just prepare for those slippery spots when wandering along the narrow paths. Okay? After wandering a while down through those, you know, sparkling mines, lunch was more than welcome.

Lunchtime, or Time to Fuel Up.

Lunch went down in Urubamba in one of those eating places targeted towards tourists, that is, not fancy though totally okay. There was this big buffet of regular Peruvian dishes. I just downed that classic, that too called Lomo Saltado. Oh, my! By that moment, right, I had really been feeling peckish, thus that food hit a bullseye. The menu items might shift; you know, therefore it is always smart to look around just a bit if you are trying to find something more specific. Regardless, you definitely won’t be feeling famished. That I’m certain of! So, it fills you for more seeing-the-sights!

Ollantaytambo’s Impressive Fortress, kind of?.

Then the final stop happens to be Ollantaytambo, this spot is an immense Inca stronghold! That location has many cool stone terraces, and the views from higher up happen to be fab. By then, my pins did start, too it’s almost, to tire though exploring it proved, arguably, worth the bit of sweat. Our tour guide was kind of dropping plenty of knowledge bombs about what Ollantaytambo represents in the Inca background too. Clearly, listening to all of the guide’s data helped those old rock piles go from ordinary rocks towards showing that, clearly, a fascinating world opened to those that listened. You may wish to get decent walking footwear because you do plenty of going up and down. Anyway, your trip finishes with transport back towards Cusco. Be set, in a way, that this takes, right, hours just due to the location and any traffic.

What I Liked (and Didn’t), in a Way.

Pros:

Efficiency: So, getting a few top attractions knocked down in merely one day goes down, clearly, a big thumbs up! That can come in handy.
Knowledgeable Guides: Such things, as those little cultural pieces of information shared while traveling makes this trip especially great. Oh my.
Hassle-Free: As a matter of fact, the arrangements like, lunch and transportation, simply are convenient! It almost becomes stress-free!

Cons:

Pace: Sometimes, right, everything felt pretty quick, thus you could potentially crave increased spare time at one of those stops. Could be an issue for many.
Touristy Lunch: Okay, that lunch, as previously mentioned, proved satisfactory, in a way it did come off, clearly, as geared, as a matter of fact, towards those tourists instead of genuine culinary culture. That’s something to think about.
Early Start: Let us just say it plainly, that morning wake-up goes down rough, for sure, for those not really morning-loving folks! Nobody ever appreciates getting up so very early, you see.

Is This Tour Right for You, Very?

So, is this one trip worth a try, really? You see, in case you happen to be pressed for time yet want viewing top Sacred Valley highlights alongside handy planned transport, you should say “sure”! This tour, to be fair, packs just a lot into just one day. Those photograph opportunities and little Inca historical stories were very good and worthy additions! But you should manage your pace since it does push all of the spots quickly. Okay? If it is hoped that you would take things slower while digging more at each destination’s specifics, a multi-day schedule perhaps is a better play. Also people really trying authentic dining may prefer other eating spot choices in place of this buffet-style tourist restaurant choice.

Tips for Making the Most of Your Tour. Oh Yeah.

Dress, Basically, in Layers: We are talking temperature differences; the morning and those afternoons may feel completely distant so have clothes planned! It matters!
Wear Comfortable Shoes: Much walking happens during your visit, this makes suitable and comfy trainers a vital part to fully experience those destinations without much discomfort and pain. Oh yes, you see.
Bring Sunscreen and a Hat: So, the Andean sun may whip fairly hard even on coolish days. By the way be sure to cover your face plus head. That is a tip many might forget.
Stay Hydrated: Due to being high-altitude related it is worth ingesting a great level of fluids during that full day avoiding dehydration plus altitude issues! Try drinking up there.
Bring Small Bills: Just due to the potential buying some regional crafts or tipping anyone giving solutions small denomination funds usually becomes, clearly, extremely helpful! Having this proves to be something that you have a tendency not to think about at first!

#Cusco #Peru #SacredValley #TravelReview #DayTrip #IncaRuins #TravelTips