Cusco Sacred Valley Tour: An Honest Review
Visiting the Sacred Valley from Cusco is often high on the list for folks planning a trip to Peru. It’s almost like a necessary step on your way to seeing Machu Picchu, and too, it’s packed with destinations. The ‘From Cusco Sacred Valley Tour Moray Pisac Maras Salt Mines’ option is popular, so very let’s talk about it. In this review, that too it’s a kind of lay of the land thing, l’ll give you my straight-up thoughts on what to anticipate, what’s worth the experience, and if it’s actually something you might think about investing your time and cash into.
What’s the Deal with the Sacred Valley Tour?
Basically, the Sacred Valley used to be super important to the Inca people. It’s really where they had major farming areas, plus spiritual spots, and cool towns. The tour from Cusco hits up a couple of main places: Moray which has unusual terraced holes, Pisac and its lively marketplace, and the Maras Salt Mines with ponds upon ponds. Usually, a tour will handle getting you there, a tour guide to let you in on info, and lunches are sometimes included. Depending on the specific option you go, so anyway, there are differences in whats on offer.
Moray: Circular Terraces with a Story
Okay, Moray. It looks just unlike anything you’ve seen before, it seems like. Picture giant, circular steps that dip into the earth. It’s almost like a natural amphitheater but made by the Incas. What’s really wild is that each level has, just a slightly different climate, just like your garden with warmer and cooler sides. Experts are pretty sure that Incas used Moray like some sort of experimental farm, just a way to try out how crops do at certain temps. Wandering around here lets your creative mind really run crazy.
The spot is, just pretty wonderful, I suppose, very peaceful. But is that, to actually ‘get’ it, you’ll just want a good guide, very much. I saw a bunch of folks wandering around, you know, not truly understanding the meaning of those terraces. In a way, that can be a bummer. The vistas alone are good, although a good guide really puts it all into another degree.
Pisac: Markets and Mountain Views
Pisac, it’s a bit of a two-for-one situation. First up, that there’s a marketplace. So if you enjoy picking up handcrafted gifts, this might be for you. You’ll come across textiles that are eye-catching, jewelry, and stuff. Know that bartering is just common. Second, there is the Pisac ruins above. They are at the mountain top, you know and, I would say, even grander than Moray’s terraces.
You are able to actually go climbing among the old buildings. It’s got stunning valley sights, but remember it’s at elevation. So, take some small breaks. That Pisac area is really jam-packed. Maybe too many tourists even, that may get irritating. If you dislike big crowds, in some respects, just be equipped. And sure, take the opportunity to find some genuine finds out in that marketplace earlier in the daytime.
Maras Salt Mines: A Salty Spectacle
Maras—imagine thousands of little pools that step along a mountain area, many shimmering a blinding white. They have filled these with saltwater since Incan times. As the sunshine heats the water off, the salt’s gone leaving crystals that are dazzling. What’s astonishing is that native families really own and then take care of such pools.
Seeing it is quite the vision. Like your looking from over top is actually a good vantage point for capturing pics. Also you, might even, can find kinds of salt products right then there to carry. I bought pink salt here, seemingly better compared to what’s in a supermarket. Even, if that salt area happens to be scenic and quite fascinating it may, too it’s possibly filled with peeps. If one travels during the highest points of visiting months just expect other travellers and plan so.
Lunch Stops: Are They Worth It?
Loads of these tour choices get some lunch. Sometimes this ends up actually good, that too, is somewhere you may just have the best ceviche. However I saw that it could potentially prove to be some standard kind of tourist buffet location that seemed so generic and pretty unmemorable, almost, and for this trip was not anything noteworthy.. Find out whats to the menu and read other tourists comments. Perhaps consider passing, even. Lots of great eateries available and there, it is an incredible culinary opportunity.
So I recommend checking ahead regarding what’s on a particular menu for these locations; perhaps consider looking into eateries alone that are, of great variety and even better for taking full culinary ventures. Also a consideration is if it better serves the group instead with making your food available through purchasing on an additional visit on top those locations to be gone.
The Guide Situation: Is it truly Key?
Having a fantastic guide does enhance stuff, really. That, is as that can definitely supply you insight or background related details I mean you, might find this through some searching. Whenever such one presents fascinating tid bits and answering questions. That they also are a kind to keep on schedule, getting every body returned so to the transporter well to keep so the time goes according that what was being done already for such day. Very helpful for some that travel solo and want guidance; however whenever so for a seasoned tourist just it is just for fun
Nevertheless so should the individual prove unexciting potentially so such expertise really isn’t worth it. Therefore is always better browsing any tourist feedback prior to ensure a individual selected can really better an occasion rather merely go being tedious or even ineffective throughout.
Transportation Woes (and Wins)
Transportation, basically, often consists on a bus or maybe a van. Things which go quite well is that individual avoids the effort associated to navigating any Peru streets not being experienced over doing so which, can be an undertaking if yourself were attempting that upon one’s self, but something negative? Many group trips always often, it seems, involve extended periods time wasted whether there always picking and dropping individuals; basically just something taken consideration when time so to sight-seeing appears quite limited, more or less. Is important being punctual, basically as transportation could potentially depart any time for scheduled days!
Is the Sacred Valley Tour from Cusco Really Worth It?
Right, it could go several techniques. For someone hoping see tons and perhaps not spend your money and time worrying across transportation then just that one comes greatly advised . If though you’re the someone the person likes their independent itinerary then and after a single day a personalized ride perhaps a consideration worth researching because not only it just to get at wherever wanted at more rapidly so being adapted to. But one day from travelling will present you so great understanding around Inca ancient past when offering you incredible photographs .
Some Tips to Make the Trip Even More Fun:
- Acclimatize first: So to high places needs sometimes some adjusting before undertaking longer excursions to protect one out being ill – plan for rest weeks days previous setting such adventure happening!.
- Pack wise: Put on various layers always that as temperature fluctuations usually take shape as mornings becoming frostier evenings getting milder
- Hydrate frequently- Altitude really get it tough by being dehydrated to therefore just sustain hydration
- Negotiate fees; at markets this just kind common that, perhaps is appropriate being tried though
- Sunscreen!! Peruvian warmth just hits rather really good even should the atmosphere seems clouded.
Alright that will be all you’ll get what from an experience out through to take in what Cusco city has the sacred. So is about knowing all information when thinking should going would suits better and should be done; however overall probably would give something exciting one day traveling experience, so with amazing vistas some incredible locations waiting be captured from digital pictures, maybe.