Full Day Tour Review: Sacred Valley and Maras (Cusco)
Planning a visit to Cusco, Peru? It’s almost definite that you’ve heard talk about the famed Sacred Valley, a place just packed with old Inca ruins and mind-blowing landscapes. Then, that’s not all, you get the chance to witness the shining Maras salt mines. Now, lots of tour groups provide full-day trips covering this stuff, and that may cause you to think: is it something I want to pay money for? That question, this article seeks to solve. That is why, I went ahead and did a day trip of the Sacred Valley and Maras with a buffet included so I can help provide the lowdown, share the great stuff, and what might be, just a bit less than, perfect. Basically, here’s all you may want to know so you can decide if a day trip fits your trip vibe.
Why Go on a Sacred Valley and Maras Tour?
Alright, first up: Why should you even take some time away from Cusco to explore the Sacred Valley and Maras? Really, here’s what it comes down to: history plus beauty. The Sacred Valley was almost super significant to the Incas. What you find there is that they used this spot to cultivate crops, build dwellings, and for really important religious purposes. When you show up at locations such as Pisac or Ollantaytambo, it kind of feels like walking right into the past.
Next up, there are sights! You will find that this valley is blanketed with staggering mountain peaks, rolling farmland, and the sky is pretty big to top it all off. The Maras Salt Mines happen to be another really extraordinary sight; believe it or not, they have had families gathering salt since Inca times. Basically, there’s just so much history and picturesque spots around here, that could be good to go for it if you enjoy that!
Choosing the Right Tour Operator
Alright, when searching the trip landscape in Cusco, you will see a massive pile of tour groups offering excursions to the Sacred Valley and Maras. Like your friendly guide, I’m here to say that not every trip is the same. In reality, what I took note of, when deciding on my tour, was a handful of things to be considered.
The plan, basically, is making certain the business comes equipped with guides with working knowledge and good reputations. Basically, tour companies which have guides knowledgeable enough and who give engaging commentary really can improve the adventure, so its something to think about! Basically, read online reviews! It’s possible you could learn so much from how former travelers rate certain adventures. Then, also be thinking, is what they do is in sync with your ideals? Should they value eco-tourism, too, possibly?
Pro Tip: Before you choose, find out more regarding that plan’s timeline. Do you see lots of stops with free time built-in so you might explore? You also will want to be very certain about what’s covered and that which isn’t. Usually, you have tickets to Inca archaeological zones or the price of dinner.
A Typical Itinerary: What to Expect
A typical day excursion will frequently look that very thing as: Most leave pretty close to the start of the day to utilize all the sunshine and avoid delays with transport. Anyway, typically, what happens first is a visit at Pisac, that involves its legendary markets coupled with Inca fortress atop the mountain.
The moment it’s market, find locally created merchandise. When viewing the ruins, get a closer look at complicated Inca structural features and see astounding panoramic views from up here. Next up is typically Urubamba; usually the location is reserved for that buffet meal. The typical offering runs across various Peruvian recipes; try to save a place for regional choices! That follows up with Ollantaytambo, where is the last end of the Sacred Valley journeys. It’s a notable Inca location that holds some strategic importance.
Last on today happens to be at Maras, to look out on the incredible terraces created by people of ages bygone where you see people gather mineral salts. I am able to report the majority excursions see a close, more or less, sunset. When returning from the day’s itinerary, typically I was really happy with everything which I was shown during our journey which offered variety together with intensity throughout; yet many feel it too tight? That being considered, remember where exactly priorities of yourself lie after you’re scheduling and preparing these trips since, with time being precious these visits often show themselves advantageous.
Pisac: Market and Archaeological Site
Okay, so first thing to happen happens to be Pisac – there’s two main attractions there; so too its known marketplaces and that amazing archaeological locations, with these both providing varying but equal amazing takes for that traditions and cultural significance contained within that old Sacred Valley.
Let me tell you regarding markets early! Any travelers should venture round many Pisac industry segments if wanting experiences associated directly shopping native handicraft pieces directly, so taking full vantage during it all helps create wonderful travel opportunities throughout! There is nearly endless of vibrantly bright shawls including skillfully made items alongside unique souvenirs which allow clients chances regarding receiving truly genuine Peruvian trinkets to store by on their memory!
After touring marketplaces then prepare now oneself; since you’re traveling further for you find ruins at top edge and they deliver insight linked with masterful building talents linked especially with those earlier Incas that built walls including terraces while standing upon hillsides.
Don’t overlook: If your wellbeing may permit it – don’t miss jumping near high watchtower-look-out-post since you achieve not like anything similar as sights while around here given simply no phrases even compare either – you’re witnessing it totally live when present directly amongst everything – simply absorb while completely here to you and relish just one beautiful angle available.
Ollantaytambo: A Living Inca City
From there up the adventure goes towards Ollantaytambo! Now hear this fact! Basically, some will state these are some old communities through Sacred region holding true beauty throughout these aged walls along terraces with Incas existing.
When around this area that could actually get felt: These old urban plan elements existing really cause someone to see a time lost that helps make the area seem more remarkable.
Visiting ancient historical sections located across mountain that gave access with stunning panorama landscapes from Sacred terrain itself gave more admiration! These ruins aren’t actually regular stuff; however show us all around creative plus tactical expertise within a old peoples given some large stones being arranged into structures after brought all across big distances and elevated atop heights.
Don’t skip away through knowing! Be very ready and get this known about a place that given role in Peruvian freedom combat after there happen engagements involving the colonizing Spains to rebel within this key fort town region!
Maras Salt Mines: A Sparkling Landscape
There is also that fantastic region located close called Maras that are home of a ancient age with salt ponds. The people were able make these systems far ago with a few folks expressing how folks harvested with extraction during Incan rules!
Get those vistas; see these views: By watching thousands through those swimming-pool, little salt ponds get a better perception when see a old world process get completed!
It’s good once someone is allowed strolling and seeing at all that location to view a job. After that someone may want with backing the neighborhood at where buys different salty goodies or keepsakes.
Did You Comprehend?: This mineral pools could actually not only feed with a fountain close here!
The Buffet Lunch: Fueling Your Adventure
Okay, I did also take place during this one excursion by that yummy buffet time as everyone in party usually goes eat together within somewhere close to Urubamba.
As anyone may believe, meals in that part has had a lot options for that neighborhood cuisine offering options by tourists that can example some genuine meals. From all, find some quinoa soup or causa (they serve potatoes usually)! Then people actually are probably wanting strive to grab and test regional-cuisine dishes right, but also be watching some people find those recipes often might still probably get kind of special to find while that spices or the food may probably shock them in particular. Remember take the proper safety step given what the entire recipe will still probably show, for sure.
Friendly: Have them that chicha morada there. (Its manufactured since the red type-type type, the corn). The type drink seems to be extremely-delightful but refreshing, mainly while on a journey that you see some amazing places over a journey!
What to Bring for the Tour
Ok, when coming out this travel. Some basic considerations: Be really to dress right. Ok and there are the some basics so, therefore, take time thinking of this one carefully and always follow!
- Apply various-layers for getting garments. Since that area comes under lots differing type location from time to time. From cozy within dawn with warmer by evening
- Those long lasting-hiking some trainers happens to essential particularly even when climbing that terrain on each places.
- Keep in-person always enough of your drinking fluids mostly since, throughout there’s a lot action or walk happening continuously.
- Apply always protective your eyes in some hat with sun-shades even because strong elevation, or even sunlight may also be more higher compared near shore line ranges.
- Using one type photographic device. Since there appears quite-many prospects what seem amazing mostly everywhere during tour
Is the Full Day Tour Worth It? My Verdict
Basically I did enjoy taking a total-day taking our vacations here! Regarding tourists seeing key amazingness around area-little-bit that one could actually give these options a complete journey. Of doing what they want together these folks would get one simple overview on something just takes too-little time plus not just some crazy or actually overdone traveling days ever done over and over mostly
As long that someone can’t always have one full timeframe for just travel slowly by something on somewhere. Or for they also choose to basically go see things with something efficient! One journey basically covers something great stuff on that regions that lets persons in our own journey go see many amazing plus important things by Sacred-Terrain-and even get something delicious too because each great meal along their travel also!