Discover the best of the Sacred Valley by hiking; Moray and Salt Mines
The Sacred Valley looks very different when you’re not rushing through it. On this hike, there are no tour buses, no tight schedules, and no crowds shuffling between photo stops. You walk at your own pace across open farmland, past Andean families working their land, with snow-capped peaks always somewhere in the distance.
Along the way you’ll see Moray and the Maras Salt Mines, but the real highlight is the time between them. It’s the quiet stretches, the small conversations, and the feeling of being in the countryside instead of just passing through. This tour is for travelers who like to move, ask questions, and see how people really live here. A guide stays with you the whole day.
- Overview
- Itinerary
- Inclusions
- Packing List
- Faqs
- Pricing
- Enquire Now
WHY CHOOSE THE 1 DAY SACRED VALLEY HIKE?
Most people see the Sacred Valley from a bus window. This tour is different, because you cover the ground on foot. We start in the Quechua community of Misminay, where families still farm the same slopes their grandparents did, and then walk to Moray, the circular Inca terraces that look even stranger up close than in photos.
From there the trail drops through potato fields and open countryside toward the Maras Salt Mines, thousands of small pools that locals still harvest by hand. The day ends in Pichingoto, a quiet village far from the crowds. It’s a moderate hike at altitude, so you’ll want to take your time. Bring good shoes, water, and a hat. Ask us anything before booking.
- Walk, don't just drive. Most Sacred Valley tours move from stop to stop by bus. Here you cover the landscape on foot, so you actually feel the valley.
- Four highlights in one day. Misminay, Moray, the Maras Salt Mines, and Pichingoto, all connected by a single trail.
- Real local communities. You start and finish in Andean villages where families still farm the land, and you see daily life as it really is.
- Away from the crowds. The trail takes you through quiet countryside instead of the busy tourist routes.
- A guide with you all day. Your guide shares the history of the Incas, the farming traditions, and the stories behind each place.
- Good for most fitness levels. It's a moderate hike with plenty of time to rest, take photos, and adjust to the altitude.
Highlights: Moray & Salt Mines
Hiking distance: 15 km ( 9.5 miles)
Considerations: Permits required
Season: All Year Around
Max. Altitude: 3,730m/12,401ft
Itinerary at a Glance
- Day01
Cusco - Misminay - Moray - Maras - Salt Mines - Pichingoto
Ideal for travelers who want to acclimatize to Cusco’s altitude or train for a trek to Machu Picchu.
Highlights
- Enjoy the extense farm fields in Maras, it create stunning landscapes with snowy-mountains peaks in the background.
- Learn about the local traditions by visiting Andean communities and local families.
- Be amazed by the mystery of the Moray Inca ruins, believed to have been an Inca agricultural laboratory.
- Visit the incredible salt mines of Maras, thousand of ponds where locals extract salt naturally.
SACRED VALLEY HIKE ITINERAY
Discover the best landscapes of the Sacred Valley of the Incas by hiking along farming fields, inca sites, and local communities
Cusco | Misminay - Moray - Maras - Salt Mines - Cusco
Highlight of the day: Learning a lot about the Inca culture, and explore wonderful Inca archaeological sites.
Explore the Most Significant Inca Sites in the Sacred Valley
Our Sacred Valley hike starts with the pick up from your hotel at 8:00am. It can be in Cusco or the Sacred Valley (Pisaq, Urubamba or Ollantaytambo). Then we drive to the trailhead located at 3,800 meters (12,467 feet) Here we will start our hike, after a brief, you guide will talk about the area and what we will see during this day.
The hike starts by descending to the first stop, in the community of Misminay, where we will visit local farms and learn a bit about farming techniques. This community is very famous because the locals still preserve Andean traditions, and you will be amazed by them. After that, we continue walking down until we reach Moray, stepped, circular Inca terraces, likely an agricultural laboratory, with different temperatures on each level.
We then hike through farming fields. This section offers stunning views of the Urubamba mountain range and extensive green lands. We continue down toward the Salt Mines, passing through the town of Maras. You will have your first view of the thousands of salt ponds from above. Take a moment to enjoy every view and capture the best of it. Descend to the salt ponds, where your guide will explain the extraction techniques and the process of making salt.
At the end of the tour, you will hike beside the salt ponds, see the salt up close, and walk to Pichingoto, a small village located in the heart of the Sacred Valley, where you will board the bus to your hotel or next destination.
We are transparent and provide specific details of what is included and excluded from our tours. We know this is very important so that you know exactly what to bring and don’t miss anything. We provide this information to ensure that you have an incredible experience during your cultural tour.
What Is Included?
High Quality Service & Safety
Pre-departure meeting
You’ll meet your trekking guide and group in our office for an orientation before your hike. The meeting will be at 5:00 p.m. the evening before the trip begins.
Experienced Tour Guide
English and spanish speaking, professionally educated, and official tour guide. Your guide will explain the culture and surroundings along the entire route, including leading your group in ancient ceremonies! He or she will keep you safe, sound, and comfortable on your trek so that you can enjoy your time worry-free!
Medical Kit or First AID Kit
All Vidal Expeditions guides have received specialized training in first aid. We hold mandatory training sessions with our guides every February. Your guide will always carry a first aid kit to face basic emergencies (altitude sickness, travelers' diarrhea, cuts, scrapes, etc.) as well as oxygen. If necessary, we’ll evacuate you from the path as quickly as possible and ensure that you arrive at a clinic for treatment.
Customer Service 24/7
We have telephone service available 24 hours/day for ease of communication with Vidal Expeditions leading up to your trek.
Meals
Buffet Lunch in Moray
Transportation
Private Transport
All your transportation is included in this package. We will pick you up from your hotel to explore the Sacred Valley. Once you complete the hike, we will take you back to the door of your hotel.
What Is Not Included?
Boleto Turistico or Cusco Tourist Ticket
This ticket is necessary and allows you admission to many of the most popular attractions in Cusco and the Sacred Valley, including archaeological sites and museums.
From PEN 70.00 (US$ 20.00) to PEN 130.00 (US$ 40.00) per person.
Salt Mines fees PEN 20.00 (US$ 7.00) per person.
Breakfast & Dinner
Travel Insurance
Tips for our staff
Tipping is the norm on any excursion in Peru. Although we pay good salaries to our entire team, something extra is always welcome.
Additional costs or delays beyond our control
Landslides, bad weather conditions, itinerary modifications due to a safety concern, illness, pandemia, government policy changes, political instability, strikes, act of God, etc.
SACRED VALLEY 1 DAY HIKE PACKING LIST
At Vidal Expeditions, we focus on making your trip an unforgettable experience, and we want to provide all the details you need to know before leaving your country and starting your life experience in Peru.
What you need to pack?Important
- Passport
- Good daypack (the smaller, the better)
- Water storage: Water reservoir like Camelback is encouraged - but enough for at least 2-3 liters.
- Comfortable hiking pant
INSIDE YOUR DAYPACKS:
A daypack can be any size for hiking, but we always say the smaller, the better. If it is larger, try to make it as light as possible.
- Rain gear
- Sun hat
- Sunscreen
- Camera
- Water bottle
- Bug spray
- Hand sanitizer
- Toilet paper and small plastic bag for waste
- Extra Money for Souvenirs, Drinks & Tips
- Personal medication or Own first aid kit
- Snacks (Chocolate, energizing bars, caramels, etc.)
1-DAY SACRED VALLEY HIKE FAQs!
Here some frequently asked question about our Sacred Valley hiking tour
It is a full-day tour. The hike itself takes about 5 to 6 hours, with stops at Misminay, Moray, and the Maras Salt Mines. Pickup and drop-off times depend on your hotel location
The route is approximately 15 km ( 9.5 miles), mostly downhill and gently rolling.
It is a moderate hike. The terrain is mostly easy, but the altitude (around 3,300 to 3,600 m) makes it more tiring than the distance suggests. Basic fitness is enough, and we walk at a relaxed pace.
Yes, most beginners can complete it. Children who are used to walking several hours can join. Minimum 8 years old.
Hotel pickup, transport to the starting point, a professional guide, and the return to your hotel or next destination, lunch and drop-off.
Entrance tickets to Moray and the Maras Salt Mines, tips, and personal expenses.
Comfortable hiking shoes, a rain jacket, sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, a refillable water bottle, snacks, and some cash in soles for tickets and small purchases.
The dry season, from May to September, has the clearest skies and the best views. The tour also runs in the rainy season (November to March), when the landscape is greener, so bring a rain jacket.
The Sacred Valley is lower than Cusco, so most people feel fine. We recommend spending a day or two in Cusco before the hike, drinking water, and walking slowly. Tell your guide if you feel unwell.
We recommend booking at least a few days ahead, especially from June to August.
We keep groups small, with a maximum of 12 people, so you get personal attention from your guide."
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the tour starts."
From: USD 120.00 per person
USD 50.00: from 4 people to more
Thank you for your interest in having an adventure travel experience in Peru curated by Vidal Expeditions. Please take a moment to complete our short form, so one our friendly Adventure Consultants could provide you all the information for your trip of a lifetime in Peru.
Our Pledge | Your privacy is respected and protected. Vidal Expeditions will never share, sell, or make public any of your personal contact information to third parties.
Feel free to reach us via email at vidalexpeditions@gmail.com or by calling us directly at +51 951 359 694
Monday - Friday:
09:00 to 18:00 Hrs.
Saturday:
09:00 to 13:00 Hrs.
Prolongacion Av. Grau L-8, Santiago - Cusco
Day Tour Sacred Valley Hike
What's it like
Sacred Valley 1 Day Hike Map
WHAT MAKES US DIFFERENT TOUR OPERATOR IN OUR CUSCO DAY TOURS?
At Vidal Expeditions we are focus in offer the best service for all our customers and here is what makes us different than others during our different Cusco Day Tours.
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Small Groups: Along our different day tours from Cusco, our group size is a capped at 12 people. This guarantees that you will enjoy every step and provide you safety.
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All included: Vidal Expeditions provides an exclusive service during our day tours, from pick up to the drop off, entrance fee, guides, transportation, and meals, to make you not be worry about anything. .
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Safety: Safety is our priority during each of our Cusco tours, we gurantee our departure when you book the tour with us. Our minimum size of group to operate this tour is 3 people.
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Local Certificate Guides: Our team consists of 100% local certificate guides, who have expert knowledge and experience in different cultural tours around Cusco.
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Best Meals: During the day tours from Cusco, we offer a variety of foods which is prepared by our professional chef who use local ingredientes and take care about your dietary.
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Best team: At Vidal Expeditions we focus to create the best experience during our excursions. Our team that consists of tour guides and drivers are handpicked. We train our team to offer you the best service. We take care of our team by providing them with good equipment and paying them fairly.
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