Sacred Valley Tour from Ollantaytambo — 1 Day
The Sacred Valley’s classic circuit, convenient for travelers already based in Ollantaytambo.
If you’re staying in Ollantaytambo — at one of the village’s traditional hotels (Pakaritampu, El Albergue, Apu Lodge, Tunupa Lodge, Ollantaytambo Inn) — or returning from Machu Picchu by train to the Ollantaytambo station, you have a unique problem with standard Sacred Valley tours: they’re all designed for travelers based in Cusco. The mass-tour route picks up in Cusco at 07:00-07:30 AM, drives 1.5-2 hours to the valley, runs the tour, then drives back to Cusco. If you’re already IN Ollantaytambo, that morning Cusco transfer is 3-4 hours of pointless logistics.
The Sacred Valley Tour from Ollantaytambo is engineered specifically for travelers like you.
Five reasons travelers staying in Ollantaytambo (or arriving by train from Machu Picchu) choose this tour:
1. No Cusco transfer required — pickup at your Ollantaytambo hotel at 09:00 AM. This is the single biggest USP. You sleep in your Ollantaytambo hotel, eat a leisurely breakfast, and start the tour at a civilized 09:00 AM directly from your hotel reception. Compare to standard Sacred Valley tours: they pick up at 07:00-07:30 AM in Cusco, meaning you’d lose your entire morning to transfer logistics.
2. Train station pickup for travelers returning from Machu Picchu — USP unique in our catalog. If your Machu Picchu trip ends with the morning train back to Ollantaytambo station (typical arrivals: 07:00, 08:30, 09:50 AM), we pick you up directly at the train station with a sign showing your name. Your Machu Picchu luggage rides safely in the vehicle. Convert your transit day into a productive Sacred Valley experience — see the entire valley before continuing to Cusco. No other tour in our catalog does this.
3. Five iconic Sacred Valley sites in one efficient day. We visit Ollantaytambo (the monumental Inca fortress and “living Inca city” — done first because you’re already here), Moray (the Inca agricultural amphitheater with 15°C microclimate differentials), Chinchero (Inca terraces + colonial church on Inca foundations), Machu Qolqa viewpoint (panoramic Sacred Valley view that other tours skip), and Maras Salt Mines (4,500 cascading salt evaporation pools). Plus optional: hands-on weaving experience at Chinchero textile community.
4. Drop-off options — Ollantaytambo default or Cusco at no extra charge. This flexibility is unique:
Most operators charge $30-50 extra for the Cusco drop-off (covers the Cusco↔Ollantaytambo transfer). We include it free as part of our service for travelers transitioning from Ollantaytambo to Cusco.
5. Transparent pricing — Boleto Turístico NOT bundled. Unlike operators that hide a 25-30% markup by bundling entrance fees, we keep the Boleto Turístico separate. You pay S/70 (Boleto Parcial Circuit 3 — covers Ollantaytambo + Moray + Chinchero) plus S/20 at Maras Salt Mines, directly in Peruvian soles at the sites. Applicable discounts (ISIC student 50%, children under 10 50%, Andean Community promotional rate) apply directly.
| ⏱️ Duration | Full day (~9-10 hours from 09:00 AM) |
| 🕐 Pickup time | 09:00 AM (gentle start) |
| 📍 Pickup options | Your Ollantaytambo hotel OR Ollantaytambo train station (returning from Machu Picchu) |
| 📍 Drop-off options | Ollantaytambo (default) OR Cusco (no extra charge) |
| 🏛️ Sites visited (5 stops) | Ollantaytambo + Moray + Chinchero + Machu Qolqa viewpoint + Maras Salt Mines |
| 🧵 Optional add-on | Chinchero textiles weaving experience |
| 🍽️ Lunch | NOT included — strategic stop with guide recommendations |
| 🎫 Boleto Turístico | NOT included — pay in soles at sites |
| 🎫 Maras community fee | NOT included (S/20 in soles at gate) |
| 🎯 Format | PRIVATE TOUR (your group only) |
| 👥 Group size | 1-10 travelers (larger groups: contact for quote) |
| 🧳 Luggage handling | Yes — for travelers from the train station |
| ⛰️ Starting altitude | 2,800 m (Ollantaytambo — lowest in cluster) |
| ⛰️ Max altitude | 3,762 m (Chinchero) |
| 💪 Difficulty | Easy to moderate |
| 📅 Departures | Daily — year-round |
| 💲 From | $39 USD per person (group of 10) |
| 🎓 Guides | English-speaking + Quechua on request |
The Sacred Valley Tour from Ollantaytambo: 1 day through some of Peru’s most memorable landscapes. – Hotel pickup in Ollantaytambo — no Cusco transfer needed. – Train station pickup option — for travelers returning from Machu Picchu. – Luggage handling from train station. – Gentle 09:00 AM start — leisurely morning before tour. Every detail here defines the Sacred Valley Tour from Ollantaytambo.
The Sacred Valley Tour from Ollantaytambo 1-Day has a very specific identity: it’s the only Sacred Valley tour in our catalog that starts in Ollantaytambo, not Cusco. This identity drives every operational decision — the 09:00 AM gentle start, the Ollantaytambo hotel pickup, the train station pickup option (USP unique), and the free Cusco drop-off included.
(1) Travelers staying in Ollantaytambo (primary audience — what we operate most).
The village of Ollantaytambo is one of the most charming traditional towns in the Sacred Valley — narrow Inca-era cobblestone streets, the imposing fortress above, and excellent traditional Andean hotels:
Travelers staying in Ollantaytambo typically have multi-night Sacred Valley stays (often 2-3 nights before continuing to Machu Picchu or back to Cusco). This tour fits naturally into that pattern — efficient day exploring the valley without leaving your accommodation base.
(2) Travelers returning from Machu Picchu by train (secondary audience).
The train from Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu Pueblo) arrives at Ollantaytambo station at standard times: 07:00, 08:30, 09:50 AM (typical PeruRail morning schedule).
Without our tour: you’d take the train, then a separate transfer (taxi or van) to Cusco (~2 hours), arriving in Cusco exhausted around midday. Half your day wasted on logistics.
With our tour: we pick you up at Ollantaytambo train station at your train arrival time, store your Machu Picchu luggage in the vehicle, and start the Sacred Valley tour immediately. By evening, you arrive in Cusco having seen the entire Sacred Valley—turning transit time into a productive cultural day.
(3) Travelers staying in Sacred Valley nearby (Urubamba, Yucay).
If you’re staying in Urubamba or Yucay but prefer Ollantaytambo pickup, this tour works for you. We can pick you up at your Urubamba/Yucay hotel as well (small adjustment to start time depending on your specific location).
(4) Travelers continuing to Cusco after Ollantaytambo stay.
Our free Cusco drop-off makes this tour ideal for travelers transitioning Ollantaytambo → Cusco. You complete your Ollantaytambo experience, do the Sacred Valley tour, and arrive at your Cusco hotel in the evening — all in one efficient day.
(5) Photography enthusiasts appreciating gentle start.
Our 09:00 AM start arrives at Ollantaytambo around 10:00 AM — after the early Cusco-based tour buses have moved through. Less crowded photography. Better light at Ollantaytambo fortress, Moray, and Maras throughout the day.
(6) Active families based in Ollantaytambo.
Family-friendly: gentle 09:00 AM start (no early wake-up), PRIVATE tour (adapts to kids’ pace), kids love Maras geometric salt pools, Moray crater looks like an ancient stadium, Chinchero weaving fascinates with natural colors.
(7) Active seniors at lower altitudes.
Ollantaytambo at 2,800 m is significantly lower than Cusco at 3,350 m — easier for travelers managing altitude. Tour spends most of the day below 3,500 m.
(8) Reverse itinerary travelers.
If you arrived directly to Ollantaytambo by private transfer or PeruRail bimodal service (Cusco → Ollantaytambo by van + train option), this tour starts perfectly from your arrival point.
| Feature | Sacred Valley from Ollantaytambo (this tour) ✓ | Sacred Valley from Urubamba | Sacred Valley Full Day from Cusco |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pickup location | Ollantaytambo hotel OR train station ✓ | Urubamba hotel | Cusco hotel |
| Pickup time | 09:00 AM (gentle) | 09:00 AM | 07:30 AM |
| Format | PRIVATE | PRIVATE | Shared group |
| Sites | 5 stops (Ollanta + Moray + Chinchero + Machu Qolqa + Maras) | 4 stops (Ollanta + Moray + Maras + Chinchero) | 5 stops (Taray + Pisac + Ollanta + Chinchero) |
| Train station pickup | ✅ EXCLUSIVE | ❌ | ❌ |
| Luggage handling from train | ✅ EXCLUSIVE | ❌ | ❌ |
| Free Cusco drop-off | ✅ Available | Available | Returns Cusco default |
| Machu Qolqa viewpoint | ✅ EXCLUSIVE | ❌ Not visited | ❌ Not visited |
| Lunch | NOT included | NOT included | NOT included |
| Tickets | NOT included | NOT included | NOT included |
| From | $39 USD | $39 USD | $37 USD |
Translation:
Designed for travelers already based in Ollantaytambo, this tour covers the Sacred Valley’s classic circuit — Moray, Chinchero, and the Maras Salt Mines — without requiring a return trip to Cusco first, making it a convenient option for anyone staying in the lower Sacred Valley towns.
Since Ollantaytambo itself sits lower than Cusco, starting the day from there already means beginning at a more moderate elevation. The tour’s highest point, at sites like Chinchero (roughly 3,762 m), still calls for reasonable acclimatization, but travelers based in the Sacred Valley typically find this an easier starting point than a day trip launched directly from Cusco’s higher elevation.
Why we start at 09:00 AM from Ollantaytambo (vs 07:00-07:30 AM from Cusco):
Two pickup scenarios:
Hotel pickup: your driver/guide arrives at your Ollantaytambo hotel reception 5 minutes before 09:00 AM. Identified with Kondor Path Tours sign.
Hotels we pick up from in Ollantaytambo:
Pickup also available:
Breakfast before pickup: standard hotel breakfast time works perfectly. Most Ollantaytambo hotels serve breakfast 06:30-09:00 AM. Eat at your normal pace.
For travelers returning from Machu Picchu with morning train to Ollantaytambo.
Train arrival times we coordinate with (typical PeruRail morning schedule):
How it works:
Booking requirement: confirm your train arrival time at booking. Provide train number — we monitor for delays.
Luggage capacity: 1-2 suitcases per passenger + carry-on backpacks. Specialized cargo (bikes, surfboards) requires advance notice.
Visited FIRST because you’re already in the area. The fortress rises dramatically above the village — 5 minutes from your hotel or 10 minutes from the train station.
Strategic timing: arriving at 09:30 AM, after early Cusco-based tour groups have moved through. Less crowded experience.
What you’ll experience:
Before climbing to the fortress, we walk through the historic village center:
This is the only town in the Sacred Valley still inhabited on its original Inca street grid designed by emperor Pachacutec around 1450.
The site rises dramatically above the village. Some archaeologists rate Ollantaytambo as more impressive than Machu Picchu for its sheer scale.
Key elements:
Historical context: site of one of the few Inca victories against the Spanish (1537, Manco Inca vs. Hernando Pizarro using flood tactics from the terraces above).
Climb pacing: your guide adjusts pace to group fitness. Travelers with limited mobility can stop at intermediate levels — views are excellent from lower platforms.
Boleto Turístico verification at entrance — your guide handles ticket logistics.
A 45-minute drive from Ollantaytambo (uphill to the Maras plateau) brings us to Moray — the Inca agricultural amphitheater.
What you’ll experience:
The circular terraces:
The agricultural laboratory function:
Photography:
A 25-minute drive from Moray brings us to Chinchero at 3,762 m — the highest altitude site of the day.
What you’ll experience:
The Iglesia de Chinchero is a 17th-century colonial church built directly on the foundations of the Inca palace of Tupac Yupanqui. The combination is architecturally striking — Spanish colonial walls rising from Inca stone foundations.
Inside the church:
Photography: forbidden inside (protection of frescoes). Exterior photography permitted.
Just beyond the village are the Inca agricultural terraces with the famous Chinchero viewpoint.
Optional addition of the traditional weaving experience with the local Quechua community:
Choose at booking or decide on the day.
Lunch is NOT included — but we make a strategic stop with your guide’s recommendations.
Common recommended options near Chinchero/Maras:
🍽️ Elite gourmet restaurants in Urubamba area (~$25-50 USD per person):
🥘 Traditional Andean restaurants (~$10-18 USD per person):
🥗 Vegetarian/vegan options (~$8-15 USD per person): available — mention preferences at booking
🍔 Quick lunch options (~$5-10 USD per person): sandwiches, empanadas, soup
Your guide adapts the lunch timing and location to your group’s preferences.
A USP that other Sacred Valley tours skip. The Machu Qolqa viewpoint offers a panoramic Sacred Valley view that complements the day’s archaeological experiences.
What you’ll experience:
A 20-minute drive from Machu Qolqa viewpoint brings us to Maras — one of the most photographed sites in Peru.
What you’ll experience:
The Salineras complex:
Activities at Maras:
Photography note: this is one of the most photographed sites in Peru. That aerial view of the geometric pools is the classic Maras photo.
Two drop-off options based on your travel plans:
Default option — return to your accommodation.
Drive time from Maras: ~30 minutes back to Ollantaytambo.
Why choose this:
For travelers transitioning from Ollantaytambo to Cusco, or returning from Machu Picchu directly to Cusco.
Drive time from Maras: ~1.5 hours to Cusco.
Why choose this:
Key USP: we DO NOT charge extra for the Cusco drop-off. Most operators would charge $30-50 separately. Our service includes it free — Cusco drop-off as part of the package.
Hotels we drop off at in Cusco: anywhere in central Cusco (Plaza de Armas area, San Blas, San Cristóbal, Wanchaq, San Sebastián).
None
Moderate
A light walks
5 to 35 minutes
Ollantaytambo: 2,851m (9,353 ft)
Inca Salt Flats: 3,385m (11,105 ft)
Chinchero Ruins: 3,800m (12,467 ft)
Transport
Guides
Other
Boleto Turístico — buy in soles at the sites:
We intentionally don’t bundle entrance fees. Most operators add a 25-30% markup when bundling — keeping them separate saves you money, and applicable discounts apply directly.
| Ticket | Cost in Soles | USD equivalent | What it covers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boleto Turístico Parcial Circuit 3 | S/70 | ~$19 USD | Ollantaytambo + Moray + Chinchero + Pisac (1 day) |
| Boleto Turístico Integral | S/130 | ~$35 USD | 16 sites across Cusco region (10 days) |
| Maras Salt Mines community fee | S/20 | ~$6 USD | Maras community-managed site |
Total entrance fees: S/90 (~$21 USD) per adult with Parcial ticket.
How to pay: your guide takes you to the ticket purchase points. Only cash in Peruvian soles is accepted — bring S/100-150 to cover Boleto + Maras + small expenses.
ATM locations in Ollantaytambo: Plaza de Armas has multiple ATMs (BCP, Scotiabank). Withdraw before tour. For train station travelers: ATMs available near the station.
Discounts apply directly at ticket office:
Lunch — NOT included (your free choice):
We make a strategic lunch stop with guide recommendations. Urubamba area has excellent dining options at all price points.
Other items NOT included:
As a direct local operator, we refuse to hide markups inside bundled tour pricing.
Total cost with us (Sacred Valley from Ollantaytambo at $39 USD group rate):
Plus: free Cusco drop-off saves $30-50 vs operators charging separately for the transfer.
Total cost with bundled operators: typically $130-180 USD per person when including separate Cusco transfer.
You save $50-100 USD per person by booking with us.
Primary audience:
Honest disclosure (we’ll redirect you to a better-fit alternative):
Everything you need to know about our Sacred Valley Ollantaytambo Day Trip — the only tour we offer that begins in Ollantaytambo instead of Cusco, designed specifically for travelers returning from Machu Picchu, staying in Sacred Valley hotels, or following a reverse itinerary.
The Sacred Valley Tour from Ollantaytambo 1-Day is a full-day private tour designed for travelers already staying in Ollantaytambo or returning from Machu Picchu by train. Pickup is at your Ollantaytambo hotel OR Ollantaytambo train station at 09:00 AM.
The tour visits 5 sites: Ollantaytambo Ruinas (the monumental Inca fortress), Moray (Inca agricultural amphitheater), Chinchero ruins + colonial church (with optional traditional weaving), Machu Qolqa viewpoint (panoramic Sacred Valley view — USP unique), and **Maras Salt
Mines** (4,500 cascading salt pools).
Drop-off options: Ollantaytambo (default) OR Cusco at no extra charge. Boleto Turístico and lunch are NOT included — purchase tickets in soles directly at sites. From $39 USD per person (group of 10).
Two main audiences:
(1) Travelers staying in Ollantaytambo (primary audience — what we operate most):
(2) Travelers returning from Machu Picchu by train (secondary audience):
If you’re staying in Cusco, this tour is NOT for you.
Book Sacred Valley Full Day Tour from Cusco instead.
If you’re staying in Urubamba, consider Sacred Valley from Urubamba (Urubamba pickup) or this tour (Ollantaytambo pickup).
Yes — this is one of our USPs, unique in the catalog.
Typical train arrival times we coordinate with (PeruRail morning schedule):
How it works:
Booking requirement: confirm train arrival time + provide train number.
Book a minimum of 5 days in advance for train station pickup coordination.
Luggage capacity: 1-2 suitcases per passenger + carry-on backpacks accommodated.
Yes — at NO additional cost.
This is one of our key USPs. Most operators charge $30-50 separately for the Ollantaytambo→Cusco transfer. We include it free as part of our tour service.
When this matters:
valley to Cusco
Hotels we drop off at in Cusco: anywhere in central Cusco (Plaza de Armas area, San Blas, San Cristóbal, Wanchaq, San Sebastián, etc.).
Default drop-off (if not specified): your Ollantaytambo hotel.
Five main stops + optional:
(1) Ollantaytambo Ruinas (~90 min) — first stop, fortress + living Inca city
(2) Moray (~45-60 min) — Inca agricultural amphitheater, concentric circular terraces
(3) Chinchero (~60 min) — Inca terraces + colonial church + optional textiles weaving (~25 min additional)
(4) Machu Qolqa viewpoint (~20-25 min) — panoramic Sacred Valley view (USP unique — other tours skip this)
(5) Maras Salt Mines (~60-75 min) — 4,500 cascading salt evaporation pools
Plus optional: hands-on weaving experience at Chinchero textile community.
NOT included (vs other Sacred Valley tours):
Geographic logic. Pisac is at the eastern end of the Sacred Valley (close to Cusco), while we’re starting from Ollantaytambo at the western end.
From Ollantaytambo, Pisac is approximately a 1.5-hour drive each way — adding 3 hours to the day for one site.
For a more efficient itinerary, we focus on sites geographically close to Ollantaytambo (Moray, Chinchero, Machu Qolqa, Maras) and skip Pisac.
If Pisac is important to you, two options:
Three reasons:
(1) Geographic proximity — you’re already at Ollantaytambo, so visiting the fortress first is natural
(2) Train station travelers — for travelers from the Machu Picchu train, starting at Ollantaytambo means we visit before driving away with luggage
(3) Crowd avoidance — early Cusco-based tour buses arrive at Ollantaytambo around 09:30-10:00 AM.
Our 09:30 AM start there puts us during/after their arrival, with fewer crowds throughout our visit
This is the opposite order from Cusco-based tours, which typically visit Ollantaytambo LAST. Our reverse order works to your advantage in terms of crowds.
No — Boleto Turístico is NOT included, intentionally for price transparency.
Most operators add 25-30% markup when bundling. You’d pay $26-30 USD for what should cost $19-24 USD.
You purchase at the sites in soles:
Only cash in Peruvian soles accepted.
Bring S/100-150 to cover tickets + lunch + tips.
ATMs available in Ollantaytambo (Plaza de Armas area) — withdraw before tour. ATMs also near train station.
Discounts apply directly:
No — lunch is NOT included, but we make a strategic stop with your guide’s recommendations.
The Urubamba area has excellent dining:
Vegetarian/vegan (~$8-15 USD): available at most restaurants
Your guide adapts the lunch timing and location to your group’s preferences. You pay directly at the restaurant.
Machu Qolqa viewpoint is one of our USPs — a panoramic Sacred Valley viewpoint that other Sacred Valley tours skip.
What you’ll experience:
Why other tours skip it: It doesn’t fit the standard Cusco-based route logically (a geographic detour).
From Ollantaytambo, it fits naturally between Chinchero and Maras.
Time spent: ~20-25 minutes — photography stop with cultural context.
Same itinerary concept, different starting points.
Sacred Valley from Urubamba ($39 USD, Urubamba pickup):
Sacred Valley from Ollantaytambo ($39 USD, Ollantaytambo pickup) — THIS TOUR:
For travelers staying in Ollantaytambo OR returning from Machu Picchu
Key differences:
Sacred Valley altitudes range from lower to higher:
The altitude profile is GENTLER than Cusco-based tours because:
Good acclimatization day.
Travelers managing altitude in Cusco find Ollantaytambo-based tours significantly easier.
Yes — this is one of our most popular use cases.
The pattern:
Meet our driver at Ollantaytambo train station 4. Tour starts immediately, with your luggage in the vehicle. Visit 5 Sacred Valley sites throughout the day 6.
Drop-off at Cusco hotel in the evening (~19:00-19:30 PM)
Why this is efficient:
drop at hotel first
Energy consideration: be prepared for a long day if you woke early for Machu Picchu sunrise. Some travelers nap during drives between sites.
Yes — and we package it routinely.
Most common combination:
drop-off
This single 3-day package efficiently covers Machu Picchu + the entire Sacred Valley without backtracking.
Contact us for the integrated package — it offers better value than booking each component separately.
Yes — family-friendly tour. Recommended age: 5+ accompanied by a guardian over 21.
Family-friendly elements:
colors
Child discounts:
Yes — one of our most senior-friendly Sacred Valley tours:
Upper terraces (200 steps — lower platforms great views)
Mention any mobility concerns at booking — we adjust visits accordingly.
Limited accessibility:
Accessible: Ollantaytambo plaza, Maras viewpoint, Moray rim view, Chinchero village center, Chinchero church entrance, Machu Qolqa viewpoint.
NOT accessible: Ollantaytambo fortress climb (200 stone steps), Maras Salt Mines descent (steep slippery path), Moray crater interior, Chinchero upper Inca terraces.
Recommendation: For wheelchair travelers, this tour provides only partial value. Consider Accessible Peru Tours designed specifically for wheelchair users with 2 dedicated guides for lifting assistance.
Primary languages: English and Spanish.
Quechua-speaking guides available on request (1 week advance notice).
Valuable for:
Other languages on request (private tours):
All guides certified by DIRCETUR (Peruvian Ministry of Tourism) with tourism degrees + Andean studies background.
Yes — and you should.
Maras pink salt is one of the most prized culinary ingredients of the Andes. The community sells directly at fair prices.
Common products:
Cash only — bring S/30-50 in soles for salt purchases.
Maras salt allowed through customs in most countries — verify your home country’s specific food import rules.
Recommended cash in Peruvian soles: S/120-200 ($32-55 USD) per person.
| Expense | Cost in soles |
|---|---|
| Boleto Turístico Parcial Circuit 3 | S/70 (~$19 USD) |
| Maras community fee | S/20 (~$5 USD) |
| Lunch (your choice, average) | S/50-80 |
| Tips for guide + driver | S/20-40 |
| Maras salt purchases (optional) | S/20-50 |
| Restroom fees | S/5-10 |
| Reserve |
cash | S/15-20 | | Total recommended | S/200-300 |
ATM locations in Ollantaytambo: Plaza de Armas has multiple ATMs (BCP, Scotiabank).
Withdraw before tour.
Cards accepted at restaurants: most accept Visa/Mastercard. Cash only at ticket offices and Maras community salt stalls.
Cancellations 72+ hours before departure: full refund.
Cancellations 24-72 hours before: 50% refund.
Cancellations within 24 hours: non-refundable, but can be rescheduled within 6 months at no extra cost (subject to availability).
Force majeure cancellations (extreme weather, strikes, road closures): full refund or free reschedule.
Train-related delays: if your PeruRail train is delayed or cancelled, NOT your responsibility. We wait at the station and adjust day timing.
Rescheduling: free up to 24 hours before departure, subject to availability.
| Persons | Price (p/p) | |
| 1 | $ 259.00 USD | |
| 2 | $ 145.00 USD | |
| 3 | $ 103.00 USD | |
| 4 | $ 80.00 USD | |
| 5 | $ 68.00 USD | |
| 6 | $ 58.00 USD | |
| 7 | $ 52.00 USD | |
| 8 | $ 47.00 USD | |
| 9 | $ 42.00 USD | |
| 10 | $ 39.00 USD |
Booking timeline:
