Peru - Sacred Valley One-Day Group Tour + Train to Machu Picchu A Day Without Retracing Steps

2024.08.27 Today's itinerary took us through several classic spots in the Inca Sacred Valley, showcasing the rich culture of the Inca civilization from traditional weaving techniques to spectacular ancient ruins! The tour we joined actually took us to many places, but because of this, each stop felt rushed. The guide wanted us to understand everything, so the explanations took a long time, leaving very little time for photos or thorough exploration! The guide mentioned that this itinerary is actually suitable for a two-day, one-night trip, but they condensed it into a one-day tour for travelers with limited time. So, for those who like to explore each site slowly, it's recommended to split it into two days; otherwise, it feels quite rushed! Chinchero Our first stop was Chinchero, known as the "City of the Rainbow," one of the agricultural centers of the Inca Empire. Initially, we were taken to see a traditional weaving demonstration. Although this part felt a bit like a sales pitch for textiles, we still learned a lot of interesting craft knowledge. However, what truly amazed me was the visit to Complejo Arqueológico Chinchero. The ruins here blend Inca architecture with Spanish colonial styles, showcasing a unique historical fusion. Unfortunately, the guided tour was too short, especially with only 10 minutes for photos, making the entrance fee (70 sol, about 600 TWD) feel somewhat wasted. The 70 sol ticket includes several ruins for today (excluding the salt mines ticket of 20 sol). If you have the 10-day BTC (Boleto Turístico del Cusco General) ticket for 130 sol like me, you don't need to buy additional tickets. Moray Next, we headed to Moray, an agricultural laboratory of the ancient Incas. The circular terraces of Moray are believed to simulate different climatic conditions for crop growth. Despite the guided tour lasting just over 20 minutes, the scenery and historical significance made it very worthwhile. However, again, the photo time was only 10 minutes, making one wish for more time to appreciate this spectacular place. Salinas de Maras Before heading to the Salinas de Maras salt mines, we were first taken to a shop selling salt products... Here, we had to listen to the guide introduce the salt and taste the products, staying for 30 minutes. The key point is that these products can be bought at the San Pedro market in Cusco. Salinas de Maras, located in the Sacred Valley of Peru, is famous for its spectacular salt mines, used since pre-Inca times. The local salt is produced through a natural process, with mineral-rich spring water flowing into thousands of shallow pools. As the water evaporates under the sun, crystallized salt is left behind. At Salinas de Maras, salt is categorized by different colors and uses: 1. White Salt: This is the purest and most commonly used edible salt, rich in minerals and with a delicate taste. White salt is typically used for cooking and daily seasoning, making it a high-quality souvenir. 2. Pink Rose Salt: This salt contains more minerals, especially iron, giving it a unique pink hue. 3. Yellow Salt: Due to its high mineral content and special color, this salt is suitable for bathing or therapeutic purposes. Yellow salt is often recommended as bath salt, helping to relax the body and promote skin health. The salt mine ticket is 20 sol (about 170 TWD). The Maras salt mines consist of thousands of small salt pools, used since the Inca era. The saltwater comes from underground springs in the Andes, forming crystallized salt through natural evaporation, creating a spectacular sight. This place is particularly suitable for photography, but again, the time felt too short to fully enjoy the beauty here. Urubamba We stopped for lunch in Urubamba, a small town in the Sacred Valley. We had lunch at a buffet restaurant, costing about 30 sol per person (about 250 TWD). The scenery in this small town is beautiful, but we only stayed briefly for the meal. Ollantaytambo At 2:30 PM, we arrived at Ollantaytambo, one of the best-preserved Inca sites. The massive stone walls and magnificent valley views of Ollantaytambo are impressive; this was once the last stronghold of the Inca emperor against the Spanish conquerors. The visit time was only 20 minutes, but this site deserves a longer exploration. Afterward, we walked about 10 minutes to the train station to take the Peru Rail train to Machu Picchu. Aguas Calientes (Hot Water Town) We took the Peru Rail train, and upon arriving at Aguas Calientes, we checked into HTL Samananchis Machupicchu, about a 6-minute walk from the station. Although you can hear the sound of the waterfall from the room, it was still quite comfortable overall. We took the Peru Rail to Machu Picchu station (Aguas Calientes). Buying round-trip tickets from the same company is cheaper with a 10% discount. Round-trip train tickets cost $109 per person (about 3500 TWD). The round-trip bus ticket from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu costs $24 per person (about 780 TWD). The Machu Picchu entrance ticket costs $46 per person (about 1480 TWD). Accommodation in Aguas Calientes costs $48 per night for two nights, averaging 780 TWD per night per person, including breakfast. Oh, we are staying in Aguas Calientes for two nights. Although hot water and food are slightly more expensive than in Cusco, staying an extra night allows for a more relaxed experience. Prices in Aguas Calientes are higher, with a meal costing about 50-60 sol (about 420-500 TWD), while in Cusco, it only costs 20-30 sol (about 170-250 TWD). To save money, we brought instant noodles to Aguas Calientes for dinner, and fortunately, the hotel provided hot water! Because this trip to Machu Picchu cost nearly 7500 TWD! It's truly a dream destination, a once-in-a-lifetime experience, hahaha🤣 Next to the hotel is a shop called Arte Rumi Wasi, selling various jewelry. We had a great time browsing inside, as they have earrings, rings, necklaces, bracelets, and more made from various stones and crystals. We found that the owner is very good at finding affordable alternatives. I originally liked a pair of silver earrings for 42 sol, but I thought it was a bit expensive, so the owner immediately took me to a section where earrings cost only 14 sol! Haha😆 Tomorrow, we will start exploring Machu Picchu, the part of the trip I am most looking forward to!