Private Chinchero and Salinas Tour from Cuzco

4 hours (approximately)
Offered in: English and 1 more

Experience a unique experience in the heart of the Sacred Valley with this half-day private tour. Start your journey in Chinchero, a charming Andean village where history and tradition are kept alive. There you will discover the vestiges of an ancient Inca palace on which a 17th century colonial church stands, walk its cobblestone streets and artisan market, and witness the ancient art of natural wool spinning and dyeing with techniques passed down from generation to generation.

The adventure continues in the impressive Salineras de Maras, a natural and historical setting composed of more than three thousand pools of salt that shine in the sun and have been used since pre-Inca times. Walking among its terraces and getting to know the artisan process of collecting the salt will give you one of the most memorable postcards of your trip to Peru.

A perfect tour for those who want to discover the best of Andean living culture in a few hours.

What's Included

Private transportation from Cusco
Visit to the Salineras de Maras with explanation of the salt collection process.
Visit to Chinchero: Inca palace, colonial church, artisan market.
Food and drinks during the tour.
Tips to guides or artisans.

Itinerary

Duration: 4 hours (approximately)
    Chinchero and Salinas route from Cuzco
    3 stops
    3 Points of interest
    Duration: 4 hours

    Operating Schedule: Departures every 30 minutes from 6:30 am to 9:00 am (last departure at 9:00 am)

  • 1

    Departure from Cusco to the Sacred Valley of the Incas – One of the most impressive regions of Peru.

  • 2

    Chinchero, known as the “cradle of the rainbow”, is a picturesque Andean town that proudly preserves its cultural heritage. Among its main attractions are the remains of an ancient Inca palace, on which a colonial church stood in the 17th century, reflecting the fusion between pre-Hispanic tradition and Spanish influence. Its cobblestone streets and artisan market allow you to immerse yourself in the daily life of the inhabitants, who keep alive the ancestral techniques of weaving and working with alpaca wool and sheep. Demonstrations of the natural spinning and dyeing process, passed down from generation to generation, are held in the local workshops. Here you will discover how artisans achieve intense and lasting colors using plants, roots, flowers and minerals from the region. Cochineal, for example, is an insect that when crushed produces a deep red, to which ingredients such as lemon or salt are added to obtain shades ranging from purple to orange. Local grasses allow to obtain greens, yellows and blues, forming a living palette that transforms into traditional blankets, pimps and sashes.

  • 3

    The route continues to the impressive Salineras de Maras, a complex of more than three thousand tiered pools used since pre-Inca times for salt extraction. Located on the mountainside and fed by an underground spring with high salt content, these terraces create a unique landscape that shines in the sun amid the Andean environment. The harvesting process remains artisanal: saltwater is distributed through the canals to each pool and, after evaporation, leaves a layer of crystallized salt that is carefully collected by the local communities. This resource has not only economic but also cultural value, as it has sustained generations of Sacred Valley families. Walking among its white terraces offers one of the most impressive postcards in Peru, combining nature, history and tradition in one place.

Additional info

  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
  • Service animals allowed
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Supplied by BARCELONA LANDS

Tags

Bus Tours
Historical Tours
Hop on Hop Off Buses
Archaeology Tours
New Product
Short term availability

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

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