Sacred Valley Cusco – Peru: The Complete Guide
Nestled between Cusco and Machu Picchu is the prodigious Sacred Valley of the Inca. The valley is filled with ancient Inca ruins, lovely Spanish Colonial and Inca towns. See bustling souvenir markets and high Andean peaks that feature all through the valley. At a much lower altitude than Cusco the valley has its own climate, which is milder than Cusco. Discover why the Inca civilization regarded the valley as Sacred.
History
Archeologists believe that the Sacred Valley has been continuously inhabited for more than 3,000 years. There were 3 important civilizations to inhabit the valley before the Inca, the Chanapata, then the Qotacalla, later the Killke. Around 1,000 AC, the Inca began to rise in prominence throughout the region, the Inca took command of the Sacred Valley with its empire eventually stretching well beyond. They used the lush, fertile area to grow corn and other vegetables, which allowed their culture to thrive and grow. As it did, stone cities and fortresses, such as Machu Picchu were built throughout the area, becoming lasting monuments to their civilization.
How to get to the Sacred Valley?
There are many and varied tours to the Sacred Valley from Cusco. There are many agencies around the main square that will offer you tours, but it is always good to have a tour booked with a licensed agency before you arrive in Cusco. The tours generally take you to Pisac Archeological site, Pisac arts and craft market, Ollantaytambo ruin and town. Some will include the Salt Mines at Maras and the Inca Garden at Moray, before taking you back to Cusco in the early evening. If you don’t want to do a tour there are many buses to Pisac from Cusco and buses in Pisac that will take you to Ollantaytambo. Remember you can’t enter any of the ruins in the Sacred Valley without a guide so you will have to hire one at the gate of the ruins.
Best time to Go?
There is no better time to travel to the Sacred Valley, year-round the climate is mild with chilly nights and warm days. There is however the Wet Season from October to April, where there is a chance of rain and the Dry Season from May to September where the skies are clearer.
Altitude
With an altitude of around 2500 meters above sea level the Sacred Valley is a good place to acclimatize to the altitude. Many spend a few days here to take in the beauty and surroundings.
What you will see in the Sacred Valley of the Incas
Pisac Town
Pisac has attracted many foreigners who now call the town home. See their influence as you walk around the town. Pisac is filled with lovely cafes and restaurants to suit any taste. The colorful and lively Pisac market is a great place to buy local arts and crafts. On the main square you will find a colonial church with services on Sunday that you are able to attend.
Pisac Archeological Site
Most historians agree that the ancient complex at Pisac was built by the Inca Emperor Pachacuti between the years 1438 and 1472. There’s not much known about the site prior to this period, but pottery and artifacts found there indicate that it was occupied for some time before the completion of Pisac. It’s not known what the site was used for, many experts believe it had military, religious and agricultural significance. Many also believe it was used as a retreat for royals and nobles and a safe haven for them in times of danger.
Ollantaytambo
The town of Ollantaytambo is an Inca town with a fascinating history. It is said that it was the last strong hold of the Inca, where they held off the Spanish invaders before defeat and were forced to flee into the jungle. Today you will see the impressive fortress that was built by the Inca Patchachutec in the 15th Century. See the plazas and streets that use the same water system that the Inca built in the 15th Century.
Maras Salt Mines
Built many centuries ago these salt pans capture the salt water from above. Passed down from generation to generation, today the salt mines are owned by many different families who make a living from the sale of the salt and from the tourists who visit. The Maras Salt Mines are a spectacular site and with thousands of salt pans that change color depending on the weather.
Moray
The terracing at Moray is said to be an experimental site where the Inca experimented with growing crops. The soil at the site is not local, so the Inca bought it from different regions of Peru. It has been recorded that the lower you go down the circular terraces the warmer the temperature.
Urubamba
Urubamba is the main town of the valley and where you are likely to have lunch on your Sacred Valley tour. The town have a lovely main square filled with flowers and shady trees.
Chincheros Town
Just a short drive from Cusco, Chinchero is a town that you should take the time to visit. Known for its local weavers, the handicraft here is some of the best in Peru. There is a market on Sundays when many local people merge to offer their wares. There is also a colonial church and an Inca ruin to explore.
FAQs
Train
From Ollantaytambo station, the train goes directly to Aguas Calientes, the town at the base of Machu Picchu. From there, the bus that will take you to the top of the mountain where the citadel of Machu Picchu, incredibly, is situated. The train will take 90 minutes from Ollantaytambo station to Aguas Calientes. The bus to Machu Picchu is 30 minutes.
The Inca Trail
Departing from the town of Ollantaytambo, your Inca Trail journey begins in the Sacred Valley and finishes at the Sun Gate of Machu Picchu.
- How long should I stay in the Sacred Valley?: If you are able, you should spend at least 1 day if not 2 as there are many different sites to see. There are many wonderful hotels in the Sacred Valley in renovated Spanish colonial houses.
- Where is the Sacred Valley located? : Close to the city of Cusco, the Sacred Valley is located in the Andes mountains in Peru.
Travel Tips
Planning Ahead
Traveling to the Cusco and Sacred Valley region in the high season (June, July, August) requires months of advanced planning because services fill up quickly. Trip logistics include airfare, hotel reservations, tours, and train tickets and entrance tickets if you go to Machu Picchu. Limited permits for hiking the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu can book up sometimes 4 months in advance.
What to bring with you?
- Footwear. Comfortable hiking boots or athletic sneakers with good traction are ideal for walking up to and around the Inca archaeological complexes.
- Sun protection. Don’t forget your hat, glasses, and sunblock for sun protection.
- Day excursions. Bring a daypack with snug straps to carry your water, camera, and other personal belongings.
- Rainy season.During the rainy season months, pack a waterproof jacket or a travel-size umbrella. Plastic ponchos are also available to buy in Cusco and the Sacred Valley.
Money
Soles are used to pay for taxi rides, small purchases and tips for guides. It’s good to carry around small bills and coins in the Sacred Valley because market vendors and small stores may not have adequate change to break larger notes. You will get a better exchange rate in Cusco than in the Sacred Valley towns. There are ATMs in Pisac, Urubamba, and Ollantaytambo that dispense both US dollars and local currency.
Tips
Tips are a personal choice but appreciated. If you feel that you have had good service than feel free to tip the amount you feel comfortable.
The Sacred Valley is a must see when traveling to Cusco. This beautiful peaceful part of Peru will inspire you with its high mountain slopes, green valleys and magnificent Inca palaces. Wonder through the colorful local market at Pisac and lunch at one of the many delicious restaurants in the many towns. Don’t miss the Sacred Valley.
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Fantastic 4 Day Salkantay Trek
I did the 4 day Salkantay trek with Joaquin (Guide), Matias (Chef) and Zenobio (Assistant Chef) and had the best time! The crew were so friendly and caring. It was well organised and they let us know what we would be doing each day. I struggled with the altitude and got a headache on day 2 so the crew gave me some oxygen to help. I felt very cared for. Joaquin was so knowledgable and gave us lots of information on the history of Machu Picchu. Matias and Zenobio’s cooking was incredible and much needed after long days of hiking. We had such a great time and I would highly recommend Sam Travels to anyone who is planning a trip to Peru!
Great experience with Sam Travel Peru!
I had a fantastic experience with Sam Travel Peru on the Salkantay Trek. Our guide Joaquin was great. He took great care of us throughout the journey, ensuring all our needs were met while also sharing fascinating historical insights that really added the experience. Chef Matias exceeded all expectations with his food. It was really delicious with generous portions. His assistant, Zenobio, was equally fantastic. The whole team had a great sense of humour, which made the experience even more enjoyable. When I started feeling unwell due to the altitude, they were incredibly attentive, making sure I was comfortable and providing any medicine I needed. I felt well looked after from start to finish. Would definitely recommend!
2 day Inca Trail with Sam Travel
Sam Travel has made our trip to Machu Picchu seamless. Joel Apaza was our guide and he has been extremely helpful throughout! I had stomach problems during our hike, not sure if it was food poisoning or altitude sickness, but I was extremely nauseated up to Winay Wayna which was the most strenuous part of the hike. He was very patient with us and even helped carry out daypacks with our heavy water bottles. We were stopping every 5 minutes because of my condition, but he was very gracious and still encouraging me that we can do it! We were able to reach the citadel after almost 9 hours and wouldn’t be able to do it if it wasn’t for Joel’s kindness. Definitely recommend!
Two day tour of sacred valley and machu picchu
Carlos estrada was our guide for the 2 day sacred Valley and machu picchu tour .He was very knowledgeable and really courteous. As I am a man in his sixties and was in a group of twenty year old he paced the trip brilliantly .Great guy and guide
We had a wonderful few days with Liz as our guide and Jair as our driver. We did a city tour of Cusco and then the Sacred Valley, culminating with an early start and Machupicchu on our final day. Liz was very patient and had incredible knowledgeable of all sites as well as telling us about all the history and importance of each site. She knew some ways to avoid packed areas and made each day special. Jair was a very skilled driver, courteous and made sure we were comfortable in the very clean car. Liz checked on us to make sure we arrived on time, smoothed the path for transport on the train and hotel stays, as well as entry to each site. Wilfredo was a good driver to take us back to Cusco and more than willing to stop so I could take photos of dairy cows. I’d highly recommend SAM tours as they had everything sorted for each amazing site, removed the stress and hassle of entry and logistics and made you feel like one of the family.
We did the 3-day Cusco, Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu tour with Sam Travel, and it was an outstanding experience from start to finish. This was a real bucket-list trip for us, and with somewhere as iconic as Machu Picchu, expectations can sometimes be unrealistically high. In this case, the experience far exceeded them and was the highlight of our four weeks travelling in South America. Sam Travel is locally owned and operated, and our guide Liz Montesinos is also local. Liz has a university degree in tourism and a deep love for her history, culture and people — and that really shows. Her enthusiasm and knowledge made the three days feel meaningful rather than rushed or superficial.
We had an amazing experience visiting Machu Picchu with our guide, Liz Montesinos from SAM Travel Peru. She was so knowledgeable and passionate about the history and culture. Liz was also incredibly kind and patient, making sure everyone in our group was comfortable and enjoying the day. Plus, she took some of the best photos of our trip. She knows all the best spots and took truly great photos and didn’t try to make us do cheesy poses like some other guides try to. We couldn’t have asked for a better guide and would absolutely recommend her to anyone visiting Machu Picchu. She really made our 2-day trip to Sacred Valley and Machu Pichu very special!
We just completed our 3 day Sacred Valley and Machu tour with Sam Travel Peru (our guide was Jose). Firstly they were very easy to deal with, and able to add in airport transfers etc as needed. Jose was an excellent guide for the whole 3 days from airport pick up to the end of the tour. Jose was able to amend the itinerary as we went to suit the weather conditions and our ability to walk through all of the sites, ensuring we still got to see all of the most picturesque and important parts of each site. Jose is exceptionally knowledgeable and passionate about Peru as well as being very adaptable and positive - would absolutely recommend him.
Powerful! This journey tests your humanity and leaves you in awe of yourself and the beauty that Pachamama provides. April 2024 We conquered the Inca trail and it was only made possible with the help and guidance from our expert guides Jean Pierre (JP) and Jimmy. The knowledge these gentlemen shared was admired by all of our group and the envy of other trail hikers who stopped to listen. The hike has many layers of challenges including language barriers, altitude sensitivities and food specifications. The team at Sam travel exceeded the needs and went above to ensure our comforts were met. A special mention must be made to Mario, the Chef who somehow performed magic with nutritious flavourful meals to satisfy even the pickiest consumers and Francesco who was our lead porter who orchestrated the harmony that happened behind the scenes to get everything done. Nothing less than marvellous from this team. Thank you to each of the group who made our trek a remarkable experience.
Jose and Henry were great guides for our first time exploring machu pichu! They were very attentive and kept everything on a smooth schedule. Highly recommend!
The whole experience was amazing. Ray, our guide answered all of our questions and definitely had our best interest in mind the whole time. Timothy the cook made fantastic food and somehow found a way to prepare a birthday cake with no notice! Boni our head porter and his whole crew were kind, accommodating, and had such upbeat attitudes which really made the experience great!
I spent two days with Sam Travel’s guide Raymier, who guided us through the one-day 12-km stretch of the Inca trail and then took us to Machu Picchu the next day. In my group, I was always the last one on the trail because I come from the coast and I’m not used to altitudes, and honestly I could also have prepared physically a little better. Raymier respected my pace, never rushed me, and supported me throughout the ardous trail. He had much knowledge to share. I speak Spanish, but ended up in an English tour, and Ray’s English was very good. He was funny, respectful, and versatile. He knew where to take all the best photos and patiently took photos of all of us. I would trust Sam Travel again especially if I was lucky enough to have Ray as a guide again.
