The Sacred Valley Of The Incas: Your Complete Travel Guide
When it comes to exploring iconic regions in Peru, it’s hard to do better than a visit to the Sacred Valley of the Incas.
Located deep within the towering Peruvian Andes, here we can find unforgettable mountain landscapes, well-preserved ancient ruins, a strong yet welcoming culture as well as opportunities to head on some really memorable hikes.
In this guide we’ll explore everything you need to know about the Sacred Valley of the Incas in Peru. This includes the rich history of the region, why you should visit, the best places to head to, how to get there as well as booking the best tours. We’ll also answer any other burning questions you may have in our FAQ section.
Table of Contents
Everything You Need To Know About The Sacred Valley Of The Incas
Let’s first cover the basics of this famous Andean region, and what makes it such a popular destination to visit in Peru.
What Is The Sacred Valley Of The Incas?
Spanning a total area of around 60 km in length, the Sacred Valley is a rich fertile area filled with sweeping green valleys and towering snow-capped mountains.
Whilst Cusco and popular hiking routes tend to be located at much higher altitudes, the Sacred Valley of the Incas is generally lower. This includes towns like Pisac and Urubamba that are both under 3000m above sea-level, which make for great places to get acclimated in when first arriving in the region.
Given the diverse geography and more reasonable altitudes here, many people prefer to live in this more peaceful rural region instead of Cusco. Here it’s common to find locals growing crops on mountainous terraces, and also to find tourists and expats enjoying and settling within the small towns within the Sacred Valley.
The Ancient History Of The Sacred Valley Region
The first documented use of this Andean region dates back over 3000 years, to when the Chanapata civilisation expanded here given the rich agricultural conditions. From here several other cultures flourished within the Sacred Valley, which included those of the Qotacalla, the Killke and the Wari.
In the early 15th Century the Inca then began to inhabit this region, who then later set-up the heart of their expansive kingdom here. During this period the region saw a large and quick advancement of technology and complexes, which included the developments in towns like Pisac and Ollantaytambo, as well as the creation of the Machu Picchu citadel.
However the Inca’s reign of this region would be short-lived, as the Spanish would then later arrive and conquer this region in 1533. Many areas experienced vast structural and architectural changes during this time, although even in larger areas like Cusco we can still see evidence of the Incas rule. Other places hidden deep within the Sacred Valley (such as Machu Picchu) were never discovered by the Spanish – and thus remain in similar condition to how they were first built.
Why You Must Visit The Sacred Valley From Cusco
Now that we’ve learnt a little more about the Sacred Valley region of Peru, you may already have a good idea why you want to visit this incredible historic area.
The ancient civilizations of this region left behind many breathtaking ancient temples and ruins, which can easily be visited from Cusco and the surrounding towns. This includes the circular spirals of Moray, the giant fortress of Ollantaytambo as well as the hidden ruins that lie along the sacred Inca Trail path.
Another worthy reason to visit the Sacred Valley of the Incas is to experience a more quiet and cultural region of Peru. Here the locals keep ancient traditions alive such as weaving and wearing orthodox clothing from the region, and we’ll also find traditional Andean foods worth trying within local restaurants of each town.
The Best Places To Visit In The Sacred Valley
Now it’s time to travel into the heart of the Sacred Valley and get to know the very best destinations of the region. Below we’ll cover the main towns you can visit, as well as the must-see ruins, sites and hikes you must experience here too.
Pisac
Arguably the most popular town to visit within the Sacred Valley, Pisac has a lot of great things going for it. Firstly the town itself is full of charm and beautiful architecture, where we can see narrow water channels piercing down the middle of most streets (just as the Inca once used them). The Plaza de Armas is also a picturesque spot with its pretty church, and nearby we can also see streets full of local vendors selling all kinds of colorful and unorthodox merchandise.
Pisac Ruins lie just above the town, which were once used as a strategic vantage point to keep a watchful eye over the surrounding region. Here we can see all kinds of stone complexes, and also enjoy some surreal Andean views from above. There are also many other amazing things to do in Pisac, such as heading on a memorable San Pedro hike as well as visiting the more relaxed town of Taray which is just a short moto-taxi ride away.
Chinchero
Despite being located closer to Cusco than many of the other destinations and towns of the Sacred Valley, Chinchero is the best place to visit if you want a more raw and cultural experience. This small town is home to the Chinchero Ruins, which was known for its fine stonework, as well as its various aqueducts and terraces. In fact many of these aqueducts that were built from the Inca are still in use today, where local farmers depend on them to grow crops such as quinoa, potatoes and fava beans.
It’s important to remember that Chinchero is actually located up at a higher altitude of 3762m – which is higher than Cusco and makes it the highest town in the region. For this reason it’s best to take it slow when walking around, and to perhaps head here after having acclimated for a couple of days back in Cusco. However the benefits of the high-altitude setting is that you will have incredible views of the Salkantay Peak which looms over the town.
Urubamba
The largest town of the Sacred Valley region, Urubamba is known as another popular basecamp for exploring travelers. It was once an important hub town for the Inca civilization, and during the Spanish conquest there were many colonial buildings constructed here (which were not made in other towns like Pisac and Chinchero). This means that we can also marvel at the beautiful baroque cathedral and other constructions here, and as such is a very popular town to simply grab your camera and go walking around in.
Urubamba is also the closest town to two of the most famous destinations within the Cusco region. The first are the Moray Ruins, which are a series of perfect circular terraces that were once used for agricultural purposes. The other site is the Maras Salt Mines, which include dozens of colorful salt pools that are etched into the side of a mountain. You can also visit these highlights from Cusco, and here at AB Expeditions we offer a memorable day tour where you will explore both of these sites, as well as numerous other destinations mentioned throughout this article.
Ollantaytambo
Ollantaytambo is one of the more well-known towns of the region, which is a must-visit in its own right. A true Andean town filled with ancient ruins and remnants of the Incas rule, when here you simply cannot miss the hike up to the Ollantaytambo Ruins. The Sun Gate is a highlight here, whilst we can also enjoy spectacular views out over the surrounding mountains (where we can also spot the Face Of Wiracocha – which is carved out of a rock face).
Below the ruins we can explore the busting market which is a great place to pick up all kinds of Ponchos and warm Alpacas clothes, and it’s also worth chilling out in the Plaza de Armas to enjoy the more relaxed feel of Ollantaytambo. If you have time then you can also visit the Inca Quarry which is a day hike from the town – where we will find all kinds of stone-carved creations (which was also where the Inca used to bring down stone for constructions around the Sacred Valley).
The Inca Trail
By far the most adventurous experience you can have in the Sacred Valley, the Inca Trail hike really is one of a kind. These ancient stone paths were once used by the Inca civilization to safely make their way to Machu Picchu without detection, where there were also many other important sites and complexes hidden within the mountains. These include the ruins of Wiñay Wayna, Intipata, Runkurakay as well as Sayaqmarca, all of which can be explored when hiking the route.
The Inca Trail can only be hiked with an organized group, where you will need your permit to be able to enter this sacred path. Here at AB Expeditions we operate an unforgettable 4 Day Inca Trail hike, where you will see all kinds of beautiful sceneries and crumbling ruins until you finally reach Machu Picchu. You will have all meals, camping equipment, transport and trekking permits all included, as well as an experienced Inca Trail leading your trek.
Aguas Calientes
The most western-lying destination within the Sacred Valley region, Aguas Calientes is famous for being the basecamp for travelers looking to explore Machu Picchu. It’s located just an hour from these sacred ruins, with the same imposing mountain visible from down below. Out of all the destinations on this list, Aguas Calientes actually has a more sun-tropical feel compared with the usual Andean climate. Here we can enjoy a much more green jungle landscape surrounded by towering peaks, as well as the overall lower altitudes.
Whilst mostly known for its proximity to Machu Picchu, there’s a lot of other incredible things to do in Aguas Calientes. Hiking to several of the waterfalls are a must, which include Mandor Falls as well as Alcamayo Falls (both of which are simple hikes from the town). The hot springs here are great for relaxing tired muscles from hiking, whilst those who love nature will want to head to the Mariposario to see all kinds of colorful butterflies.
Machu Picchu
One of the most impressive ancient ruins on the planet (let alone in just Peru), no trip to the Sacred Valley of the Incas can truly be complete without a visit to Machu Picchu. Built around 1450 for the emperor Pachacuti, this mountain-top citadel actually served as a royal estate where many high-class and noble citizens came to enjoy the views here. It’s also believed that Machu Picchu was also an important religious center too, given the variety of temples and sanctuaries found here.
Getting to Machu Picchu is quite straightforward, and there are multiple ways of doing so. The most popular is by heading on a day tour from Cusco, where you will take the memorable scenic train ride through the valley to Aguas Calientes, followed by the bus ride up to the famous Inca complex. There’s also the option of taking buses to the start of the hidroeléctrica track, and walking all the way to Machu Picchu.
Planning A Visit To The Sacred Valley Of Peru
How To Get To The Sacred Valley Of The Incas
Visiting the Sacred Valley is best done by first heading to the city of Cusco. Here we can find daily flights arriving from Lima, as well as from a few other select cities in Peru.
Once in Cusco, you can enter the Sacred Valley region by heading to various different towns overland. Pisac is one of the most popular, which is an hour drive north of Cusco, whilst the town of Chinchero is also located more or less the same distance from the city.
Getting between the different towns of the region is best done by catching a ride on the local colectivos, which leave as soon as they fill up. The other option you have (if you prefer a schedule and to see everything quicker) is to head on an organized tour of the Sacred Valley of the Incas – which includes private transport between the different towns and destinations.
The Best Time To Visit The Sacred Valley
It’s firstly important to know two things about the climate of this region. Firstly is that regardless of when you will head here, day-time temperatures will be hot whilst night-time temperatures will drop rapidly. As well as this, there’s both a dry and wet season too to take note of.
The dry season begins in May and lasts until September, which marks the overall most popular tourist period for the Sacred Valley. Whilst rainfall can slightly vary in different towns, during each of these months we can generally expect between 0.1-0.5 inches to fall. Temperatures are slightly cooler during the dry season months, which is mostly felt at night.
The wet season runs from October until April, and is a more quiet time to visit the Sacred Valley region. Again the rainfall levels can vary per area, although there’s usually between 1-4 inches falling throughout each of these months. Temperatures are warmer during the wet season, however of course remember to wear waterproofs and a poncho if it rains (as you will feel colder if wet).
Overall we personally recommend heading to the Sacred Valley of the Incas in the shoulder season months of September, October, March and April. Not only will you avoid the heavier rains, you’ll also find there are less crowds during these times too.
Our Top Tips For Exploring The Sacred Valley of Peru
Before you can head into this region, you’ll first need to arrive into Cusco. And as such we highly recommend getting to know the city and its history beforehand, given you’ll better understand the sites you will later see in the Sacred Valley of the Incas. You can do this by heading on an organized city tour, or by checking out museums such as the Regional Historical Museum of Cusco.
Within the Sacred Valley, we really recommend planning to take it slow when heading around. This is not only to enjoy the sites without rushing so much, but also to be able to really relax in this more quiet region. It’s important to remember that transport schedules here operate on their own terms, so you’ll also need to be patient as colectivos fill-up before leaving.
It’s also a good idea to buy any of your most-wanted souvenirs in these towns instead of Cusco, whether that’s an Alpaca Sweater or a Poncho. Not only are prices cheaper here (with products also coming in a larger variety), we’ll also be directly helping the local communities who create these goods. The markets in Chinchero and outside the Ollantaytambo Ruins are especially good places to go souvenir-hunting.
Booking A Sacred Valley Tour From Cusco
As we’ve covered earlier in this article, there are a lot of incredible destinations to visit in the Sacred Valley of the Incas – and you’ll need quite a few days to see them all if visiting independently. This is because you’ll need to catch colectivos to get around, and also as certain sites will take longer to get to by yourself (such as Moray and the Maras Salt Mines).
If you prefer a more relaxed experience seeing the highlights in one day, then you can join our Sacred Valley of the Incas tour which departs from Cusco. Here you will have hotel pick-up and drop-off included, as well as private transportation to the main towns and destinations included within the tour. We also offer flexible, customisable routes, so you can choose what you want to see most as you book the tour.
Sacred Valley Peru FAQ
Below we’ll now answer some of the frequent questions we get about the Sacred Valley of the Incas in Peru, as well as anything else important that you need to know.
How Long To Spend In Sacred Valley Peru?
This really depends on you and what your main interests are when exploring this region. If you are already in Cusco and just want to see the best highlights, then you can easily do this with an organized day tour. If you plan on staying in different towns and getting to know the local cultures, then you’ll need at least 1-2 weeks to get a better feel for each destination.
Is Cusco Located Within The Sacred Valley?
Although often confused and used interchangeably, the city of Cusco is not part of the Sacred Valley. This region actually begins in the town of Pisac, extending some 60km west towards Ollantaytambo and Machu Picchu. It’s important to note that the Sacred Valley is however located within the state of Cusco, which is a much larger region of Peru.
What Is Special About The Sacred Valley In Peru?
This enchanting region has literally everything here. Firstly we have the towering Andean mountains and green valleys which make for perfect photo opportunities, as well as the various ancient ruins dotted around. The Sacred Valley of the Incas is also steeped in history, and we can easily retrace these steps by exploring the different towns and sites of the region.
Overview Of The Sacred Valley Of The Incas
And that’s all for this comprehensive guide on why you should visit the Sacred Valley of the Incas in Peru.
Bursting with authentic local culture and beautiful peaceful valleys, this region is a must-visit for anyone who is visiting Cusco. Not only can we enjoy the remote setting and mountains, we can also learn about the ancient civilisation that once roamed these lands by exploring various archaeological sites.
Are you looking to explore the Sacred Valley region of Peru? Here at AB Expeditions we offer the perfect one day tour, where you will visit ancient ruins and beautiful mountain towns – whilst also getting a unique local experience with various different activities.