The Sacred Valley of Incas is a sweeping Andean corridor carved by the Urubamba (Vilcanota) River, dotted with ancient terraces, timeless villages, and some of the most important archaeological sites of the Inca Empire. Just northeast of Cusco, the valley’s lower altitude, fertile soils, and dramatic peaks made it both the empire’s pantry and a spiritual heartland. Today, its blend of living culture, mountain scenery, and Inca engineering makes it an essential stop on any Peru itinerary.
Why the Sacred Valley mattered
For the Incas, the valley was sacred for practical and spiritual reasons. Its temperate microclimate and rich alluvial soils yielded bumper harvests of maize, potatoes, and quinoa that supported highland cities. The sinuous Urubamba River mirrored the Milky Way in Andean cosmology, while snowcapped guardians like Salkantay and Verónica watched over ceremonial centers, terraces, and royal estates. When you walk these trails, you’re crossing a landscape that tied astronomy, agriculture, and religion into daily life.
Highlights you shouldn’t miss
Pisac: terraces, temples, and a legendary market
High above the town, Pisac’s hillside terraces cascade like green amphitheaters, feeding into a complex of temples, watchtowers, and ritual baths. The views down-valley are spectacular, and the artisan market in town—alive with woven textiles and silverwork—remains one of the valley’s most colorful cultural experiences.
Ollantaytambo: the “living Inca town”
Ollantaytambo’s grid of cobbled lanes, flowing canals, and trapezoidal doorways preserves the urban plan of a true Inca town. Climb the Sun Temple terraces for commanding views and a lesson in megalithic craftsmanship. Many travelers board trains to Machu Picchu here, but it’s worth an unhurried night for sunset light over the fortress.
Chinchero: looms, lineage, and a sky-scraping church
At a higher altitude, Chinchero blends Inca foundations with a 17th-century church famed for Andean baroque murals. Community-run weaving collectives demonstrate traditional dyeing and loom techniques—an intimate way to understand how Andean identity lives on through textiles.
Maras & Moray: salt and science
The salt pans of Maras—thousands of shallow, stepped pools tapping a mineral spring—have been harvested since pre-Inca times and glow pink in afternoon light. Nearby Moray’s concentric circular depressions functioned like an agricultural laboratory, creating microclimates that let the Incas test crops from across their empire.
Choosing a Sacred Valley of the Incas tour
A curated sacred valley of the incas tour is the most efficient way to link several sites in one or two days. Classic full-day routes pair Pisac and Ollantaytambo with a market lunch; alternative circuits add Maras and Moray. Private tours buy you flexibility (extra photo stops, sunrise starts, or weaving demos), while shared tours are budget-friendly and social. If you’ve got time, spread the valley over two days to balance culture with hikes and golden-hour photography.
When to go (and what to expect)
The dry season (roughly April/May to October) brings crisp mornings, bright skies, and excellent hiking conditions—ideal for ruins, terraces, and long views. It’s also peak season, so prebook transport and entries. The rainy season (November to March) greens up the fields and thins the crowds; showers tend to roll through in bursts, leaving moody light and fewer lines at major sites. Year-round, temperatures swing by altitude: dress in layers and always carry a light rain shell.
Active ways to experience the valley
- Day hikes: Short Inca trails link terraces, granaries, and viewpoints around Pisac and Ollantaytambo.
- Trekking & biking: Descents from Abra Málaga deliver big-mountain panoramas; gentler river-valley rides are perfect for families.
- Water & air: Raft mellow sections of the Vilcanota or test your nerve on zip-lines near Maras.
- Culture forward: Join farm-to-table cooking, cacao/chicha tastings, or a hands-on weaving workshop in Chinchero.
Practical tips to travel smarter
- Acclimatize: Spend at least a day or two in Cusco (or sleep lower in the valley) before big exertions.
- Tickets & cash: Sites like Pisac and Ollantaytambo are covered by regional passes; bring soles for markets and village entries.
- Sun & hydration: High UV is real—hat, SPF, and a refillable bottle are non-negotiable.
- Timing: Visit marquee sites early or late to dodge tour-bus peaks and catch the best light.
Where to base yourself (and why)
A smart base lets you balance Andean calm with easy logistics. Staying in Cusco works beautifully if you want museums by day and restaurants by night, with the valley as a series of day trips. If you prefer slower mornings and closer sunrises over terraces, sleeping in the valley is a treat.
Stay in Cusco for access and ambiance
Cusco’s historic core puts you near galleries, markets, and top eateries—perfect if you’ll pair the valley with city time or onward treks.
- For curated comfort and design-forward suites, explore luxury places to stay in Cusco.
- For stylish, well-located apartments that make city-to-valley day trips a breeze, browse places to stay in Cusco.
Stay in the valley for sunrise light and slower rhythms
Waking up amid fields and peaks means unhurried starts for Pisac or first light over Ollantaytambo—with milder altitude to boot. If that sounds like your speed, consider places to stay in Sacred Valley, Cusco to be closer to terraces, markets, and trailheads.
Sample 2-day Sacred Valley blueprint
Day 1 – Pisac & Chinchero (culture focus):
Start at Pisac ruins (take the upper gate for sweeping terrace views), descend to the market for textiles and a quinoa-and-trout lunch. Continue to Chinchero for a weaving demo and sunset at the church plaza.
Day 2 – Maras, Moray & Ollantaytambo (engineering & edges):
Loop through Moray’s concentric terraces in the morning, then see the pink salt pans of Maras when the light turns honey-gold. End atop the Ollantaytambo fortress—watch late sun rake across the granaries—and stay for dinner in the “living Inca” lanes.
Tying it all together
More than a prelude to Machu Picchu, the Sacred Valley of Incas is a complete journey—where celestial alignments meet agricultural genius and living Quechua traditions. Whether you join a guided sacred valley of the incas tour or craft a slower, self-guided loop, you’ll leave with dusty boots, fuller context, and photographs that barely contain the scale of it all.
If you’re chasing the perfect balance of comfort and closeness to the action, Cusco makes a lively springboard while a valley base delivers sunrises and serenity. Either way, with thoughtful pacing and the right base, the Sacred Valley becomes not just a place you visit—but a landscape you inhabit for a while.
FAQs
Where is the Sacred Valley of the Incas located?
The Sacred Valley of the Incas is located in the Andes of Peru, near Cusco, and includes picturesque towns such as Pisac, Ollantaytambo, and Urubamba.
What is the best way to visit the Sacred Valley of the Incas?
Many travelers choose a Sacred Valley of the Incas tour from Cusco, which covers major archaeological sites and scenic stops in one or two days.
When is the best time to visit the Sacred Valley of the Incas?
The dry season from May to September is ideal for visiting, offering sunny days and clear views of the valley’s landscapes and Inca ruins.
