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What Is the Sacred Valley of the Incas?
Stretching northwest of Cusco along the Urubamba River, the Sacred Valley of the Incas (Valle Sagrado de los Incas) was the agricultural and spiritual heartland of the Inca Empire. Today it's one of Peru's most rewarding destinations — a valley packed with ancient ruins, traditional markets, terraced hillsides, and mountain villages that have changed little in centuries.
At an average elevation of 2,800–3,000 meters (9,200–9,800 feet), the Sacred Valley sits significantly lower than Cusco (3,400m), making it an ideal place to acclimatize on your first days in the region. The valley is also the gateway to Machu Picchu, with trains to Aguas Calientes departing from Ollantaytambo station.
How to Get to the Sacred Valley from Cusco
The Sacred Valley is approximately 1.5 to 2 hours from Cusco by road, depending on your destination within the valley. The main highway runs through Pisac, Calca, Urubamba, Ollantaytambo, and continues toward Aguas Calientes (though the road ends well before the train section).
Most visitors explore the Sacred Valley on a guided day tour from Cusco, which is the most efficient way to cover multiple sites in one day. Private transfers and public minibuses also run regularly from Cusco's bus terminals.
Top Sites in the Sacred Valley
Pisac Ruins & Market
Pisac is often the first stop on Sacred Valley tours. The hilltop Inca ruins above the town are among the largest in the region, with impressive agricultural terraces, ritual baths, and a ceremonial center with sweeping valley views. Below, the Pisac artisan market is the best in the region for textiles, ceramics, and silver jewelry. Market days are Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday, though stalls operate daily during tourist season.
Moray
One of the most intriguing Inca archaeological sites, Moray consists of a series of circular terraced depressions — essentially an ancient agricultural laboratory. Archaeologists believe the Inca used Moray's concentric rings to create different microclimates, experimenting with crops at varying temperatures. The site is visually stunning and scientifically fascinating.
Maras Salt Mines
Just minutes from Moray, the Maras salt mines (Salineras de Maras) are a cascade of thousands of small pink and white salt pools carved into the mountainside — a tradition dating back to pre-Inca times. Local families still harvest salt here using the same techniques their ancestors used. It's one of the most photogenic spots in all of Peru.
Ollantaytambo
Ollantaytambo is the Sacred Valley's most dramatic Inca site: a massive fortress and temple complex perched on a hillside above the valley. It's also the last surviving example of Inca urban planning — the town below Ollantaytambo still follows the original Inca street grid, with residents living in houses built on Inca foundations. This is also where the train to Machu Picchu departs from Ollantaytambo station.
Chinchero
Chinchero sits high above the main valley floor at about 3,762 meters. Famous for its colorful Sunday market and living weaving traditions, Chinchero is where you can watch local women demonstrate traditional textile dyeing and weaving techniques using natural Andean plants and llama wool. The colonial church, built on Inca foundations, adds another layer of history.
Calca & Urubamba
The towns of Calca and Urubamba are the valley's main service centers. Urubamba in particular has grown into a comfortable base for exploring the region, with restaurants, hotels, and easy access to all the main sites. The fertile flat farmland around Urubamba grows corn, quinoa, potatoes, and other Andean staples.
Best Things to Do in the Sacred Valley
Beyond the archaeological sites, the Sacred Valley offers a wealth of experiences for different types of travelers. You can visit a traditional market and purchase handmade textiles directly from the artisans who made them. Community visits to living Andean villages connect you with Quechua-speaking families maintaining pre-Columbian traditions. Adventure activities include zip-lining above the valley, white-water rafting on the Urubamba River, and mountain biking on highland trails. Cooking classes focused on Andean cuisine, quinoa farming demonstrations, and even llama trekking are all available in the valley.
Sacred Valley Tour Options from Cusco
There are several ways to experience the Sacred Valley:
Full-Day Sacred Valley Tour — The classic option, typically covering Pisac ruins and market, Moray, Maras salt mines, and Ollantaytambo. This is the most popular format for first-time visitors and allows you to cover the highlights without rushing.
Half-Day Sacred Valley Tour — A shorter option covering 1–2 sites, ideal for travelers with limited time or those combining the valley with other activities on the same day.
Multi-Day Sacred Valley Stay — For a deeper experience, staying one or two nights in Urubamba or Ollantaytambo lets you explore at a relaxed pace, visit smaller sites not on the standard day-tour circuit, and connect more meaningfully with local communities.
Altitude in the Sacred Valley
The Sacred Valley's lower altitude compared to Cusco makes it ideal for the first day or two after arriving from sea level. Main elevations to note:
Pisac: ~2,950m / 9,680 ft | Urubamba: ~2,850m / 9,350 ft | Ollantaytambo: ~2,792m / 9,160 ft | Chinchero: ~3,762m / 12,343 ft | Maras: ~3,380m / 11,090 ft
Most travelers find the valley comfortable after 1–2 days, though staying hydrated and avoiding strenuous activity on your first day is always recommended. Altitude sickness (soroche) can affect anyone at these elevations regardless of fitness level.
Best Time to Visit the Sacred Valley
The Sacred Valley can be visited year-round, but the dry season (May to October) offers the most reliable weather with clear skies, sunshine, and minimal rain. June and July are peak months — beautiful weather but larger crowds at major sites.
The wet season (November to April) brings afternoon showers and occasional morning cloud, but the valley turns lush and green, crowds are smaller, and prices are lower. The Inti Raymi festival in June draws large crowds but is an extraordinary cultural experience.
Explore the Sacred Valley with Quinoa Expeditions
Quinoa Expeditions offers full-day Sacred Valley tours from Cusco with small groups, expert bilingual local guides, and a curated itinerary that balances the major archaeological sites with authentic cultural experiences. Our guides are native to the region — they grew up in these communities and know the valley's stories, traditions, and hidden corners that most tours skip.
We combine visits to Pisac, Moray, Maras, and Ollantaytambo with artisan market time, a traditional lunch, and insights into Inca engineering and Andean cosmology that bring the ruins to life.