The Sacred Valley Peru: A Complete Traveler’s Guide (2025)

The Sacred Valley Peru offers a window into the ancient wonders of the Inca Empire. This lush, fertile valley carved by the Urubamba River was once the agricultural heartland for the Incas, nourishing the great citadel of Machu Picchu.

Today, it serves as an epicenter for the indigenous Quechua culture, home to vibrant textile markets, ancient ruins, and beautifully preserved indigenous villages. A visit to the Sacred Valley provides a chance to experience the living, breathing legacy of Peru’s mystical past, all set among a backdrop of staggeringly rugged mountain landscapes.

From exploring the archaeological sites like Ollantaytambo and Pisac to immersing yourself in traditional handicrafts and cuisine, this valley promises a transformative journey. With this comprehensive guide, you’ll uncover all the must-see highlights and insider tips to get the most out of your Sacred Valley adventure.

How to Get to the Sacred Valley Peru
Getting Around the Sacred Valley Peru
Best Things to See and Do in the Sacred Valley Peru
- Cusco
- Pisac
- Calca
- Urubamba
- Maras and Moray
- Ollantaytambo
- Machu Picchu
When to Visit the Sacred Valley Peru
Is the Sacred Valley Peru safe?
How expensive is the Sacred Valley Peru to visit?
Altitude – How to Prepare to Visit the Sacred Valley Peru
What to Pack to Visit the Sacred Valley Peru
Conclusion

How to Get to the Sacred Valley Peru

Step 1: Get to Peru (Lima).

Most international flights go through Lima, Peru’s capital city.

Step 2: Lima → Cusco.

You can take a short 1-hour connecting flight from Lima to Cusco. There are several airlines offering daily flights. Buses are available if you prefer, but it’s a long 22-hour journey.

Step 3: Cusco → the Sacred Valley

Once you get to Cusco, the next step is to go to the Sacred Valley, of which the entrance is a mere 12 miles from Cusco. However, you will be descending from the mountains into the valley on narrow switchbacks, so the drive takes about 1.5 hours.

I recommend taking a colectivo from Cusco to the Sacred Valley, which is Peru’s public transportation. These are 12-passenger vans that act like buses, stopping along the way to pick up and drop off people. These are really cheap, usually costing a few soles (less than a dollar or two). They all generally depart from the same location in Cusco- just opposite the hospital on Avenida Tomasa Tito Condemayla. They leave every hour.

You can also take a taxi, which is more expensive. Additionally, hotels provide transportation to the Sacred valley if you’re going as part of a tour group.

Getting Around the Sacred Valley Peru

The best, easiest, and cheapest way to get around the Sacred Valley is via colectivos. The Sacred Valley is about 60 miles long and a very narrow 0.62 miles wide (on average). There is one main road that runs the length, from Pisac to Ollantaytambo, which makes getting around super simple and nearly impossible to get lost.

The colectivos will stop and pick up people at any point along the road if they have space. All you have to do is put your hand up to flag one down. Similarly, to get off, just tell the driver you’d like to get off and they will pull over. You pay in cash when you get off, which is usually only a few soles. No map, no timetable, no schedule, no bus card, no fuss.

They will often drop people off near the center of the little towns along the valley, winding through a few city streets before betting back on the main road. This is a great way to explore the valley, check out local markets, and meet local people.

There are taxis and tuk tuk’s available throughout the Sacred Valley, and the price depends on your bartering skills.

Additionally, it is considered safe enough that you can hitchhike. If you hold your hand out, some locals might stop and give you a ride.

Best Things to See and Do in the Sacred Valley Peru

Cusco

While Cusco is not technically in the Sacred Valley, you will have to pass through to reach the valley. If you are planning on visiting Machu Picchu, it is recommended to spend a few days here to not only explore the beautiful city, but to acclimatize to the altitude (11,152 feet / 3,399 meters). Plus, there are lots of great restaurants.

Cusco was once the historic capital of the Inca Empire. Today, it is a vibrant cultural hub for both tourists and the indigenous population, who ensure the ancient Quechua language and traditions remain alive today. The narrow, cobblestoned streets are lined with beautifully preserved Renaissance-era buildings, and still display remnants of Inca masonry, like the 12-angle stone. The city’s historic central plaza, flanked by ornate Baroque churches and carved wooden balconies, serves as a lively gathering place for locals.

From Cusco, it’s easy to arrange day trips and tours into the Sacred Valley to iconic sites like Moray, Maras, and Ollantaytambo, or multi-day hikes along the legendary Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. Cusco provides the perfect home base to acclimatize before delving deeper into the Sacred Valley.

Pisac

At the southern end of the Sacred Valley sits a tiny little village full of history called Pisac. This is the first town in the Sacred Valley you will visit on your way from Cusco. Once an Incan settlement, the Spanish came in and destroyed what was there and built the town as we know it today, nearly 500 years ago.

Pisac is where most of the tourism of the Sacred Valley exists. There are cute restaurants and shops, as well as a local market selling textiles and local food. The streets are narrow, some with irrigation trenches running down the middle, so watch your step.

Calca

Further down the valley from Pisac, there’s a smaller local village called Calca. There is significantly less tourism here, so if you are looking for a more authentic experience, Calca is a good place to visit. As is typical in Peruvian towns, there’s a main square called the Plaza de Armas where people gather and hang out. There’s also a large local market where you can buy fruits, vegetables, local cheese, meat, and even beautiful flowers. Wandering around the narrow streets is a fun way to spend a few hours, sampling ceviche or Incan corn or potato dishes.

Urubamba

Urubamba is the largest town in the Sacred Valley of the Incas. This town has a more modern feel than Pisac, and has a popular market selling fresh fruit and vegetables and locally produced alpaca garments that tends to cater to tourists. There is also a smaller market that sells fresh produce, but it is only open on select days during the week.

Due to Urubamba’s proximity to several Inca ruins, it is a transportation hub with a bus depot and easy access to cabs.

Maras and Moray

Outside of Urubamba is a town called Moray, which features impressive circular terraces that were used by the Incas for agricultural experiments.

Outside of Moray is Maras, which is known for its thousands of salt pans terraced into the mountainside. Once you arrive, you can explore the salt pans on foot. There’s usually a small entrance fee to visit the salt pans.

Plan to spend at least half a day visiting both Maras and Moray. You may want to allocate more time if you wish to explore the sites in detail or take photographs.

Both Maras and Moray are protected sites, so be sure to respect the rules and regulations. Avoid touching the salt pans or climbing on the terraces at Moray.

Ollantaytambo

At the far end of the Sacred Valley is Ollantaytambo, often referred to as the gateway to Machu Picchu. This is where the train stations are that take visitors to Aguas Calientes. This city is also the most common starting point for the four-day, three-night hike known as the Inca Trail. Check out How to Get to Machu Picchu and Ultimate Travel Guide to Visiting Machu Picchu for more details on planning your trip to Machu Picchu in the Sacred Valley.

Ollantaytambo has the best-preserved Inca and pre-Inca ruins in all Peru. There are numerous sites to visit, including Temple Hill, which is where the Incas built a ceremonial center. You can also visit the extensive set of agricultural terraces that surround Ollantaytambo, and the storehouses, which were built at high altitudes, where cooler temperatures would preserve their contents.

Machu Picchu

Machu Picchu is one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Truthfully, it is epic. If you are in Peru, this ancient Incan citadel is a must-see. What makes the mind blowing architecture and masonry even more impressive is the landscape in which the Incas built Machu Picchu – on the top of a mountain with nearly vertical cliffs on three sides.

Check out my guides for tips and insight into how to visit this incredible piece of history:

When to Visit the Sacred Valley Peru

The Sacred Valley of the Incas has a relatively mild and pleasant climate year round with two distinct seasons; dry and rainy. This is the main reason that the Incas were able to grow so much; building agricultural terraces and conducting agricultural research and experimentation. Despite the high altitude, daytime temperatures range from 50 F – 75 F (10 C – 24 C). If you are planning on visiting Machu Picchu while traveling to Peru, check out this post about The Best Time of Year to Visit Machu Picchu for more detail.

Dry Season: May – October
Rainy Season: December – March
Peak Tourist Season: June – August
Shoulder Season: April, November

Rainy Season: December to March

During the rainy season, the daytime temperatures in the Sacred Valley range from around 55F – 75F (13 C to 24 C), with the high being 80 F (27 C). The weather is mostly rainy, transforming the valley and surrounding mountains into a lush green color. However, occasionally the clouds will part, creating beautiful sunny afternoons.

Dry Season: May to October

The minimum temperature through the dry season in the Sacred Valley is around 50 F (10 C), with the high reaching around 72 F (22 C). The weather is mostly sunny during this time, but it can be cloudy as well. Because this weather is the most favorable for visiting Machu Picchu, and thus the Sacred Valley, June through August see the highest numbers of tourists.

Shoulder Season: April and November

April and November are considered the shoulder season in the Sacred Valley. April is before the official start of the dry season, and November is when the weather starts transitioning into the rainy season. The weather is still relatively dry, but rainy days still occur. These months will see considerably fewer tourists while offering pretty decent weather for exploring.

Is the Sacred Valley Peru safe?

Generally speaking, yes – the Sacred Valley is safe, even for solo female travelers. I met someone who had moved there from South Africa and been living there for several years. She said she felt wayyyyy safer in the Sacred Valley than back home, and felt safe enough to walk around at night by herself after closing her business and carrying the day’s worth of cash from the register. I never had any issues when I was there, and no one seemed creepy.

Although like anywhere in Peru, or any place in the world for that matter, if you outwardly display signs of wealth, you’ll attract attention. For women, taking the “normal” safety precautions should be enough to keep you safe and enjoy your trip.

fresh produce vegetables fruit peru the sacred valley

How expensive is the Sacred Valley Peru to visit?

In general, Peru is an affordable destination, especially for Americans and Europeans. If you are eating in restaurants in Cusco, you can expect to pay less than $50 USD for two people. In the Sacred Valley itself, things are usually cheaper because there aren’t as many tourists, and most places cater to local people. A meal will cost around S/20 ($5 USD), although you will certainly not find the same quality of restaurant as you will in Cusco.

If you are going grocery shopping in local markets, this is where you will be shocked at how cheap it is. Most things cost 1 – 4 soles, which is $0.25 – $1. For example, 1 bunch of cilantro was 1 sole. 1kg of avocados was 4 soles. I could get a week’s worth of groceries (for one person) for less than $10 USD. Amazing.

Accommodation varies depending on the type of hotel or hostel. A bed in a shared dorm room can cost as little as S/40 ($10 USD). A fancy hotel room could run up to $400 USD per night. Luckily, there are plenty of choices to match your budget.

Transportation is also quite cheap. The colectivos cost 1 – 4 soles throughout the Sacred Valley, which is under $1. If you decide to take a taxi, negotiate and agree on a price before getting inside- they don’t usually use meters and will try to get the most money out of you that they can. You should be able to get around Cusco in a taxi for under $10. Anything more is a scam.

the sacred valley peru mountains farmland

Altitude – How to Prepare to Visit the Sacred Valley Peru

The one thing to be aware of that could derail your trip to Cusco, the Sacred Valley, and Machu Picchu, is altitude sickness. Cusco is the highest, sitting at over 11,000 feet (3,300 meters). The Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu are a little bit lower, at 8,000 feet (2,400 meters) above sea level.

As a result, altitude sickness can be an issue among travelers. It is recommended to spend a few days in Cusco before heading to Machu Picchu to acclimatize and also to detect any issues before heading to the ancient ruins. Unfortunately, if you suffer from altitude sickness that is not improving within a day or two, or is getting to the point that it is crippling, your only option is to head to a lower altitude- which is Lima.

To combat altitude sickness, drink plenty of water, avoid alcohol, and get enough sleep. In addition to that, to help with the altitude, the locals have chewed coca leaves for centuries, which they combine with an alkaline substance known as Llipt’a or Yipta. This can vary between sodium bicarbonate, lime (the mineral, not the fruit), or quinoa ash, and promotes the extraction of the alkaloids from the coca leaf and thus increases its effect. It is also really cheap and you only need a small amount. Both the coca leaves and Yipta are available to purchase in local markets, such as the San Pedro Market in Pisac.

brooke on foot the sacred valley peru incan aqueduct

What to Pack to Visit the Sacred Valley Peru

Because of the altitude, sunblock is essential. The UV rays are stronger, and combined with the bright sunny days (or even cloudy days!) it is easy to get sunburned.

Since there’s so much to explore, including small towns and ancient ruins, a quality daypack/backpack is essential. Be sure to carry that sunblock, water bottle, snacks, and warm clothing.

Packing layers is essential in the Sacred Valley Peru because the weather can change quickly and start raining, or clouds can come in and drop the temperature a few degrees. It’s nice to be able to put on a light sweater or rain jacket if needed.

Be sure to bring cash with you, as most local places do not accept card. Plus, you are usually buying things in such low amounts that cash is easier and makes the most sense.

Daypack
Sunblock
Water
Snacks
Layers (warm, waterproof)
Cash

Conclusion

The Sacred Valley Peru is a truly stunning location, nestled at the foot of the towering andes mountains. Visiting here offers travelers a chance to walk in the footsteps of the Incan people while also bearing witness to the living traditions carried on by the indigenous Quechua people today. From marveling at the impressive masonry at sites like Ollantaytambo and Pisac to soaking in the vibrant local markets and beautiful Andean vistas, the Sacred Valley Peru will leave you spellbound by its enduring spirit of culture, history, and reverence for the natural world. With this comprehensive travel guide’s top highlights, planning tips, and insider secrets, you’ll be equipped to have an enriching Sacred Valley Peru adventure tailored to your interests. Prepare to be transformed by this magical corner of Peru.

Check out my video on YouTube of my experience visiting the Sacred Valley Peru!