Best Things to Do and See in Sacred Valley

It is no secret that Cusco and the Sacred Valley are the most visited places in all of Peru, but we found these places so fascinating that we decided to explore as much as possible and not leave before seeing the best of the region.

The Sacred Valley definitely must be included in your Peru travel itinerary.

The Sacred Valley boasts Inca history, countless ruins, stone steps, and the natural beauty of the photogenic valley carved by the Urubamba River that is unrivaled.

The combination of the Inca civilization’s technological prowess, history, and stunning scenery has kept travelers’ attention for decades.

The Sacred Valley and Cusco are also on every traveler’s bucket list because of their proximity to Machu Picchu, one of Peru’s most iconic ruins, and the nearby trailhead for some of the most beautiful hiking trails in the world.

Whether you want to walk the Inca Trail, the original path to Machu Picchu, or enjoy the spectacular views of the equally beautiful Salkantay Trek, Cusco, and by extension the Sacred Valley, is the perfect place to base yourself before or after your trek.

The valley, which stretches for about 100 km, is dotted with many sights and is not to be missed.

Visiting Sacred Valley

One hundred kilometers long valley stretches from Pisac Ruins and Pisac Town (20 kilometers from Cusco) to Machu Picchu’s citadel.

At Inca’s times, the valley was not only an important area for constructing several checkpoints (nowadays ruins or archaeological sites) and the main path from Cusco to Machu Picchu.

But thanks to stable temperatures all year round, sustained source of water (from Urubamba river) and two distinct seasons – wet and dry – the area was (and still is) perfect for agriculture.

Incas were people skilled in plant cultivation, and when traveling in the valley, you can notice agriculture terraces, which, for us, are lovely to look at, but local people still use them to grow crops.

Pisac Ruins & Pisac Town

The Inca ruins lie atop a hill above Pisac Town – the central part is located on the very top, but other former buildings or sometimes rather piles of stones are scattered over the grassy land.

Because of the atop position, the primary purpose of Pisac Ruins was to protect Cusco from possible attacks.

There are two ways how to visit Pisac Ruins, by car or hiking. If you have a half-day and you are reasonably fit, we strongly recommend you the latter option as it is very scenic.

But you need to get to Pisac first. There is a road leading directly to the archaeological site’s entrance, so you can either take a tour from Cusco (tours usually combine several sites including Pisac and cost around $25 when booked in Cusco), take a taxi from Cusco, or arrive by minivan to Pisac town and here take a cab to the gate.

Urubamba

The village of Urubamba Peru is the perfect place to discover all the highlights of Peru’s Sacred Valley.
From this village, you can take a personal tour of the valley’s four impressive archaeological parks, which are included in your Cusco sightseeing ticket. In addition to the Inca ruins, Urubamba offers some of the best hiking trails in the Sacred Valley.

Urubamba has authentic markets, artisan stores, and delicious restaurants, and the popular salt fields are just a few minutes away by colectivo.

Ollantaytambo

Ollantaytambo is a lovely, picturesque Inca village. The biggest draw to this adorable hamlets are the Ollantaytambo ruins, which are included on the Boleto Turístico Cusco. However, there are plenty of free Inca ruins that can be explored right within the cobblestone streets of this adorable hamlet.

Ollantaytambo has some of the best Sacred Valley hikes including Pumamarca and Inti Punku, or the sun gate. The inviting cobblestone streets are a treat, with their Inca water canals chiseled perfectly through them. This little village has plenty of coffee shops, artisanal craft shops, and modern restaurants.

Ultimately, Ollantaytambo is THE gateway to Machu Picchu. Hop on a train, catch a shared collectivo, or start the official Inca Trail. All these are options from the village of Ollantaytambo.