must-visit in Sacred ValleyHistoric Ruins & Heritage
Sacred Valley
📍 Sacred Valley of the Incas, Cusco Region, Peru
4.8/ 5.0
★★★★★
Introduction
The Sacred Valley of the Incas stretches along the Urubamba River from Pisac towards Machu Picchu, forming the heartland of the Inca Empire. Home to Inca ruins and terraces at Pisac, Ollantaytambo and Chinchero, the valley sits at about 2,800 metres with a mild climate and serves as the main gateway to Machu Picchu via the Inca Rail from Ollantaytambo.
✨ Highlights
1
Inca Ruins Scattered Along the Valley
The ruins and farming terraces of Pisac, Ollantaytambo and Chinchero are spread throughout the valley.
2
Gateway to Machu Picchu
The Inca Rail from Ollantaytambo reaches Machu Picchu in about 1.5 hours.
3
The Moray Terraces
Inca experimental concentric circular terraces, where temperatures can differ by up to 15 degrees between levels.
4
The Maras Salt Pans
More than 3,000 salt evaporation ponds cascade down the hillside, in use for hundreds of years.
5
Chinchero Market
A traditional textile market every Sunday, bursting with colour.
6
Scenic Train Ride
The railway follows the Urubamba valley, with snow-capped peaks and terraces outside the window.
🛈 Practical Info
→Suggested Duration：One day covers the essentials; 2-3 days allow a deeper exploration of the ruins and towns.
→Transport：About 1.5 hours from Cusco by private car or bus, or take the Inca Rail to Ollantaytambo.
→Tickets：Pisac, Moray and other sites require the Cusco Tourist Ticket (Boleto Turístico), around 130 soles.
→Altitude：The valley sits at about 2,800 metres - acclimatise in Cusco for 1-2 days first.
→Best Time to Visit：May to September (dry season) brings clear skies; December to April (rainy season) is greener but prone to showers.
💡 Tips
• Avoid strenuous activity when you first arrive at altitude, drink plenty of water, and try coca tea to ease altitude sickness.
• Book Inca Rail tickets well in advance - even earlier during the high season (June to August).
• Moray and the Maras salt pans are often combined in a single Sacred Valley day tour.
• Chinchero's market is at its liveliest on Sundays and offers a glimpse of local life.
• UV radiation is strong at altitude - sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses are essential.
FAQ
Any practical tips for visiting Sacred Valley?
Avoid strenuous activity when you first arrive at altitude, drink plenty of water, and try coca tea to ease altitude sickness. Book Inca Rail tickets well in advance - even earlier during the high season (June to August).
Information on this page is compiled from public sources. Opening hours, ticket prices and other details may change — please verify with official sources before your visit.