Sacred Valley of the Incas

Sacred Valley of the Incas is a beautiful region, located approximately one hour away from Cusco. The Sacred Valley of Peru is also the gateway to Machu Picchu. Explore stunning archaeological sites such as Pisac, Ollantaytambo, Moray, Salt Mines and Chinchero on this magical Sacred Valley day tour from Cusco and immerse yourself in Inca history, as well as see how local communities still live in traditional ways until today.

History of the Sacred Valley

History of the Sacred Valley In the 15th century, Pachacuti Yupanqui and Tupac Yupanqui built a huge empire in South America. This empire traveled an incredible distance from central Chile to southern Colombia.

It occupied all of Peru, most of Ecuador and parts of Argentina and Bolivia. This incredible empire was known as the Tahuantinsuyo Empire. With an astonishing 4,000 kilometers from north to south and covered by a 40,000-kilometer with the red Inca trail, this was one of the largest empires in the history of South America.

Cusco was part of the Sacred Valley and had extraordinary financial and agricultural wealth. It was protected by Inca fortresses. The valley extended to the Vilcanota and Urubamba rivers. The Vilcanota River, in particular, was sacred to the Incas, as it represented the Milky Way.

Weather in the Sacred Valley of the Incas

Weather in the Sacred Valley of the Incas The Sacred Valley of the Incas is located at 2,800 meters above sea level and has one of the best climates in the highland region, which is one of the reasons that plants flourished and allowed agricultural research and experimentation, and the rich and the religious of the Inca empire settled here.

During the days, the temperatures range from 18° to 25°C. It is also slightly lower in altitude than Cusco, and so a great place for travelers to acclimatize before taking on Machu Picchu.

Pisac

Pisac Considered the official entrance to the Sacred Valley, it is a small Inca town with impressive ruins. In Inca times, Pisac’s central location made it the ideal place to barter goods, and the lively craft and agricultural market still thrives today. Be sure to stop by to see the local crafts and you might even want to buy some souvenirs like textiles and pottery.

What most people come to visit here are the ruins at the top of the town and they certainly do not disappoint. The main site or plaza is made up of a set of archaeological sites with different purposes, from a fortress to protect the valley to terraces for cultivation, and from baths and altars to the Intihuatana, a ritual stone. associated with the astronomical clock. We can also find an Inca cemetery with more than 10 thousand burials.

Some of the ruins have not yet been excavated, so there is much more to learn about this impressive site.

Urubamba Town

Urubamba Town This town is considered a midpoint of the tour of the sacred valley of the Incas, we can also find the best boutique and luxurious hotels located on the outskirts of the city that attract many travelers.
Spending the night in the Urubamba Valley is the perfect way to appreciate the beauty of the Sacred Valley at a slower pace. Enjoy top-notch services, spa amenities, and endless views of the Andes from your hotel room.

For a taste of Urubamba’s budding culinary scene, dine at top restaurants Tunupa or Don Angel. The restaurant at Hotel Casa Andina Private Collection in the Sacred Valley, Alma, is highly recommended.

Many travelers pass through Urubamba because it is located along the only highway that connects key transportation routes through the Sacred Valley. In fact, many tours to the Sacred Valley stop in town for lunch. If you have extra time, walk to the town square and then visit the Urubamba indoor market just two blocks away.

Ollantaytambo

Ollantaytambo This archaeological center is one of the best surviving examples of Inca planning. Built between two mountains, it was an ancient administrative center of the Incas.

The entrance to the town is formed by steep stone terraces, it was the site of a great battle with the Spanish conquistadors, and one of the only ones that were successful. Climbing the steep stone stairs, one realizes how impressive this fortress is.
Upon reaching the top, you will be able to enter the unfinished Temple of the Sun, which serves a specific purpose for the Inca calendar. You will also be able to see Incamisana, an ancient water temple, the baths of the Ñustas (princesses) and the funerary towers of Cachicata.

Salt Mines & Maras

Salt Mines & Maras Maras is a beautiful town from the Inca era where we will find the famous salt pools. Originally built by the Chanapata culture, there are thousands of ponds that belong to local families and have been passed down from generation to generation.

It is believed that this area, despite its elevation of 3,000 meters, was once covered by the ocean, giving the spring water a high concentration of salt. When swimming pools were developed, a canal was created to feed this water to the ponds. Once filled, it is left to dry in arid climate until the water has completely evaporated.

Moray Terraces

Moray Terraces One of the most phenomenal and, in some ways, mind-blowing things to see in the Sacred Valley. These circular terraces, also called “The Laboratory”, offer changing light and temperature conditions on each level.

For that reason, in the Inca era they were able to experiment with many different types of crops and that is why Peru, today, has more than 2000 species of potatoes!

Chinchero

Located 28 kilometers from Cusco. In Chinchero, you can see how locals extract, clean and dye alpaca hair and weave traditional handmade items. It is located at the highest altitude 3,772 meters above sea level (12,375 feet).

It also has a craft market where you can still barter. Chinchero has a wonderful 17th century colonial church with canvases from the “Cusco school.”. Remember to respect local communities and their customs when visiting.

Travel tips the Sacred Valley

Travel tips the Sacred Valley
Planning Ahead

Traveling to Cusco and the Sacred Valley in high season (June, July, August) requires months of advance planning because services sell out quickly. Travel logistics include airfare, hotel reservations, tours, and train tickets and entrance fees if you are going to Machu Picchu. Permits are also limited to travel the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu and can sometimes be reserved 4 months in advance. Please note that the Inca Trail is closed every February for maintenance.

Packing list

Clothes.- The weather in the Sacred Valley changes quickly, so bring plenty of layers to be prepared. Pack t-shirts and add warmth with long-sleeved clothing and a fleece jacket. Lightweight trekking pants.
Footwear.- Comfortable hiking boots or sneakers with good traction are ideal for walking to and around the Inca archaeological complexes. For multi-day hikes you will definitely want boots to support your ankles.
Solar protection.- Don’t forget your hat, glasses and sunscreen to protect yourself from the sun.
Day trips.- Bring a backpack with tight straps to carry water, camera and other personal belongings.
Rainy season.- During the rainy season months, carry a waterproof jacket or a travel umbrella. Plastic ponchos can also be purchased in Cusco and the Sacred Valley.

Transportation through the Sacred Valley

Most tours to the Sacred Valley include transportation to/from your hotel. For independent exploration, you can take a local bus (the cheapest way) or hire a taxi (more convenient and time-efficient). The railway also runs between Cusco (Poroy Train) to Ollantaytambo in the Sacred Valley and then to Aguas Calientes, the city at the base of Machu Picchu.

Luggage restrictions for the Train to Machu Picchu
If you are taking the train to Machu Picchu or going on a multi-day hike, you will likely need to store your heavy luggage for this leg of the trip.
Each train passenger is allowed one bag or backpack weighing up to 11 pounds (5 kg). Fortunately, all of our recommended hotels in the Sacred Valley and Cusco offer free luggage storage for their guests.