Sacred Valley Travel Guide
Heart of the Inca World
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The beautiful Valle Sagrado lies just one hour’s drive away from Cusco and is an essential place to spend some time whilst visiting this region.
As it weaves its way through this wide, fertile and picturesque valley, the mighty Urubamba River becomes the Rio Vilcanota. The valley is of huge historical significance for the region. Packed full of fascinating archaeological ruins, indigenous markets, Andean villages, as well as opportunities for more active or adrenaline-pumping activities, it is well worth spending several days here to really absorb the magic of the Sacred Valley.
From the working salt-mines of Maras, to the dramatic fortress of Ollantaytambo or the bustling Indian market of Pisac, a visit to the Sacred Valley offers a real insight into the life and culture of this colourful Andean region.
In the time of the Incas, this region was an important agricultural centre. Today, the economy is based on farming and tourism. The city of Urubamba sits in the heart of the valley, and outlying villages of note include Maras, Yucay and Chinchero with its Colonial church (containing several excellent paintings in the Cusco School of art) and where, each Sunday, farmers and businessmen gather to exchange their products in a fair where they still barter.
Ollantaytambo is the end of the road, from here you have limited choices for continuing further down the valley towards Machu Picchu – train or foot.
Attractions in Sacred Valley
The most important attractions in the Sacred Valley are all a short distance apart. With time they are each best explored on foot, on horseback or by bike. If your itinerary is tight, the highlights can easily be covered in a day, although time in each location will be limited.
Activities in Sacred Valley
The Sacred Valley is the activity centre of the South of Peru, and each of the following activities are possible to arrange through your local Travel Expert:
Biking
Rafting
Horse Riding
Trekking
Day hikes
Shopping
Paragliding
Hot Air Ballooning
Stargazing
Relaxing
Take the time to sit near at the top of the ancient ruins of Ollantaytambo and look down upon the patchwork of fields and scattered villages along the length of the Sacred Valley.
Getting Around
While public transport runs regularly up and down the length of the Sacred Valley, to maximise your time and enable you to see everything you want, your Travel Guide will be able to provide private transfers and guides.
Alternatively you could hire a bike, borrow a horse, or explore this magical valley by foot.
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