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Paisajes y clima del valle sagrado de los incas

Unlock the Secrets of the Sacred Valley of the Incas: Your Ultimate Travel Guide

Welcome to the ultimate guide to the Sacred Valley! Immerse yourself in an extraordinary journey through one of the most fascinating destinations in Peru, where ancient history intertwines with natural beauty in an unparalleled spectacle. From majestic Inca ruins to picturesque Andean villages, our blog will take you by the hand through every corner of this magical valley.

Discover the best-kept secrets of this sacred valley, where every stone tells a story and every landscape leaves you breathless. With our guide, you’ll unravel the mysteries of Machu Picchu, explore the archaeological wonders of Ollantaytambo and Pisac, and immerse yourself in the rich culture that still thrives in the local communities.

General Overview

What is the Sacred Valley?

The Sacred Valley of the Incas is one of the most prominent and important destinations in South America and Peru, housing beautiful traditional towns established since colonial times, such as the community of Maras. Here, the Incas built ancient citadels like Pisac, Ollantaytambo, and Chinchero. These sites showcase a vast diversity of agricultural products cultivated on terraces, which today have become highly attractive tourist attractions for all travelers before or after visiting Machu Picchu.

Panoramic images of the Sacred Valley of the Incas.

These are the first panoramic views you’ll have of the Sacred Valley.

Where is the Sacred Valley of the Incas located?

This beautiful Sacred Valley is located in the northwest area of the Cusco department, which we can explore through paved trails, crossing different populated centers filled with history, culture, and living traditions.

Altitude of the Sacred Valley

The Sacred Valley of the Incas is at an average altitude between 2,700 and 3,000 meters above sea level. But remember, it’s composed of various Andean towns located at different altitudes such as:

History of the Sacred Valley of the Incas

According to data obtained about how the Sacred Valley was formed, it’s known that it was initially inhabited by small Andean communities until the conquest by the Incas under Emperor Pachacutec between 1438 and 1471. This period marked significant constructions of terraces, temples, and cities like Ollantaytambo, Moray, and even Machu Picchu.
During the Inca civil war (1529 – 1532), the valley’s inhabitants remained loyal to Huáscar’s army. With the arrival of the Spanish, the rebel Inca Manco Inca fled through the Sacred Valley, burning Chinchero along his way. He managed to settle in Ollantaytambo, where he fought fiercely against the invaders. Before his imminent fall, he established himself in the inaccessible jungle and set up his reign in Vilcabamba.

With the Spanish conquest, the fertile territories of the Sacred Valley were distributed among the Spaniards. The main temples were destroyed, and Christian churches were built in their place. This is why many parts of the Inca archaeological sites are deteriorated today, either by time or damage caused by the Spanish. Even so, the Sacred Valley of the Incas is a very popular tourist destination.

Black and white photographs of some Inca sites in the Sacred Valley.

Important Inca sites in the Sacred Valley.

Essential Information

Climate of the Sacred Valley

Due to its location and altitude below 3,000 meters, the climate of the Sacred Valley is extremely pleasant, with temperatures ranging from 21 to 23 °C on average. During the day, you’ll experience warm winds, intense sun, and clear panoramic views. As evening approaches, you’ll feel colder winds, especially if you’re in elevated and open areas.
On the other hand, it also shares the similarity of having two well-defined seasons: the dry season and the rainy season. However, this isn’t very determinant since the road and the different archaeological complexes are suitable to be visited during any season. You just need to have the appropriate clothing, and your adventure to explore is assured.

Landscapes and climate of the Sacred Valley of the Incas

Panoramic views vary depending on the climate.

How far is the Sacred Valley from Machu Picchu?

To answer this question, we’ll take Ollantaytambo as the final point of the Sacred Valley tour, from which the distance separating this beautiful city from Machu Picchu is approximately 32 km.

Is it safe to visit the Sacred Valley?

Definitely yes. This area of Cusco has a very calm climate, and since it’s at a lower altitude, the weather is quite warm and fresh, which directly influences not suffering from the famous “altitude sickness,” as often happens when visiting other destinations. It’s also worth noting that the tour is conducted through paved roads, adding a plus of comfort and safety to the tourist circuit.

How to Get to the Sacred Valley of the Incas?

With a Travel Agency

Comfort, safety, and integrity are the words to describe a trip to the Sacred Valley of the Incas with a travel agency. The service begins with pickup at your hotel door in Cusco, followed by transportation to the different places to visit, while a professional guide complements the experience with information and data about each attraction, providing professional assistance throughout the trip. Upon return, you’ll be taken to the central area, near the main square (group service), or to your hotel door (private service).
Note: Most Sacred Valley tours do not include the Partial Tourist Ticket, which allows you to access the different archaeological complexes. But don’t worry, you can purchase it at the first control area in Pisac, and it costs 70.00 soles.

How to Visit the Sacred Valley on Your Own?

What to Do in the Sacred Valley of Peru?

While we mentioned that the Sacred Valley stands out for housing archaeological centers and towns where we can conduct cultural, mystical, and traditional tours, the reality is that today there are a lot of activities to do in the Sacred Valley. If outdoor sports are your thing, the Sacred Valley of the Incas offers you the following:

Attractions of the Sacred Valley

Pisac

The town of Pisac is located 33 kilometers from the city of Cusco and is known as the gateway to the Sacred Valley, as it will be the first place visited during the Classic Sacred Valley tour. The city, as well as the Pisac Archaeological Center, are world-famous. In the urban area, you’ll find its craft market, where you can purchase beautiful handcrafted souvenirs like silver jewelry, textiles, and more. In the upper area, its impressive archaeological remains stand out.

Highlights of the Pisac archaeological center.

The first archaeological center you’ll visit on the Sacred Valley tour.

Urubamba

Urubamba is also one of the most important cities in the Sacred Valley of the Incas, which, according to history, was born during the colonial period and is considered the world capital of corn. This is possible thanks to being irrigated by numerous rivers that originate in the peaks of glacial mountains. Being a place highly valued by the Incas due to the fertility of its lands, it became one of the best places to relax. That’s why you’ll see many foreigners who decided to leave their countries and move to this beautiful city.

Panoramic view, festivities, and temples of Urubamba.

It’s the most extensive city in the entire Sacred Valley and where restaurants are usually located.

Ollantaytambo

Ollantaytambo is located 97 kilometers northeast of the city of Cusco (being the farthest town). During the Inca period, it was a fortified city with temples, defense walls, and urban and agricultural sectors, as it served as a control and administrative point for access to Machu Picchu. Today, it is considered one of the most important archaeological sites in Peru and South America, earning the nickname “The Living Inca City,” as its streets and resident people still maintain a traditional style.

Unique features of the Ollantaytambo archaeological complex.

The closest archaeological center to Machu Picchu.

Chinchero

The town of Chinchero is located 28 kilometers from the city of Cusco and is characterized as one of the points in the Sacred Valley located at a higher altitude (3,772 meters above sea level). This place housed the palace of Emperor Tupac Yupanqui, which was destroyed during the Spanish invasion, and in its place, they built the colonial church of Our Lady of Monserrat, a church built during the 17th century that includes paintings from the ‘Cusco School.’
This town also stands out for having a magnificent textile culture, ongoing since the Inca culture, creating unique textile crafts in the world. During your visit, you can participate in a demonstration where you’ll see their elaboration, dyeing, and more; an experience you can’t miss.

An important attraction that maintains its living culture.

A great sunset and the opportunity to acquire beautiful textiles.

Maras

The town of Maras is famous for housing salt ponds that form a unique spectacular landscape. During your visit to this place, you can observe more than 5,000 salt extraction pools built in the Inca era, taking advantage of a salty water spring and the slope of the mountain “Qaqawiñay“, which were used for its construction.
This place has gained great culinary value, as the Maras salt mines are one of the four places worldwide where you can obtain “pink salt“, which is why the town’s inhabitants market it in the main markets of Cusco and currently export it to different countries.

The famous pink salt reserves of Maras.

A place where the famous pink salt of Maras is obtained.

Moray

Moray is located about 74 kilometers from the city of Cusco and houses the famous Inca circular platforms, a set of concentric terraces that gives the sensation of being an artificial crater. It’s considered one of the main agricultural research centers of the Inca empire, as it’s believed to have been dedicated to experimentation and planting crops from different places. The different climates and altitudinal floors were built with the intention of making it possible to sow coastal and jungle products in highland areas.

Different angles of the Moray archaeological complex.

This is one of the most enigmatic and important archaeological sites in the Sacred Valley.

Yucay

A quiet town located 55 kilometers by road from the city of Cusco. According to history, during the Inca era, the fertile lands of this place were mainly used for agricultural production. That’s why Emperor Huayna Capac ordered the construction of a series of terraces and palaces here.
During the colonial period, Yucay’s lands were distributed by the Spanish rulers, who ordered the construction of churches and houses over the ancient Inca constructions. Today, it’s a welcoming place for visitors interested in history, as they still preserve Inca walls and terraces in good condition.

poblado, ruinas incas y festividades de yucay.

Although not often visited, it’s a very attractive town to explore.

Note: As we mentioned earlier, the Sacred Valley houses different towns with their respective tourist attractions of great importance for all travelers. Considering that today there are different tour packages offered by travel agencies, remember to consult exactly which places are included in your itinerary.

Travel Tips and Preparations Before Departing to the Sacred Valley

What Should I Bring to the Sacred Valley Tour?

As is customary in the Andean highlands of Peru, the climate can be changeable regardless of your travel season (dry or wet). Depending on your stay time in the Sacred Valley or the tour you’ve hired, you should pack the appropriate gear for each time of day to keep you protected and comfortable throughout your adventure.

What Not to Bring?

To avoid legal and financial penalties that will definitely ruin your tour experience, it’s essential to avoid at all costs bringing the following items:

Recommendations

How to Visit the Sacred Valley?

The best way to visit the Sacred Valley and know its most emblematic places is through a tour with a travel agency. This way, you ensure complete guidance in discovering each historical place, outdoor activities, and let’s not forget the private transportation that will be vital for you to connect each tour point properly, safely, and comfortably.
Remember that currently, there are two accesses to the valley: the first starting in Chinchero and the second starting in Pisac. Therefore, your starting and ending point should be determined by the tour you’ve chosen, depending on the contracted agency.

How to Tour the Sacred Valley?

To answer the question, we must clarify that the Sacred Valley of the Incas has a circular circuit that, depending on your contracted tour, you can visit tourist attractions in a different order and with different activities.

Restaurants in the Sacred Valley

During the Classic Sacred Valley Tour, lunches will be in the city of Urubamba, where today there are various culinary offers, from gourmet to more accessible menus. Depending on your choice, you can enjoy the one that best suits your tastes and budget.

On the other hand, depending on the type of service acquired (group or private) and your days of stay, you could have breakfast, lunch, and dinner in the different cities of the Sacred Valley. Therefore, it’s important to consider the most recommended restaurants according to TripAdvisor:

Options for Purchasing Authentic Souvenirs and Keepsakes

Practical Tips to Explore and Enjoy Each Destination to the Fullest

During your visit to the different towns and archaeological centers, you should consider the following recommendations to enjoy a complete, safe, and informative experience:

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is Machu Picchu located in the Sacred Valley?

Yes, in geographical terms, the Machu Picchu Archaeological Complex is located within the area of the Sacred Valley, being the farthest point from the city of Cusco.

Is Ollantaytambo in the Sacred Valley?

Yes, Ollantaytambo is the final outbound point of the Sacred Valley tour. To continue heading towards Machu Picchu, you can only do so if you have previously purchased train tickets; otherwise, you’ll return to the city of Cusco.

Is the Sacred Valley worth visiting?

Definitely yes. Both the cities and the archaeological sites are extremely important due to their history, architecture, scenic beauty, and culture, unique to this great area that contains several locations.

Why is the Sacred Valley sacred?

It’s considered of great religious value due to its great and unique qualities like fertile lands, control points to reach Machu Picchu, and cities formed by the Inca elite to consolidate their power and dominance in this vast area surrounded by natural mountains and snow-capped peaks.

How to visit the Sacred Valley from Cusco?

To visit the Sacred Valley, we always recommend hiring the services of a travel agency, as it provides you with the ease of transportation between the different locations it has.

Are Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley the same?

No, Machu Picchu is the most important Inca archaeological center, whose foundations have remained practically intact despite the elapsed time. It’s also the tourist destination par excellence of Peru and South America.
On the other hand, the Sacred Valley is a vast geographical area that brings together several urban cities and archaeological centers strategically located to control those who managed to access Machu Picchu.

Can I go to Humantay from the Sacred Valley?

Yes, although you may not know it, many travelers choose to spend their acclimatization days in the Sacred Valley since it’s at a lower altitude than Cusco. However, you must have previously hired a private tour, as group tours to the Humantay Lagoon depart from Cusco.

Can you drive from the Sacred Valley of Peru to Aguas Calientes?

No, the only ways to access Aguas Calientes are two: the first is through the train service that starts in Ollantaytambo, or through the trekking route known as the Inca Trail.

Can you see the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu in the same day?

Yes, there is a tour called Machu Picchu 1 Day, which practically takes you through the same route that crosses Pisac, Urubamba, Ollantaytambo, Aguas Calientes, and Machu Picchu. However, keep in mind that you’ll only briefly pass through each city, as the goal is to reach Machu Picchu and return to Cusco on the same day. Honestly, it’s not a great option unless time is pressing and your only interest is the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu.

Do I need an English guide for the Sacred Valley?

If you’re a tourist from English-speaking countries, it’s ideal that you have a guide who is fluent in English. This way, you’ll have all the information and doubts resolved in your native language. Keep in mind that nowadays, all tourism agencies have bilingual professionals ready to provide you with the best service.

Do I need a tour for the Sacred Valley?

The reality is yes, since it’s a tour in different points that are very distant from each other. By acquiring a tour, you ensure the comfort of exclusive transportation that will take you to the entrance point of the different archaeological complexes to visit.

Does the Inca Trail include the Sacred Valley?

No, the Inca Trail is an exclusive excursion that starts at Km 82 and lasts between 2, 4, or 5 days depending on your preference, for which there is already an itinerary, equipment requirements, and its own logistics. However, they can pick you up from your accommodation in the Sacred Valley.

Can you explore the Sacred Valley without a guide?

As we mentioned earlier, it’s possible to tour the beautiful Sacred Valley of the Incas on your own and without a guide. But remember that each place has its mysteries and incredible data to know that only an experienced guide can offer you.

Does it snow in the Sacred Valley of Peru?

Although it’s not a very common climatic phenomenon, there have been occasions of light snow in the Sacred Valley, which brought negative consequences for the area’s crops.

How close is the Sacred Valley to Lima?

To reach the Sacred Valley from Lima, you must first take a flight that lasts 1 hour and 30 minutes and arrive at Cusco Airport (currently, it’s the only way).

How much does a private taxi cost from Cusco to the Sacred Valley?

In general, the taxi service from Cusco (center) to the Sacred Valley of the Incas costs between 50 to 60 soles, with a trip duration of 1 hour. The price and duration depend on your destination city (Pisac, Urubamba, Ollantaytambo).

How much time do you need in the Sacred Valley?

There are various Sacred Valley tour offers, each with its own duration and destinations to visit. It’s essential to keep in mind that the fastest is 1 day, enough to do the Classic Sacred Valley tour.

How to get from Cusco airport to the Sacred Valley?

If your goal is to reach the Sacred Valley as quickly as possible, you can inform your booking agent, who will coordinate your direct transportation from your arrival at the airport to the reserved hotel in the Sacred Valley.

How to get from Cusco city to the Sacred Valley?

Today, there are transportation stops that head to the Sacred Valley and its different cities. Remember to consult exactly which town you’re heading to, as some transports cross Pisac, Urubamba, and finally Ollantaytambo on their route, but others usually go directly to Urubamba and Ollantaytambo.

How to get from Machu Picchu to the Sacred Valley?

You should board the train that will take you from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo, where your private transportation will be waiting to transfer you to your hotel in Pisac or Urubamba.

How to get from Ollantaytambo to the Sacred Valley?

The town of Ollantaytambo is already part of the Sacred Valley, being the last city to visit during the classic tour.

How to get to the Sacred Valley of Peru?

If you’re a foreign traveler, you must board a plane that will take you to Lima Airport (mandatory stop), then continue with another flight from Lima to Cusco, where you can board transportation that will take you to the Sacred Valley in approximately 1 hour.

How to tip the Sacred Valley guide?

The action is not mandatory; however, most travelers do it depending on the quality of service provided at the hotel, guidance, transportation, and other services.

Is Chinchero in the Sacred Valley?

Yes, due to its location, the town of Chinchero is part of this enigmatic valley and is also included in the Classic Sacred Valley tour.

Is Cusco part of the Sacred Valley?

No; however, it’s the city from where most tours start and allows you to access the valley more quickly and concretely.

Is Moray in the Sacred Valley?

Yes, Moray is also within the area of the Sacred Valley, although it’s not part of the classic tour and is usually less visited.

Can you take a train from Cusco to the Sacred Valley?

Yes, this is an option that not many travelers take due to its high cost, but there is the option to go by train, which allows you to have great views of the mountains and cities until you reach the Sacred Valley.

Sacred Valley of the Incas: History, Nature, and Culture Await You

The Sacred Valley of the Incas is more than a destination—it’s an experience that blends history, vibrant culture, and breathtaking landscapes. From the terraces of Pisac to the fortresses of Ollantaytambo, this place offers a unique immersion into the Incan legacy and the magic of the Peruvian Andes. With activities for every taste, from cultural tours to adventure sports, the Sacred Valley has something special for every visitor.

Don’t wait any longer to explore this enchanting destination. Plan your trip, whether through an organized tour or on your own, and embark on an unforgettable adventure. Book today and get ready to discover the magic that only the Sacred Valley can offer. Your next great adventure awaits in the heart of the Andes!

Written by: AdminGustavo

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