The Sacred Valley of the Incas has it all: a beautiful geography surrounded by rivers and welcoming villages, archaeological sites with a lot of historical value and thousands of adventures for people of all ages. Today it is one of the favorite destinations for tourists from all over the world. Check out the top 10 things to do in this fertile valley that was highly appreciated by the Incas.

• 1. Visit the town and archaeological site of Pisac
• 2. Visit the town and archaeological site of Chinchero
• 3. Visit the town and archaeological site of Ollantaytambo
• 4. Visit Maras and Moray by ATV
• 5. Visit the town of Urubamba
• 6. Do the Inca Trail to Urquillos
• 7. Cycling in the Malaga pass
• 8. Rafting on the Vilcanota river
• 9. Paragliding in the Sacred Hill of Chinchero
• 10. Extreme glamping at the top of the Sacred Valley

These are 10 of the best things to do in the Sacred Valley of the Incas

1. Visit the town and archaeological site of Pisac

• In Pisac there are many things to do: stroll through its cozy streets, visit the historic town market, visit the archaeological site or simply be enchanted by its beautiful scenery.
• The handicraft market of Pisac is the most famous of its kind in all of Cusco. There you can buy ceramics, fine alpaca clothing, silver and gold articles and all kinds of souvenirs.
• It is believed that since the time of the Incas, the place was already an important commercial center. With the arrival of the Spaniards, this tradition was maintained and continues to this day. On Sundays is when the market grows to occupy the entire square.
• Only 9 kilometers away by road, at the top of Pisac, is the archaeological site of the same name. This Inca city was one of the most important of its time. It had roads, squares, enclosures for the common population, enclosures for the royalty, temples, a huge network of terraces and even a cemetery.
  • Location: 34 kilometers from the city of Cusco.
  • Price of the visit: 70 Peruvian soles with Cusco Tourist Ticket (includes Ollantaytambo, Chinchero and Moray). 75 US dollars with 1 day all inclusive tour.
  • More information: Public transportation from Cusco to Pisac is taken on Puputi Street. The trip takes 1 hour and costs approximately 4 Peruvian soles.

2. Visit the town and archaeological site of Chinchero

• Chinchero is perhaps the most traditional town in the Sacred Valley of the Incas.
• It is a district located at 3780 m.a.s.l. where many of the cultural traditions of past centuries are still preserved.
• This can be seen in its dozens of textile centers where alpaca garments are still made using spinning and dyeing techniques as they were done several centuries ago.
• On Sundays a fair is held where bartering is still possible. The ‘Varayoc’ or community leaders maintain ancestral traditions such as the typical clothing of the village.
• However, the reason most tourists come to Chinchero is for its archaeological site. There are the remains of the palace of the emperor Tupac Yupanqui as well as an immense network of terraces, enclosures, roads, squares and stairways of Inca origin.
  • Location: 30 kilometers from the city of Cusco.
  • Price of the visit: 70 Peruvian soles with Cusco Tourist Ticket (includes Ollantaytambo, Pisac and Moray). 75 US dollars with 1 day all inclusive tour.
  • More information: Chinchero is also the highest town in the Sacred Valley of the Incas at 3,762 meters above sea level.

Chinchero Archaeological Center

3. Visit the town and archaeological site of Ollantaytambo

• Ollantaytambo was an important administrative center and residence of the Inca nobility during the Tahuantinsuyo (Inca Empire).
• The current inhabitants of the place have preserved the urban structure of Ollantaytambo, so it is still possible to appreciate its streets and stone walls throughout the town.
• The most important tourist attraction is its fortress located on a hill, at the top of the town. It houses a series of stone constructions such as the Temple of the Sun, the Enclosure of the 10 niches, the Baths of the ñusta and more.
• It should be noted that Ollantaytambo is a must for tourists who make the trip to Machu Picchu. There is the most important train station in Cusco.
• Due to the large number of visitors, Ollantaytambo has good hotels, restaurants, cafes and other tourist services.
  • Location: 61 kilometers from the city of Cusco.
  • Price of the visit: 70 Peruvian soles with Cusco Tourist Ticket (includes Chinchero, Pisac and Moray). 75 US dollars with 1 day all inclusive tour.
  • More information: Every year at the end of June this town celebrates the ‘Ollantaytambo Raymi’, a festivity where the famous drama of ‘Ollantay’ (Quechua drama of Inca origin) is staged.

4. Visit Maras and Moray by ATV

• Maras and Moray are two tourist attractions located near the town of Maras, west of Cusco at approximately 3,300 meters above sea level.
• The salt mines of Maras are a set of 3 thousand salt wells that originated naturally 110 million years ago. It is one of only 4 places in the world where “natural pink salt” is extracted.
• The archaeological center of Moray houses circular terraces that, in Inca times, were agricultural research laboratories. The beauty of the place captivates the visitor.
• One of the favorite activities for tourists visiting Maras and Moray is the ATV tour in both places. The ATVs are included in an adventure tour that also includes: safety equipment, guide – instructor, entrance fees and more.
  • Location: 41 kilometers from the city of Cusco.
  • Price of the visit: 1-day tours cost approximately US$40 per person.
  • More information: If you visit Maras and Moray on your own, keep in mind that the entrance fee to Moray is included in the ‘Boleto Turístico del Cusco’ while the entrance fee to Maras is 10 Peruvian soles.

ATVs in Maras and Moray

5. Visit the town of Urubamba

• The town of Urubamba is the capital of the province of the same name. It was one of the most important agricultural areas in Inca times. Today it is one of the most modern towns in the Sacred Valley of the Incas.
• Today, it produces delicious fruits and the so-called “best corn in the world”. Its climate is a temptation for travelers, many of whom have settled to live in its lands forever.
• It has a beautiful main square where there is a colonial church adorned with beautiful works of art. There are also the remains of what was the palace of the emperor Huayna Capac.
• Due to being an obligatory route to get to Machu Picchu, there is a lot of hotel and tourist offer. Many visitors decide to stay there and then visit the other attractions of Cusco.
  • Location: 53 kilometers from the city of Cusco.
  • Price of the visit: Public transportation to Urubamba is taken from the street ‘Pavitos’ in the city of Cusco. The trip takes 1 hour 30 minutes and costs 10 Peruvian soles.
  • More information: Urubamba is home to some of the best restaurants in Cusco. Do not miss the opportunity to try the delicious baked guinea pig, a famous Cusco dish.

6. Do the Inca Trail to Urquillos

• In several sections of the Sacred Valley of the Incas there are stretches of the immense road network of the Incas, the famous qhapac ñan.
• These roads reached an extension of more than 30,000 kilometers throughout the Inca empire (present-day Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador, Chile, Argentina and Colombia).
• The best preserved section of the Sacred Valley of the Incas is the one that joins the towns of Chinchero and Urquillos. It is a 9-kilometer route that, in addition to crossing these historic roads, allows you to appreciate beautiful mountain scenery.
• The hike is very well conditioned for the transit of tourists. There are signs so it is impossible to get lost. It is one of the most beautiful hiking routes in Cusco. And the best thing is that it is totally free.
  • Location: The trek begins in Chinchero, located 30 kilometers from Cusco.
  • Price of the visit: The tour is free and open to everyone.
  • More information: The most famous Inca Trail route is the one that allows you to reach Machu Picchu after 39 kilometers (4 days and 3 nights) of trekking. However, this route has an approximate cost of 400 dollars per tourist.

Urquillos Inca Trail

7. Cycling in the Malaga pass

• The mountainous geography of the Sacred Valley of the Incas is ideal for cycling.
• One of the favorite places for cycling is the Abra Malaga, one of the highest points of the Sacred Valley of the Incas as it is located at 4,200 meters above sea level.
• From there you have a scenic view not only of the Sacred Valley and its mountains. Also of the immense jungle plain of Cusco. It is a unique place in Cusco.
• The bike route is downhill for 40 kilometers through paved roads. The level of adventure is suitable for everyone, both experienced and not.
• If you do not have your own bicycle, it is best to hire the service of a tour agency that includes everything: bicycle, safety equipment, instructor – guide and more.
  • Location: The adventure begins at Abra Malaga, located 104 kilometers from the city of Cusco.
  • Price of the visit: The 1 day tours have a cost of 120 dollars per tourist approximately.
  • More information: There is a tour called ‘Inca Jungle’ that during 4 days you will do adventure sports (such as cycling in the Malaga pass) until arriving at Machu Picchu. It has a cost of approximately 400 dollars.

8. Rafting on the Vilcanota river

• The Vilcanota River was considered sacred by the Incas who believed that its waters reflected the milky way, the universe.
• The waters of the Vilcanota River run almost entirely through the Sacred Valley of the Incas and are suitable for canoeing.
• Depending on the season of the year, this is done at different levels. In dry season (April to October), the calm waters allow for levels II and III (exciting with little risk). In rainy season (from October to March), it can be done in levels IV and V (risky and with a lot of adrenaline).
• To go canoeing on the Vilcanota River, it is necessary to hire the services of a tourism agency that includes everything: canoes, safety equipment, guide-instructor and more. Most agencies start the adventure in the Pachar sector (a few minutes from Urubamba).
  • Location: 55 kilometers from the city of Cusco.
  • Price of the visit: 1 day tours have an approximate cost of 95 dollars per visitor.
  • More information: On the Apurimac River (south of Cusco) it is also possible to do this type of adventure.

Rafting in the Vilcanota River

9. Paragliding in the Sacred Hill of Chinchero

• On the Sacred Hill, high above the town of Chinchero, the winds are favorable for paragliding, one of the most famous sports in the Sacred Valley of the Incas.
• From there you have a privileged view of the snow-capped mountains Soray, Veronica and even the famous Salkantay. You can also see the beautiful green fields of corn, potatoes and more. It is a place that offers one of the best landscapes of Cusco.
• The practice of this sport must be done by a tour operator that offers all the necessary safety equipment and, above all, maximum safety.
• The flight time is approximately 30 minutes. Departure depends on the weather. There are daily departures. Choose the travel agency of your preference.
  • Location: 42 kilometers from the city of Cusco.
  • Price of the visit: The 1 day tours have an approximate cost of 100 dollars per visitor.
  • More information: Tours last half a day and include: transportation from Cusco to the Sacred Hill (round trip), a professional paragliding guide and professional equipment for the flight. It does not include breakfast or lunch.

10. Extreme glamping at the top of the Sacred Valley

• Glamping is a worldwide phenomenon that consists of spending the night in a glamorous but extreme lodging (its name comes from the words ‘Glamour’ and ‘Camping’).
• In the Sacred Valley there is a tent (glass sheath) located on a cliff 300 meters above the Urubamba River, a few kilometers from the town of Urubamba.
• This tent is glamorous as it contains a bedroom for 4 people, a bathroom and a dining room. However, this adventure is recommended only for adrenaline lovers who are not afraid of heights. From there you can appreciate all the scenic beauty of the Sacred Valley of the Incas crowned by the stars at night.
• To reach this site you must climb stairs and paths on the edge of cliffs. Of course, it has all the necessary safety measures.
  • Location: 53 kilometers from the city of Cusco.
  • Price of the visit: 1,575 Peruvian soles per night (includes ascent in via ferrata and zipline).
  • More information: Booking one night in this extreme capsule includes pick up from your hotel, transportation to the site, equipment for via ferrata or zipline ascent. It also includes dinner.

Glamping domes located on cliffs of the Sacred Valley of the Incas

By Ticket Machu Picchu – Last updated, July 10, 2024