How to get to the Sacred Valley of the Incas?
How to get to the Sacred Valley of the Incas?
https://www.ticketmachupicchu.com/how-get-sacred-valley-incas/One of the biggest tourist attractions in Peru is the Sacred Valley of the Incas in Cusco. This valley is extensive, covering over 80 kilometers long and includes the towns of Pisac, Urubamba, Chinchero, Ollantaytambo and more. Tourists constantly visit it, seeking tranquility, vacation days and even extreme adventures. In the Sacred Valley of the Incas you can find a variety of activities. To get there, you must leave from the city of Cusco by bus, car, cab or simply on an organized tour.
- Where is the Sacred Valley of the Incas?
- What towns make up the Sacred Valley?
- Map of the Sacred Valley of the Incas
- How to get to the Sacred Valley of the Incas?
- How to get there by bus?
- How to get there by cabs and collective cabs?
- How to get there by organized tour?
- How to rent a car?
- What tourist attractions to see in the Sacred Valley?
- Will I need a ticket to visit the Sacred Valley?
- Frequently Asked Questions
Statue in the main square of Chinchero
Where is the Sacred Valley of the Incas?
- The Sacred Valley of the Incas is located in the Andes Mountains of Cusco, Peru. It is located in a fertile area of rivers, mountains and fields where the Incas built several of their main temples and terraces.
| Facts about the Sacred Valley of the Incas | |
|---|---|
| District | Písac, Ollantaytambo, Chinchero, Maras, Urubamba, Yucay and Taray. |
| Province | Urubamba and Calca |
| Region | Cusco |
| General altitude | Between 2,000 and 2,800 meters above sea level. |
| Climate | The general temperature is 22 to 25 °C, during the mornings. But, during the nights it can drop to 8 and 10 °C. |
| Historical importance | It was and still is a region dedicated to agriculture. During the Inca civilization it was crucial to determine the extension of the Andean peoples to other places such as the coast and the jungle. In addition, thanks to its climatic conditions, it is still considered a sacred place for tourists. It is also home to important Inca sites of great archaeological value. |
| Main attractions | The main attractions of the Sacred Valley of the Incas are those where the Inca civilization developed. In this sense we must mention the archaeological site of Pisac, Chinchero and Ollantaytambo. Also, the presence of other minor constructions along the Sacred Valley. |
| New attractions | Nowadays you can find several tours that lead to the main attractions. But you can also find new adventures such as ATV tours, cycling, more adventure sports and some extreme activities. |
| Cultural Heritage | In 2006, the entire Sacred Valley of the Incas has been declared as Cultural Patrimony of the Nation. This by the Peruvian state. |
The trip from Cusco is quite comfortable because it follows a road route in good condition. In addition, the fact that the Sacred Valley is close to Cusco allows trips to be made in a comfortable schedule. Leaving at 8:00 in the morning, in that sense you can make the trip with clear skies and already started the day.
That is why the trip is quite comfortable, there are a great variety of transports, all of them quite accessible. The trip from Cusco to the Sacred Valley will allow you to see the beautiful landscapes of the place and also to learn more about the fascinating of each of the archaeological sites. The simple fact of traveling throughout the Sacred Valley is already an experience apart.
What towns make up the Sacred Valley?
- The Sacred Valley is made up of several Andean towns such as: Pisac, Chinchero, Urubamba, Ollantaytambo, Maras, Calca, Yucay.
- The town located at the highest altitude is Chinchero, which is at 3,762 meters (12,342 ft). The town of Urubamba is one of the lowest at 2,857 meters (9,373 ft).
- Many of the districts or towns that are inhabitable today are the remains of Inca citadels or constructions.
- Some of the Inca constructions that today are towns are Pisac, Chinchero and Ollantaytambo.
- Let’s know more about these Inca constructions of Pisac, Chinchero and Ollantaytambo.
Pisac – Pisac is one of the first Inca citadels that were created for the expansion of the entire Inca culture. Having control of this place began to cement the control of the entire Sacred Valley, an important region dedicated to agriculture.
In the archaeological site of Pisac you can find several Inca constructions. Among them will highlight the presence of the main temples. Also of other constructions such as warehouses or colcas and more than 50 large terraces. In this place, you can also find an Inca cemetery and above all beautiful views.
Chinchero – In Chinchero you can also find a large number of terraces or Inca terraces and the presence of important Inca constructions. Among these is the presence of one of the Inca palaces dedicated to one of the most important Inca rulers. You can also appreciate the syncretism of two cultures. This can be seen in the construction of the colonial temple of Chinchero. It is also possible to appreciate some other Inca constructions among the current population of Chinchero.
Ollantaytambo – We find one of the best views of the Sacred Valley. It is also possible to find some of the most impressive Inca constructions of the Inca culture. In Ollantaytambo will highlight the Temple of the Sun that has carved stone walls of great size and weight. Likewise, you can find other temples dedicated to the main divine figures of the Andean culture.
Map of the Sacred Valley of the Incas
Map of the Sacred Valley from Cusco
How to get to the Sacred Valley of the Incas?
- To get from Cusco to the Sacred Valley there are 2 routes by road: a) by the route of the town of Chinchero or b) by the route of the town of Pisac.
- The city of Cusco is 30 kilometers from Chinchero (47 minutes by car).
- Cusco is 34 kilometers from Pisac (56 minutes by car).
How to get there by bus?
To visit the Sacred Valley by public transportation you must board buses in Cusco, at the following addresses:
- To travel by the route of Pisac:
- Puputi Street s/n Cusco.
- To travel by the route of Chinchero:
- Pavitos Street s/n, Cusco.
- Buses leave every day from Cusco to all the towns in the Sacred Valley.
- Getting to Pisac by bus will take approximately 1 hour and costs 5 Peruvian soles (2 USD).
- From Pisac the visitor can continue visiting the towns of Calca, Yucay, Urubamba and Ollantaytambo.
- Getting to Chinchero by bus will take approximately 45 minutes. The cost of the trip is 4 Peruvian soles (1.5 USD).
- From Chinchero, the tourist can continue visiting the towns of Maras, Urubamba, Yucay and Ollantaytambo.
The most economical way to visit the Sacred Valley of the Incas is to travel by bus. The price of a ticket to the town of Pisac is 2 dollars. From there, tourists can visit the other towns: Urubamba, Ollantaytambo, Chinchero, etc.
How to get there by cabs and collective cabs?
By collective cabs:
- Collective cabs are a popular and cost-effective way to get to the Sacred Valley.
- The visitor can find these services at various points in the city of Cusco: on Pavitos Street, Puputi Street, Ollantaytambo Main Square (return trip) and more.
- These services can cost between 15 Peruvian soles (5 USD) and 20 Peruvian soles (7 USD).
In Taxis:
- Cabs are the fastest and most convenient way to get to the Sacred Valley. You can hire one on Pavitos Street or Puputi Street.
- Cab service to the Sacred Valley costs between 60 Peruvian soles (20 USD) and 120 Peruvian soles (40 USD), depending on where you want to go.
Ruins in the Sacred Valley of the Incas
How to get there by organized tour?
- Joining an organized tour is the most popular way to tour the Sacred Valley of the Incas.
- Tours to the Sacred Valley start in the town of Pisac. Then they go to Urubamba, Ollantaytambo and, during the return trip to Cusco, the town of Chinchero is visited.
- The main advantage of traveling through the Sacred Valley by tour is that the tourist will not lose valuable time making transportation connections.
- To hire a tour to the Sacred Valley, the tourist must visit the website of a tourist agency. However, it is also possible to get a tour in person at the office of an agency in Cusco.
- A good option is to choose a private tour, which provides greater flexibility in schedules and itinerary. The visitor will be able to choose which sites he/she wishes to spend more time at.
| Differences between tour and self-driven travel | |
|---|---|
| Travel on your own | Travel with a travel agency |
| Requires a detailed organization to start the trip. | Requires contacting an agency and simply paying for the tour. |
| You need private transportation or request transportation. | The team will have all the necessary transportation to make the route. |
| Purchase tickets at the time of entering Maras or Moray. | You will have the tickets ready to use. |
| You will probably have to queue before entering. | No queues, start the tour of Maras and Moray. |
| Contact the guide before each of the tours. | The guides will travel in the vehicles and will accompany you throughout the tour. |
| You can stay as long as you wish in each of the attractions. | Visiting time is limited because it follows an itinerary and schedule. |
| Meals are at your disposal. | It will depend on the tour you hire. |
| Arrival at a station far from the center of Cusco. | Arrival to the historic center and also option to arrive at the door of your hotel. |
| The time of the visit can be extended. | Visiting time is scheduled and delimited. |
| Ideal if you want to learn more about the destinations and the community. | Allows you to explore. Allows a trip focused on the destination. Does not allow exploration. |
| Not recommended if you have a later flight or trip. | Recommended if you want a trip with time limit for other activities. |
How to rent a car?
- A good option to visit the Sacred Valley on your own is to rent a car.
- On the internet there are several agencies that offer different types of car rentals in Cusco.
- Most tourists who rent a car in the Sacred Valley visit: Pisac, Urubamba, Ollantaytambo and Chinchero.
- It is not possible to visit Machu Picchu by car. The way to get to Machu Picchu is by train.
What tourist attractions to see in the Sacred Valley?
The Sacred Valley of the Incas offers many tourist attractions such as:
- The archaeological site of Pisac.
- The market of Pisac.
- The archaeological site of Chinchero.
- The textile centers of Chinchero.
- The salt mines of Maras.
- The Inca terraces of Moray.
- The archaeological site of Ollantaytambo.
- Adventure in canoeing on the Vilcanota River.
To visit the tourist attractions of the Sacred Valley, the tourist will need to buy the ‘Cusco Tourist Ticket Circuit 3’. This ticket includes admission to the archaeological sites of Pisac, Ollantaytambo, Chinchero and Moray.
Colonial architecture – Chinchero
Will I need a ticket to visit the Sacred Valley?
- To visit the main tourist attractions of the Sacred Valley you will need the ‘Cusco Tourist Ticket’.
- This ticket grants you the entrance to the main attractions of the Sacred Valley but also to several places in Cusco.
There are 3 types of Cusco tourist tickets:
Cusco General Tourist Ticket:
- Includes admission to 16 tourist attractions in Cusco, the South Valley and the Sacred Valley.
- Once purchased, it is valid for 10 days. That is, you can use this ticket for 10 days. If you enter an archaeological site or destination, you will no longer be able to enter.
Cusco Tourist Ticket Circuit 1:
- Includes admission to the 4 main tourist attractions of Cusco: Sacsayhuaman, Qenqo, Puca Pucara and Tambomachay.
- Once purchased, the ticket is valid for 1 day. This ticket is ideal for a similar or equal City Tour. All the attractions can be visited in less than 6 hours, since it has short distance between them.
Cusco Tourist Ticket Circuit 2:
- Includes admission to the museums of Cusco and the South Valley.
- Once purchased, the ticket is valid for 2 days. There are only 2 days left to visit all the attractions. It is recommended to make a good organization of the trip.
Cusco Tourist Ticket Circuit 3:
- Includes admission to the 4 main tourist attractions of the Sacred Valley: Pisac, Ollantaytambo, Chinchero and Moray.
- Once purchased, it is valid for 2 days. To make a proper and unhurried tour is recommended to divide the tour of these destinations in 2 days.
Frequently Asked Questions
1) How far in advance should I buy my Cusco Tourist Ticket?
The good thing about the Cusco Tourist Ticket is that it does not have limited availability. So you can buy the tickets at the time of entering the archaeological site you want. It can also be purchased in authorized stores, as we saw above. Something that you will have to take into account when booking these tickets is to plan well the tour you will have. This, only for the validity of the entrance ticket.
2) Are the attractions of the Sacred Valley easy to enter?
Yes, to visit any of the attractions of the Sacred Valley, it is not necessary to take long trekking routes or other activities. So you can get to the access area of the archaeological sites by any means of transportation. This considerably facilitates the visit of the sites. Likewise, during the tours, you will find plenty of signage and in some cases safety equipment to avoid accidents. The same applies when traveling from one place to another. Most of the road is paved and allows for a comfortable and safe trip.
3) Are there free admission tickets?
Yes, there are some tickets that can be given completely free. But this is only for exclusive groups. The first group of people who have some discounts are children under 8 years old. They will be able to enter for free to any of the Sacred Valley destinations. This same discount applies to tourists from Cusco. That is to say, tourists from the Cusco region can enter for free in most attractions.
4) Is there an established route to travel through the Sacred Valley of the Incas?
Not really. However, you can find 2 routes to start the tour of the Sacred Valley of the Incas. If you start the tour from Cusco, you can choose to do the tour of the Sacred Valley, starting from Pisac or Chinchero. By following both routes you can coincide in the route to Ollantaytambo and also in the route to Urubamba. In this sense, you can start according to the visitor’s convenience and according to your travel itinerary.
5) In what season is it best to visit the Sacred Valley?
The best time to visit the Sacred Valley of the Incas is during the dry season. This season starts in April and lasts until October. During all this time there is no rain and the tour or the time to do any activity in the Sacred Valley is possible. However, the dry season coincides with the high season. In this sense, you will find a large number of tourists who will share the same services to reach the Sacred Valley.
Advice from people who have been there
By: Ernesto J.“Excellent climate“
“When I was told that the climate of the Sacred Valley in Cusco had something special, I didn't believe it until I felt it. The climate, especially in Urubamba is really rewarding. I had been looking for years for a place to have peace and quiet and I found it in the Sacred Valley of the Incas. I recommend it to anyone who wants a nice vacation or just to disconnect.“
By Ticket Machu Picchu – Last updated, September 28, 2024