The trip to the Sacred Valley of the Incas in Cusco, Peru is as amazing as the Inca Citadel of Machu Picchu. This vast area surrounded by mountains, rivers and the most incredible nature was of great importance to the Incas. There they built temples, palaces and agricultural centers that survive to this day despite the passage of time. The archaeological sites of Pisac, Ollantaytambo, Chinchero and more are proof of their ability to work with stone. Today, most tourists visit these traditional and historic sites by hiring a tour. However, it is also possible to do it on your own.

• Is it worth visiting the Sacred Valley of the Incas?
• What to do there?
• How is the tour to the Sacred Valley? How much does it cost?
• What does the tour include? Which one to choose?
• And how to go on my own? How much is the budget?
• How to get tour guides?
• How to get transportation?
• How is the weather?
• Gallery of images
• Other adventures on your own in the Sacred Valley

Learn how to visit the Sacred Valley without a tour and on your own

Is it worth visiting the Sacred Valley of the Incas?

• The Sacred Valley of the Incas is one of the most visited destinations by tourists traveling to Cusco – Peru.
• This place is worth visiting because it offers everything: places with a lot of history, incredible landscapes and even adventure sports.
• The Sacred Valley is an intermediate destination between Cusco and Machu Picchu. Most people know this place through an all-inclusive tour. However, another good option is to visit it on your own.

The Incas organized a grandiose empire that extended to the south of Colombia, the north of Argentina and Chile as well as almost the entire territory of Ecuador, Bolivia and Peru. Their capital was in Cusco (navel of the world in Quechua). The geography of this place is blessed by a favorable climate for agriculture. Thus, the Incas built their main buildings in the Sacred Valley, an area crossed by the Urubamba River. Over time, many traditional villages settled there.

What to do there?

Archaeological sites:

• Pisac – An Inca citadel that stands out for its immense terraces, enclosures for the common population, enclosures for the Inca nobility, religious monuments and even a cemetery. It is at the top of the town of Pisac, 42 kilometers from the city of Cusco.
• Ollantaytambo – A town and archaeological site full of Inca buildings such as terraces, baths, temples, enclosures, colcas and more. During the war between the Incas and Spaniards in the 6th century, it served as an Inca defense post. It is 61 kilometers from the city of Cusco.
• Chinchero – In this Inca town was built the palace of Tupac Yupanqui. It stood out for its enormous Inca terraces, enclosures and temples. Unfortunately, today most of these buildings are destroyed. This is mainly due to the fire that occurred in the sixteenth century by the clashes between Incas and Spaniards. It is located 30 kilometers from Cusco.

Enjoy the beautiful landscapes of the Sacred Valley of the Incas

Adventure sports:

• Rafting – The Urubamba River is the perfect setting for the practice of this sport. There are rapids of levels I, II, III, IV and V (varies according to the season). It is recommended to do this adventure with an authorized tourism agency, which includes all the necessary equipment and more.
• Hiking – The mountainous geography of the Sacred Valley of the Incas is ideal for trekking. There are famous routes such as the Inca Trail (4-day hike). There are also routes that take only a few hours (from Chinchero to Urquillos). It is recommended to be accompanied by a guide or through a tourist agency.
• Rock climbing – Rock climbing or ‘via ferrata’ can be practiced in certain points of the Sacred Valley. For example, in the Yanahuara sector, there is a beginner and moderate level section. Of course, this sport must be done with an authorized tourism agency.

Tourists practicing ziplining in the Sacred Valley

Other tourist attractions:

• Salineras de Maras – In the upper part of the Sacred Valley is a set of more than 200 natural salt wells formed by the whim of nature thousands of years ago. The Incas worked the salt for their personal consumption. Today, the inhabitants also work the salt, which forms a unique landscape. It is located almost 50 kilometers from the city of Cusco.
• Circular terraces of Moray – Only 10 kilometers from the salt mines of Maras, the Incas built a set of huge circular terraces that offer a unique landscape to the eye. There they experimented with different products such as potatoes, corn and even coca leaves. Many tourists like to take pictures in this place.

During the 15th century, the Incas ordered the construction of the main palaces and temples in the Sacred Valley. Thus, Pisac, Ollantaytambo, Chinchero and more were built. Pachacutec, the ninth Inca ruler and creator of the Tahuantinsuyo, ordered the construction of Machu Picchu in 1450 approximately. In addition, Moray, another of the main attractions of the valley, is maintained as a sample of his skills in agriculture.

How is the tour to the Sacred Valley? How much does it cost?

Classic tour of the Sacred Valley (Duration 10 hours / Cost 70 $ approximately):

Tour to Maras and Moray (Duration 6 hours / Cost 50 $ approximately):

What does the tour include? Which one to choose?

• All 1 day tours to the Sacred Valley of the Incas include: round trip transportation service, entrance to all sites (with the Cusco Tourist Ticket), lunch in Urubamba and tour guide service at each site.
• Either online or in the city of Cusco itself, there are many tourist agencies that offer the tour to the Sacred Valley. Which one to choose? Then choose the agency that seems more serious. Avoid the ‘pirate’ agencies that for a low price offer a bad service.
• The best way to identify a reputable travel agency is to check tourist reviews on online forums (such as TripAdvisor).

And how to go on my own? How much is the budget?

To visit the tourist attractions of the Sacred Valley of the Incas is basic to buy the ‘Cusco Tourist Ticket’. This tourist ticket includes the visit to the archaeological sites of: Pisac, Ollantaytambo, Chinchero and Moray. It costs 70 Peruvian soles (approximately 22 US dollars). You can buy it at 103 El Sol Avenue (a few steps from the Plaza de Armas).

This is the budget to visit in 1 day the Sacred Valley on your own:

How to get tour guides?

• If you travel on your own to the Sacred Valley of the Incas you should know that hiring the service of a tour guide is recommended but not mandatory.
• You can hire a tour guide at the entrance of each archaeological site (in Pisac, Ollantaytambo and Chinchero). The cost in shared service (in English or Spanish) is approximately US$5 per person.
• Another option is to hire a private tour guide for the entire tour of the Sacred Valley. This service can be hired online for a cost of approximately 15 dollars.

How to get transportation?

• Public transportation is the most economical option to tour the Sacred Valley of the Incas on your own. In the street ‘Puputi’ in the city of Cusco there are minivan services that take you to Pisac for only 5 Peruvian soles (1.5 US dollars). In the street ‘Pavitos’ there are services to Chinchero, Urubamba and Ollantaytambo for a similar cost.
• An easier option to tour the Sacred Valley is to hire private transportation (with or without driver). On the internet there are tourist agencies that offer this service for approximately US$30 to US$70 (depending on the type of vehicle).

In Moray there is an agricultural study center of great beauty and dimension known as ‘The circular terraces of Moray’. Nearby, there is a set of natural salt wells thousands of years old called ‘Salineras de Maras’. Both attractions are included in the half-day ‘Maras – Moray’ tour. There are adventurous options by bicycle or ATV to these destinations. The cost of the tour is between 40 to 60 US dollars per tourist.

How is the weather?

• The climate in the Sacred Valley of the Incas is temperate and dry. The cold and heat decreases or increases as one travels through the various towns.
• The dry season (from April to October) is the best time to visit these places because rainfall is scarce. It is also the coldest time of the year (especially at night). Temperatures vary between 23ºC. and 3ºC.
• The rainy season (from November to March) offers rainier but less cold days (at night). Temperatures vary from 21ºC. to 6ºC.

Galería - Valle Sagrado

Other adventures on your own in the Sacred Valley

• Chinchero – Urquillos Trekking – Route of approximately 8 kilometers that crosses ancient Inca trails (qhapac ñan). It crosses trees, fields, rivers and ravines. It can be done on your own without any problems.
• Lares Hot Springs – Hot springs located in the town of Lares, in the farthest area of the Sacred Valley (150 kilometers away). You can go on your own and buy the entrance ticket at the door (about US$1.5).
• Town of Yucay – One of the least known towns of the Sacred Valley but it keeps a lot of history because there were the palaces of two Incas: Huayna Capac and Sayri Tupac. It is 63 kilometers from the city of Cusco.

Advice from people who have been there

Sacred Valley

By: Gonzalo T.

“Not to be missed!“

“Not to miss visiting these places, you can appreciate the incredible grandeur and knowledge of the Inca empire. The temple of the sun of Ollantaytambo and the terraces of Moray really clearly transmit an intelligence and an impressive capacity of accomplishment. It is worth adding a visit to the salt mines of Maras as it is very close and really worth it.“

By Ticket Machu Picchu – Last updated, July 11, 2024