Cuzco & the Sacred Valley

Peru

South America Travel Guide

Shop

Get even more with a Lonely Planet guide.

Shop Book
Peru, Cuzco Province, Cuzco, Inti Raymi, Festival of the Sun, an important Inca celebration that takes place every June 24 in the historic center and Saqsayhuaman, marking the winter solstice

Peru, Cuzco Province, Cuzco, Inti Raymi, Festival of the Sun, an important Inca celebration that takes place every June 24 in the historic center and Saqsayhuaman, marking the winter solstice

Why visit Cuzco & the Sacred Valley

For Incas, Cuzco was the belly button of the world. A visit to this city and its nearby ruins tumbles you back into the cosmic realm of ancient Andean culture – knocked down and fused with the colonial imprint of Spanish conquest, only to be repackaged as a thriving tourist center. The capital of Cuzco is only the gateway. Beyond lies the Sacred Valley, Andean countryside dotted with villages, high-altitude hamlets and ruins linked by trail and railway tracks to the continent's biggest draw – Machu Picchu.

Lonely planet’s trusted travel insurance provider

Dreaming of Cuzco & the Sacred Valley? Protect your trip

Travel with confidence. Protect your trip and your wallet.

LEARN MORE

We don’t represent World Nomads, we receive a fee from quotes using this link. This is not a recommendation to buy travel insurance.

Take your Peru trip with Lonely Planet Journeys

Pick one of our ready-to-book trips or fully customize your own with help from our local experts.

bookable trip

Peru Uncovered: A Journey from Coast to Andes

14 days / 13 nights

highlights

  1. 1 Embarking on a 10-hour luxury train ride through the Andes and over the Altiplano
  2. 2 Watching llamas and vicuñas graze at the foothills of volcanic mountains
  3. 3 Finding the sacred in the Sacred Valley, where intricate engineering reflects Incan ingenuity
from $4,895

per person

book this trip see trip details

Explore more trips

  • Peru: Roots of the Rainforest in 12 Days
    Peru

    12 days / 11 nights

    Peru: Roots of the Rainforest in 12 Days

    FROM $5,100

    per person

    See Trip Details
Want our experts to design a custom trip for you?
start planning

Top places to visit in Cuzco & the Sacred Valley

Discover the best attractions in Cuzco & the Sacred Valley from must-see sights to unexpected hidden gems.

Explore all

Travel Guides

Cuzco & the Sacred Valley travel tips from Lonely Planet experts

Find practical guidance from our team of contributors around the world who bring their decades of first-hand travel experience to your next trip.

Things to Know

Travelers who want to trek the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu in 2022 should start planning – permits for the epic hike are available.

Read full article

Get a book. Get inspired. Get exploring.

Explore all books

in partnership with getyourguide

Book popular activities in Cuzco & the Sacred Valley

Cuzco & the Sacred Valley and beyond

View all