The Sacred Valley

Tucked under the tawny skirts of formidable foothills, the beautiful Río Urubamba Valley, known as El Valle Sagrado (the Sacred Valley), is about 15km north of Cuzco as the condor flies, via a narrow road of hairpin turns. It's worth exploring this peaceful, fetching corner of the Andes with colonial towns and isolated weaving villages. Star attractions are the markets and the lofty Inca citadels of Pisac and Ollantaytambo, but it's also packed with other Inca sites. Its myriad trekking routes are deservedly gaining in popularity. Adrenaline activities range from rafting to rock climbing.

A multitude of travel agencies in Cuzco offer whirlwind tours of the Sacred Valley, stopping at markets and the most significant ruins. It's also worth an in-depth visit. The archaeological sites of Pisac, Ollantaytambo and Chinchero can be visited with a boleto turístico, which can be bought directly on-site.

Explore The Sacred Valley

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Top attractions

These are our favorite local haunts, touristy spots, and hidden gems throughout The Sacred Valley.

  • Museum

    Museo Inkariy

    This wonderful new museum takes visitors into the world of the fascinating pre-Colombian civilizations that came before the Inca. It acknowledges the…

  • Ruins

    Pisac Ruins

    A truly awesome site with relatively few tourists, this hilltop Inca citadel lies high above the village on a triangular plateau with a plunging gorge on…

  • Ruins

    Ollantaytambo Ruins

    Both fortress and temple, these spectacular Inca ruins rise above Ollantaytambo, making a splendid half-day trip. (Admission is via the boleto turístico…

  • Archaeological Site

    Moray

    With concentric terraces carved into a huge earthen bowl, the deep amphitheater-like terracing of Moray, reached via Maras village, is a fascinating…

  • Natural Feature

    Salineras de Maras

    Salineras is among the most spectacular sights in the whole Cuzco area, with thousands of salt pans that have been used for salt extraction since Inca…

  • Village

    Patabamba

    A visit to the community of Patabamba offers a fascinating participative demonstration of the weaving process, all the way from picking the plants to…

  • Market

    Mercado de Artesania

    Pisac is known far and wide for its market, by far the biggest and most touristy in the region. While there are still some local arts and crafts of note,…

  • Market

    Mercado de Chinchero

    The Chinchero market, held on Tuesday, Thursday and especially Sunday, is less touristy than its counterpart in Pisac and well worth a special trip. On…

  • Church

    Iglesia de San Pedro Apostol

    Traditionally dressed locals descend from the hills to attend mass in Quechua, including men in highland dress blowing horns, and varayocs (local…

  • Ruins

    Pinkulluna

    It's a very steep climb up the hillside, but views are magnificent. You will see the Ollantaytambo ruins from the best vantage point, and it's nice to…

  • Church

    Iglesia Colonial de Chinchero

    Among the most beautiful churches in the valley, this colonial church is built on Inca foundations. The interior, decked out in merry floral and religious…

  • Gardens

    Jardín Botanico

    A private enterprise with a huge courtyard full of beautiful specimens and a resident cat.

  • Ruins

    Inca Quarry

    The 6km hike to the Inca quarry on the opposite side of the river from the main ruins is a good walk from Ollantaytambo. The trail starts from the Inca…

  • Landmark

    Horno Colonial San Francisco

    Huge clay ovens for baking empanadas and other goodies are found in many nooks and crannies, particularly on Mariscál Castilla. But this is the town’s…

  • Ruins

    Ruinas Inca

    The most extensive ruins here consist of terracing. If you start walking away from the village through the terraces on the right-hand side of the valley,…

  • Village

    Amaru

    If you are interested in textiles, it’s worth visiting this weaving community that’s a 40-minute trip by taxi from Pisac.

Top experiences

Whether it’s a guided tour of a historic landmark, private tasting of local delicacies, or an off-road adventure — explore the best experiences in The Sacred Valley.

  • Activities