The Sacred Valley of the Incas is the fertile strip of the Urubamba river between Pisac and Ollantaytambo, an hour from Cusco. It was the granary of the Inca empire and today it brings together traditional villages, terraces, markets and some of the most impressive archaeological sites in Peru. You can cover the essentials in a single day.
What to see in the Sacred Valley
Chinchero
A village at 3,760 m famous for its weavers: you will see how they spin and dye alpaca wool with plants. It has a colonial church built on Inca walls.
Moray
Circular terraces that worked as an agricultural laboratory: each level has a different microclimate.
Maras Salt Mines
More than 3,000 salt pools on the hillside, worked by Maras families since pre-Inca times. A unique landscape to photograph.
Ollantaytambo
An Inca fortress and temple with giant terraces and the only Inca town still inhabited with its original layout. The train to Machu Picchu leaves from here.
Pisac
Spectacular terraces on the mountain and a very colorful craft market.
Tourist ticket and prices
- Sacred Valley partial ticket: S/ 70 (Pisac, Ollantaytambo, Chinchero and Moray).
- Full ticket: S/ 130, valid 10 days, also includes Sacsayhuamán and other Cusco sites.
- Maras Salt Mines: S/ 20 extra.
How to tour it in one day
The most practical way is a full-day tour: hotel pick-up, transport, guide and buffet lunch in Urubamba. Our Sacred Valley VIP visits all five places in about 12 hours.
Sacred Valley + Machu Picchu
Since the train to Machu Picchu leaves from Ollantaytambo, the ideal is to combine them: you tour the valley, take the train in the afternoon, sleep in Aguas Calientes and visit Machu Picchu early. It is our 2-day Machu Picchu and Sacred Valley tour. If you want to see all the options, read how to get to Machu Picchu from Cusco.
One-day itinerary in the Sacred Valley
- 7:00 · Pick-up at your hotel in Cusco.
- 8:00 · Chinchero: textile center and colonial church.
- 9:30 · Moray: circular terraces.
- 10:45 · Maras Salt Mines.
- 12:45 · Buffet lunch in Urubamba.
- 14:15 · Ollantaytambo: fortress and Inca town.
- 17:00 · Pisac: terraces and market.
- 19:30 · Return to Cusco.
The order may change depending on the day and traffic; some agencies start with Pisac. What matters is reaching Maras and Moray in good light.
Where to eat and shop
Urubamba has the buffet restaurants with New Andean cuisine: trout, quinoa, corn with cheese, ají de gallina and desserts made with local fruit. In Pisac and Chinchero you will find alpaca textiles, ceramics and silver jewelry; in Chinchero you can buy directly from the weavers and learn how much work each piece takes. Bring cash in soles: many stalls do not accept cards.
Sleep in the Sacred Valley?
If you have time, sleeping one or two nights in Urubamba or Ollantaytambo is an excellent idea: the climate is milder, the altitude lower than Cusco and you will be a few minutes from the train station to Machu Picchu. It is ideal for families and for those who arrive with little acclimatization.
Common mistakes
- Buying the wrong ticket: the Cusco partial ticket (circuit I) is not valid for the Sacred Valley.
- Forgetting the Maras entrance: it is paid separately and in cash.
- Underestimating the sun: even though you are lower than in Cusco, the radiation is very strong.
Tips
- Do it in your first days: the valley is lower than Cusco and helps you acclimatize.
- Bring cash in soles for the ticket, Maras and crafts.
- Use sunscreen and a light jacket: the weather changes during the day.
Book your tour: you pay nothing until we confirm availability.
Frequently asked questions
Which ticket do I need for the Sacred Valley?
The Cusco tourist ticket: the Sacred Valley partial (circuit III, S/ 70) covers Pisac, Ollantaytambo, Chinchero and Moray; the full ticket (S/ 130, 10 days) also includes the Cusco sites. The Maras Salt Mines are paid separately (S/ 20).
Can you see the whole Sacred Valley in one day?
Yes, a full-day tour visits the five main places. If you prefer to go unhurried, you can sleep in the valley and continue to Machu Picchu by train from Ollantaytambo.
Is it good for acclimatizing?
Yes. The Sacred Valley is lower than Cusco (2,800 to 3,700 m) and the walks are short, which makes it ideal in your first days.