If you are wondering what there is to do in Sacred Valley, you have clicked on the right post! Here are 17 unforgettable things to do when visiting the Sacred Valley of the Incas.
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You know those places you travel to and you can just feel in your bones how special it is to be there? Well, that is exactly how it feels to be in Sacred Valley. It is quite impossible to put into words the extent of beautiful nature, ancient tradition and rich culture that this valley holds.
The only way to truly understand the magic of Sacred Valley is to experience this wonderful land for yourself.
Let’s have a look at why this region of Peru is so remarkable and all of the memorable activities there are to do in Sacred Valley. All of the things we have listed in this post are so worthy of being on your Peru itinerary.
WHY IS SACRED VALLEY SO SPECIAL?
Sacred Valley is the stretch of land between Cusco and Machu Picchu (specifically between Pisac and Ollantaytambo). Which includes small towns and villages such as Urubamba, Maras, Calca and Chinchero, amongst many others. The Urubamba River that meanders through the valley is a carrier of nutrients for fertile soil and the water supply for the people who live throughout the valley.
From the moment you enter into Sacred Valley, you can feel the powerful energy that permeates through this well-preserved land of the Incas. It is the heart and soul of the Incan Empire, with Cusco being the Incan Capital. It’s quite unbelievable how well the ancient ruins and lands have been preserved over time, even after the Spanish invaded and destroyed most of the Incan cities. Sacred Valley has the most preserved Incan Ruins in all of Peru. It is mesmerizing to think about the history of this ancient land and its civilizations that once ruled here.
THE VALLEY OF THE INCAS…
The Valley of the Incas is known for its fertile soil and ideal farming conditions. Because of its agricultural activities, you will pass through plentiful farming villages and farmlands. Most of which grow the big white corn and many potato species native to Peru. The farmers in Sacred Valley also supply Cusco with fresh produce.
There are a number of ancient archeological sites to visit across Sacred Valley which we will share more about in this post.
The official language of the Incan people was Quechua. Its an ancient language that you will still hear being spoken amongst the villagers today.
Sacred Valley is such a unique region of Peru because of the way ancient traditions and architecture, Quechuan culture and breathtaking nature blend so harmoniously together. You cannot help but feel the energy of the mountains around you. As you make your way from one small town to the next, you are fully immersed in the Peruvian ways of life and the natural surroundings of this abundant valley.
HOW TO GET TO SACRED VALLEY?
By far the easiest way to get to Sacred Valley is by flying from Lima to Cusco. Then taking either private or public transport to Sacred Valley as it is only about a 1.5 hour drive between the two. But because I have readers of all different budgets here, I would like to break down the different options for getting to Sacred Valley from both Lima and Cusco.
FROM LIMA:
There are 3 ways to get from Lima to Sacred Valley:
1. AIR:
The fastest but more costly option. Latam, Sky Airline and JetSmart have direct flights from Lima to Cusco. It is only about a 1 hour 20 minute flight. You can search for affordable flights (and compare prices) that suit your schedule on these helpful travel tools: Booking.com , 12GO and Aviasales.
2. BUS:
Traveling by bus from Lima to Cusco can take up to one full day. You will be sleeping overnight on the bus. So it is worth it to book a bus/seat that is comfortable for the long travel day. This is the most economical way to get to Cusco if you do not mind sitting on a bus for a long period of time. Tickets can be as low as $25. Most companies have multiple buses per day. You can choose to go with any of the following companies depending on your budget and preference:
– Cruz Del Sur.
– Movil Tours.
– Oltursa.
– Civa.
– Peru Hop.
Busbud makes it easy for travelers to book tickets here. We always used Cruz Del Sur for our long bus rides around Peru. The buses are very safe in Peru as long as you book through a reputable company such as the ones mentioned above.
Make sure to check the routes of the buses. They do take different routes and stop in different cities along the way. Some may stop for a longer duration than others.
3. PRIVATE TRANSPORT:
This is the most expensive option. But if you enjoy road trips and want to make an adventure out of your travel day, then private transport is a great option for you. You can customize your trip with your driver to stop anywhere along the way that your heart desires. Or even make some detours to places you would not have visited otherwise. The cost will of course depend on the route you choose and the amount of stops you make along the way.
FROM CUSCO:
Once you are in Cusco, you can either take a private taxi from the airport/your accommodation to Sacred Valley. You can get a taxi straight from the airport to your destination. They tend to overcharge so just be aware of costs beforehand. Or your accommodation will have a contact for a reliable and trustworthy taxi to take you where you need to be.
We had an amazing taxi driver that we used. His name is Isacc. He drove us all around Sacred Valley and was our go-to private taxi to places like Rainbow Mountain. You can contact him through the following WhatsApp number: +51 943 388 685
There are a number of public buses that travel from Cusco to Sacred Valley throughout the day. You can catch a public bus from Terminal Terrestre in Cusco. Most of them stop in Urubamba and Pisac.
If you need to get to a different village, there are colectivos that move between the smaller villages across the valley. You might need to take 1 or 2 extra colectivos to get to your desired location. But it is very easy to navigate where to get off and which colectivo to get onto next. The colectivos have their destinations stuck to the windshield to make it easy for you to know which one to get onto. You can also ask the driver if they are going to your destination. You can catch a public bus from Terminal Terrestre in Cusco.
There are also colectivos that leave from the Estacion de Colectivos Para Urubamba y Ollantaytambo in Cusco.
HOW TO GET AROUND SACRED VALLEY? (AND THEIR PROS AND CONS)
TOURS:
If you are nervous about driving your own car or motorbike in a foreign country, or you prefer not taking public transport, then going on tours is a great option! You also get to learn all about the history, traditions and natural phenomenons of the places you visit.
You will have everything arranged for you by the tour company which also makes traveling through Sacred Valley easy and convenient for you. Plus, you support the local community by using the services of the local travel companies and guides.
There are SO many travel companies in Cusco who you are able to book with in person. As well as using popular sites such as GetYourGuide and Viator if you would like to organize your tours beforehand.
The con to going on tours is that (many times) the tours are more rushed than you would like them to be. It can feel like you did not really get enough time to truly appreciate the destination. And sometimes, the groups can be too big which makes taking pictures and enjoying the peacefulness of the nature a bit disruptive. It is good to find out before you book a tour, how many people will be in the group and then make a decision from there.
PUBLIC TRANSPORT:
With that being said, Sacred Valley is really not a place that you NEED to do tours in order to experience everything this region of Peru has to offer. It all comes down to how you prefer to travel and experience a place. The public transport between Cusco and Sacred Valley is well-organized, frequent and safe (even for solo travelers).
Traveling between villages is very easy with the system of colectivos that constantly move between all of the villages in the valley. This is also a very affordable way to travel. Each colectivo only costs a couple dollars one way.
There are also TukTuks that can take you around each village/town. This is helpful for when you get off the colectivo and need to reach your actual destination. But some colectivos do take you close to where you need to be. It may just be a short walking distance from the drop-off points.
The only downside is that perhaps the timing of the colectivos won’t always align with your adventures. You might have to wait or plan around the colectivo drop-off and pick-up times. Colectivos in the morning and late afternoons may also be too full, so you will need to wait for the next one to come past that has space.
I used public transport literally hundreds of times in Peru and it always worked out. There were a handful of times where in the smaller, less popular villages I needed to wait a little extra longer for a TukTuk or colectivo to pass by but it was never too much of an inconvenience.
RENTING A SCOOTER/CAR:
The most convenient way to get around is to rent a car straight from the airport in Cusco. You will have immediate transport when you land and easily return it to the airport when you leave. You can also find car rental agencies in Cusco, as well as compare prices on Booking.com. On one of our trips we rented a car for one week from SIXT at the Cusco airport. Their service was great and the car was in perfect condition.
If you want to rent a motorbike or scooter, it is best to do it in Cusco before heading to Sacred Valley. We found it quite challenging to find a scooter rental in the valley and ended up only being able to rent one privately through a friend who lives in Urubamba.
There are a handful of scooter and motorbike rental agencies in Urubamba. But every time we went to enquire, either all of the scooters were already rented out or they only had motorbikes available. So it is best to arrange your rental beforehand or just rent one in Cusco.
Renting a car or scooter is more costly. But it gives you the ultimate freedom to explore Sacred Valley on your own time and experience all of the amazing things there are to do there in your own way.
PRIVATE TAXIS:
Making use of private taxis is the most expensive option. But there are so many perks to using a private taxi to take you all over the valley. You still have the freedom of creating your own itinerary, staying as long as you like in your destinations and not needing to drive yourself on unfamiliar roads.
We used private taxis numerous times in Peru when traveling far distances but didn’t want to go on a tour. And we always had the best experiences! If you ever want to beat the tour groups and skip the rush of crowds in popular places, a private taxi is the way to go. And honestly, if you are sharing the taxi with another person or a couple of people, the costs do not even end up being that much more expensive than if you each paid for a tour.
BEST TIME TO VISIT SACRED VALLEY?
Most people will tell you that the best time to visit Sacred Valley is in the high, dry season. Which is true – for the best, most reliable weather. But I have experienced Sacred Valley in the high, dry season and the low, wet season. Both had their perks and both were so magical and memorable.
HIGH-SEASON:
The high and dry season is from April to October. You will be able to rely on the weather in these months to give you the most beautiful, aesthetic and perfect adventure days. Although the temperatures in Sacred Valley (specifically in the lower villages) remain steady throughout the year, this is still the mountains and you can have unexpected rainy days and cloud cover during dry season.
The dry season blesses you with sunny days and cooler temperatures at night. During the day the average temperature in Sacred Valley can range from 19-25 degree celsius.
Visiting in April, just after the wet season, you will be able to see the valley in its lush greenery with blooming flowers across the Andean hills against backdrops of the snowy mountain peaks.
Of course, with dry season comes bigger crowds of travelers and tourists from all over the world. Peru has become even more popular in the last few years. This has made avoiding the crowds in popular destinations trickier. But still possible if you go after all of the tour groups have left.
OFF-SEASON:
The wet season stretches from November to March. I feel like we got really lucky with the weather in November in Sacred Valley. We had mostly blue sky days and beautiful views of the mountains. Every now and then we would get an hour or 2 of downpour and then it would clear up again. Of course this isn’t true for every year, the seasons shift all the time. But being there in the rain season on our second visit to Peru was a risk we were willing to take. And it paid off big time! Especially because it was so quiet at popular tourist destinations and booking accommodations were more affordable than high season. Even the domestic flights within Peru are cheaper during these months.
The landscapes become greener and greener as the rainy months pass. They are covered in brown hues and drier landscapes in November but transform over the rain season. The temperatures during the day can be between 15 and 20 degrees Celsius. And then it gets really cold during the night time.
If you are planning your Peru trip mostly around hiking and/or trekking adventures, then it is best to avoid January and February. These are the wettest months of the year.
THE BEST THINGS TO DO IN SACRED VALLEY
Within each section below of things to do in Sacred Valley, I will share details on the activity, local contacts, helpful resources when planning your trip, how you can experience it too and some notable tours for you to look into!
1. MACHU PICCHU – AGUAS CALIENTES:
Of course I have to start by mentioning the star of the Greater Sacred Valley region: Machu Picchu!
Machu Picchu was built in 1450 as an estate and sacred religious site for the Incan Emperor Pachacuti. It remained hidden from the Spanish invaders which is why it was still so preserved when rediscovered in 1911. Local villagers and farmers knew about Machu Picchu before it was introduced back into the world in 1911 by an explorer who was guided to the ruins by a farmer. It is also recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1983.
The Incas built 100s of agricultural terraces and even a drainage system to preserve the land and prevent erosion. The engineering and architecture of this citadel is beyond impressive. It is quite a mystery to imagine an ancient Incan civilization living on this stunning Andean mountain ridge.
I know that these days, many travelers tend to avoid the big tourist attractions and aim for the hidden gems to avoid over tourism. But, I have 2 things to say about visiting Machu Picchu. Your Peru trip is truly not complete without visiting the historical Incan ruins. It is so much more beautiful in real life than you can even imagine. Secondly, the Peruvian government has put a limit on the number of visitors per day per route during the low and high seasons.
On this site, you can review official information about all of the routes, number of tickets per day, details for low and high seasons and how to book your own tickets independently instead of through a tour or agency. It is worth taking a look at this website for updated information as details can change year to year.
The feeling of being there…
I knew how impressive Machu Picchu would be, but I didn’t know how breathtakingly beautiful the entire landscape was and how powerful of an energy I would feel being there in the presence of such historical significance. You always see the iconic Machu Picchu picture. But you rarely see pictures of the surroundings and the Urubamba River running down below in the valley. As you stand there in awe of nature and ancient history, you can really understand how Machu Picchu is one of the 7 Wonders of the World.
how to visit machu picchu…
There are quite a few options for how you can visit Machu Picchu.
BY TRAIN:
Your first option is taking the train from one of the following stations to the town of Aguas Calientes that is situated right below Machu Picchu. There is no road access to Aguas Calientes, so taking the train is the only transportation option:
– Ollantaytambo Station: 1 hour 30 mins. This is the one we took afterwards from Aguas Calientes and it was SUCH a scenic train ride!
– Poroy Station: 3 hours 30 mins.
– San Pedro Station: 4 hours 30 mins.
– Wanchaq Station: 4 hours.
– Urubamba Station: 2 hours 30 mins.
Once you are in Aguas Calientes, you can choose to either walk the steep hill up to the entrance of Machu Picchu (1.5 to 2 hours) or you can take the bus up if you do not feel like walking. The 30 minute bus ride leaves from the town throughout the day.
BY CAR THEN FOOT:
The second option is finding a car/taxi to drive you from Cusco to Santa Maria to Hidroelectrica. And then from there you will walk along the train tracks for about 2 hours to reach Aguas Calientes.
BY TREKKING:
And lastly, your third options are embarking on the incredible multi-day treks that traverse through different landscapes and ruins to finally reach Machu Picchu on the last day. Depending on the kind of trek you want to experience you can choose between the Inca Trail (4 or 2 day options), the Salkantay Trek (3 to 6 day options) and the Lares Trek (3 to 5 day options). Each one is unique and beautiful in its own way. We did the 5 day Salkantay Trek. It was truly incredible to see snow mountains, glacier lakes, high-jungles and ruins all in the space of a few days and then end in the world wonder of Machu Picchu!
I will link a few tour options for each of these treks below. We did our trek directly through Salkantay Treks. They were really well-organized, had great accommodations for each night and we had so much fun with our guides.
tours for machu picchu:
From Cusco: Full-Day Group Tour of Machu Picchu – includes your transport, train ride, round trip bus tickets and entrance to Machu Picchu.
Machu Picchu: Official Entry Ticket – Book in Advance – another portal for booking your entrance ticket. You get a guide for the circuit you choose so you can learn all about the history of the ruins.
5 Day Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu Adventure – this is the same itinerary we did from Humantay Lake to Machu Picchu. WORTH IT!
Salkantay Trek 4Days/3Nights Domes – a shorter option with less days for the Salkantay Trek. This tour includes your entrance ticket and the train rides.
2. OLLANTAYTAMBO:
Ollantaytambo is one of the cutest villages I’ve stayed in. It is so quaint, filled with local artisan shops (best place to buy souvenirs and support the local artists), a variety of good food restaurants, rich Incan history and stunning views! If you are someone who is exploring plant medicine in Peru then Ollantaytambo is one of the places where traditional Shamans host ceremonies.
This village has maintained its ancient layout with cobblestone roads, water channels, agricultural terraces and the towering ruins of a fortress built by Inca Emperor Pachacuti.
Ollantaytambo also sits at a lower elevation than Cusco at 2792m. Many travelers and hikers come here to acclimatize at the start of their trip. This is also the main train station from which most travelers visiting Machu Picchu go from. It is about 60km from Cusco, at the western most point of Sacred Valley.
I loved walking around this village, enjoying the peaceful vibes, admiring the village life and beautiful green mountains that surround the centre of the town. Sitting at cafes, enjoying a breakfast with a view of the Andes was always my favorite way to start the day here.
ANCIENT RUINS & ARCHAEOLOGICAL site
You will be able to immerse yourself in the rich and significant Incan history as you walk the terraces through ancient ruins and archaeological sites. Between learning about the Incan civilization and their master engineering and admiring the views of the village and surrounding scenery from above, this is a must-do when planning your trip to Sacred Valley.
A few of the sites to see are in and around Ollantaytambo are: The Choqana Fort, The Royal House Of The Sun, Kuychipinku, The Hall of 10 Niches, Templo Del Sol, Bano de la Nusta, Pumamarca, Pinkuylluna, Naupa Iglesia, Choqana and the Inca Quarries.
To enter the sites in Sacred Valley, you need to purchase either a full or partial Cusco Tourist Ticket/Boleto Turistico del Cusco. This can be purchased at the entrance of any of the archaeological sites. There are 4 different types of tickets, valid either for 2 or 10 days to specific sites of interest. You can purchase the circuit that best suits the places you want to visit and the amount of days you have to explore Sacred Valley.
ANDEAN MARKET
This was probably my favorite market in all of Peru. I am such a souvenir collector when I travel, so walking around this beautiful market was amazing! And buying souvenirs from markets are always a great way to support the local people. They have the most beautiful handmade pieces and artifacts at their stalls. I highly recommend taking time to visit the market between all of the site seeing.
TOURS FOR OLLANTAYTAMBO:
Ollantaytambo: Archaeological site and streets Guided Tour – an option for if you want a guide to teach you more about the architecture and history.
From Cusco: Sacred Valley, Pisac, and Ollantaytambo Day Trip – an affordable guided tour to the archaeological sites.
3. URUBAMBA:
Urubamba is one of the main hubs in the heart of Sacred Valley. If you are looking for a less touristy base to explore from than Cusco, then Urubamba is a lovely option to stay in.
This beautiful town is situated along the Urubamba River, surrounded by mountain views and centrally located for easy access to the Sacred Valley sites and adventures. You can choose to stay more in the town area or on the outskirts in accommodations surrounded by more peaceful farmlands.
Urubamba has the best farmer’s market with an abundance of fresh produce grown by local farmers. Even though I stayed up in a nearby village called Maras (more on this village later), I would come down to Urubamba all the time to get fresh fruit and vegetables and to eat at the amazing restaurants and cafes that offer healthy meals and fresh juices.
If you are a thrill-seeker, this Andean town has some exciting and adventurous activities that you can add to your things to do in Sacred Valley. And a really unique accommodation that is unlike anything I have ever seen before…
RIVER RAFTING
If you love wild adventures in a beautiful place, then river rafting on the Urubamba River is for you! You can book a guided tour where they provide you with everything you need. And to ensure your safety on the rapids. There are different sections of the river that you can do the rafting from depending on how experienced you are. You can choose between beginner-friendly or more challenging rapids.
You can book this activity directly through one of the local tour operators such as Quechuas Expeditions or Inka Time Tours.
Or you can book directly through this tour that includes both the river rafting and zip lining through the canopy:
Cusco: River Rafting Adventure Full Day | Adrenaline Tour
ZIP LINING
If you want to experience the natural beauty of Sacred Valley and the views of the Andes in a unique and fun way, then going on a zip lining adventure through the canopy is a no brainer!
There are 2 main circuits that most tourists choose between:
1. Sam’s Zipline Cusco – this is a more affordable and shorter adventure if you are pressed for time on your itinerary.
2. Natura Vive – this is a much more adventurous zip line experience. Starting with a 400M climb of via ferrata (fixed climbing route up the mountain) and then descending across 6 zip lines.
You can also book the following tours directly:
From Cusco: Via Ferrata and Sky Lodge Zipline
Zipline in the Sacred Valley of the Incas Cusco
SKYLODGE adventure suites
Skylodge is honestly something to marvel at. It was the first time I had ever seen an accommodation hanging from the side of a mountain. And it is seriously impressive! Even though I didn’t stay here myself, there is no way I wasn’t adding this into the things to do in Sacred Valley. If experiencing this unique accommodation is in your budget, I would highly recommend allocating a day or 2 to stay here. We also met travelers along the way who had stayed here. They only had the best things to say about the whole experience.
To get up to the mountain side pods, you will go via ferrata up the mountain. Don’t worry, this is safe and you are secured the whole way up, it is not like rock climbing. The views over the valley from within your private pod are unbelievable. They have a restaurant up there to eat at and even terraces to enjoy.
You can book your stay at Skylodge Adventure Suites here.
LARES DRIVE AND HOT SPRINGS
So, this is an adventure that we heard about from a very good local friend from Maras. And unfortunately we didn’t have the opportunity to do this drive. But I wanted to add this into the list for those of who have time because our friend showed us pictures of what the Lares Drive looks like and it is magnificent! You can also stop along the way at the volcanic thermal hot springs to soak up the nutrient-rich goodness while you admire the views of the Andes around you.
On the drive you will pass through the green valley and have a chance to revel at a stunning cascading waterfall.
This is also the start of the Lares Trek through the Andes to Machu Picchu.
4. MARAS:
To this day, Maras is one of my top all-time favorite villages I have ever lived in. I lived a total of 3 months in Maras between my 2 visits in Peru. My heart still misses this place so much that I cannot wait for the day I return again. There is such a peaceful and magical energy there. The villagers are so sweet and welcoming that you will feel right at home. I love all of the cows, donkeys, sheep, goats and llamas roaming the hills and narrow pathways. All of this against the most breathtaking backdrop of snow-capped mountain peaks and the well-known Chicón Mountain.
Maras village truly has one of the best views of the Andes. And even though many tourists do visit here for all of the surrounding activities, not many tourists actually stay overnight. So it is the perfect place to retreat a little further away from all the tourist hot spots.
To get to Maras, it is only a 30 to 40 minute drive from Urubamba. If you don’t have your own transport, there are either private taxis or colectivos running from Urubamba to the village.
ACCOMMODATION TIPS…
We stayed in 2 really amazing accommodations each time we visited (and Mountain View which I will share more about below). Both of these stays offer the most beautiful views of the mountains across the valley and the hosts were so wonderful and helpful.
Casa 100% ecológica con vista a los glaciares andinos – this stay is a little further away from the centre of the village but completely serene and absolutely breathtaking with a panoramic view through the glass windows. It is situated just a little downhill from the village in the farmlands. It makes for lovely nature walks to explore the area.
Casa Takiy – this is a more affordable option located closer to the centre of the village. We absolutely loved this homestay experience. The hosts are so genuine and sweet.
MOUNTAIN VIEW EXPERIENCE
Whether you book a stay at Mountain view Experience or just go to visit the property, you cannot visit Maras without stopping at what is, in my opinion, the most beautiful accommodation and property in all of Sacred Valley. What Mountain View has created is so unique. It gifts you a luxurious cultural experience on a gorgeous property with a view of Chicón right in front of you.
We spent so much time at Mountain View that the owners became like family. Even when we weren’t staying over night, we spent our days there, playing with the llamas, eating delicious meals and drinking the best cacao in the valley.
I have dedicated an entire blog post to Mountain View and all of their offerings. There are so many adventures you can do from there and I share all about it here: MOUNTAIN VIEW EXPERIENCE: A LUXURIOUS PERUVIAN STAY IN SACRED VALLEY.
MARAS SALT PANS – salineras de maras
The Salineras De Maras are an impressive network of salty ponds that create a terrace-like landscape of pools carved into the mountain. There is a natural salty spring coming from under the ground into the ponds. From there, the water evaporates and leaves behind salt that is mined by the local people by hand. This is an ancient pre-Incan technique for gathering the salt.
The Salt Pans are about 15 minute drive from the centre of Maras village. Or a 1.5 hour walk downhill. If you are coming to visit the Salt Pans, it is worth it to combine visiting Moray as well. You can purchase a ticket for the Salineras at the entrance. Or book one of the following tours that combine visiting both archaeological sites:
From Cusco: Moray, Maras Salt Mines & Chinchero Weavers Tour – a popular tour that combines 3 must-see sites and transport.
Cusco: Sacred Valley & Salt Mines Tour with buffet Lunch – we actually ate the buffet lunch that is offered in this tour and it is amazing!
From Cusco: Quad bike tour Moray and Salt Mines – explore these sites in a unique way on quad bike. We did the quad bikes from Mountain View and it was so much fun.
MORAY
If the engineering of the Incas wasn’t impressive enough, Moray is an extremely impressive architectural circular terrace built into the land. It almost looks like an amphitheater. It is believed that the Incas used the levels of the terraces to test growing a variety of crops at the different micro-climates. This would give them an idea of which crops grow best in which climate and use that knowledge for agriculture in the other villages across Sacred Valley.
Moray is an amazing site to really appreciate how innovative and scientific the Incas were. The architecture of the terraces are enforced with stone walls, layers of fertile soil for their crops and water channels for both drainage and irrigation.
You can purchase a ticket at the entrance of Moray or choose one of the tours I mentioned above that takes you to both Moray and the Salineras.
DINE AT INKASAL RESTAURANT
When I tell you that this is literally the best restaurant we ate at in the whole of Peru, I mean it with my whole heart and belly! We were so grateful to have Inkasal as our go-to restaurant with all of the time we had spent living in Maras. And it just happened to be the most well-made and flavorful cuisines we had in all our time traveling the country. And of course the owners were so wonderful and also became like family us. Also, the view from Inkasal is gorgeous. So you get to enjoy tasty food made with so much love while also appreciating the view of the mountains.
Even if you don’t stay over in Maras, I highly recommend stopping by Inkasal for a lunch or dinner on one of your adventure days.
HIKE CHICón MOUNTAIN -CHICón glacier hike
This is another nature adventure in Sacred Valley that we wish we had done. We met a few people who had embarked on the hike up to Chicón Mountain. So, I wanted to share it with my fellow hiking lovers in case you have the chance to do it.
Most hikers do the one-day hike up to the lakes and glaciers of Chicón which sits between 4,600 and 4,900m elevation. To reach the summit of 5,530m you need to be an experience hiker, have glacier equipment and mountaineering skills. You should do the summit with a guide for your own safety. If you are acclimatized and comfortable hiking at higher elevations, you can do the hike to the glacier and lakes without a guide.
Wari Adventures is a trekking company in Sacred Valley that offers guided hikes up to Chicón Mountain.
This would be such an epic hike to have under the belt from Peru. I can only imagine how beautiful the views are from up there!
5. PISAC
Pisac is such a beautiful, community-orientated village sitting at around 2,970m elevation. What I loved about being in Pisac is that this village has a whole vibe to it. Many of the travelers choose to stay in Pisac for the community presence and to connect with other travelers within Sacred Valley instead of staying in Cusco. Pisac is another main place in Peru where a lot of travelers choose to go who are interested in plant medicine ceremonies and learning from traditional Shamans and healers.
You will see a lot of artists here. Musicians play gigs at night or on the streets. And the local artisan market here is also one of the best in all of Sacred Valley. You can find so many amazing souvenirs and treasures at this market. As well as fresh produce from the local farmers. Walking through the alleyways of Pisac is a must. There are many cute cafes, quality restaurants and bakeries to enjoy.
There are so many beautiful accommodations in and around Pisac. If you have your own transport or you don’t mind walking a little bit to and from the centre of the town, I highly recommend looking at accommodations just around the outskirts of Pisac. They have the most beautiful views of the Andes and a peaceful atmosphere.
This is the place we stayed at about 10 minutes walk from the centre and it was amazing: Arkupunkuwasi Bungalows.
PISAC RUINS – The pisac archaeological site
What makes Pisac so special is the archaeological site running along the mountain ridge above the town. It is a true wonder of ruins that were used as ceremonial and residential structures by the Incas, rock-cut tombs and many agricultural terraces carved into the land. The view from up top the mountain ridge as you weave along the pathways is stunning! Visiting the ruins is a beautiful way to appreciate history, culture and the natural beauty of where you are.
You can easily visit the ruins independently. Or with a tour if you would like a guide to teach you about the site. From the town of Pisac, you can take a taxi or a TukTuk up to the main entrance and walk the ruins from there. You can spend anywhere between 2 to 4 hours exploring. You can use the Cusco Tourist Ticket that I mentioned earlier in this post to enter, which you can also purchase at the main gate.
If you are feeling adventurous, you can hike up to the ruins from town. It would take around 1.5 hours to reach the archaeological site.
Or you can join one of the following tours that include a full day of exploring Sacred Valley, learning about the Incan history and admiring the scenery:
Cusco: City Tour & Pisac Market and Ruins (Full-Day).
Cusco: Pisac Ruins and Market Transportation – a tour focused on exploring Pisac and the ruins.
SACRED VALLEY IS A BEAUTIFUL BLEND OF ADVENTURE, ANDEAN CULTURE AND NATURAL BEAUTY…
It is no doubt that visiting Sacred Valley is something that all travelers coming to Peru must do! It is a region of the world filled with bucket-list experiences, authentic Peruvian culture, Andean mountain lifestyle and a rich history of the Incas. Sacred Valley is one of the easiest places to get around, explore with and without a guide, eat delicious cuisines and really immerse yourself in this beautiful land. Both of my long visits to Sacred Valley left me feeling so fulfilled, so energized and so inspired. Waking up every day to the fresh mountain air, snowy peaks, llamas and green hills is a feeling that sticks with you long after you leave.
If you have visited Sacred Valley and embarked on one of the adventures in this list, I would love to hear about your experience in the comments below.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
IS SACRED VALLEY WORTH VISITING?
100%!! Sacred Valley is one of the most beautiful, diverse and iconic destinations to visit in all of South America. There is an array of adventures and sites suitable for all types of travelers – from budget to luxury. You will be able to experience the authentic village life of Peru, Andean culture and untouched natural beauty all in one valley.
IS IT SAFE TO TRAVEL IN PERU?
Yes, it is safe to travel to Peru. You will see many tourists in groups and solo traveling along the way. As well as stay in towns, cities and villages with a foreign community presence. The people of Peru are so kind, helpful and reliable. It is always best to consult with your hosts/accommodation owners and/or guides if you are unsure about anything. The only times I ever felt uneasy in Peru was when I stayed in Callao – the city right outside the Lima Airport. We were warned by our taxi driver, the locals and the hostel owner to be aware of our surroundings and to not walk alone outside.
And the second place I felt in danger was in Iquitos in the Amazon. I would highly recommend not walking around there alone as a female, especially at night time. And always keep your bag close to you! We almost had our stuff stolen from our backs but caught them in the final second.
I am only sharing these experiences with you to raise awareness on these 2 destinations for your own safety. It is always good to know where to be more alert. By no means was anywhere else I visited in Peru like these 2 places. I felt extremely safe everywhere else. Even though I was traveling with my partner, I do a lot of things on my own. I spend days walking around towns and villages solo, and I did so freely without having to look over my shoulder or worry about anything happening.
you may also like:
- YOUR ULTIMATE GUIDE TO THE MOST AMAZING ADVENTURE AT LAGUNA PARON, PERU (2024)
- 5 EPIC MOUNTAIN ADVENTURES TO DO IN HUARAZ, PERU (2024)
- MOUNTAIN VIEW EXPERIENCE: A LUXURIOUS PERUVIAN STAY IN SACRED VALLEY
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