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Sacred Valley Tours
Sacred Valley tours explore the fertile valley between Cusco and Machu Picchu, one of the most historically significant regions of Peru. Framed by dramatic Andean landscapes, the Sacred Valley is known for its impressive Inca ruins, traditional villages, and enduring cultural traditions that date back centuries.
Sacred Valley Tours & Inca Heritage Experiences
While it’s possible to visit the Sacred Valley on a day trip from Cusco, we recommend spending at least one night — and ideally two or more — to fully experience the region’s archaeological sites, markets, and scenic beauty. Sacred Valley tours often include destinations such as Ollantaytambo and Pisac, and are frequently combined with Cusco and Machu Picchu as part of a broader Peru tours itinerary. Every Sacred Valley journey we design is fully customizable to match your interests, pace, and travel style.
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Popular Sacred Valley Tours
Ollantaytambo Ruins Tour
Rising above the town of the same name, Ollantaytambo ruins are among the most impressive archaeological sites in the Sacred Valley. A series of massive terraces lead up to ruins that once served as both a fortress and ceremonial center during Inca times. Ollantaytambo is one of the few places where the Incas achieved a significant victory against Spanish forces. Tours typically include time to explore both the ruins and the historic town, which is also the main train station in the Sacred Valley and a convenient stop before continuing to Machu Picchu.
Pisac Market and Ruins Tour
Pisac is one of the best places in the Sacred Valley to experience traditional Andean markets. Sundays are the busiest market days, when local farmers and artisans gather to sell produce and handicrafts, though Tuesdays and Thursdays are also lively. Above the town, the Pisac ruins stretch along a ridge overlooking the valley and feature defensive structures and agricultural terraces that remain in use today.
Chinchero Market Tour
The Sunday market in Chinchero is a highlight for travelers seeking an authentic local experience. Residents from surrounding villages arrive in traditional dress to sell maize, potatoes, and other goods. Chinchero is less visited than Pisac and retains a more traditional atmosphere, with additional market activity on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Maras & Moray Tour
Maras and Moray are often visited together due to their close proximity. The salt ponds of Maras predate the Incas and consist of hundreds of terraced pools fed by a natural spring, still harvested today. Nearby Moray features large circular terraces believed to have been used for agricultural experimentation, making it one of the most intriguing archaeological sites in the Sacred Valley.
Adventures in the Sacred Valley
The Sacred Valley is an excellent destination for adventure tours. Activities include mountain biking between Chinchero, Maras, and Moray, horseback riding on Peruvian Paso horses, day hikes, and multi-day treks — including routes connected to the Inca Trail. White-water rafting, zip-lining, and paragliding are also available. With so many options, the Sacred Valley is ideal for travelers planning an active itinerary.
Top Two Hikes in the Sacred Valley
Huchuy Qosqo Trek
The Huchuy Qosqo trek can be completed in a long day or over two days with overnight camping. The route passes through high-altitude scenery, Piuray Lagoon, and a mountain pass at approximately 4,500 meters (14,700 feet), before descending along an ancient Inca trail to the ruins of Huchuy Qosqo. The trek ends near the town of Lamay and requires a good level of fitness.
Patacancha Valley Trek
The Patacancha Valley trek branches northeast from Ollantaytambo and passes through traditional weaving communities, potato farms, waterfalls, and Inca terraces. This route is largely downhill and is considered one of the easier hiking options in the Sacred Valley.
Community Tours in the Sacred Valley
Community-based experiences offer meaningful opportunities to connect with local life in the Sacred Valley, away from the main tourist routes. Near Urubamba, the community of Chichubamba is home to approximately 180 families. Visitors can take part in traditional activities such as ceramic making, chocolate preparation, beekeeping, or preparing chicha de jora, a traditional maize beer.
Additional community experiences include alpaca walks and traditional Andean lunches with local families in Paru Paru near Pisac or Tauca near Chinchero. For a unique cultural experience, travelers can also take a potato tour, learning about Peru’s thousands of native potato varieties and traditional cooking methods that date back thousands of years.
More Travel Inspiration
The Sacred Valley combines perfectly with Cusco, Machu Picchu and also Lake Titicaca and the Peruvian Amazon. If you're looking to see more of South America, here are some ideas:
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Geography & History of the Sacred Valley
The Sacred Valley of the Incas owes its name to the importance it held within the Inca Empire. Located north of Cusco, the valley stretches from Pisac in the east along the Urubamba River to the towns of Urubamba and Ollantaytambo. From Ollantaytambo, travelers continue onward to Aguas Calientes and Machu Picchu by train or on foot via ancient hiking routes.
Several notable sites sit above the river on the southern slopes of the valley, including Chinchero, Maras, and Moray. The Sacred Valley is enclosed by towering Andean peaks, with Ausangate and Salkantay among the most prominent mountains visible from the region.
At a lower altitude than Cusco, the Sacred Valley offers a more temperate climate and is an ideal place to acclimatize before continuing deeper into the Andes. Many of the valley’s hotels are located near Urubamba, at approximately 2,870 meters (9,400 feet), where days are warm and nights are cool.
Agriculture has long played a central role in the Sacred Valley. Maize was a vital crop for the Incas and was used to produce chicha, a traditional fermented drink still made today — often indicated by a red flag displayed outside local homes. The valley has been inhabited since at least 800 BC, beginning with the Chanapata culture. The Incas later ruled the region from the early 15th century until the arrival of the Spanish.
Throughout the Sacred Valley, visitors can explore extensive agricultural terraces, ceremonial sites, and royal estates built by the Incas. These remarkably preserved ruins form many of the highlights included on Sacred Valley tours today.
5 Best Sacred Valley Tours 2026 - 2027
| Tour Name | Price | Duration | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Essence of Peru | from $3560 | 15 Days | Historic Lima, the Ballestas Isles (the 'Galapagos of Peru'), Nazca Lines, the white city of Arequipa, Lake Titicaca, mystic Cuzco, the Sacred Valley... |
| Travels of the Incas - Machu Picchu to La Paz | from $2784 | 10 Days | Travel to Machu Picchu and La Paz on this Peru and Bolivia tour and walk in the footsteps of the Incas. You'll visit Lima, Cuzco, and the Sacred... |
| The Peru and Bolivia Train Tour | from $5248 | 18 Days | See all the highlights of Peru and Bolivia on the Peru Bolivia Train Tour! Enjoy guided city tours in Lima, Cuzco and La Paz. Explore historic UNESCO... |
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