The 6 highlights of the Sacred Valley
Although the Sacred Valley is located close to the Inca capital of Cusco, it feels like stepping into another world. As the bustling city disappears from view, you are surrounded by charming Andean villages, ruins, and plenty of colorful blankets, hats, and other souvenirs. The river you see is the Urubamba, considered sacred by the Incas. We follow a beautiful route along winding roads between towering mountain walls, visiting the most well-known villages. Here are the highlights:
1. Pisac
Descending by bus from Cusco, you’ll first spot the village of Pisac in the Sacred Valley. Keep your eyes open—this view is not to be missed! In the distance, the archaeological site proudly sits high on the mountain. We first explore the village itself. There’s a daily market on the main square, and souvenirs here are a bit cheaper than in Cusco—perfect for picking up another colorful blanket!
Around the square are several cafés with balconies, ideal for enjoying a coffee. This village is also great for a cozy lunch. From here, you can watch tourists posing for photos with local women in traditional dress and alpacas. Next, hop in a taxi to visit the ruins.
In our experience, the walk back down is even more impressive than the ruins themselves. The descent takes about an hour, passing beautiful archaeological structures. Less crowded than the main sites, this walk is highly recommended. The hike ends right in the center of Pisac square—a colorful finish!
2. Ollantaytambo
Ollantaytambo, also known as “Ollanta,” is the most popular and oldest town in the valley. The charming main square, colorful market, and narrow streets paved with large stones make it feel inviting. You’ll quickly notice that you’re not the only tourist here. Many visitors take the train from Ollantaytambo to Machu Picchu Town and combine it with a short stay.
This makes sense, as Ollantaytambo offers more than just a lively atmosphere—it also has some serious highlights. The ruins, for example, are a must-see. It’s a bit of a climb, but the structures and the views from the terraces are absolutely impressive!
In the evening, there’s a wide selection of restaurants. We particularly enjoy dining at Apu Veronica (Calle Ventiderio, near the little bridge), a great Peruvian restaurant with live pan flute music. Pure enjoyment!
3. Chincheros
In this picturesque village, you’ll immediately find a charming central plaza with a yellow-and-white church—definitely a picture-perfect spot! The great thing is that you can walk from here to the adjacent Inca ruins, which served as a sacred palace for the gods worshiped by the Incas. Both the ruins and the village sit at an altitude of about 3,700 meters.
The plaza and the surrounding streets have a colonial feel. While there aren’t many cafés or eateries, the village makes up for it with small shops scattered through the streets. These are often private homes converted into little stores. Women, in particular, demonstrate how they process alpaca and sheep wool into beautiful products, which are also for sale. For example, if you buy a rug here, it’s usually handmade and significantly cheaper than in Cusco.
4. Yucay
Although this village is easy to miss—being small and elongated so you drive straight through it—this “backyard” of the Incas is a charming and authentic place to stop for lunch or dinner. You’ll also find some beautiful hotels for an overnight stay. Sonesta Posada Yucay is highly recommended (we actually got married there!), as is Casona del Inca. Both are colonial-style hotels with beautifully maintained inner gardens that offer complete relaxation.
Yucay is far less touristy than Ollantaytambo, Chinchero, and Pisac. The hotels are close to each other and near the local soccer field where neighborhood kids play every day—a sight you can’t miss when driving through Yucay.
Did you know there are also “hidden” hiking Trails here? They lead up into the mountains past small, colorful prayer chapels scattered along the slopes. Try the Trail starting next to Yucay’s church and follow the little stream uphill—the markers will guide your way.
After returning, you can enjoy a well-deserved beer at the local Yucay Brewery. This brewery produces authentic beers that have also become very popular in Cusco.
5. The Salt Terraces of Maras
We continue the tour towards Maras. Millions of years ago, Maras was under the ocean. The salt from the sea ended up in the ground. Natural springs push up salty water, which fills the terraces. Under the bright sun, the water evaporates, leaving behind the salt. These terraces date back to pre-Inca times. The salt is sold at local markets in the Sacred Valley as well as in Cusco and has a pinkish hue. You can walk along the terraces to see the salt drying in the sun—perfect for photos! Entrance costs only 10 soles.
6. The Inca Ruins of Moray
These ruins are just around the corner from Moray, about a 20-minute drive from Maras, making them easy to visit together. Moray features archaeological circular terraces dating back to the Inca era. What makes these terraces unique is that the temperature in the lower layers differs from that in the upper layers. Evidence suggests that the Incas used these circular terraces to acclimatize crops to higher altitudes or to conditions in lower areas, as found throughout the Sacred Valley. Because of their experimental nature, these terraces are often referred to as the “Inca laboratory.” The circular terraces are still fully intact, offering a stunning visual experience.
Sacred Valley Tour
If you visit the Sacred Valley, you can purchase a boleto turístico — a tourist ticket that allows access to multiple attractions in Cusco and the Sacred Valley. The boleto turístico is valid for 10 days and costs 130 soles (about €35) per person. This ticket gives you the opportunity to explore all six highlights over several days.
You can also choose a so-called circuito, which grants access only to the attractions in Pisac, Chinchero, Ollantaytambo, and Moray. This ticket costs 70 soles (around €18.50) per person.
Check out our Sacred Valley Tour, where we take you in one day to Pisac, Ollantaytambo, and Chinchero. An English-speaking guide and transportation between the villages are included. Prefer to choose your own highlights in the Sacred Valley? We’re happy to create a customized Tour just for you!
