The Sacred Valley of the Incas: What to See

The Sacred Valley of the Urubamba River was the heartland of the Inca Empire. Fertile fields, terraced hillsides and impressive Inca sites lie between Cusco and Machu Picchu – and at a lower altitude than Cusco, which makes the valley ideal for acclimatizing.

The highlights

• Pisac: Spectacular terraces and temples high above the valley, and a lively market in the village below.
• Chinchero: A traditional village where Quechua weavers show how alpaca wool is spun, dyed with natural colors and woven.
• Moray: Concentric circular terraces that the Incas probably used as an agricultural laboratory.
• Maras salt ponds: Thousands of salt pools on the mountainside, still worked by local families as in the time of the Incas.
• Ollantaytambo: A living Inca town with its original street plan and a mighty fortress of terraces and temples. The train to Machu Picchu departs from here.

Living culture

Beyond the famous sites, the valley is home to Quechua communities such as Patacancha, where traditions are alive in everyday life. A visit to a community is one of the most memorable experiences of any trip to Peru.

How to explore it

You can see the main sites on a full-day tour from Cusco. Even better: spend a night in the valley before taking the train to Machu Picchu or starting your trek. Many of our tours combine the Sacred Valley with the Inca Trail.

See our Sacred Valley Tour and the Inca Trail and Sacred Valley Tour.