Sacred Valley of the Incas: Pisac, Ollantaytambo and beyond
Between Cusco and Machu Picchu lies the Sacred Valley of the Incas — a string of market towns, terraced ruins and snow-fed rivers. It is also the perfect place to acclimatize, sitting lower than Cusco itself.
The valley’s great sites
| Site | What to see |
|---|---|
| Pisac | Hillside terraces, ruins and a famous craft market |
| Ollantaytambo | Living Inca town and a vast temple-fortress |
| Moray | Mysterious circular agricultural terraces |
| Maras | Thousands of ancient salt pans |
Why give it more than a day
Sitting around 2,800 m, the valley is gentler on new arrivals than Cusco and makes an ideal first stop for acclimatizing. It is also the gateway to the train and most treks to Machu Picchu. See the Sacred Valley tour.
Explore the Sacred Valley
Pisac, Ollantaytambo and more with a local guide.
The key sites of the Sacred Valley
The Sacred Valley of the Incas (Valle Sagrado) follows the Urubamba River between Cusco and Machu Picchu, and its string of towns and ruins is among the richest concentrations of Inca heritage anywhere.
| Site | Highlight |
|---|---|
| Pisac | Hilltop terraces and ruins above a famous artisan market |
| Ollantaytambo | A living Inca town with a vast ceremonial fortress and the Machu Picchu train station |
| Chinchero | Weaving traditions, Inca walls and a colonial church on an Inca plaza |
| Moray & Maras | Circular agricultural terraces and ancient salt pans |
Why the valley matters — and helps you acclimatize
Beyond its beauty, the Sacred Valley sits lower than Cusco (around 2,800–3,000 m versus 3,400 m), which makes it the ideal place to spend your first days easing into the altitude before Machu Picchu. It was the agricultural and spiritual heartland of the Inca empire, and its terraces, temples and water systems show Inca planning at its most refined. Ollantaytambo in particular is special: its streets still follow the original Inca grid, and it is where most Machu Picchu trains depart.
How to plan your Sacred Valley time
You can sample the highlights in one well-organised day, but two days let you slow down and explore the markets and ruins properly. Most sites are covered by the Cusco Tourist Ticket (Boleto Turístico). Come acclimatized and combine the valley with Machu Picchu via Ollantaytambo. See our Boleto Turístico guide.
Planning tips for the Sacred Valley
A few practical decisions make the valley far more enjoyable. Most sites are covered by the Cusco Tourist Ticket (Boleto Turístico), so buy that rather than paying per site. Start early to beat both tour crowds and afternoon rain, and consider ending at Ollantaytambo to continue straight to Machu Picchu by train.
| Tip | Why it helps |
|---|---|
| Buy the Boleto Turístico | Covers Pisac, Ollantaytambo, Chinchero and more |
| Start early | Fewer crowds, better light, dodge afternoon rain |
| Stay a night in the valley | Lower altitude aids acclimatization |
| End at Ollantaytambo | Direct train to Machu Picchu |
Because the valley is lower than Cusco, it is the ideal place to spend your first days. See our one perfect day itinerary and the Boleto Turístico guide.
Frequently asked questions
Its Inca ruins, markets and dramatic scenery — especially Pisac and Ollantaytambo — and as the gateway to Machu Picchu.
Yes. At around 2,800 m it sits lower than Cusco, making it a gentler place to spend your first days in the region.
