From Cusco 5 Best Places To Go in the Sacred Valley of Peru

If there’s one location I would recommend anyone to visit in Peru, that would definitely be the Sacred Valley Peru. This is an amazing location that everyone will love, just because there are so many great views, and on top of that you will be impressed with how appealing and cool the entire location really is. With that in mind, there are a variety of places to explore and enjoy. Here are some of the best Sacred Valley Peru locations to check out.

Where Is the Sacred Valley Peru?

The Sacred Valley Peru can be found in the valley of the Andes, more specifically on the Northern part of Cusco, Just 1 hour far. It’s in the Peruvian region of Cusco actually. The location itself has become extremely popular over the years and it has impressed quite a lot of people with its incredible views and vestiges.

Why is it called the Sacred Valley?

The name Sacred Valley comes from the fact that this valley has some of the best land in the region. It was not a part of the Incan Empire, yet it was a property of the Inca or Emperor. That’s what really makes it so unique and different in the first place.

How to get to the Sacred Valley Peru?

Generally, you get to the Sacred Valley via a tour from Cusco. It’s the most accessible way to do so, and you have multiple minivans that go to the village of Pisaq, it takes around an hour. From here you can enjoy everything that the Sacred Valley has to offer.

# 1 – About Pisaq

What I like about Pisac is that it was one of the major Incan cities. When you get to Pisac’s ruins, you get to view stone structures, temples, citadels, and even a sundial-themed stone structure. It’s worth it to visit Pisac because you do have a stellar panoramic view of the entire valley. Plus, in the modern Pisac city you can find a handscraft market.

Where is Best Market in the Sacred Valley Peru?

If you are passionate about finding the best market in Sacred Valley, then the Pisac market is a very good option. There is a large artisan market right in the Pisac central plaza. You can’t miss it, and the cool thing is that you will be impressed with the large range of products provided here. These vary from instruments to ceramics, hats, ponchos, weavings, alpaca products and souvenirs, as you can imagine.

Where Should I Eat in the Sacred Valley Peru?

I found quite a lot of great restaurants in Sacred Valley Peru, and there are options for any taste that you might have. Tunupa Restaurant is a very popular one, and I recommend it for everyone. Inca House is also one of my top options. Puka Punku and Apu Pitusiray is another great one. There are also others I liked like the Restaurante Hawa or the Chullpi Restaurant, these are great local cuisine options that I am sure a lot of people will appreciate also eat in local restaurants in Urubamba can be goo option, if you are ok to try daily local food, like Sol de Mayo.

# 2 – About Ollantaytambo

From Pisaq you can go from Ollantaytambo, it’s very close and it just makes the entire experience a whole lot better. In Ollantaytambo you can find some incredible ruins. It’s one of the highlights of the entire Sacred Valley Peru for most travelers. The vistas are incredible and what people liked the most here is how some of the ruins are carved into the mountain. It just goes to show the tenacity and great thinking that people had back in the day.

Do I need Tickets for the Sacred Valley Peru?

Yes, you need tickets to visit sites in the Sacred Valley. What you would like to know is that there are separate tickets for every site, but you can also acquire a full Cusco Tourist Ticket. This one gives you access to 16 different museums and sites you can visit within 10 days (130 Peruvian solores). So if you have a longer stay in the region, this is the ideal way to see everything and also save some money.

Do I Need a Guide for the Sacred Valley Peru?

No, you don’t really need a guide for the Sacred Valley Peru. That being said, when you approach all archeological sites, you will find people that offer to be your guide. If you want to know more about the local history, this is actually a great idea. But the truth is that more often than not, you won’t need any kind of guide. Settling on a price is extremely important, since it allows you to avoid any unfortunate events. I went through that, and I can tell you it’s better to either try and visit the place alone or just settle for a price beforehand.

# 3 – About Maras salt mines

From Ollantaytambo you can take a taxi or bus to visit Maras. Maybe the coolest thing that you can visit here are the salt mines. You do need a separate ticket to visit this place (10 soles), but It can tell you it’s well worth it. Not only are these mines visually imposing, but this is one of the few Sacred Valley places that still gets used by the local community. In fact, every family has its own pond.

Can I do a day trip to sacred valley Peru?

It depends on what you want to see. There are tours that go from Cusco and which take you to Pisac, Ollantaytambo and then Chinchero, all in a single day. Others also include the Maras salt mines. So it’s a good idea to check the available tours, see where you want to go and give them a try. Day tours are very interesting, and you will find them extremely exciting and enjoyable.

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Sacred Valley from CUSCO

# 4 – About Moray

From Maras you can go to Moray. What is special about Moray is the fact that it has some very strange, circular Inca ruins. It’s said that these terraces were actually an agricultural experiment for the Inca population back in the day. They used the circular terraces as a place to grow medicinal plants, potatoes, corn and even medicinal plants. So it was a place of experimentation for them, and it does impress with the design and orientation. The largest terrace is very deep, around 98 feet. It’s incredible to see how well preserved this place really is, and it’s safe to say that everyone should check it out, since it’s unlike anything else that has been created by the Incas.

# 5 – About Chincheros

Chicheros is an ancient town found in the Sacred Valley. It’s around 28km away from Cusco, where you get to enjoy the Incan culture. Many locals preserved the old customs, and you can also find some of the old crafts and archeological vestiges in here as well. Chincheros is also known as the land of the rainbow. There are mansions and temples build on older palaces. They also have a Sunday fair which is widely known for its great items too. It’s an interesting place to visit if you want to learn more about the older Incan customs and even see some of them preserved at this time.

Is it recommended to stay at Sacred Valley Peru to go to Machu Picchu?

Visiting Sacred Valley is a great idea if you want to get accommodated with the amazing Incan culture. There are many old vestiges from the Incan period in the Sacred Valley Peru, so it’s highly recommended to visit these if possible. It’s just well worth your time, and you will be impressed with the great stuff that you get to see here. And since Sacred Valley is close to Machu Picchu, if you have enough time you can visit Sacred Valley, then visit Machu Picchu after that.

Recommendations for sacred valley tour, what should I bring?

The temperature is not very low, but it’s a good idea to bring with you a hat, cap, sunglasses, light pants, shirt and jacket, and also some comfortable tennis shoes. Also, some water and sunscreen can also come in handy. Then aside from that you can think about any personal preferences that you may have. For the most part, you will be more than ok with the location, but it definitely has its fair share of benefits. That’s why you have to at least give it a shot, because it’s totally worth the effort and many people will appreciate it.

Conclusion

As a whole, Most travelers think that visiting the Sacred Valley Peru is a great idea, since there’s so much cool stuff to see and places to explore. Getting to know more about the Incan habits, culture and the way they lived is amazing and it does bring a great glimpse into the past. That’s why it’s a really good idea to give it a try for yourself and enjoy many of these great locations in Sacred Valley, as it’s one trip you do not want to miss.

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Sacred Valley and salt mines