Top activities in the Sacred Valley
Explore Pisac Inca City
Above Pisac town, a stairway of stone steps climbs the slope. Countless stairs. Sweaty. Took me about an hour—my lungs burned. Then I reached the top. Wide terraces, crisp stone walls, valley views slicing the horizon. Only a handful of people around. Machu Picchu has crowds. Here, quiet.
Hike to Pinkuylluna Inca City
On the opposite hill. No fee. Short switchbacks through scrub. Crest the ridge—boom—expansive valley panorama. Storehouses hewn into the rock face. Quick. Free. Never dull.
Trek to Kinsa Cocha (“Three Lakes”)
Taxi from Pisac runs approximately S/150–200, depending on group size. Ninety-minute drive, then a three-hour round hike at about 3,800 m. Alpacas grazing. Pools shimmer under chill wind. Layers mandatory.
Walk the Maras salt pans
Hundreds of salt pools carve the hillside. Entrance is S/10. Families still harvest by hand. Patterns like a hand-stitched quilt. You stand at the rim, salt crystals crunch beneath your boots.
See Moray’s circular terraces
Concentric rings cut into the earth’s bowl. Some say the Incas tested microclimates here. Rains turn steps vivid green. Snow peaks frame the scene. Almost alien.
Visit Chinchero Inca City
Often skipped, yet stunning at sunrise. Stone platforms catch first light. Fewer visitors. You’ll need the tourist pass. I almost skipped it—big regret.
Trek down Qhapaq Ñan to Urquillos
Starts at Chinchero Inca City. Follow faded signs. Mostly downhill, three to four hours to Urquillos town. Patakancha River at the bottom. Colectivo waits for about S/1.5. One of those days you never forget.
Roam Pisac’s Sunday market
Cobblestone streets packed with stalls. Handwoven textiles, silver trinkets, carved gourds. Sellers greet you, no hard sell. Every Sunday, the market doubles. Locals in vibrant garb fill every corner. Found a belt here—and still use it.
Try Chinchero weaving workshop
Local artisans spin and dye alpaca wool by hand. Roots, berries—even insects—for pigments. You give the loom a go. Slow. Patient. Honest work.
Getting around the area
Colectivos (shared vans) are unbeatable. Cheap. Frequent. They leave when full.
- Cusco → Pisac: S/5 from Puputi Street
- Cusco → Ollantaytambo: S/10 from Pavitos Street
- Cusco → Urubamba: S/6 same departure point
- Pisac ↔ Urubamba: S/4 from the main street
- Urubamba ↔ Ollantaytambo: S/2 from the terminal
- Ollantaytambo → Cusco: S/10–15 from the plaza
Taxis run about S/30–40 per hour—handy if you’re pressed for time.
Time to spend per town
Pisac: ≥ 3 days
– Day 1: Ruins and market
– Day 2: Three lakes hike
– Day 3: Wandering streets, coffee breaks
Ollantaytambo: 2 days
– Ruins, Pinkuylluna trail, Inka Watana viewpoint
Sacred Valley tours from Ollantaytambo
Chinchero: 1 day
– Inca City, weaving demo, quick trek
Urubamba: 1 day
– Maras salt pans, Moray terraces, local hikes
Where to stay
Pisac
Wolf Totem Nomad hostel. Terraced views. Doggos roam free. Dorms and private studios. Worth the 15-minute walk.
Ollantaytambo
Casa Quechua or Mama Killa. S/20–30 per night, breakfast included. Shared patios, kitchen facilities.
Urubamba
Luna Rumi (formerly Flying Dog). Private rooms in garden grounds. S/38 with breakfast. Quiet retreat.
Chinchero
Limited options. Chinchero Backpackers if you choose an overnight—otherwise day-trip.
Tourist pass details
Most Inca sites require the Cusco Tourist Pass:
- Partial pass: S/70, access to 4 sites over 2 days
- Full pass: S/130, access to 16 sites over 10 days
Break-even after two entries. Students pay S/70 for the full one. If you hit four or more sites, go full.
Extra resources
Stay connected with a local eSIM. Plans start at $6. I used one—never lost signal.