Spanning about 100 km north of Cusco, this valley holds some of the world’s largest, oldest Inca farming terraces. Tiny Andean villages dot the hillsides. Scattered throughout are dozens of Inca City ruins. A true highlight on any Peru route.
History seeps from every corner here—stone walls, narrow paths, centuries of cultivation. You feel it. Then, boom: the landscape snaps into view and you know why no traveler skips this place.
Reasons to Explore the Sacred Valley of the Incas
Just a short ride from Cusco, the Valley sits lower in altitude. Days feel warmer, nights milder. Sharp mountain peaks trace the horizon above fields and orchards.
Markets burst with fresh pears, apples, peaches and local berries—year-round bounty. Each town hosts its own folk dances, colorful textiles and traditional tunes. One evening you might hear chants under a starlit sky.
Hotels and eateries here earn top marks. You can unwind for days, surrounded by calm and winding paths once trod by Inca farmers.
What Ticket Should You Buy to Visit the Sacred Valley of the Incas?
Cusco Tourist Ticket “BTC” – COSITUC
The Cusco Tourist Ticket (BTC) grants entry to multiple sites across the region. You’ll Visit places like Saqsayhuaman, Qenqo, Puka Pukara, Tambomachay, Pisac and Ollantaytambo. Museums too: Qoricancha Site Museum and the Regional Historical Museum, among others.
COSITUC—Cusco’s nonprofit ticket agency—uses proceeds to preserve ruins, maintain trails and support living Andean traditions.
If you only plan to hit the Valley, grab the Circuit III ticket (Chinchero, Pisac, Ollantaytambo, Moray). Valid for two days.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Cusco Tourist Ticket
Can I buy the ticket online?
No – you pick it up at ticket offices around town or at El Sol 103, Monday to Saturday, 07:30–18:30.
Does it include a guide or transport?
No – it covers only entry.
Are there child rates?
Kids under 10 go free. From 10 to 17 you pay the student rate with an ID.
How long for all 16 sites?
About three days, minimum.
Can I pay just for one ruin?
No – you’d need a partial ticket for that specific circuit.
How far ahead should I buy it?
Same day pick-up. Tickets aren’t sold out or postponed. They’re valid starting when you use them.
Can I share my ticket?
No – it’s tied to your name and ID.
Should I Take a Group, Private Tour or Go on My Own?
Group tours keep costs down and logistics simple. There’s no regular bus service between sites. Alone, you’d wait hours, pay way more.
Solo travelers with tight schedules often rush past ruins. Guides on private tours linger. They’ll adjust stops to your pace and dive into the backstory of every wall and terrace.
If you love history or want extra time at Pisac or Ollantaytambo, private is the way to go.
Essential Stops on Your Sacred Valley Visit
1. Chinchero Town
About 45 minutes from Cusco. Weavers work wool by hand. Sweaters here run about US $100; factory-made ones in Cusco markets go for around US $10.
Twenty minutes on, the local market and Inca City ruins hug a colonial chapel. Cash only—no cards. Plan for 40 minutes to explore.
2. Raqchi Viewpoint
A quick stop above the valley floor. You’ll see the Vilcanota River threading through Yucay, Huayllabamba and Urubamba. Across the way, snow-topped Veronica, Chicon and Pumahuanca.
Look for old storehouses—Machu Qolqa—built to stash grains for Inca towns. Snap a selfie with llamas and keep moving. About 20 minutes here.
Moray Circular Terraces
Near Maras, these tiered rings once served as an Inca experimental farm. Different microclimates let them tweak corn strains. Ever heard of Cusco’s giant white corn? It only grows in the Urubamba and Calca valleys.
From Moray you can spot the Vilcanota peaks dusted with snow. Summer brings purple potato flowers and yellow turnips—vivid. After rains, fields go brown and dusty.
Maras Salt Pools
Thousands of salt ponds cling to a hillside. Solar evaporation draws salt out of underground springs.
Salt here isn’t just white. Pink therapeutic salts, herb-infused mixes and local toasted corn snacks sell in tiny stalls.
Buffet Lunch in Urubamba
Midday stop. Fresh, local dishes under spring-like skies. Fields here brim with flowers and fruit trees. Later, or before, wander into Yanahuara to sample craft beer and chicha—a fermented corn brew locals adore.
Ollantaytambo Fortress (Sacred Valley tour from Ollantaytambo)
Voted best sightseeing town. Day-tourers see only the Temple of the Sun and water channels. But stick around overnight and you’ll find organic farms, poncho-clad locals and intact Inca waterworks.
A four-hour hike to the Sun Gate rewards you with sweeping views of snow-capped Veronica and the town below.
Pisac Craft Market
Once a barter spot for potatoes and corn, today it’s lined with modern booths selling textiles from all over Peru. Prices are steep. Unless you’re hunting a special piece, browse and move on.
Nearby, traditional ovens bake some of the valley’s best breads. Grab a fresh loaf to go.
Inca Ruins of Pisac
Perched on a hilltop, the site spreads across an entire peak—royal tombs, urban blocks and terraces. Day-trip groups visit the tombs and Qallak’asa neighborhood. To cover the whole complex, plan nearly a full day with a private guide. Catching sunset here? Unforgettable.
Best Time to Visit the Sacred Valley of the Incas
Year-round beauty. But seasons shift the vibe:
• March–April: Fields burst with flowers after rains. Blue skies, white clouds. Prime photo ops.
• May–October: Dry, breezy months. Flowers fade, landscapes turn yellow. Pack a windbreaker and shades.
• November–February: Heaviest rains. Green fields but crowded with holiday travelers and school groups.
Overall, March to May balances light crowds and lush views.
The Sacred Valley as an Acclimatization Stop
Cusco sits high—over 3,300 m. Heart pounding, head pounding. Spend a night or two in Urubamba, Calca, Pisac or Ollantaytambo (around 2,800 m).
There are horseback rides, ATV routes, cooking and pottery classes. Meet locals in farming villages. All helping you adjust before tackling the Inca Trail.
Stay hydrated. Skip booze until you feel solid. Talk to a doc about altitude meds if you’re prone to headaches.
The Most Popular Sacred Valley Tours from Cusco
Tours split into two main loops:
- Classic Loop
Start 08:00 am at Ccorao. Viewpoint. Pisac ruins and market. Lunch in Urubamba. Ollantaytambo fortress. Finish in Chinchero by 7 pm.
Pace: easy. - VIP Valley
Early 06:00 am launch. Chinchero textiles and ruins. Maras salt pools and Moray. Lunch in Urubamba. Afternoon in Ollantaytambo and Pisac. Back by 7 pm.
Pace: fast.
Explore the Sacred Valley with Short Walks
Hike to the Poc Poc Falls – Urquillos
Starts in Chinchero. Descend through eucalyptus groves, potato plots and barley fields. An hour in, you reach the falls. Cool off or just watch water plunge from high peaks. Then cross into Urquillos—rose, avocado and pear gardens. End in Huayoccari to catch a ride back to Cusco.
Trek to the Inca Ruins of Huchuy Qosqo
Eight hours from Tambomachay, Cusco. Moorland, llama herder camps, then a narrow canyon path into the tiny Inca City itself. Some camp overnight to catch sunrise. Views over Calca and Lamay—jaw-dropping.
Hike to the Yanacocha Lagoon
A tough 7 km push from Huayoccari to the first lagoon. Queña trees, hummingbirds on Kantu blooms. From the top, Sacred Valley sprawls below. Option to continue to Quellococha or drop into San Juan, then down to Yucay’s giant terraces.
Walk to Inca Sun Gate in Ollantaytambo
Climb from 2,700 m to 4,000 m. Rough three-hour trek. Final stretch tests your legs but rewards you with sweeping valley vistas. Return via the Cachiccata quarries, then back into town.
End your day back in Cusco or linger in the Valley a bit longer. Either way, the Sacred Valley of the Incas leaves a mark—etched in stone, etched in memory.