Sacred Valley

Sacred Valley Weather

Rainy season

It begins in December and ends around April. These are considered the rainiest months of the year. Temperatures range from 21°C to 8°C during this period.

Temporada seca

It takes place between May and October. Although rain is not expected during this time of the year, it is considered the coldest season of the year, with temperatures ranging from 20°C to 1°C.

Best time to visit the Sacred Valley

The best time to visit the Sacred Valley of the Incas is between the months of April and October, the sun shines, the weather is amazing, the rains are scarce and the breeze is really delicious, the only thing that changes during the rainy season is that it rains in the afternoon; although there may be those days when it does not stop raining all day, but still the climate of the Sacred Valley of the Incas is delicious.

However, people who come wanting to get the best pictures of the Sacred Valley of the Incas, may be more interested in coming during the dry season, and the best time for this is in March just at the end of the rainy season, the landscapes of the valley will be green and full of flowers; or in October at the beginning of the rainy season.

Visit the beautiful villages of the Sacred Valley of the Incas, choose one and stay in it; Pisac is beautiful and you will find people from all over the world; the Inca constructions of Ollantaytambo are at the height of what you will see in Machu Picchu, Machu Picchu is the world spiritual center and apparently, it will be until its energy disappears.

The Sacred Valley of the Incas is a region located in the Andes of Peru, near the ancient Inca capital of Cusco. It played a crucial role in the Inca civilization and is still today a region rich in history, culture and breathtaking scenery.

During the height of the Inca Empire in the 15th and 16th centuries, the Sacred Valley was considered sacred and vital for agriculture. The Incas built agricultural terraces along the mountains, taking advantage of the valley's climatic diversity to grow diverse food crops.

Throughout the valley, the Incas built ceremonial centers and architectural complexes, such as Pisac, Ollantaytambo and Chinchero. These sites had religious, agricultural and administrative functions.

Ollantaytambo is noted for its stone terraces and the Temple of the Sun. Pisac is known for its archaeological complex and its colorful market. Chinchero is noted for its agricultural terraces and its colonial church built on ancient Inca ruins.

After the Spanish conquest in the 16th century, the Sacred Valley passed to the Viceroyalty of Peru, and many Inca sites were looted and destroyed. During colonization, the Spanish built churches and haciendas in the valley, often using stones from Inca temples.

Over the centuries, the Sacred Valley has undergone significant changes, but it remains an important region in terms of agriculture and culture. It has become a popular tourist destination due to its breathtaking landscapes and well-preserved archaeological sites.

Today, the Sacred Valley is a common stop for tourists visiting the Cusco and Machu Picchu region, offering a unique insight into the rich history and cultural heritage of the Incas.

In the Sacred Valley of the Incas, beautiful colonial towns have flourished, showcasing a blend of architecture, art, and vibrant culture. Chinchero stands out for its weavers, Písac for its artisan market, Urubamba for its cosmopolitan vibe, Ollantaytambo for its fortress and living Inca village, and Maras Moray for its stunning salt flats. Throughout this region, diverse communities have developed rural and experiential tourism products that captivate locals and visitors alike. Each town is a world unto itself, collectively offering a unique way to experience the most traditional region of the South American Andes.

Visit the Inca city of Ollantaytambo

Ollantaytambo is known primarily for its fortress, as it was one of the key sites in the Inca resistance against the Spanish.

But beyond the historical interest of the archaeological site or the magnificent view it offers of the city, Ollantaytambo is a charming Inca town worth at least a full day visit if you have some time available in your itinerary.

By the way, if you plan to visit Machu Picchu, Ollantaytambo is on the way from Cusco. You could even spend the night there before continuing on to Aguas Calientes.

Drinking craft beer

Exploring an Inca sanctuary hidden in the mountains

In addition to hosting the Brewery, the small village of Pachar serves as the gateway to Ñaupa Iglesia, an Inca sanctuary that is free to enter and virtually devoid of tourists.

Getting there is quite easy; the hike is relatively short (45 to 60 minutes), and along the way, you can enjoy views of fields and small houses. The site is terraced, so take your time ascending, as altitude can lead to quick fatigue!

Alternatively, you can take a taxi from Ollantaytambo to get as close as possible, requiring only a short walk along the trail next to the railway tracks. Personally, I find the hike from Pachar's entrance much more scenic and rewarding.

Visit the ruins and the Andean market of Pisac.

Pisac, an Inca village built in the 15th century, is a must-visit in the Sacred Valley.

• Inca ruins: Once a residence of Inca Pachacutec, these ruins now form an impressive archaeological complex with residential, ceremonial, and agricultural areas featuring terraced crops. A tourist ticket is required for entry.

• Andean market: While it has become a major tourist attraction in recent years, strolling through its aisles remains a great way to experience local life. It's also a good place to buy regional crafts, though for a more local experience away from tourists, head directly to the fruits and vegetables section.

Visit the salt mines of Maras

Discover the nearly 3000 wells in Maras Moray, used since Inca times by local families for the extraction of salt by evaporation. The dancing reflections under the sun offer a unique opportunity to capture sublime photos. Personally, it is my favorite place in the whole region due to its uniqueness, undoubtedly one of the most beautiful places to see in the Sacred Valley!

Admire Inca agricultural engineering at Moray

After visiting the salt mines, the Moray terraces may not offer the same visual impact, but their charm lies in their functional and efficient structure rather than in the landscape they create.

Moray is an advanced agricultural research center from the Inca era, featuring magnificent circular terraces designed to create 20 different microclimates (with a temperature difference of 3°C between each level!). This innovation allowed the Incas to cultivate approximately 150 different types of maize and potatoes.

Maras and Moray are conveniently close, just 7 km apart in the Sacred Valley. However, unlike Maras, a tourist ticket is required to visit Moray.

Discovering traditional textiles

Chinchero is perfect for experiencing demonstrations of traditional Inca textile manufacturing techniques, including weaving, dyeing, and more—all free of charge!

Don't forget to visit the market, where you'll find colorful handwoven wool clothing and carpets at very attractive prices.

But textiles aren't the only attraction in Chinchero. It's also a charming place to stroll through cobblestone streets, admire the main square, and visit the 17th-century Church of Our Lady of Montserrat, built atop ancient Inca palace ruins from the 15th century.

Visit Urubamba and Yucay

Urubamba, once a crucial agricultural center in the Inca Empire, remains a must-visit destination in the Sacred Valley today. While it may not boast as many historical sites as some other places, its strategic location as a transit hub has spurred its growth. Moreover, Urubamba offers excellent dining options, comfortable hotels, and wellness centers, both in town and its surroundings.

For a relaxing side trip, consider visiting Yucay from Urubamba, just a 30-minute walk away. This quaint rural village, favored by Huayna Capac for its pleasant climate, features ancient agricultural terraces and functional aqueducts amidst a charming mix of colonial and Inca architecture.

Rafting on the Urubamba River

We offer 1, 2 and 3 day rafting programs on the Urubamba River.

The Sacred Valley from the air

If you enjoy soaring through the heights, the Sacred Valley offers various exciting activities. You can go bungee jumping, slingshot, climbing the via ferrata, or tandem paragliding with a professional, with flights lasting between 10 to 20 minutes and covering 500 to 900 meters.

There are also zip lines (Zip line) in places like Pachar, with cables spanning 1 to 2 km in length. This activity is more accessible to everyone, unless you suffer from vertigo.

Visiting Huchuy Qosqo, the small cusco

Huchuy Qosqo is an Inca archaeological site featuring unique architecture and an intricate irrigation system. It is the most significant archaeological site in the Urubamba Valley after Ollantaytambo and Pisac but is far less crowded due to the need for a hike to reach it.

Ways to reach Huchuy Qosqo:

• From Lamay: A challenging 2.5-hour uphill hike.
• From Calca: Take a taxi that drops you 10 minutes from the ruins.
• From Tauca (near Chinchero): A longer, less-traveled path (3-hour hike) with stunning landscapes, reaching its highest point at Piuray Lagoon at 4,500 meters above sea level.

Explore the Andes by ATV

ATVs offer a unique experience for enjoying an enchanting ride in a mystical place.

Travel along the ancient Inca route, crossing high mountains and quinoa fields, to admire the sun's reflections on the Maras salt mines and the ingenuity behind the Moray terraces.

Visit the Inkary Museum

Between Pisac and Urubamba, less than 10 minutes from Calca, lies the Inkary Museum, one of the best in the region and a must-visit in the Sacred Valley!

This well-designed museum houses 10,000 historical pieces. It features several pavilions dedicated to the Caral, Chavín, Paracas, Mochica, Nazca, Wari, Chimú-Lambayeque, and Inca cultures. The exhibits are very comprehensive and showcase the art, customs, beliefs, and traditional clothing of these cultures.

Enjoying the thermal baths

Calca, founded by the Inca Wiracocha as a resting place in "Villa de Zamora" by conquistador Pedro de Zamora, is a town with two plazas, the beautiful Church of San Pedro Apóstol, and some cobblestone streets. It is best known as the starting point for excursions to Huchuy Qosqo (only 8 km away) but also offers other attractions:

• Minas Moqo Hot Springs (500 m from Calca): These thermal waters on the banks of the Vilcanota River are said to have healing properties. They are just a few minutes' walk from the main plaza.
• Machacancha Hot Springs (7 km from Calca): Located at an altitude of 3050 meters, these thermal waters are believed to have many therapeutic properties. The water is about 40°C, clear, and odorless.

Yoga and relaxation

The Sacred Valley offers various options for practicing yoga in a natural and tranquil setting. Numerous centers and hotels in the area provide regular yoga classes and spiritual retreats, taking advantage of the serenity and special energy of the valley. It's an ideal place for those looking to reconnect with themselves and enjoy the peace offered by the Andean nature.

Visitar Choquequirao

Choquequirao is an Inca city located at an altitude of more than 3,000 meters. The site has a structure very similar to that of Machu Picchu, but smaller.

Its great advantage is that it is much less frequented than the latter, because it is only accessible on foot, after a hike of at least 4 days. It is a real adventure!

Doing a Trek

The Sacred Valley is an immense playground for outdoor enthusiasts, and trekking is one of the best activities to do in the Sacred Valley.

In addition to hikes to Huchuy Qosqo and Choquequirao, the most well-known treks are undoubtedly those leading to Machu Picchu:

• Inca Trail Trek (4 days) – must be booked several months in advance!
• Short Inca Trail Trek (2 days)
• Salkantay Trek (5 days)
• Inca Jungle Trek (4 days) – perfect for adrenaline seekers
• Lares Trek (4 days)

You can also opt for day trips:

• From Chinchero to Urquillos (4 to 5 hours)
• From Moray to Maras (half-day)
• Perolniyoq Waterfall and Ruins (1:30 hrs from Socma, which is a 45 min taxi ride from Ollantaytambo)
• Inti Punku or Sun Gate (4 hours from Ollantaytambo)

Disfrutar del chocolate peruano

One of the most recommended activities to enjoy in the Sacred Valley with children is to visit the Chocomuseo. This museum offers a small exhibition and an introductory tour to the world of cacao, along with chocolate workshops that last approximately 2 hours. It is a fun experience where children can create their own chocolate bars with cocoa beans and enjoy delicious tastings. But not only children enjoy; adults are also delighted with this activity. In addition, the museum has a store where you can buy chocolate products, many of them made with local ingredients, perfect as souvenirs. Find the Chocomuseo in Pisac (Calle Mariscal Castilla 381) and in Ollantaytambo (Plaza Ruinas).

Pueblo de maras

Maras se ocupó cuando los ciudadanos de Cusco se retiraron de los palacios incas en Cusco y tuvieron que migrar hacia otros pueblos pequeños, como ahora Maras y San Sebastián.

Este centro poblado fue el paso obligado para los arrieros y sus recuas de mulas que transportaban productos tropicales y especialmente hojas de coca desde la selva alta cusqueña para satisfacer las necesidades de la ciudad del Cusco y el país.

La importancia de este pueblo se origina por la extracción de sal. Aquí se encuentran las Salineras de Maras, conocidas también como las minas de sal, cuya explotación es tan antigua como el Tahuantinsuyo. Ubicadas en la ladera del cerro, aprovechan un manantial de agua salina que nutre las pozas.

El uso de la Sal de Maras data de miles de años y se hereda en cada familia, pero se maneja en forma comunal. Son unas cinco mil pozas de unos 5 metros cuadrados cada una, el agua se filtra en las pozas y se evapora por acción del sol, dejando brotar cristales de sal gruesa. Aquí, los pobladores muestran a los visitantes sus técnicas ancestrales y permiten que intervengan en la recolección.

Urubamba y Yucay

Urubamba fue uno de los centros agrícolas más importantes durante la época del Imperio Incaico y, hoy en día, aunque no tiene tantos sitios de interés histórico, es literalmente una visita obligada en el Valle Sagrado.

Y no solo porque se trata de un lugar de tránsito forzoso entre los diferentes sitios, lo que sin duda ha estimulado su crecimiento, sino porque podrás encontrar muy buenos restaurantes, confortables hoteles y centros de yoga y bienestar, tanto dentro de la ciudad, como en sus alrededores.

Si tienes un poco de tiempo, te recomiendo que vayas a Yucay desde Urubamba, pues queda solo a 30 minutos caminando. Este pequeño pueblo rural es el lugar donde se instaló Huayna Capac, encantado por el buen clima.

Terrazas agrícolas y acueductos centenarios, aún en funcionamiento, rodean la encantadora  mixtura de edificios coloniales e incas.

Ollantaytambo: pueblo inca viviente

El pueblo se dividía en bloques rectangulares con un esquema geométrico bien planeado que da la impresión de ser un pueblo diseñado por arquitectos modernos. Sus calles delgadas se abren en dirección al río Urubamba. Cada manzana o cancha está compuesta por un conjunto de viviendas que comparten una misma puerta hacia el patio central. En el poblado hay distribución de calles rectilíneas y estrechas, que son habitadas, ininterrumpidamente, desde la época de los incas.

Pueblo de pisac

El Valle Sagrado está ubicado a 15 Km. al norte del Cusco. Su altitud es de 2,800 a 3000 m.s.n.m., lo cual le confiere un clima más benigno. Pisac es el punto de inicio del circuito turístico “Valle Sagrado de los incas”, además, este pueblo tradicional es conocido por su parque arqueológico, sus ferias artesanales y sus misas dominicales.

En su plaza principal, bajo árboles centenarios, los martes, jueves y domingos se desarrollan las ferias artesanales que son muy concurridas por la diversa y colorida textil ería y variada cerámica decorativa que allí se ofrece.

Pueblo de chinchero

Es la capital del distrito del mismo nombre, que pertenece a la provincia de Urubamba. Es uno de los pueblos más representativos del Cusco en general. Conocido por su arqueología y su artesanía.

La feria de Chinchero es de las más importantes en la región debido a la gran calidad de los productos artesanales que se venden ahí, reconocida a nivel internacional por su excelente trabajo y belleza. En estas ferias podemos ver que el trueque (antigua forma de intercambio de productos) aún vigente; en Chinchero, las nietas de las princesas incaicas, continúan tejiendo lana y confeccionando prendas, como lo hacían las ajllas para los hijos del Sol, en el Cusco imperial.

Chinchero es uno de los pocos sitios en donde parece que el tiempo no pasa, ya que las tradiciones y la cultura inca aún persiste. Las personas que habitan en ella son de sangre inca y la lengua predominante es el quechua, Aunque casi todos los habitantes de esta zona hablan español como segunda lengua.

Discover the exquisite gastronomy of the Sacred Valley with the help of Viajes Andino Peru Tours. Our agency will guide you to the essential restaurants, where you can delight your palate with unique flavors and live an unforgettable culinary experience. Later, we will show you an exclusive selection of restaurants that you can not miss!

¿QUÉ RECOMENDACIONES TOMAR ANTES DE LLEGAR A CUSCO?

• Si tienes condiciones médicas preexistentes o alguna preocupación de salud, es recomendable hablar con un médico antes de viajar a Cusco. El mal de altura y la altitud pueden afectar a algunas personas de manera más significativa, así que es importante asegurarte de estar en buenas condiciones para el viaje.
• Si es posible, planifica llegar a Cusco con un tiempo de aclimatación previo en una altitud menor. Por ejemplo, puedes pasar unos días en Lima u otras ciudades a menor altura antes de viajar a Cusco. Esto ayuda a que tu cuerpo se adapte gradualmente a la altitud elevada.
• Asegúrate de contar con un seguro de viaje que incluya cobertura médica para emergencias y evacuaciones médicas en caso de ser necesario.

¿QUÉ RECOMENDACIONES TOMAR DURANTE LA ESTADÍA EN CUSCO?

• Cusco puede tener cambios bruscos de temperatura durante el día, así que lleva ropa en capas que te permita adaptarte a las condiciones climáticas.
• La radiación solar es más intensa en altitudes elevadas, así que protégete del sol con protector solar y un sombrero.
• Muestra respeto por la cultura local y las tradiciones de Cusco. Pregunta antes de tomar fotografías de personas o lugares sagrados y sigue las indicaciones de los guías locales.
• Como en cualquier lugar, toma precauciones de seguridad básicas, como no mostrar objetos de valor de manera llamativa y evitar lugares poco iluminados o desconocidos durante la noche.

¿QUÉ PRECAUCIONES TOMAR PARA EL MAL DE ALTURA?

La ciudad de Cusco se encuentra a una altitud de aproximadamente 3,400 metros sobre el nivel del mar, lo que puede causar el denominado "mal de altura" o soroche. Esta condición ocurre debido a la reducción de la presión de oxígeno en altitudes elevadas, lo que puede provocar síntomas incómodos en algunas personas que no están acostumbradas a la altitud.

Para prevenir o reducir los efectos del mal de altura, se recomienda seguir estas precauciones:

• Es importante tomarse un tiempo para aclimatarse antes de realizar actividades físicas intensas. Descansa durante al menos un día en Cusco antes de subir a altitudes más elevadas, como Machu Picchu.
• Tomar mate de coca te ayudará con la aclimatación, pero no es recomendable tomarlo por la noche, puede provocar insomnio.
• Beber mucha agua ayuda a combatir los efectos del mal de altura. Evita el alcohol y la cafeína, ya que pueden contribuir a la deshidratación.
• Evita comidas pesadas y grasosas durante los primeros días para facilitar la adaptación del cuerpo a la altitud.
•  Algunas personas pueden beneficiarse del uso de medicamentos para prevenir o aliviar los síntomas del mal de altura. Consulta a un médico antes de viajar para obtener asesoramiento específico.
• Evita esfuerzos físicos intensos y camina a un ritmo más pausado para darle tiempo a tu cuerpo para adaptarse.
• Algunas personas consumen té de hojas de coca, un remedio tradicional en la región, que se cree puede ayudar con los síntomas del mal de altura. Sin embargo, ten en cuenta que la hoja de coca está prohibida en algunos países, así que infórmate antes de usarla.
• No subas a altitudes más altas o realices actividades extenuantes si experimentas síntomas graves del mal de altura. Busca atención médica si los síntomas persisten o empeoran.

Siguiendo estas precauciones y recomendaciones, estarás mejor preparado para disfrutar de una experiencia segura y gratificante en Cusco, permitiéndote explorar la rica historia, cultura y belleza natural que esta ciudad y sus alrededores tienen para ofrecer.