The Sacred Valley of the Incas is located between the Inca capital of Cusco and Machu Picchu and has gradually emerged as a popular tourist destination offering scenic view of the valley. Sacred Valley is carved by Urubamba River and popularly this valley is also known as the Urubamba Valley, stretching from Pisac to Ollantaytambo.

Things to do in the Sacred Valley

Pisac Market and Ruins: Pisac is popular for its sunday market popular for alpaca wool clothes, designer leather notebooks, shot glasses, magnets and more.
The ruins of Inca Fortress is another major attraction. The ruins of temples, stone water channels and tombs will transport you to past. The holes of tombs dug up by spanish treasure hunters are visible.

Ollantaytambo: The cobbled stone streets and cafe culture make this town very popular among tourists. The Inca Ruins here are popular for its stone work. Do checkout the the temple and fortress here.

Paragliding: To get a break from the ruins and get into adventure mode do try paragliding over the Sacred Valley which costs about USD 120-150. Do research about thebest and safe operators.

Maras and Moray: Moras is popular for its salt evaporation ponds. Moray is famous for its beautiful ruins specially the dug out amphitheatre.

Ziplining and Action Valley: Explore ziplining 110 metre long and highest bungee jumping in South America. For details check action valley website https://www.actionvalley.com/en/home/ .

White river rafting: The adventure kinds should explore white river rafting in Ollantaytambo.

Mountain Biking: Tour around the Inca Ruins in thrilling Mountain Bikes. Popular trails are Qenqo, Pucapucara, “The X Zone” and Tambomachay.

Entry Fee

Although you can roam around the valley free of cost but entry to ruins is not free.

It is advisable to get a combined ticket costing Sol 130, valid for ten days providing entry to 16 sites (museums and ruins within Cusco and Sacred Valley).

Partial ticket costs Sol 70 valid for only one day and allows entry to fewer sites.

How to get to the Sacred Valley ?

Tour Agencies: There are variouys tour operators who conducts one day toure to the Sacred Valley. But make sure you double check that they are not overloading passengers in the same bus.
Average cost for one day tour approx to 13-14 USD.

By Bus: Buses can be taken from Pavitos Street or Puputi Street in Cusco.
- Buses depart every 15 minutes towards Ollantaytambo cost approx. 15 Sol. Bus to Pisac takes 1 hour costing 7 Sol.
- From Pisac you can reach Urubamba or Ollantaytambo by bus.
- Cusco to Urubamba bus cost 6 Sol and takes 1.5 hrs. From here you can explore Maras, Moray and Yucay and then head to Ollantaytambo

Self Drive: This is the costlier alternative with no guides.