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The Sacred Valley

The first inhabitants of the Sacred Valley treasured this land not only for its dramatic landscapes and sweeping vistas—the Sacred Valley also offered ample opportunities for agriculture, and had plentiful water just beyond the reaches of the parched desert. Its fertility was the result of a sunny climate and the Río Urubamba coursing through the valley.

The Sacred Valley
The Sacred Valley
The Sacred Valley
The Sacred Valley
The Sacred Valley

More about The Sacred Valley

From Ollantaytambo in the north, the Río Urubamba flows to the southwest. It formed a rich artery of small Andean towns and sprawling Inca centers. The valley ends at the artisan mecca of Pisac. Framed by the snow-capped Urubamba mountain range, the slopes and river banks hum with the echoes of an Inca paradise.

At Ollantaytambo, on the end of the Sacred Valley closest to Machu Picchu, visit the most intact Inca village in the valley. See one of the many ruins of an Inca temple or visit the Princess Baths, a cluster of fountains and whirlpools that still gurgle.

Almost perfectly in the middle of the valley, at the foot of the mountains, Urubamba allows you to experience the splendor of the fauna that the river creates. Stop here to get to know the landscape a little better. You’ll have lots of opportunities for biking, horseback riding, mountain biking, paragliding, and rock climbing. No matter your adventure of choice, you’ll be spoiled with your choice of views – everywhere you look is an ancient mountainside, painted with the shifting shadows of passing clouds.

Before you proceed down the valley, consider taking detours to Moras and Moray, small towns that still hold the remains of thriving agricultural centers. The Maras salt mines, built by the Inca into the side of a mountain, still shimmer with layers of salt, the residue of recently evaporated water. Further to the west, in Moray, see concentric circles dug into the earth, forming gradual steps to the center. Most recently, scholars have suggested this was an Inca agricultural experiment, to see how crops grew at various elevations.

Further south you’ll find Calca, one of the smaller towns in the valley. Calca is home to a small Inca ruin, Hucuy Qosco. This is a destination for hikers who want a challenge, as it's located at the top of a steep incline. At the ruins of an Inca hall, you’ll be in a prime location to see the valley unfold far below.

Pisac is a notorious destination for souvenir hunters and collectors. It has one of the largest craft marketplaces in Peru, packed with local artisans. Admire textiles and garments made from fluffy alpaca wool, dyed and woven according to the richly symbolic Andean style.

Uphill from the commercial part of Pisac, explore one of the valley’s most complex Inca ruins. Agricultural terraces occupy huge swaths of land along the mountainside. Eventually the path will lead to the Temple of Sun, a still-formidable structure at the very top of the site. From here, you’ll have one of the most unforgettable and sprawling views of the Sacred Valley.

When you finish your treks through the valley, stop at a village to order chicha, a local beer made from corn. It is an acquired taste, but sample it at least once and toast the persistence of Andean traditions in the Sacred Valley, a world unto itself.

The Sacred Valley HIGHLIGHTS

Moments to look forward to

10 days | $$

Culinary Delight and Family Adventure

I learned so much of it's history and have such respect for it's culture.
Culinary Delight and Family Adventure
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Lunch at Skylodge with Via Ferra and Zipline
Cusco

Lunch at Skylodge with Via Ferra and Zipline

16 days | $$

Amazing Peaks and Majestic Ruins

PERU! is getting there. There are several areas where, for instance plastic bottles can be reused, by hotels providing large dispensers to refill existing bottles.
Amazing Peaks and Majestic Ruins
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Escape to Machu Picchu (departure from Ollantaytambo train station)
Ollantaytambo

Escape to Machu Picchu (departure from Ollantaytambo train station)

12 days | $$

We Experienced Peru's Diversity

This trip was very well planned with professional and kind representatives helping us throughout. I would highly recommend Anywhere.com's Peru Team. Thank you for a wonderful trip!
We Experienced Peru's Diversity
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Humantay Lagoon Full Day Hiking
Cusco

Humantay Lagoon Full Day Hiking

14 days | $$$

A Family Journey of a Lifetime

Anywhere made this so easy! No glitches in our travels at all. From the hike to Machu Picchu to speeding through sand dunes in a buggy, the entire experience was out of this world.
A Family Journey of a Lifetime
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Sacred Valley Excursion
Cusco

Sacred Valley Excursion

14 days | $$

The VIP Experience in Peru

I really could not be happier. The Anywhere Team made me feel like a VIP my entire time in Peru. The hotels were very nice & safe. The food was fantastic. Transportation was smooth, nice trains, safe airlines. I recommend Peru to all travelers!
The VIP Experience in Peru
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