Traditional Sacred Valley (Private)

The Sacred Valley of the Incas is a region that extends along the Urubamba River and is surrounded by several mountains.

During Inca times, the Sacred Valley was considered a sacred and strategic place due to its fertile land and its location between Cusco and Machu Picchu. The Incas built numerous cities and temples throughout the valley, including Pisac, Ollantaytambo and Chinchero.

The Sacred Valley of the Incas extends along the Urubamba River. It is located about 15 kilometers north of the city of Cusco and about 50 kilometers northwest of Machu Picchu.

The distances between Cusco and the main destinations in the Sacred Valley are:

• Cusco to Pisac: about 33 kilometers from Cusco (approximately 45 minutes by car).
• Cusco to Ollantaytambo: about 70 kilometers from Cusco (approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes by car).
• Cusco to Chinchero: about 28 kilometers from Cusco (approximately 45 minutes by car).
• Cusco to Urubamba: about 77 kilometers from Cusco (approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes by car).

The main tourist attractions of the Sacred Valley of the Incas are:

• Ollantaytambo: is a small town where you can find a very well preserved Inca fortress, with huge stone walls and narrow cobblestone streets.
• Pisac: is a town that houses an impressive archaeological complex on top of a mountain, and a very popular handicraft market.
• Moray: is an archaeological site that features a system of circular terraces, used by the Incas as agricultural laboratories.
• Maras: is a fascinating site where you will see the pre-Hispanic and colonial salt mines, which are still used to produce salt.
• Chinchero: is a town with a rich history and culture, where you will see impressive colonial buildings and Inca ruins.

The Ollantaytambo Archaeological Center is one of the most impressive sites in the Sacred Valley of the Incas. It was built during the Inca Empire and is a fortress and citadel that sits on a steep mountain, with impressive agricultural terraces at the base and a complex of temples and houses at the top.

In addition to the structures, Ollantaytambo also has a system of water canals that fed the agricultural terraces at the base of the hill, which allowed the Incas to grow a large amount of food in a mountainous area.

The high season for tourism in the Sacred Valley of the Incas is during the months of May to September, since during this period there is less rainfall and temperatures are more moderate. In addition, it is during this period when important festivities such as the Inti Raymi, festival of the sun, are celebrated.

However, some visitors prefer to visit the Sacred Valley of the Incas in the low season, which runs from November to March, since during this time there are fewer tourists and prices for lodging and transportation are usually cheaper.

The Sacred Valley of the Incas in Peru is a destination that offers a great variety of activities. Some activities that can be done in the Sacred Valley of the Incas are:

• Visiting archaeological sites: the Sacred Valley of the Incas is full of impressive archaeological sites, such as Ollantaytambo, Pisac, Moray and Chinchero.
• Hiking: there are many hiking trails in the Sacred Valley of the Incas that offer breathtaking views of the mountains, valleys and rivers. The Inca Trail is the most famous route, but there are also other less crowded and more challenging routes.
• Visiting craft markets: in many villages in the Sacred Valley of the Incas there are craft markets where you can buy local products such as textiles, ceramics, jewelry and other handmade objects.
• Gastronomy: you can also enjoy the delicious gastronomy, which includes dishes such as ceviche, lomo saltado and aji de gallina, as well as drinks such as pisco sour and chicha morada.
• Adventure tourism: the Sacred Valley of the Incas also offers adventure tourism activities such as rafting, mountain biking, rock climbing and paragliding.

The Pisaq Archaeological Center is located in the Sacred Valley of the Incas, approximately 33 kilometers from the city of Cusco. It is one of the most important archaeological sites in the region, combining impressive panoramic views with a rich Inca history and culture.

The site is composed of a series of Inca agricultural terraces, temples, fortresses and a complex system of water canals and aqueducts. One of the most impressive features of the Pisaq Archaeological Center are the agricultural terraces, built on the slopes of the mountains in the form of an amphitheater. These terraces were used by the Incas to grow a variety of crops, from potatoes and corn to quinoa and beans.

The city of Cusco is located at an altitude of approximately 3,400 meters above sea level. Cusco is known for being one of the highest cities in the world and its altitude can affect people who are not used to high altitudes. Therefore, it is important for visitors to take measures to prevent altitude sickness, such as getting enough rest, drinking plenty of water and avoiding strenuous physical activity when arriving in the city.