The Sacred Valley Map

Nestled between Cusco and Machu Picchu, the Sacred Valley was once the heart of the Inca Empire, prized for its fertile land and strategic location. Carved by the Urubamba River, the valley is lined with ancient agricultural terraces, fortress ruins, and traditional villages that still retain their Andean heritage.
The Sacred Valley is home to some of the most remarkable Incan sites outside of Machu Picchu.

The town of Ollantaytambo is a living Incan city, where cobblestone streets and massive stone terraces tell the story of past battles. Pisac, another highlight, is known for its impressive hilltop ruins and vibrant artisan market. Further along, the mysterious circular terraces of Moray showcase the Incas' advanced agricultural experiments, while the salt ponds of Maras continue to be harvested in the same way they have been for centuries.

Beyond its history, the Sacred Valley offers a blend of adventure and culture. Visitors can explore by hiking, mountain biking, or even rafting along the Urubamba River. Whether you’re trekking ancient pathways, visiting colorful markets, or simply enjoying the breathtaking scenery, the Sacred Valley remains one of Peru’s most captivating regions.

Moray
Moray is one of the most thought-provoking structures of Incan remains. The Inca were known for their incredible agricultural ability and it’s thought that Moray was an agricultural laboratory to test different crops and possibly to learn how to maximize yield. Moray is a giant structure of curved stone terraces, which can be 30 meters (100 ft) deep in some places. The whole structure resembles a giant amphitheater and on each rung archaeologists found earth from different areas of the Incan Empire, from the coastal farms to the Andean terraces. Not only this, but the temperature difference between rungs can be 15 °C (27 °F) creating a perfect place to test different crops in different environments.

The Ollantaytambo Ruins
The Ollantaytambo Ruins are a favorite archaeological site to visit from Cusco and the name refers to the Incan site and also the town itself. This is one of the starting points to the Inca trail, but can also be visited independently on a half-day trip. Ollantaytambo was the royal estate of Emperor Pachacuti and housed members of the Incan elite, but also functioned as a sacred site and fortress. This was a main point of defense for the Inca Yupanqui against the Spanish invasion. The Inca used the high terraces and the Incan knowledge of irrigation by flooding the plain then showering down arrows, spears, and boulders onto the conquistadors. This led to one of the few times the Spanish lost a battle. The conquistadors would later return to take the fortress.

Sacsayhuaman
Sacsayhuaman is another of Cusco’s main archaeological sites and was an Incan citadel overlooking the city. A heavily fortified structure, the massive stones used in fortification means around 20,000 men were needed in construction. Some of the stones used in the walls weigh 100 tons each. The structure was incredibly mysterious to the Spanish who didn’t see the Inca as being capable of such engineering feats. Not only a fantastic historical site, this is the location of the Inti Raymi celebrations every 24th of June, which are held to honor the Incan sun god and continued in memory of this great civilization.

Pisac
Located in the Sacred Valley of the Incas, Pisac refers to both a village and different Incan ruins, including temples, agricultural areas, and a fortress to defend this part of the Sacred Valley. Although the region is best known for the ruins, the village hosts a fantastic Andean market, which is now open every day. The largest market is held each Sunday and is very popular with visitors. The fortress of Pisac sits high on the hill to look over the valley and you can see famous Inca terracing down the hillside.

Llamas and Alpacas
Peru’s only domesticated animals along with the little guinea pigs, llama and alpaca are synonymous with the Peruvian Andes. Many people leave Peru with clothing or blankets made from alpaca fleece and there are many markets in the Andes to choose some good quality products. For an iconic photo of Peru, however, you should also take a photo of a llama or alpaca and you can see these wonderful animals around Cusco. The animals are found with their owner who is usually dressed with traditional and colorful clothing and it costs around 1 Peruvian sol for a photo, which is about 30 cents. A great place to see these animals is the Manos de la Communidad

Enjoy the Vistadome Train to Machu Picchu
Enjoy a fantastic rail trip to Machu Picchu by crossing beautiful countryside with stunning scenery. We recommend the Vistadome class on the PeruRail train, as the cabins are fitted with panoramic windows and skylights to keep you connected to the environment. Starting from Poroy station just a little distance from Cusco, enjoy a fantastic journey with some tasty snacks and beautiful scenery before your arrival in Aguas Calientes. When in Aguas Calientes at the foot of Machu Picchu, it's then just a short bus trip to see the ruins themselves.

Hike the Inca Trail
The Inca Trail is South America’s classic hike, which follows in the footsteps of the Inca from Cusco to their incredible monument of Machu Picchu. This was part of the largest transportation system in pre-Columbian South America. The route starts about 80 km from Cusco near the Urubamba River. As you walk the trail, you will see some beautiful scenery and mountain passes. Enjoy passing through areas with abundant fresh vegetation and into the cloud forest with abundant bromeliads and orchids. There are a few different varieties and experiences of the Inca Trail you can choose from, including the Classic Inca Trail, which is the most famous option, the Short Inca Trail for an experience of the trek without the camping and days of hiking, and the Luxury Inca Trail to enjoy massages and more exclusivity.

Visit Peruvian markets
To remember your time in Peru, you can buy a traditional souvenir from an Andean market, which differ in the items available. Many people choose to purchase different alpaca wool products, such as clothing and blankets or choose different handicrafts from the Andes.