Most individuals breeze by Peru in a rush, in an enormous rush to get to Machu Picchu and snap their equivalent selfie. In the event that they see the Sacred Valley of the Incas in any respect, it’s typically from a practice or bus window or on some whirlwind day journey from Cusco that hits six websites in sooner or later. It is a disgrace since you may simply spend per week or two within the valley and solely see a portion of it, or extra when you go on one of many multi-day treks.
Nestled throughout the coronary heart of southeastern Peru, the Sacred Valley boasts a wealthy Inca historical past and gorgeous landscapes to discover. This verdant valley surrounded by the Andes Mountains gives an array of actions and sights that help you immerse your self within the area’s previous and current. There’s much more to it than the large surprise of the world on the finish. I’ve been to the area 4 occasions in my travels and there are nonetheless loads of locations I may have on my listing if I’m going again once more, which I most likely will sooner or later.
As you intend your journey, it can save you a couple of bucks by reserving your journey tour domestically, however you possibly can have extra peace of thoughts and the fee course of is less complicated when you ebook excursions by respected platforms like Viator or GetYourGuide. These platforms supply an enormous array of Cusco and Sacred Valley excursions tailor-made to numerous pursuits and health ranges, permitting you to personalize your itinerary and profit from your time whereas touring in Peru.
A journey by the Sacred Valley finally ends up being a lifetime journey spotlight for a complete lot of individuals, because of a richness of choices that almost all nations would drool over to have of their complete nation. I’ve skilled most of what’s on this article first-hand and have been to among the spots twice. These are curated, extremely really helpful experiences. Put aside sufficient time so as to add no less than just a few of those excursions and issues to do in Peru to your listing and don’t neglect to depart time for the magical surprising experiences to seek out you too!
Exploring the Sacred Valley on Single-Day Excursions
The Sacred Valley of Peru gives quite a few alternatives for journey, historical past, and cultural experiences, with quite a bit to select from. In case your time is proscribed otherwise you wish to expertise a number of points of interest in a day, it’s straightforward to arrange a multi-site tour from Cusco or Ollaytantambo and go to a number of of the principle websites on one tour. In any case, that’s what many of the vacationers on bus excursions do and it’s a well-worn path.
It’s also possible to set it up with your individual driver or a rental automobile from Cusco and have extra management over while you land the place and possibly keep away from among the peak crowd occasions. Even higher, take your time as an alternative and spend the night time in a spot like Pisac, Chinchero, or Urubamba and expertise the area with out all of the day-trippers. It’s a complete totally different expertise when the locals outnumber the vacationers, which is true within the evenings all over the place besides Ollyatantambo, which is a serious practice depot launching journeys to Machu Picchu.
Pisac Ruins and City
Within the picturesque village of Pisac, you’ll discover the famend Pisac Archaeological Park. You’ll discover mesmerizing Inca ruins, terraces, and buildings nestled throughout the surrounding mountains. Typically the hills can be dotted with wildflowers and the mountains make a pleasant backdrop.
Though it’s touristy in some sections, there’s a vibrant market within the city of Pisac with a mixture of native handicrafts, seasonal produce from the world, and objects meant for native households. If you wish to eat like an area, skip the bus tour eating places and pull up a stool at a market stall as an alternative.
Be aware that some variations of the Lares Route for trekkers will cross by Pisac, so verify the itinerary when you’re happening that. In the event you’re happening a high-end Lares journey with Mountain Lodges of Peru, for example, you’ll strategy Pisac from a excessive ridge above and see it from the alternative aspect earlier than meandering down into city.
Chinchero
Chinchero can get fairly busy throughout the day, but it surely nonetheless appears like an genuine Andean village. The crowds come to see the gorgeous Chinchero Archaeological Park and when you can time it proper, there’s a vibrant Sunday market. It is a higher spot than most to buy genuine textiles and crafts because the market is actually meant extra for locals than guests.
You’ll get a complete totally different style of Andean tradition when you can spend the night time right here as a result of few different vacationers, even backpackers, choose this as an in a single day spot. It’ll reward you with stunning mountain views—topped by snow a lot of the 12 months—and good nightfall lighting on the historic buildings. Within the evenings you’ll know for positive that these Andean ladies usually are not dressing up in these colourful costumes for photograph ops: it’s what they’re sporting on a regular basis.
Ollantaytambo the Fortress City
Ollantaytambo is less complicated to go to than to say because it’s on the principle practice line to Machu Picchu and is related by highway to different cities. It’s recognized for its well-preserved Inca structure, with the identical wonderful stonework as Machu Picchu. All of it finished by artisans who in some way acquired the large rocks transported from a quarry miles away by way of nothing bigger than males and llamas.
A tour of the unique city showcases its slim, cobbled streets and water channels that also operate at this time. You should definitely go to the Ollantaytambo Fortress to admire the gorgeous terraces, temple buildings, and fortifications. This was one of many final strongholds for the Incas because the Spanish conquistadors invaded and it’s effectively value greater than a fast stopover.
Since there are a number of practice choices between right here and its extra well-known archaeological cousin, there are many inns, eating places, espresso outlets, and tour corporations right here. Due to that although, don’t anticipate as a lot native taste and tradition as you’ll discover within the much less fashionable spots.
Maras Salt Mines
The small city of Maras is dwelling to the fascinating Maras Salt Mines, the place you’ll witness a placing panorama of salt pans which have been in use since pre-Inca occasions. (You’ve most likely seen images of this in articles or on social media and had hassle determining what they had been.)
On a guided tour, you’ll study concerning the conventional salt extraction course of and even have the chance to buy some locally-harvested salt to take dwelling. That is on many of the one-day bus excursions of the area, so attempt to arrive early or late in case you have extra flexibility. The sunshine can be higher then anyway for images. The Salinas de Maras are a fast journey from Urubamba, so you possibly can simply time it effectively when you’re staying in one of many many inns there.
Moray Terraces
Moray is one other fashionable social media photograph spot because of its uncommon picture of terraces on a number of ranges on the aspect of a mountain. The spectacular Inca terraces had been possible used as an agricultural laboratory, a spot the place the Incas experimented with varied crops and microclimates.
When you’ve got a information with you then you definately’ll study extra concerning the web site’s function and engineering marvels. If not, seek the advice of a guidebook or bookmark some in-depth articles to study extra about this fascinating place within the Sacred Valley. Further time right here can repay too: there’s a climbing path as much as a lookout level for a greater view.
The archaeological web site of Moray is a couple of 35-minute trip from Urubamba, about 45 minutes from Chinchero. It’s a simple web site to mix with the salt mines of Maras close by.
Ancasmarca Ruins
There’s little or no written about this spectacular archaeological web site that Wikipedia confuses with a mountain of the identical identify. It’s one of the vital spectacular websites I’ve visited in Peru although, partly due to the panoramic views throughout and partly as a result of we had been the one guests there within the two hours we spent exploring the place. There have been two native ladies half-heartedly making an attempt to promote some woven objects close to the doorway, however apart from them and the ticket-taker, we didn’t see any individuals.
That is most likely prone to its distant trip, the one actual cities round being Calca 35 minutes to the south or Lares about an hour to the northwest. You’re extra prone to see Ancasmarca, additionally written as Ankasmarka, on a Lares Adventures itinerary than on a Sacred Valley tour. When you’re there, you possibly can discover the a whole bunch of round stone buildings, thought to have been meals storage buildings, on a decrease path that weaves by them or an higher path that appears down on them from above.
When you’ve got a rental automobile or driver, among the most scenic drives in Peru are on this area. From Calca, it’s attainable to get to the Ankasmarka Archaeological web site on collective public transportation as effectively.
Huchuy Qosqo
Huchuy Qosqo, additionally spelled Yuchuy Cuzco, is one other Inca Empire archaeological web site that’s off the crushed path and doesn’t get many guests. It has spectacular views from its elevation of three,650 meters (11,980 ft) and quite a lot of attention-grabbing stone buildings to discover.
In the event you spend the night time in Lamay, you possibly can hike up and again from there the identical day. In any other case you’ll discover it supplied as a two- or three-day journey tour or a cease on some Lares Trek excursions. Both means, a trek to her gives an genuine style of Andean rural life as you cross by varied small villages and farmlands. Happening a tour can supply extra alternatives to work together with the locals since much more communicate Quechua than Spanish..
Right here’s an historic put up I did about it once I hiked as much as Huchuy Qosqo with a information again in 2009.
Sacred Valley Trails and Trekking
Peru’s Sacred Valley is bookended by the mighty Andes Mountains and there are a whole bunch of miles of trails criss-crossing the mountains, a few of them in use earlier than the Spanish ever set foot on the continent. Locals used and maintained the paths to journey between villages, whereas the Incas used them for communication, troop actions, and governance on a continent the place ft, not horses, had been the principle technique of transportation.
In the event you go on one of many treks across the Sacred Valley, you possibly can see the world at a extra human tempo and get far-off from the mass tourism crowds. There are ruins alongside these trails which can be solely accessible by foot and by attending to areas solely served by footpaths, you possibly can see a model of village life that’s not geared towards earning profits from guests who’re right here and gone. Three of the treks under find yourself at a serious archaeological web site, whereas the Lares Trek is extra centered on landscapes and handicrafts.
Inca Path to Machu Picchu
The Traditional 4-day Inca Path to Machu Picchu is probably the most well-known and fashionable climbing route in all of South America. This 26-mile (42-kilometer) trek leads you thru breathtaking pure landscapes, previous a number of fascinating archaeological websites akin to Runcuracay, Sayacmarca, and Winaywayna, then finally ends up passing by the Solar Gate at dawn to expertise the Machu Picchu ruins.
That is no path constructed for vacationers: as you hike this historic path, you’ll be following within the footsteps of the Inca royalty, your footwear touchdown on flagstones which have been in place for hundreds of years. A number of tour operators on Viator and GetYourGuide supply guided hikes alongside the Inca Path, guaranteeing you’ll be well-supported in your journey.
Guide effectively prematurely as there are each day limits on guests and permits can typically get booked out for 3 to 6 months forward of time. Tour costs will cowl meals, a tent to sleep in, and a information, however you’ll be glad to pay a porter additional to hold your pack, particularly when crossing the Lifeless Lady’s Go on the highest level and taking place and down the unique steep steps for hours on finish. The prime dry months are Might by September and be aware that the path is closed each February throughout the peak of wet season.
Salkantay Trek
For these in search of a extra totally different journey that doesn’t have to be booked up to now prematurely, the Salkantay Trek gives a rewarding 5-day journey by distant Andean landscapes with main adjustments in elevation. You’ll go up and up after passing a glacier lake and traversing the Salkantay Go at an altitude of tk ft (tk meters), you’ll be rewarded with gorgeous views throughout.
You’ll see Machu Picchu from afar as you strategy from a neighboring mountain. The trek doesn’t go on to the misplaced metropolis of Machu Picchu just like the Inca path does although: it’s important to hop on a practice for a brief stretch on the finish. Take a look at the varied Salkantay Trek choices right here to seek out the right itinerary in your journey and don’t be afraid to ask questions on what’s included and the place you’ll sleep.
Be suggested that the path can get a bit sh*tty throughout this trek: every thing is transported by mules relatively than human porters, so what goes in them for gasoline should come out as they transfer alongside. It’s longer too, at 45 to 57 miles (relying on the place to begin). See extra on the variations right here: The Inca Path vs. the Salkantay Trek
Choquequirao Trek
The Choquequirao Trek is a perfect alternative for these with a particular curiosity in historic websites and for many who wish to really feel like a pioneer relatively than one of many ticket-controlled plenty. The Choquequirao archaeological complicated is typically known as the sister metropolis of Machu Picchu, however you possibly can’t get there by highway or practice. The one technique to attain it’s by way of a tricky hike by the mountains, tenting alongside the way in which. It’s a trek with loads of nice surroundings alongside the way in which, together with the Apurimac Canyon, and you might even see Andean Condors flying previous, their large wings outstretched.
The large reward comes on the finish when exploring the distant ruins—typically with no person else round—in a spot that solely probably the most intrepid vacationers have seen. You may think about what it was prefer to be one among
It’s value spending a while researching the varied Choquequirao Trek suppliers to see what they provide for the worth and to learn any on-line articles or opinions you’ll find. This tour can find yourself being as brief as 4 days or so long as eight, with varied ranges of consolation, and also you’re going to wish to go together with a tour firm that has been by this many occasions earlier than. Discover the rarely-visited archaeological web site of Choquequirao
Lares Trek
The Lares Trek is a lesser-known however equally fascinating climbing choice within the Sacred Valley. This 3 or 4-day journey takes you thru conventional Andean villages, the place you possibly can join with native cultures and acquire perception into the area’s wealthy historical past. It’s generally known as “The Weaver’s Route” as a result of there are such a lot of household textile facilities alongside the path in numerous villages.
This one is extra concerning the surroundings than Inca historical past. Hovering mountain peaks, glacial lakes, and alpaca herds are only a few of the unforgettable sights you’ll encounter alongside the way in which. I ended up with a whole bunch of images from this climbing journey and there would have been extra if it didn’t pour down rain on us sooner or later. Different occasions we simply had eerie fog shifting over mountain lagoons and it was magical.
There are numerous tour packages out there catering to a spread of preferences and health ranges. Know that this route just isn’t as set because the others above, so totally different tour corporations could have totally different itineraries named “Lares Trek.” They largely differ due to the place you’ll spend the night time and whether or not it’s all steady climbing or there’s some van transport within the combine.
Valle Sagrado Journey Actions
The Sacred Valley of Peru gives quite a few alternatives for journey vacationers to discover its breathtaking landscapes in a high-energy style.
Zip-lining in Peru
In search of a heart-pounding adrenaline rush? Numerous corporations supply zip lining excursions within the space, although when you’re primarily based in Ollantaytambo, the full-on alternative is this mixture by way of ferrata and zip-lining tour with wonderful views over the valley. If that appears like an excessive amount of, there’s additionally a zip-line tour from Cusco that’s extra easy or one which has bikes you pedal to maneuver you alongside the cables.
There are zip-lining choices appropriate for learners in addition to these in search of a more difficult expertise. Generally these excursions are mixed with different thrilling actions like mountaineering or a keep in a clear sky lodge suspended on the aspect of a mountain.
Urubamba River Rafting
The Urubamba River comes roaring out of the mountains after which heads down by the Urubamba Valley ground. In the event you’re staying in Aguas Calientes, also called Machu Picchu city, you’ll consistently hear its roar. Within the wet season it could possibly generally get too excessive and trigger flooding, generally reducing off entry to the citadel.
Within the drier months you possibly can go rafting on the river and get some thrills whereas seeing the mountains stand up round you on a Urubamba River Rafting tour. Simply be suggested that this isn’t precisely the cleanest river in South America, so that you wish to go together with an organization that begins as far upstream as attainable and also you most likely don’t wish to be gulping within the water splashing in your face.
Mountain Biking
For individuals who desire to remain near the bottom and get a exercise, mountain biking is one other thrilling technique to discover the Sacred Valley. Traversing trails with jaw-dropping views, you’ll be immersed within the gorgeous pure landscapes whereas difficult your bodily skills.
Firms like Amazonas Explorer supply varied mountain biking excursions, starting from half-day excursions to multi-day adventures. These excursions cater to a spread of expertise ranges, from novice riders to seasoned consultants, guaranteeing you discover the right choice in your skills.
As you pedal by the Sacred Valley, you’ll encounter fascinating locations just like the Maras Salt Mines, Moray agricultural terraces, and historic Inca ruins. Alongside the way in which, it’s also possible to have pleasant interactions with native communities.
See choices and costs from Viator right here, then discover different excursions within the space whilst you’re on the positioning.
Sacred Valley Cultural Experiences
Native Markets
Among the best methods to immerse your self within the tradition of the Sacred Valley is to go to the native markets. Wander by the colourful stalls on the Pisac Market, the place you’ll discover colourful textiles, contemporary produce, and conventional handicrafts. The one in Chinchero can be well-known, particularly when it’s the most important market day on Sunday, although generally it could possibly really feel like a spectacle when eight tour buses pull in without delay.
Different cities within the Sacred Valley have their very own conventional market too, although you might must ask round to seek out out the place and when. Don’t neglect concerning the massive metropolis of Cusco although: the large San Pedro market is strolling distance from the principle plaza and generally is a higher place to purchase handicrafts and native meals objects than within the outlets in the principle vacationer areas. The Wanchaq market is additional out, however supplies a extra genuine have a look at native life. In the event you actually wish to dive in deep, others embody Huancaro, Vinocanchan, and Ttio.
Textile Workshops
The Sacred Valley is dwelling to a wealthy textile custom, and visiting a textile workshop is a superb technique to dive deeper into the native tradition. Uncover the traditional methods of weaving by hands-on expertise in a conventional textile workshop. All through the workshop, you’ll study concerning the pure dyes, patterns, and symbolism used within the weaving course of.
You may join guided excursions on Viator and GetYourGuide to satisfy native weavers and even take part in a hands-on workshop to create your piece of Peruvian textile artwork.
Pachamanca Eating
Expertise the flavors of the Sacred Valley by taking part in a Pachamanca eating occasion. Pachamanca is a conventional Andean cooking methodology through which elements like potatoes, corn, and marinated meat are mixed with sizzling stones and cooked underground. This methodology infuses the meals with a novel earthy taste whereas symbolizing the connection between the land and its individuals. You may ebook a Pachamanca eating expertise by itself or typically will probably be included on another type of multi-day tour. This expertise will help you savor this distinctive culinary custom whereas studying about its historic and cultural significance. (And prepare, there can be guinea pig on the menu.)
This isn’t a complete listing of issues to do within the Sacred Valley, Peru in fact, simply among the greatest locations and experiences. I’ve finished Sacred Valley hikes that aren’t on this listing, one among them to ruins the information didn’t even know the identify of, and there are many different websites that aren’t on the vacationer radar in any respect. Archaeologists are nonetheless discovering ruins that no person knew about till not too long ago.
How about you? In the event you’ve been to the Sacred Valley earlier than, what had been the highlights for you?