Ollantaytambo, Moray, the Maras salt mines and Chinchero, the gentle way to Machu Picchu
The Sacred Valley of the Incas follows the Urubamba River between Pisac and Ollantaytambo, a fertile valley of terraces, Inca towns and Andean villages below snow-capped peaks. For the Incas it was a land of farms and royal estates; today it is the best place to begin a journey to Machu Picchu.
Our team lives in Cusco, an hour away, and nearly all our Peru journeys spend their first nights here. The valley is several hundred metres lower than Cusco, so you acclimatise gently, and Ollantaytambo station is close by for the train to Machu Picchu. Our tours include the transfers, a guide and driver for the valley visits, and the train to Machu Picchu.
| Place | What you will see | Altitude |
|---|---|---|
| Ollantaytambo | A living Inca town with its original street plan, the terraces and Temple of the Sun, and the station for the trains to Machu Picchu | About 2,800 m |
| Moray | Circular Inca terraces sunk into the ground, believed to have been used to study crops in different microclimates | About 3,500 m |
| Maras salt mines | Some 3,000 salt pools on a hillside, still worked by local families as in Inca times | About 3,200 m |
| Chinchero | A weaving village with a colonial church built on Inca walls and textile cooperatives that show natural dyeing | About 3,760 m |
| Pisac | An Inca citadel above sweeping terraces, and the artisan market in the village below | About 2,970 m |
| Urubamba and Yucay | The heart of the valley, with most of the luxury hotels, gardens and views of the Chicón glacier | About 2,870 m |
| Huchuy Qosqo | A remote Inca site above Lamay, reached on foot, for active travellers | About 3,600 m |
After a night in the valley, your guide and driver pick you up for a full day through Andean villages. First the circular terraces of Moray, then the Maras salt mines, seen from a viewpoint above the pools. Lunch is a traditional meal made with local ingredients. In the afternoon you explore Ollantaytambo: the Temple of the Sun, the Inca terraces and the water channels that still run through the town. The next morning, the train to Machu Picchu leaves from the same town.
| Nights | What you can do | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| One night | Arrive from Cusco airport, visit Maras, Moray and Ollantaytambo the next day, then take the train to Machu Picchu | Short trips |
| Two nights | An easy arrival day with a stop at a Chinchero textile centre, a full day at Maras, Moray and Ollantaytambo, and Machu Picchu on the third morning. This is the rhythm of most of our journeys. | Acclimatising well |
| Three nights or more | Add Pisac and its market, the hike to Huchuy Qosqo or simply a day to enjoy your hotel | Honeymoons, families and slow travel |
See how the valley fits into a complete trip in our Peru itineraries for 5 to 14 days and our guide to a Machu Picchu day tour or two days.
| Season | Weather | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| May to September: dry season | Sunny days and cold nights | The busiest months, especially June to August: book hotels and trains early |
| April and October | Mostly dry, greener landscapes | Excellent shoulder months with fewer visitors |
| November to March: rainy season | Showers, usually in the afternoon, and a very green valley | Quieter and lower hotel rates; February is the wettest month |
The valley is warmer than Cusco all year. Read our guides to the best time to visit Peru and the best time to visit Machu Picchu.
| Hotel | Where | Style |
|---|---|---|
| Belmond Rio Sagrado | On the banks of the Urubamba River | Cottages and villas in gardens by the river, with a spa |
| Tambo del Inka | Urubamba | A Luxury Collection resort with a spa and its own station for the trains to Machu Picchu |
| Sonesta Posadas del Inca Yucay | Yucay | Colonial-style buildings around gardens, in the village centre |
| Casa Andina Premium Sacred Valley | Near Urubamba | Comfortable hotel with gardens and mountain views |
Most luxury hotels are between Urubamba and Yucay, in the centre of the valley. For romantic stays, see our Peru honeymoon guide, and for children, our Peru family vacation guide.
Pisac, Ollantaytambo, Chinchero and Moray are covered by the Cusco Tourist Ticket. The Maras salt mines have their own entrance, paid to the local community. Your proposal shows which entrance fees are included.
The valley and the citadel go together: from Ollantaytambo the train follows the Urubamba River to Machu Picchu town. Compare the trains to Machu Picchu, from the Vistadome to the Belmond Hiram Bingham, and see all our Machu Picchu tours. For more of the region, read about Huchuy Qosqo, Ollantaytambo’s recognition as a top tourist destination and where to see llamas near Cusco.
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Every Sacred Valley itinerary can be adapted to your dates and pace. Plan a tailor-made trip →
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Everything you need to know before traveling to Sacred Valley.
In the Sacred Valley. It is several hundred metres lower than Cusco, so you acclimatise more easily, and it is close to the train station for Machu Picchu. Cusco fits best at the end of the trip.
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