The Sacred Valley is the valley west of the sloping edges of the mountain town of Cusco. This area is rich, not only in fields, farms and views, but also in ancient Inca ruins. The famous ruins at Machu Picchu neighbor other Inca ruins at Pisac, Ollantaytambo, Vilcabamba and Choquequirao. Due to its lower elevation, the Sacred Valley area is also an ideal place for travelers to acclimatize to the higher elevation, before tackling any of the major mountains around Cusco.
Compared to the chilly city of Cusco, the Sacred Valley is a sunny paradise where travelers can explore the remains of numerous Inca palaces, fortresses, and temples, and wander through charming Andean villages that continue to produce some of the country’s finest handicrafts. Carefully sculpted by the Incas, the valley and its major attractions constantly echo the importance of lunar and solar movements in Inca culture. The temple fortresses of Pisac and Ollantaytambo both exemplify the Incas ability to integrate rhythms of nature with magnificent feats of human engineering.
Adventure travelers will especially love this area of Peru. Some of the most spectacular hikes in the world are found here. The Inca Trail, leading to Machu Picchu is the most popular, but there are many other, lesser known trekking opportunities in the Sacred Valley that are equally as breathtaking.
Even if you don't plan to see all the attractions in the Sacred Valley area, it is recommended that you purchase the Cusco Tourist Ticketwhich covers many of the main ruins’ entrance fees. If you make your arrangements through a tour operator, the entrance fees are usually included.
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