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Inca heartland · Peru

Sacred Valley

The Inca heartland along the Urubamba — terraced ruins, Andean markets, and a gentler altitude on the way to Machu Picchu.

Getting there

A short drive from Cusco, along the Urubamba river

Best for

Inca ruins, Andean culture, markets, a lower altitude to acclimatise, the route to Machu Picchu

The land

A green valley of terraces and ruins along the Urubamba river

Good to know

At a lower altitude than Cusco, the valley is ideal for acclimatising

What it is

The Sacred Valley is the Inca heartland along the Urubamba — terraced ruins, Andean markets and a gentler altitude on the way to Machu Picchu.

Following the Urubamba river below Cusco, the Sacred Valley was the heart of the Inca world: terraced hillsides, the ruins of Pisac and Ollantaytambo, and colourful Andean markets. At a lower, gentler altitude than Cusco, it is the ideal place to acclimatise — and the gateway to the train for Machu Picchu.

PhotoSacred Valley — inca heartland.

The reason to come

The Inca valley

The Sacred Valley blends Inca heritage with a gentle altitude.

Inca ruins

The terraces and fortresses of Pisac and Ollantaytambo.

Andean markets

Colourful highland markets and weaving villages.

Gateway to Machu Picchu

The train to Machu Picchu departs the valley.

Worth knowing

The Inca heartland

The Sacred Valley's terraces and ruins, along the Urubamba, were the green heart of the Inca empire.

PhotoInca terraces in the Sacred Valley.

When to come — honestly

An Inca-heartland valley.

May – October

Best

The dry season — clear skies and easy travel.

Year-round

Good

A year-round valley.

November – April

Good

The green, wetter season in the highlands.

Still high at around 2,800 m, though gentler than Cusco; the wet season brings afternoon rain.

Context

The Inca valley

The Sacred Valley adds Inca heritage and a gentle altitude on the way to Machu Picchu.

It pairs Cusco with the citadel.

We base the Sacred Valley for Inca heritage and acclimatising, on the route to Machu Picchu.

Beyond the obvious

More to Sacred Valley.

PhotoInca ruins

Inca ruins

Pisac and Ollantaytambo.

PhotoAndean markets

Andean markets

Highland weaving villages.

PhotoMachu Picchu train

Machu Picchu train

From the valley.

Why Wild Voyager

We pair the Andes and Amazon without the rush.

Peru's wildlife — Manu, Tambopata, the cloud forest — sits beyond its famous ruins. We build the route so the wildlife leads, with Machu Picchu and the Andes woven in at the right pace.