Should I do the Sacred Valley before or after Machu Picchu?

Before, ideally. The Sacred Valley sits at 2,800 m vs Cusco's 3,400 m, so it's better for acclimatization, and it builds context for understanding Machu Picchu when you arrive.

Can I do the Sacred Valley as a day trip?

Yes, and most people do. But the standard day tour is rushed. A 2-day overnight is much better.

Is the Boleto Turístico worth it?

If you're visiting more than 2 valley sites, yes. The 70 PEN partial tickets are usually the better value for short visits.

Is the Sunday market in Pisac a tourist trap?

It's heavily touristed but still genuine. Real local trade happens at the lower end of the market, especially in the morning. The handicraft section is mostly for tourists but has good textiles.

Sacred Valley of the Incas: 2026 Travel Guide

The Sacred Valley of the Incas (Valle Sagrado) is the agricultural heartland of the former Inca Empire — a 60 km stretch of the Vilcanota River between Pisac and Ollantaytambo, dotted with ruins, weaving towns, and terraced hillsides. Most travelers spend 1-2 days here on the way to or from Machu Picchu. Many wish they'd given it longer.

Why the Sacred Valley matters

It sits at 2,800 m — significantly lower than Cusco's 3,400 m — making it ideal for acclimatization
It contains some of the most impressive Inca sites outside Machu Picchu (Pisac, Ollantaytambo, Moray)
It's the last stop before Machu Picchu for trains heading to Aguas Calientes
Weather is consistently better than in Cusco (warmer days, milder nights)

The main towns and ruins

Pisac

Famous for two things: a hilltop Inca citadel with massive agricultural terraces and an extensive ceremonial sector, and a Sunday market that has run since the colonial era. The ruins are reached by a 30-minute drive up from the town, or a steep 1.5-hour hike. Allow 2-3 hours at the site.

Ollantaytambo

The only Inca-era town in Peru where the original street grid and stone foundations are still in use. Locals live in 500-year-old houses. The ruins above town include a remarkable unfinished temple and demonstrate the sophistication of Inca stone-cutting at large scale. Most train departures to Aguas Calientes leave from Ollantaytambo, so many travelers spend a night here.

Moray

A series of concentric circular terraces sunk into the hillside, used by the Incas as an agricultural laboratory. The temperature differential between the top and bottom rings is up to 15°C, allowing experimentation with crops at simulated different altitudes. Often combined with the salt pans of Maras (see below).

Maras Salt Pans (Salineras de Maras)

Thousands of small evaporation pools cascading down a hillside, fed by a single salty spring. The salt has been harvested by local families using the same methods since pre-Inca times — the salt pans predate the Incas. Striking in the late afternoon light.

Chinchero

A traditional Andean town known for women's weaving cooperatives where you can watch the full process from raw alpaca fleece to dyeing with natural plants and weaving on backstrap looms. The colonial church here is built on an Inca foundation.

How to visit

Option 1: Day tour from Cusco (most common)

Group tours run roughly $20-50 USD per person and typically cover Pisac, lunch at a buffet in Urubamba, and Ollantaytambo. The pace is fast — too fast for most ruins. You'll be back in Cusco by 19:00.

Option 2: 2-day overnight (recommended)

Visit Pisac and Chinchero on day 1, sleep in Ollantaytambo or Urubamba, visit Moray and Maras on day 2, and continue to Machu Picchu by train from Ollantaytambo. This is the way to see the valley properly. It also doubles as your acclimatization period.

Option 3: Self-driven or with private driver

Renting a car is rare and not recommended for first-time visitors. Hiring a private driver/guide ($120-200/day) is much more flexible than a group tour and lets you skip the buffet stops.

Tickets and the Boleto Turístico

Most Sacred Valley sites are covered by the Boleto Turístico del Cusco (Cusco Tourist Ticket), a single combined ticket that includes Pisac, Ollantaytambo, Chinchero, Moray, and several Cusco-area sites. The full ticket costs 130 PEN for foreigners and is valid for 10 days. Partial tickets (one circuit only) are 70 PEN and valid for 1-2 days. Buy it at the first site you visit, not in advance. Maras Salt Pans are not covered by the Boleto Turístico — there's a separate small entry fee (~10 PEN).

Where to stay

Ollantaytambo and Urubamba both have a wide range of accommodations. Ollantaytambo is more atmospheric (you sleep in a 500-year-old town); Urubamba has more luxury options including the Tambo del Inka (Marriott) and Sol y Luna. For a first-time visitor with one night in the valley, Ollantaytambo is the right pick.

Combining the Sacred Valley with Machu Picchu

The most efficient route for a 5-day Cusco trip:

Day 1: Arrive Cusco, light walk, early sleep
Day 2: Sacred Valley day 1 (Pisac, Chinchero), overnight Ollantaytambo
Day 3: Moray, Maras, Ollantaytambo ruins, train to Aguas Calientes in the afternoon
Day 4: Machu Picchu, return to Cusco
Day 5: Cusco city, departure