Overview
Take a trip to Sacred Valley on your Peru Vacation
Also known as the Urubamba Valley, Peru’s Sacred Valley is located near Cusco in the valley below the legendary Inca ruins of Machu Picchu. The area encompasses everything between Calca and Lamay, Písac and Ollantaytambo which can all be visited on a Peru vacation.
Formed by the Urubamba River, the fertile valley proved to be an important agricultural centre for the Incas. They believed that the river’s flow was linked to the constellations and was the Milky Way’s counterpart on earth. The Incas built many great estates, temples and palaces throughout the region, the ruins of which have become popular on Peru tours with tourists around the world. It was given the name Sacred Valley because it contained some of the best land available and was the property of the Incan Emperor.
Today the Sacred Valley continues to be the breadbasket of the country while hosting many major attractions including Cusco, Aguas Calientes, Ollantaytambo, Písac, Yucay and more. The many ruins that dot the landscape are some of the best in the country with the most famous being Machu Picchu. The scenery in the valley and surrounding it is stunning and many of the cities and villages are beautiful. Despite being a popular tourist destination, the Sacred Valley retains a great deal of old-world charm and mystery that surrounds its various archaeological sites.
At a Glance
Languages
Peruvian Spanish, Quechua, Aymara, AsháninkaCurrency
Peruvian Sol (PEN)What do the experts say?
For a unique experience visit an indigenous village high in the Andes for a Pachamama ceremony. I was fortunate to participate in one and the warmth of the people and how simple they lived, really touched my heart.
Dress for all weather types, climate can range from very warm and humid in Lima to cool and rainy in Machu Picchu and very hot and dry in the Sacred Valley
May to October is the best time to visit as it is the dry season with sunny days, clear skies, ideal for trekking and enjoy the landscape. However like in all Latin countries, the weather is unpredictable, so be ready if any rain show up during a sunny day
Everyone should make sure they try a Pisco sour - It's Peru’s national cocktail—a smooth, citrusy, and slightly foamy drink made with pisco, a type of grape brandy. It’s both refreshing and strong, with a sweet-tart balance and a signature foamy top from egg white.
It is astonishing how much incredible diversity of experiences can be packed into one country, Peru is full of deep cultural roots, a wide range of landscape, adventure and its delicious cuisine.
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