Sacred Valley · Peru
Sacred Valley Tours & Things to Do
Discover the best Sacred Valley tours and things to do in the heart of the Inca world: explore the terraced ruins and colourful market of Pisac, climb the fortress of Ollantaytambo, marvel at the Maras salt pans and Moray terraces, and journey on to Machu Picchu. Compare top-rated experiences and plan the perfect trip.
166 experiences Free cancellation Top-rated tours Instant booking
Sacred Valley
Machu Picchu Private Archaeological and Historical Guided Tour
from$88/ person
via Viator
Sacred Valley
Machu Picchu: Official Ticket Circuit 2, 1 or 3 + Bus & Guide
from$195/ person
via Viator
Sunset tours in Sacred Valley
Departures that are under way when the sun sets in the coming weeks — start times checked against the local sunset.
Good for families in Sacred Valley
Children can join from a young age and pay less than adults — taken from each operator’s price list.
Browse
Explore Sacred Valley by interest
Whatever brings you to Sacred Valley — world-class museums, the river, or a long lunch — start with the experiences travellers love most.
What to see
Top attractions in Sacred Valley
The landmarks that define the city — and the tickets and tours that get you in, often skipping the line.
Pisac
Ruins & market.
15 toursView tours
Ollantaytambo
Inca fortress.
15 toursView tours
Maras Salt Pans
Salt terraces.
15 toursView tours
Moray
Inca terraces.
15 toursView tours
Machu Picchu
Lost city.
15 toursView tours
Chinchero
Weaving village.
10 toursView tours
Cusco
Inca capital.
10 toursView tours
Andean Scenery
Valley views.
15 toursView tours
Full day awayMachu Picchu
Lost city.
from €123View trips
1 hr awayPisac
Ruins & market.
from €43View trips
1.5 hrs awayOllantaytambo
Inca fortress.
from €41View trips
1 hr awayMaras & Moray
Salt & terraces.
from €42View trips
45 min awayChinchero
Weaving village.
from €25View trips
1 hr awayCusco
Inca capital.
from €54View trips
Practical guide
Know before you go
Short, straight answers to the questions every Sacred Valley visitor asks before booking.
Dry season (May–Sep)
Clear skies — the best time to visit.
Shoulder (Apr & Oct)
Fewer crowds and greener scenery.
Wet season (Nov–Mar)
Green and lush but with afternoon rain.
Winter nights
Dry-season nights are cold at altitude.
For Machu Picchu
May to September for clear mountain views.
Best overall
May, June and September for dry, clear days.
One day
Pisac, Ollantaytambo and Maras.
Two days
Add a Machu Picchu trip.
Three days
Add Chinchero and acclimatise slowly.
For ruins
Pisac and Ollantaytambo.
For Machu Picchu
A full day or overnight trip.
For culture
Chinchero and the markets.
Tours & transfers
Tours link Pisac, Ollantaytambo and Maras.
By train
Trains run from Ollantaytambo to Machu Picchu.
By car
A private driver gives the most flexibility.
On foot
The ruins involve plenty of walking and stairs.
Where to stay
Stay in Urubamba or Ollantaytambo, lower than Cusco.
Peruvian sol
Peru uses the sol; carry some cash.
Boleto turístico
Buy the tourist ticket for the valley ruins.
Machu Picchu
Book entry, train and bus well in advance.
Altitude
Acclimatise — the valley is lower than Cusco.
Pisac
Visit the ruins early, then the market.
Maras
Midday light makes the salt pans dazzle.
Weaving
Buy textiles direct from Chinchero weavers.
Machu Picchu
Tickets and trains sell out — book well ahead.
Valley tours
Ruins day trips fill up — reserve early.
Maras & Moray
Combined tours fill up — book ahead.
Weaving tours
Chinchero tours fill up — reserve early.
Cusco transfers
Valley transfers fill up — book ahead.
Dry season
June to August is busiest — book well ahead.
Valley day trip
Around $37–70 for a Sacred Valley day tour.
Ollantaytambo tour
About $41–80 for an Ollantaytambo tour.
Maras & Moray
Roughly $42–80 for a Maras and Moray tour.
Machu Picchu
Around $123–250 for a Machu Picchu tour.
Chinchero tour
About $25–60 for a Chinchero weaving tour.
How to save
Join group tours to save over private ones.
When to visit
Sacred Valley through the seasons
What's best, how busy it gets, and one booking tip for each time of year.
Dry (May–Sep)
May–Sep
- Best for
- Clear skies.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Peak.
Shoulder (Apr & Oct)
Apr & Oct
- Best for
- Fewer crowds.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Ideal.
Wet (Nov–Feb)
Nov–Feb
- Best for
- Green scenery.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Rainy.
March
Mar
- Best for
- End of rains.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Lush.
People also ask
Sacred Valley travel FAQ
What are the best tours in the Sacred Valley?
The highest-rated experiences are Pisac, Ollantaytambo, the Maras and Moray sites, and Machu Picchu.
What should I book in advance in the Sacred Valley?
Reserve Machu Picchu tickets, valley day trips and trains ahead, especially in the dry season.
How many days do I need in the Sacred Valley?
One day covers the valley, and two to three let you add Machu Picchu and Chinchero.
Is the Sacred Valley worth visiting?
Yes — its Inca ruins, Andean scenery and gateway to Machu Picchu make it one of Peru’s highlights.
When is the best time to visit the Sacred Valley?
May, June and September for dry, clear weather.
How do you get to Machu Picchu?
By train from Ollantaytambo, then a bus up to the site.
Is the Sacred Valley good for altitude?
Yes — it is lower than Cusco, so easier to acclimatise.
166 Sacred Valley experiencesfrom $25 · free cancellation
Explore tours