Sacred Valley in Cusco — FAQ

What is the Sacred Valley?
The Sacred Valley is the fertile Urubamba River valley between Cusco and Machu Picchu, dotted with Inca ruins, terraces and Andean towns like Pisac, Ollantaytambo, Maras and Moray.
Is the Sacred Valley worth visiting?
Yes — its Inca sites, markets and scenery are highlights in their own right, and a day in the valley helps you acclimatise to the altitude before Machu Picchu.
Should I do the Sacred Valley before Machu Picchu?
Yes — visiting the Sacred Valley first lets you adjust to the altitude (it’s lower than Cusco) and many tours connect from Ollantaytambo straight to the Machu Picchu train.