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.
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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.
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.
Ollantaytambo
Inca fortress.
Maras Salt Pans
Salt terraces.
Moray
Inca terraces.
Machu Picchu
Lost city.
Chinchero
Weaving village.
Cusco
Inca capital.
Andean Scenery
Valley views.
Full day awayMachu Picchu
Lost city.
1 hr awayPisac
Ruins & market.
1.5 hrs awayOllantaytambo
Inca fortress.
1 hr awayMaras & Moray
Salt & terraces.
45 min awayChinchero
Weaving village.
1 hr awayCusco
Inca capital.
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.
Sacred Valley through the seasons
What's best, how busy it gets, and one booking tip for each time of year.
- Best for
- Clear skies.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Peak.
- Best for
- Fewer crowds.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Ideal.
- Best for
- Green scenery.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Rainy.
- Best for
- End of rains.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Lush.