The Sacred Valley, together with Cusco, draws loads of travelers. Most people come for Machu Picchu, but there’s more here.
You can walk original Inca streets, set off on jaw-dropping hikes, shop for handwoven textiles, or check out ancient ruins.
We spent about four months in Peru, two of which we lived in Cusco. During that time we explored every corner of the valley—no stops skipped.
If you’re wondering whether to add the Sacred Valley to your itinerary, here’s everything we learned.
Is the Sacred Valley worth a trip?
Chances are you’ll hit Cusco and Machu Picchu first. Still, yes—it’s worth a few days here.
Each town feels different. Some still have Inca streets you can wander, others sit off the beaten track. Fewer crowds. More local life.
The ruins aren’t as grand as Machu Picchu, but they have their own punch. Honestly, save Machu Picchu for last—this valley will get you warmed up.
Cost to explore the Sacred Valley tour from Cusco
No fee just to wander the towns. But many ruin sites ask for the Cusco tourist ticket, called the Boleto Turistico.
- Sacred Valley Ruins ticket: S/70 (about $19) per person, good for two days in Pisac, Moray, Chinchero and Ollantaytambo.
- Cusco Ruins ticket: another S/70 ($19) for Sacsayhuaman, Qenqo, Pucapucara and Tambomarcha over two days.
- Full Boleto Turistico: S/130 (around $35) covers 16 sites in the valley and Cusco, valid for 10 days.
Activities in the Sacred Valley
Pisac
Pisac is a popular stop—and it’s easy to see why.
The town perches under tall peaks, its stone lanes lined with cafés and little shops. Coffee with a view? Yes, please.
Weekends used to draw big artisan markets, now stalls pop up any day. Most sell the same souvenirs you’ll find elsewhere.
But if you wander past the plaza you’ll spot shops with real hand-made items—woven the old way.
The real draw is Pisac Inca City above town. We think these ruins rival Machu Picchu’s outskirts.
A taxi from Puente Pisac costs roughly S/35 ($9) per car—wait for others and it can drop to S/10 each.
At the entrance you’ll show your Boleto Turistico. The main section is busy; start there, then hike down another trail.
That descent takes about 1 hr 15 min. Quiet, scenic, and you’ll often have it to yourself.
You can hike up from the Nuevo Mercado Artesanal de Pisac, but it’s steep. Not for anyone still adapting to the altitude.
Getting to Pisac from Cusco
Take a colectivo from Paradero a Pisac on Puputi Street. Vans leave when full from 7 am and run all day. Fare is about S/5 ($1.50) each way.
If you’re tight on time, a Sacred Valley tour runs around $30 and hits several towns. But you probably won’t get that hike back down.
Chinchero
We skipped Chinchero on our first Cusco trip—big mistake.
Cobblestone alleys lead to small but striking Inca City terraces. You’ll need the Boleto Turistico to get in.
Morning light on the snow-topped peaks—especially Salkantay—is something else. Sunrise here is worth the early start.
Getting to Chinchero from Cusco
Colectivos leave from Paradero Buses a Urubamba via Chinchero. Cost? About S/3 ($0.80) per person.
Urquillos Route
One of our top memories: trekking from Chinchero to Urquillos.
Mostly downhill, perfect for easing into higher-altitude hikes. Start at Chinchero Inca City and follow signs for Camino Inka, Chinchero, Urquillos.
After roughly an hour you’ll hit Poc Poc Waterfall. There’s a small fee—around S/5 ($1.50).
Spending time by the falls is cool. Then you can loop back along the valley walls or drop down to the riverside path.
Either way, you’ll reach Urquillos in about 3.5–4 hrs total.
Urquillos is tiny. Mostly just local dwellings and mountain views. Keep going and you’ll cross the Urubamba River.
From there you can catch a colectivo to Urubamba or back to Pisac for about S/1.5 ($0.40).
Ollantaytambo
Ollantaytambo draws crowds—many train to Machu Picchu from here.
Its Inca streets are still intact and ruins loom overhead in every direction.
The Inca City itself is impressive, though we found Pisac’s a bit more striking. Still, your Boleto Turistico covers it—so take a look.
