The Sacred Valley unveils its riches slowly, revealing Incan ruins, vibrant markets and the ancient fortresses. Step back in time, all the while surrounded by the dramatic mountain peaks and terraced farmlands of the foothills. Plan your time in the Sacred Valley with Scott Dunn:
The Sacred Valley stretches between Cusco and Machu Picchu, following the course of the Urubamba River through the heartlands of Inca civilisation. Today, it is home to some of Peru’s most captivating ancient ruins, remote communities, and breathtaking panoramas. Whether you explore by foot, by horseback, or zipline through the sky, your Peru holiday to the Sacred Valley gives you a closer look at life in the Andes.
With Scott Dunn, your time in the Sacred Valley is tailored to include your must-do experiences. Our travel specialists design your holiday based on how you like to travel, arranging private tours at ancient sites, outdoor adventures such as hiking or rafting, and helping you select the best luxury stays. Plus, our team is available 24/7 to support you. From top destinations to lesser-known corners of the valley, we make it stress-free to plan your tailored Peru itinerary.
Stop in the Sacred Valley to acclimatise to the altitude before heading up to Machu Picchu, but stay for the culture, heritage and cuisine. Whether you take on the multi-day Lares trek, where you’ll hike through the ruins here and market towns before you begin your ascent, or you’ve come to stay in a 5-star hacienda amongst the rolling hills of the Andean landscape.
The agricultural heart of the Inca Empire, the Sacred Valley’s fertile lands supported indigenous communities and shaped daily life in the Andes. Today, its past is written into the landscape, from the stonework of Pisac’s temples to the impressive Ollantaytambo fortress to the circular Morray terraces. As you explore today, you can still see the traces of how this valley sustained an empire.
Traverse terraced hillsides, rushing rivers, and high Andean peaks that define the Sacred Valley.
Life in the Sacred Valley is closely tied to tradition, where everything from artistry to agriculture is still guided by age-old practices.
However you choose to move through it, the Sacred Valley rewards a sense of curiosity and a willingness to explore.
Discover exclusivity and authenticity even at popular sites when you visit the Sacred Valley. At Scott Dunn, we help you experience a destination through a lens tailored to your interests, taking care of every detail behind the scenes so you can simply take in the experience.
Set at the far end of the Sacred Valley, Ollantaytambo is both a living town and one of the most impressive Inca sites in Peru. Its most notable archaeological site is the Ollantaytambo fortress, with its imposing stone terraces leading up to a ceremonial centre. This site has a wealth of stories to tell and was famously where Manco Inca led a successful resistance against the Spanish conquistadors in 1537.
High above the Urubamba Valley, the ruins of Pisac are built into the Andean mountainside. Travel winding cliffside paths connecting elaborate agricultural Ajachapata terraces, ceremonial spaces and soaring viewpoints of the Sacred Valley below.
Unique to the Pisac ruins, you will find one of the largest known Inca cemeteries in South America. The honeycomb of thousands of tombs carved directly into the mountainside are truly an amazing sight to see. Exploring Pisac reveals the sheer scale of Inca engineering in balance with nature.
Chinchero sits in the heart of the Sacred Valley and remains closely connected to its Inca roots. Visit the Chinchero archaeological site and walk its stone pathways to the remains of a royal estate linked to Tupac Yupanqui, all set against a backdrop of working farmland and stepped terraces.
The town of Chinchero is also a well-known destination for its weaving traditions, which are still passed down through generations. In the main square, browse local markets for handmade textiles and regional produce. Or see a new side to Chinchero when you visit during festivals that fill the streets with music, colour and dance.
A short walk from the Moray Terraces, you’ll find one of Peru’s most immersive multi-course culinary experiences. MIL Centro is the creative project of chef Virgilio Martínez and his Mater Iniciativa team goes beyond the dining room, celebrating the surrounding landscape where many of the ingredients are grown.
Each course tells the story of a different altitude or ecosystem, drawing on ancient food techniques while presenting them in a contemporary way. It is both a meal and a deeper cultural exploration of the relationship between people, place and food in the Andes.
The Sacred Valley can be explored year-round, but in general, it’s best to travel during the dry season for most outdoor experiences. As with the rest of Peru, seasons in the Sacred Valley are reversed compared to the Northern Hemisphere, with winter from June to August and summer from December to February.
Busy season for the Sacred Valley typically follows Peru’s main peak tourism seasons. Later June, into July, and August are some of the most popular months to combine the Sacred Valley with destinations such as Cusco and Machu Picchu.
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