Stone terraces and ruins at Ollantaytambo in the Sacred Valley of Peru with workers on the site.

Cusco and the Sacred Valley

Country PeruRegion Cusco Region, AndesBest time May to September (dry season)Budget Mid-range

Stone terraces and ruins at Ollantaytambo, Sacred Valley, Peru.Photo: McKay Savage from London, UK · CC BY 2.0 · Source (Wikimedia Commons)Resized to 480/960/1600 px wide and converted to WebP.

Overview

Cusco, at about 3,400 metres, was the Inca capital, and its streets still run on Inca stone foundations beneath colonial churches. The Sacred Valley of the Urubamba River below it holds terraces at Moray, salt pans at Maras, the market town of Pisac and the fortress town of Ollantaytambo, from where trains leave for Machu Picchu.

Altitude is the main practical issue; allow a gentle first day and drink water. Many travellers spend a night or two in the lower valley before going up to Cusco, which is easier on the body.

Best time to visit

The dry season (May–September) has clear days and cold nights; the wet season (roughly November–March) brings rain, green landscapes and some closures on trails such as the Inca Trail in February.

Getting there and around

Fly to Cusco (CUZ), usually via Lima. From Cusco, colectivos and taxis reach the Sacred Valley; trains to Machu Picchu leave from Ollantaytambo and Poroy. See the Machu Picchu profile for ticket rules.

Sample three-day itinerary

  1. Day 1 — Acclimatise in the valley. Descend to the Sacred Valley, rest, and visit Pisac market and its terraces.
  2. Day 2 — Ruins and terraces. Visit Ollantaytambo’s fortress, Moray and the Maras salt pans.
  3. Day 3 — Cusco. Explore Cusco’s Plaza de Armas, Qorikancha and Sacsayhuamán, then continue to Machu Picchu or onward.

A sample, not a booking. Opening hours, transport and seasonal closures change; confirm with official sources.

Indicative budget

Mid-range Mid-range. Machu Picchu tickets and trains are the largest costs; local food and transport are inexpensive.

No live prices, weather, visa eligibility or availability are shown. Use the budget calculator for your own estimate.

Attractions

  • Ollantaytambo. An Inca fortress and living village.
  • Moray. Circular agricultural terraces.
  • Pisac. Market and terraces above the valley.
  • Cusco historic centre. Inca walls and colonial churches.

Packing guidance

  • Layers for hot days and cold nights
  • Sun protection (strong UV at altitude)
  • Altitude advice or medication from a doctor
  • Comfortable walking shoes
  • Cash in small notes

Open the packing checklist →

Gallery

Curved Inca agricultural terraces on a dry hillside at Pisac in the Sacred Valley.
Inca agricultural terraces at Pisac, Sacred Valley.Photo: Laslovarga · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Source (Wikimedia Commons)Resized to 480/960/1600 px wide and converted to WebP (from a Commons-generated 3840 px rendition).

Reviewed 2026-10-23. SATRAM’s notes are editorial guidance written from public references, not live travel information.

Wonders to combine

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