Many travelers to Cusco go straight to Machu Picchu as soon as they’ve acclimatized, skipping over the Sacred Valley and the towns around it. But I knew I’d want something to do during the day until my Machu Picchu tour started so I signed up for a tour of the valley through my hostel for around $20 USD which included the guide, sites, and lunch.
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After getting picked up with other travelers from nearby hotels and hostels, our minibus climbed the steep hills around Cusco as our guide told us about the region. We briefly passed Saqsaywaman, an Inca ruins site on the outskirts of town on our way out.
If I’d really thought about it, I would have stayed in Ollantaytambo before my Inca Trail trip. Most tours start around 7 am and end around 6 pm. I recommend eating breakfast before you go and packing layers as well as a hat. A reusable water bottle is also a must.
5 Must-See Places in Peru’s Sacred Valley
Pisaq
Pisaq, or Pisac, is one of the many Inca sites within the Sacred Valley, located along the Vilcanota River. Its main feature is the steep hillside terraces that are found at a number of these sites. The ruins are separated into four sections and are set over 3,000 meters (9,800 feet).
It has a Temple of the Sun and altars devoted to the seasons. It had military, religious, and agricultural structures and defended the valley from the southern end. Conquistador Francisco Pizarro destroyed the site in the 1530s, but it was rebuilt 50 years later. I climbed as high as I could go, pausing to breathe and drink water along the way.
Pisac Market
After a required stop at a gem shop where I only half listened, we were let loose to explore on our own and wander the local market, set at in the town near the Pisac ruins. The sprawling stalls are set up every Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday and are a great place to shop for souvenirs. I was crunched for time but still managed to buy myself a decorative pillow case and llama Christmas ornaments. There are a handful of hotels in Pisac if you want to explore more.
Ollantaytambo
The town of Ollantaytambo is where travelers get off the bus from Cusco to board the Peru Rail train to Aguas Calientes. There are a number of hotels and hostels here where you can stay before your hike as well as cliffside pods.
During Inca times, it was the site of a ceremonial center and royal estate. It also has large terraces structures at the top with storehouses. After Cusco fell to the Spanish, this town increased its fortifications to protect from invasion, but the native people were later forced into labor. Hiram Bingham III even passed through here on his way to “discovering” Machu Picchu in 1911.
Yucay
When we pulled up at our lunch stop, I was immediately in love. The Sonesta Hotel Posadas del Inca Yucay is surrounded by flowers with views of the mountains. There was an outdoor buffet with chicken and veggies, with live music in the background. I paid for coffee and enjoyed my surroundings. Next trip, I’d love to stay here.
Chinchero
This town inhabited by mostly Quechua people is visited for its market and elaborate colonial church with well-preserved murals, built on the remains of an Inca temple. Chinchero is also known for its weaving and you can purchase tapestries from local artisans. You can stay at one of the guesthouses in Chinchero and wander the narrow streets reminiscent of Italy.
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