On a tour of the Sacred Valley, you'll experience the heart of ancient Inca culture still living and breathing in its marketplaces and colorful indigenous peoples. Imposing Inca fortresses overlook the fertile, terraced valley as they cling from the mountainsides high above. Sleepy Andean towns like Pisac, Ollantaytambo, Urubamba, and Chinchero are built on and around archaeological remains left by the Inca and still maintain prehispanic traditions. The train to Machu Picchu stops at Ollantaytambo, and many travelers spend a few days in Cusco and the Sacred Valley before boarding the train to Machu Picchu or the Inca Trail. Active tours including hiking to ruins and mountain biking are popular in the Valley. Contact one of our Peru experts to start planning the perfect trip to Peru's Sacred Valley of the Inca.

Top 10 Tours of the Sacred Valley for 2023-2024

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Hiking to Machu Picchu on the Inca Trail

Short Inca Trail Hike To Machu Picchu

7 Days from $1,995

This 7-day trip culminates in a one day hike on the Inca Trail arriving to Machu Picchu with a full day and a half to explore the ruins. Explore the Inca capital of Cusco, the Sacsayhuamán Ruins, and Sacred Valley before taking the train to marker 104 km and hike the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu (no advance 4-day trail permit required!).

Machu Picchu by Train

7 Days from $1,622

On this 7-day excursion through the Sacred Valley starting in Lima, you'll visit impressive Inca ruins such as Sacsayhuamán near Cusco, then Pisac, and Ollantaytambo. Finally, you'll take the train to Machu Picchu and spend two days exploring the most impressive Inca ruins.

Classic Inca Trail

10 Days from $2,742

Follow in the footsteps of the Inca on this classic 10-day Inca Trail Trek. Acclimatize for three days as you explore Inca ruins and bargain at busy Andean markets in Cusco and the Sacred Valley before embarking on the 4-day 25 mile (40km) trek on the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. Spend a full day-and-a-half in the ruins of Machu Picchu before returning to Cusco on the train.

Classic Peru Group Tour

Small Group Departure
7 Days from $1,334

Get to know other travelers on this seven-day Peruvian group trip. Begin in Lima, visit the Sacsayhuamán Inca ruins near Cusco, Pisac, and Ollantaytambo, and finish in the city of Ollantaytambo. Finally, take a train to Machu Picchu and explore the spectacular Inca ruins for two days.

Manco Multisport

12 Days from $3,439

This active 12-day tour through Peru blends exhilarating multi-sport adventures like whitewater rafting, kayaking, hiking, trekking, and mountain biking around Cusco & the Sacred Valley climaxing in an unforgettable trip to Machu Picchu. Then travel south to Puno and go sea kayaking on Lake Titicaca visiting Amantani and Ticonata Islands.

Incas and Rainforest

Machu Picchu & Amazon
10 Days from $2,357

Journey through the Sacred Valley to Machu Picchu and explore the Peruvian Amazon in this 10 day tour. Spend 3 nights in the Amazon, observing the multitude of wildlife. Continue to Cusco and make your way through the Sacred Valley, exploring markets and ruins. Your trip culminates at Machu Picchu, one of the new seven wonders of the world.

Islands and Incas

Galapagos & Machu Picchu
15 Days from $6,616

Combine 8 days in the Galapagos with a trip to Peru and Machu Picchu. Explore Cusco, and the Sacred Valley, and spend two days discovering Machu Picchu learning about the ancient ways of the Incas and the traditions of Andean people today. Then fly to the Galapagos Islands for 8 days of wildlife & natural discovery!

Inca Trail Express

5 Days from $1,756

This 5-day trip spends 4 days hiking the Inca Trail then visits Machu Picchu for a full day exploring the ruins. Hike with expert guides and enjoy deluxe camping to assure the best possible experience. Travelers are required to spend a minimum of two nights at high altitude before the trek, usually in Cusco, Sacred Valley, or Lake Titicaca.

Uros Island - Floating island at the Titicaca

Panoramic Peru

16 Days from $4,331

This 16-day tour highlights the best of Peru, including Islas Ballestas and Paracas, the Nazca Lines, Colca Canyon, the islands of Lake Titicaca, Cusco and the Lost City of the Incas--Machu Picchu. From the coast to the Andes to the Amazon jungle, this tour has a little bit of everything!

Watch the afternoon sunlight glow on the walls of Machu Picchu on your Peru tour

Machu Picchu by Train with Luxury Hotels

7 Days from $3,116

Our mainstay Machu Picchu trip with luxury accommodations. We visit the most important Inca ruins such as Sacsayhuamán, Pisac, and Ollantaytambo, and we spend two days exploring the Lost City of Machu Picchu. This is an easy paced weeklong journey perfect for anyone with a sense of curiosity and adventure.

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8 Best Sacred Valley 1-2 Day Tours for 2023-2024

Trip Name	From	Days	Next Departure	Summary
Vilcanota-Urubamba River Whitewater Rafting	$267	1	Jun 10, 2023	Embark on an exciting day-tour for whitewater rafting down the Urubamba River, taking you through Class II & III rapids. You will see fantastic views … 0
Maras and Moray Mountain Biking	$258	1	Jun 10, 2023	Your bike is your ticket to adventure on this day tour of Maras & Moray in the Peruvian Andes. A 7-hour tour takes you to Maras Plateau, through the … 0
Andean Horseback Riding	$132	½	Jun 10, 2023	Saddle up, partner, for this exciting half-day horseback riding tour from Cusco. Over the course of 2 1/2 hours, ride through fields, Inca sites, and … 0
Via Ferrata and Zipline	$85	1	Jun 10, 2023	This full day tour of Peru is an exciting way for beginners to experience the adventure of the high peaks of the Andes - via a network of … 0
Sacred Valley Community Clean-Up	$723	2	Jun 10, 2023	This two-day service oriented trip helps local communities offset the negative consequences of modernization that impacts the Andes. The service … 0
Door to Door Hygiene	$468	1	Jun 10, 2023	Spend one day of your Peru adventure on a service trip helping to distribute necessary hygiene products to economically impoverished families … 0
Pachar to Cachiccata Mountain Biking	$253	1	Jun 10, 2023	This day-tour from Ollantaytambo takes you on a scenic mountain biking tour to Cachiccata on an exciting trail along the Urubamba River. You will … 0
Healthy Breakfast	$270	½	Jun 10, 2023	This 1-day service opportunity from Ollantaytambo takes you first to the market to purchase food followed by a day of distributing it as breakfast in … 0

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Sacred Valley Travel Guide

The Sacred Valley of the Inca - Gateway to Machu Picchu & the Inca Trail

The raging Urubamba River carved a wide, fertile valley through the steep Andes mountains creating the fabled Sacred Valley of the Inca. Just an hour outside of Cusco, and along the railroad to Machu Picchu, the Sacred Valley is well worth visiting for a day or two, or three on your way to Machu Picchu.

Terraced hillsides are actively farmed just how the were in the days of the Inca, and brightly clothed indigenous women still carry their creations to colorful village markets just as they have for hundreds of years. Hiking opportunities abound and explore some incredible Inca ruins. Explore the Sacred Valley from these favorite destinations.

Ollantaytambo is a quaint functional Inca town with narrow stone streets, Inca-walled stores and houses, and a massive Inca fortress towering over the village below. There are several excellent hotels and countryside inns in and around Ollantaytambo and it's a major stop on the train between Cusco and Machu Picchu Pueblo

Pisac is a small village less than an hour drive from Cusco where a colorful market climaxes on Sundays and an impressive Inca fortress rests high above the town. The hike up the mountain is recommended as a warm up if you're hiking the Inca trail and the ruins and views from the top are spectacular.

Urubamba is a village and transportation hub on the shores of the river by the same name. The Maras salt mine, an impressive network of evaporation pools constructed by the Inca to provide fine pink salt for the Empire is just outside of town.