The Sacred Valley is the valley west of the sloping edges of the mountain town of Cusco. This area is rich, not only in fields, farms and views, but also in ancient Inca ruins. The famous ruins at Machu Picchu neighbor other Inca ruins at Pisac, Ollantaytambo, Vilcabamba and Choquequirao. Compared to the chilly city of Cusco, the Sacred Valley is a sunny paradise where travelers can explore the remains of numerous Inca palaces, fortresses and temples, and wander through charming Andean villages that continue to produce some of the country’s finest handicrafts. Carefully sculpted by the Incas, the valley and its major attractions constantly echo the importance of lunar and solar movements in Inca culture. The temple fortresses of Pisac and Ollantaytambo both exemplify the Incas ability to integrate nature with magnificent feats of human engineering.

Due to its lower elevation, the Sacred Valley area is also an ideal place for travelers to acclimatize to altitude, before tackling any of the major mountains around Cusco. Soroche, or mountain sickness is a real threat in the area, and should be taken seriously by anyone arriving by plane from sea level. Adventure travelers will especially love this section of Peru. Some of the most spectacular hikes in the world are found here. The Inca Trail, leading to Machu Picchu, is the most popular, but there are many other, lesser known trekking opportunities in the Sacred Valley that are equally breathtaking. With spectacular Inca ruins and countless colonial churches and modern markets, this area has plenty to see and do while you prepare to surmount the area’s higher-altitude attractions. The best time to visit is from April to May or October to November, when you can avoid the flocks of tourist that arrive during the high season from June to September. Even if you don’t plan to see all the attractions in the Sacred Valley area, it is recommended that you purchase the Cusco Tourist Ticket, which covers many of the main ruins’ entrance fees. If you make your arrangements through a tour operator, the entrance fees are usually included.