Ollantaytambo terraces in the Sacred Valley of the Incas

Sacred Valley travel guide

By PeruCheap · Updated on · 3 min read

  • Altitude: ~2,800–3,000 m (lower than Cusco)

Quick answer

  • Písac, Ollantaytambo and Urubamba sit at ~2,800–3,000 m, lower than Cusco — ideal for acclimatizing.
  • The Boleto Turístico covers the Písac, Ollantaytambo, Moray and Chinchero sites.
  • It is one of the few Andean stretches where a car makes sense: Maras–Moray–Chinchero by day; do not drive mountain roads at night.
  • Book the train and Machu Picchu ticket in advance.
On this page
  1. Attractions
  2. Hotels by budget
  3. Restaurants / food
  4. Nightlife
  5. Car / transport
  6. Festivals / peaks
  7. Practical tips

Attractions

Inca farming terraces at the Písac archaeological site, Sacred Valley
Inca farming terraces at the Písac archaeological site, Sacred ValleyPhoto: Ricardo Sánchez · CC BY 2.0, adapted · Wikimedia Commons
  1. Písac ruins and market — agricultural terraces and artisan market (strong days: Tue, Thu, Sun).
  2. Ollantaytambo (fortress + Inca town) — one of the still-inhabited Inca settlements; train station to Machu Picchu.
  3. Moray — circular terraces (Inca agricultural experiment); usually on the Tourist Ticket.
  4. Maras salt pans (Salineras) — Andean salt pools (separate ticket from the Boleto).
  5. Chinchero — traditional weaving + ruins/church.
  6. Urubamba — services, hotels, and dining hub in the valley center.
  7. Urubamba River / rafting — ~2 h runs with Class II–III rapids near Ollantaytambo and Huarán; in the rainy season the river rises and gets rougher. Choose a formal operator with proper gear and insurance (Andenes del Inca, Jul 2025, checked Sep 2026).
  8. Viewpoints and villages (Yucay, Calca) — slower pace.
  9. Ollantaytambo station — PeruRail / Inca Rail logistics.
  10. Day-trip combo Písac → Urubamba → Ollanta (classic van route).

Sources: perutourism.org/sacred-valley-peru/ · quinoaexpeditions · goaskalocal · peruforless Sacred Valley · fertur-travel Cusco (Boleto)

Salineras de Maras: terraced salt pans on a Sacred Valley hillside
Salineras de Maras: terraced salt pans on a Sacred Valley hillsidePhoto: Diego Delso · CC BY-SA 4.0, adapted · Wikimedia Commons

Hotels by budget

Budget

  • Casa Inka B&B (Valley) — cited as budget.
  • Hostal al Viajero — hostel.
  • Guesthouses in Ollantaytambo (e.g. Picaflor Tambo Guest House, a small B&B near the main square, taking 2026 bookings — Hostelworld, checked Sep 2026).

Mid-range

  • Hotel Tierra Inka Sacred Valley — modern, near Ollanta.
  • El Albergue (Ollantaytambo) — next to the station; own restaurant.
  • Tierra Viva Valle Sagrado / Casa Andina in the valley — mid chains.
  • Aranwa Sacred Valley Hotel & Wellness — mid-upscale with spa.

Upscale

  • Tambo del Inka, a Luxury Collection (Urubamba) — spa, private train station (PeruRail).
  • Sol y Luna (Urubamba) — casitas, spa, Wayra restaurant (cited in guides).
  • Rio Sagrado, A Belmond Hotel (km 75.8 on the Urubamba–Ollantaytambo road) — valley luxury, operating; private train station for Machu Picchu between 1 Jan and 30 Apr (Belmond, checked Sep 2026).

Neighborhoods/towns: Ollanta (train + charm), Urubamba (comfort/luxury), Písac (market/bohemian).

Sources: travellemming.com/where-to-stay-in-cusco/ · hoteltierrainka.com · elalbergue.com · scottdunn / Marriott Tambo del Inka

Restaurants / food

  • Chuncho (Ollantaytambo) — contemporary Peruvian cited.
  • El Albergue Restaurant — at Ollanta station.
  • Hearts Café (Ollanta) — café/social.
  • Alma (Casa Andina Premium Valle Sagrado) — mid-up.
  • MIL Centro (Moray, Central group) — high-altitude dining, reservations only: lunch Tue–Sun 12:00–14:30; immersions Tue–Sun from 9:30 (milcentro.pe, checked Sep 2026).
  • In Urubamba: mentions of Q’anela, Paca Paca, Tierra Cocina Artesanal, Migas del Valle — verify hours.
  • Local markets: giant corn, cheeses, valley fruit.

Sources: peruforless · goaskalocal · nomadicsage

Nightlife

Limited. Casual bars in Ollantaytambo/Urubamba; breweries (e.g. mentions of Cervecería del Valle Sagrado). Not a club destination — early nights for trains/tours.

Car / transport

Circular Inca terraces of Moray
Circular Inca terraces of MorayPhoto: F Delventhal · CC BY 2.0, adapted · Wikimedia Commons
  • One of the few Andean stretches where a car makes sense: Maras–Moray–Chinchero (and valley towns) by day.
  • Typical pickup: CUZ (Hertz etc.) — do not leave the car in Ollanta “to go to MP” (train required after).
  • Docs: How to travel (§11). Do not drive at night in the mountains.
  • Alternatives: Cusco day-trip van; colectivos; half-day taxi.
  • Machu Picchu: train from Ollantaytambo.
Blue train waiting at Ollantaytambo station
Blue train waiting at Ollantaytambo stationPhoto: Pierre André Leclercq · CC BY-SA 4.0, adapted · Wikimedia Commons

Festivals / peaks

Event When Impact Tip
Inti Raymi / June Cusco 24 Jun + week ~20–26 Valley, Ollanta/Urubamba hotels and trains fill Book station + hotel 3–4 months ahead
Písac markets Sun = peak; Tue/Thu too Market crowds Go early
Cruz Velacuy 3 May Andean communities Respect local access
Dry season May–Sep High lodge demand
Fiestas Patrias 28–29 Jul National transport

Sources: perutourism.org · EMUFEC

Textile and handicraft stall at Písac market
Textile and handicraft stall at Písac marketPhoto: Alexey Komarov · CC BY-SA 4.0, adapted · Wikimedia Commons

Practical tips

  • Ideal to acclimatize before Cusco (lower altitude).
  • Buy the Tourist Ticket if visiting Písac/Ollanta/Moray/Chinchero sites.
  • Book train + MP ticket ahead.
  • Sunscreen; cold nights.
Chinchero’s colonial church built on Inca walls
Chinchero’s colonial church built on Inca wallsPhoto: Daniela Snow · CC BY 2.0, adapted · Wikimedia Commons

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