Maras Salt Terraces, Cusco, Peru

Sacred Valley

At a lower altitude to the dizzying heights of Cusco, the Sacred Valley offers a welcome place to stay for a few days, acclimatise and enjoy an old-world charm whilst exploring traditional market towns and impressive Inca sites.

For those seeking adventure, the Sacred Valley can also be explored on horseback or by raft along the raging rapids of the Urubamba River. It also serves as the starting place of many trekking routes, including the celebrated Inca Trail.

Hiram Bingham Train, Sacred Valley, Peru
Train, Peru

Exploring Pisac

To the Incas, the Urubamba River symbolised the flow of life and was therefore guarded by the watchful gaze of numerous ancient citadels perched on the lofty mountain ridge above. Constructed for worship and astronomical observation, the first of these is at the lively market town of Pisac. Etched out of the terraced hillsides, the ruins comprise some of the finest examples of Inca masonry in the valley with the Templo del Sol (Temple of the Sun) being the most impressive. Pisac, itself, is a quaint town, famous for its artisan markets where you can find extraordinarily fine jewellery, ceramic and textile craftwork.

Visit the Sacred Valley

Inca Terrace Ruins, Moray, Sacred Valley, Peru
Inca Terrace Ruins, Moray, Sacred Valley, Peru

Exploring on Horseback

Known for their docile character, comfortable gait and willing nature, the beautiful Peruvian Paso horse offers one of the smoothest rides to explore the land of the Incas. Originally from Spain, the Paso was bred for its endurance and hardiness, making light of the toughest terrains from deserts to mountains. From the delightful Sol y Luna Lodge, armed with a picnic, spend a day riding through the Sacred Valley, passing maize fields, local communities, the mighty Urubamba River and abandoned Inca terraces.

Horse Riding from Sol y Luna Lodge

Experiences

What do you really love doing? We curate your itinerary especially for you.

Pisac Market, Sacred Valley, Peru
Sacred Valley

Peruse the Sacred Valley Market

Attend the bustling Sunday edition of the local Pisac Market, looking out for trinkets and delicious empanadas being sold by indigenous Quechua communities.

Suggested Holiday Idea

Ollantaytambo Ruins, Sacred Valley, Peru
Sacred Valley

Discover Ollantaytambo

Marvel at Inca stone masonry at the fortress of Ollantaytambo or visit the adobe city of Chan Chan.

Suggested Holiday Idea

Mountain biking, Sacred Valley, Peru
Sacred Valley

Sacred Valley Mountain Biking

Brave a mountain bike and journey through the twists and turns of the undulating valley landscape.

Suggested read: blog

Maras Salt Terraces, Cusco, Peru
Sacred Valley

Explore Maras and Moras

Travel to the dug-out amphitheatre-style Inca ruins of Maras and Moray, the Sacred Valley’s lesser known archaeological sites.

Suggested Holiday Idea

Need Inspiration?
Browse our Peru holiday ideas.

Our Peru experts have created and curated these holiday ideas to get you started. Take the time to search through them and find something to spark ideas for a unique adventure.

Where to stay

Some of the wonderful places to stay that we frequently recommended.

Inkaterra Hacienda Urubamba £££££

  • Peru

Burrowed in the Sacred Valley of the Incas close to the village of Yucay, Inkaterra Hacienda Urubamba is a colonial-style property set at the base of striking green mountains within 100 acres of private land. The Mayu Spa, complete with a healing garden, plunge pool, and dry sauna, offers a series of physically and spiritually soothing experiences from a privileged spot in between an organic orchard and an enchanting peppertree forest amidst the evergreen mountains of the Sacred Valley.

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Sol y Luna Lodge £££££

  • Peru
  • Boutique

Encompassed by the majestic mountains and undulating landscapes of the Sacred Valley, Sol Y Luna is an authentic-feeling Andean retreat that is hidden on the outskirts of Urubamba. Aside from being ideally placed for train journeys to Macchu Picchu, the property also offers a number of thrilling excursions from paragliding to Peruvian Paso horseback riding. A traditional Peruvian restaurant serves superb dishes in front of an open fire and centres around time-honoured flavours.

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Explora Sacred Valley £££££

  • Peru

An iconic piece of architecture nestled within high Andean mountains and ancient corn plantations, the very design of Explora Sacred Valley was amended numerous times due to discoveries of important Inca remains. In keeping with the broader Explora philosophy, the property is intended as a base for exploration and operates on an all-inclusive basis complete with authentic gourmet food and fine wines and your choice of guided excursions.

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Meet our experts

A passion for travel runs right through every one of our experts - meaning they're always ready with first-hand insight about their specialist countries.

Rachael Tallents

Adventure, discovery and my curiosity for people and the natural world is what drives my love of travelling.  I am grateful for my parents’ desire to explore, and from an early age my eyes were open to diverse landscapes, cultures, and underwater worlds.

For the last 16 years, I have worked for a leading luxury tour operator designing incredible journeys for discerning clients and travelled to some magical places. I am excited to have joined Steppes Travel, and to be working for a company with such strong ethical and sustainable values.

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  • 01285 880 980

Paul Bird

Reaching the sun gate and marvelling over Machu Picchu unveiled one of the most impressive landscapes that Paul has seen in his global travels.

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  • 01285 880 980

Roxy Dukes

If your passion is the outdoors and you are looking to delve into South American culture, Roxy recommends one of the lodge-to-lodge hiking programmes to explore the Sacred Valley and beyond. Hopping between the quiet mountain towns, meet the locals that live off the grid and immerse yourself in the welcoming spirit of Peru.

Talk with our experts
  • 01285 880 980

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