The Sacred Valley of the Incas (Urubamba Valley) is so named because it was the agricultural and spiritual heartland of the Inca Empire. Stretching about 60km between Pisac and Ollantaytambo, this lush highland valley sits slightly lower than Cusco (around 2,800m) and its fertile soils, protected microclimate, and strategic position made it the breadbasket of the empire.
Pisac: Markets and Ruins
The town of Pisac hosts one of the most colorful artisan markets in the Andes, taking place on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays. Above the town, the impressive Pisac Inca ruins perch on a mountain ridge with terraces, temples, and a remarkable solar calendar carved into the rock. Combine market and ruins for the ultimate Pisac experience.
Ollantaytambo: The Living Inca Town
At the western end of the Sacred Valley, Ollantaytambo is the best-preserved Inca town in Peru — its residents still live in original Inca stone houses on streets laid out 500 years ago. The enormous terraced fortress above the town was one of the few places where the Inca successfully repelled Spanish forces. It also served as the main ceremonial center of the Inca ruler Pachacuti.
Beyond the Highlights
The Sacred Valley offers much more than the famous sites. Moray, with its mysterious circular agricultural terraces used as a crop laboratory by the Inca, and the salt pans of Maras — still in use after a thousand years — are two of Soncco Adventures’ favorite off-the-beaten-track discoveries in the valley. Our guides know every corner of this extraordinary landscape and love sharing its lesser-known secrets.