The Sacred Valley: A Guide to Písac, Ollantaytambo, Maras and More
Some links may earn Jet Set LatAm a commission at no additional cost to you. Recommendations remain editorially independent.
Stretching along the Urubamba River north of Cusco, the Sacred Valley was a fertile heartland of the Inca world, and it remains one of Peru’s most beautiful regions. Terraced hillsides, Andean villages and some of the country’s most impressive ruins sit beneath snow-dusted peaks. It is also lower than Cusco, which makes it a gentle place to start your trip.
Písac: Ruins and Market
At the eastern end of the valley, the town of Písac is known for two things. High above town, the Písac archaeological site spreads across a mountainside, with sweeping agricultural terraces, ceremonial structures and fine Inca stonework, all with dramatic views over the valley.
Down below, the town’s handicraft market fills the streets and plaza with textiles, ceramics, jewelry and produce. It is busiest on market days, so check the current schedule if you want to catch it at full swing.
Urubamba: The Valley’s Hub
Urubamba sits near the middle of the valley and works as a practical base. It is less of a sight in itself than a convenient, relaxed town with easy access to Maras, Moray and Ollantaytambo. Many travelers stay in or around Urubamba to explore the region at an unhurried pace, surrounded by countryside and mountain views.
Ollantaytambo: A Living Inca Town
At the western end of the valley, Ollantaytambo is a highlight. Its old quarter still follows an Inca street grid, with stone channels carrying water alongside the lanes. Above town, the massive terraces and temple complex, often referred to as a fortress, climb the hillside in steep steps, crowned by enormous carved stones.
Ollantaytambo is also the main train station for Machu Picchu, so it is a natural place to spend a night before or after your visit. Our 4-day Cusco and Machu Picchu itinerary shows how the valley and Machu Picchu fit together.
Maras and Moray: Salt and Circles
These two sites sit close together on the high plateau above the valley and are usually visited as a pair.
- Maras salt pans — the Salineras de Maras are a hillside of thousands of shallow terraced pools, fed by a naturally salty spring. Local families have harvested salt here since before the Incas, and the patchwork of white and tan pools is striking in person.
- Moray — a set of concentric circular terraces sunk into the earth like an amphitheater. Many researchers believe the Incas may have used the different levels, each with its own microclimate, for agricultural experimentation.
Chinchero: Weaving Traditions
Chinchero, on the high road between Cusco and Urubamba, is known for its textile traditions. Local weaving cooperatives and demonstrations show how wool is cleaned with natural roots, dyed with plants and insects and woven on backstrap looms into intricate patterns. The town also has Inca terraces and a colonial church built on Inca foundations.
Note that Chinchero is actually higher than Cusco, at around 3,700 meters, so pace yourself if you are just arriving.
Planning Your Visit
You can see the highlights on a single full-day tour from Cusco, but it is a long, fast-paced day. With two or three nights in the valley, you can visit Písac in the morning light, linger in Ollantaytambo’s lanes after the day-trippers leave and add Maras and Moray without rushing. Staying overnight also makes the connection to Machu Picchu much smoother.
- Getting around — many travelers use a private driver or a guided tour to string several sites together; local transport also connects the main towns.
- Tickets — several sites, including Písac, Ollantaytambo, Moray and Chinchero, have typically been covered by Cusco’s tourist ticket (boleto turístico), while the Maras salt pans have a separate entry. Check current official information, as ticket systems change.
- Timing — the dry season, roughly May to September, brings clearer skies; the rainy months bring green hillsides and fewer crowds.
- Altitude — the valley floor sits at roughly 2,800 to 2,900 meters, lower than Cusco.
Practical Wrap-Up
Give the Sacred Valley at least one full day, and ideally two or more. Starting your trip here helps you acclimatize while seeing some of Peru’s most memorable landscapes. Bring layers, sun protection and cash for markets, and wear comfortable shoes for stairs and terraces. For more on the region, visit our Cusco guide.
Your next good read
Keep exploring with Jet Set LatAM
Go deeper into the destination or follow a shared interest through these stories.
- Arequipa Sillar Architecture: From Historic Courtyards to the Working Quarry Landscape
- Best Time to Visit Arequipa: Clearer City Walks, Colca Conditions and Cool Evenings
- Getting Around Arequipa: Airport Transfers, Historic-Center Walks and Excursion Logistics
- Where to Stay in Arequipa: Centro, San Lázaro, Yanahuara and Choosing a Comfortable Base
Turn inspiration into a journey
Make room for this in your next trip.
Notes from the Jet Set world
A little inspiration.
A beautiful next trip.
New stories, city discoveries and the Jet Set edit, delivered to your inbox.
Free to join. Unsubscribe whenever you like. Privacy & disclosure
Planning this trip? Save the places you love and build your itinerary in the Jet Set LatAM app.