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The Sacred Valley of the Incas is the valley of the Urubamba River between Pisac and Ollantaytambo, about an hour and a half by road from Cusco. Its floor is lower than Cusco — Urubamba is at 2,871 m and Ollantaytambo at 2,846 m — while Chinchero, Moray, the Maras salt pans and Huaypo Lake sit on the high plateau above it. Here are 12 places worth your time, which ones the Cusco Tourist Ticket covers and how to combine them.
Sources: COSITUC (Cusco Tourist Ticket), PromPerú, Peru’s National Statistics Institute (INEI) and the state news agency Andina. Checked on 5 October 2026.
Quick answer
- One classic day: Pisac, a stop in Urubamba, Ollantaytambo and Chinchero — our Sacred Valley Tour 1 Day (USD 70).
- The plateau in half a day: Chinchero, the Moray terraces and the Maras salt pans — our Chinchero, Moray and Maras tour (USD 45).
- Everything in one long day: Chinchero, Maras, Moray, Urubamba, Ollantaytambo and Pisac — the Sacred Valley + Maras & Moray tour (USD 75).
- With Machu Picchu: the valley on day 1 and Machu Picchu on day 2 — Machu Picchu & Sacred Valley 2 Days.
Tickets: what the Tourist Ticket covers
| Ticket | Price | Valid | Sacred Valley sites |
|---|---|---|---|
| Partial Circuit III (Sacred Valley) — foreign visitors | S/ 70 | 2 days | Pisac, Ollantaytambo, Chinchero, Moray |
| Partial Circuit III — Peruvians | S/ 40 | 1 day | Same four sites |
| Full ticket — foreign visitors | S/ 130 | 10 days | The four sites plus Cusco and the South Valley (16 in total) |
| Full ticket — foreign students (18–25, with a valid card or ISIC) | S/ 70 | 10 days | 16 sites |
Not included in the Tourist Ticket: the Maras salt pans (a separate community fee paid in cash at the entrance), Huchuy Qosqo, Pumamarca, Awana Kancha and Huaypo Lake. Buy the Tourist Ticket only at official points — COSITUC has warned about counterfeit tickets.
12 places to visit in the Sacred Valley
| Place | Altitude | Entry | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pisac archaeological park | Valley side, above the town | Tourist Ticket | Terraces and temples on a mountain spur |
| Pisac town and craft market | Valley floor | Free | Textiles and souvenirs |
| Huchuy Qosqo | Above Lamay | Separate | A hike to quiet Inca ruins |
| Urubamba | 2,871 m | Free | A base to sleep in the valley |
| Ollantaytambo archaeological site | 2,846 m (town) | Tourist Ticket | The Temple of the Sun and huge terraces |
| Ollantaytambo town | 2,846 m | Free | Inca streets; train station to Machu Picchu |
| Chinchero | About 3,760 m | Tourist Ticket | Inca walls under a colonial church; weaving |
| Moray | 3,481 m | Tourist Ticket | Circular Inca terraces |
| Maras salt pans | 3,380 m | Separate (cash) | More than 3,000 salt pools |
| Huaypo Lake | 3,507 m | Free | A high-plateau lake, by ATV |
| Awana Kancha | Km 23 of the Cusco–Pisac road | Free | Llamas, alpacas and natural dyes |
| Pumamarca | Above Ollantaytambo | — | A walk to an Inca site without crowds |
1. Pisac archaeological park
A park of more than 9,000 hectares with Inca terraces, ceremonial buildings and lookouts high above the valley — religious, military and administrative at the same time. It is on the Tourist Ticket and usually the first stop when you arrive from Cusco.
2. Pisac town and market
The town below the ruins is known for its craft market around the main square: textiles, ceramics and silver.
3. Huchuy Qosqo
“Little Cusco”, in the district of Lamay, is an Inca site reached only on foot, so it gets few visitors. It is not on the Tourist Ticket. Our Huchuy Qosqo Trek walks there from above Cusco in one day.
4. Urubamba
The provincial capital and the logistical center of the valley, with most of the hotels. Being lower than Cusco, it is a good place to sleep on your first nights — see our altitude guide.
5. Ollantaytambo archaeological site
Part of a park of 34,800 hectares with 204 archaeological sites. Its Temple of the Sun has six polished monoliths 3.3 to 4.2 m high, and the terraces were the stage of Manco Inca’s resistance against Hernando Pizarro in 1537. It receives more than 2,000 visitors a day, so go early or late.
6. Ollantaytambo town
Ollantaytambo keeps its Inca street layout, and its station is where most trains to Machu Picchu leave from. Read How to get from Cusco to Machu Picchu.
7. Chinchero
On the plateau at about 3,760 m, Chinchero has Inca terraces and walls with a colonial church built on top of them, and a strong weaving tradition.
8. Moray
Concentric circular terraces sunk into the ground, thought to have been used for agricultural experiments. PromPerú places Maras-Moray at 3,481 m.
9. Maras salt pans
More than 3,000 salt pools on a hillside at 3,380 m, still worked by local families. Since 2019 visitors can no longer walk between the pools; the visit ends at a viewpoint. The entrance is a separate community fee, paid in cash.
10. Huaypo Lake
A lake at 3,507 m on the plateau near Chinchero, about 50 km and an hour from Cusco. Our Huaypo Lake and Maras ATV tour combines it with the salt pans.
11. Awana Kancha
A textile center at km 23 of the Cusco–Pisac road where you can see the four Andean camelids — llama, alpaca, vicuña and guanaco — and natural dyeing.
12. Pumamarca
An Inca site above Ollantaytambo, reached on foot. A good half-day walk if you sleep in Ollantaytambo.
Optional detour: Tipón, with Inca channels and fountains that still work, is south-east of Cusco in the South Valley and is covered by Circuit II of the Tourist Ticket, not Circuit III.
Weather and when to go
PromPerú gives the Sacred Valley a range of about 1 °C to 20 °C. The driest months are roughly May to October; from November to March expect afternoon rain. Mornings on the plateau (Chinchero, Moray, Maras) are colder than on the valley floor.
Tips
- Bring soles in cash for Maras and the markets.
- Use sun protection and carry a warm layer: the sun is strong and the temperature drops fast.
- Buy the Tourist Ticket only at official points.
- If you arrive in Cusco by plane, consider sleeping your first night in the valley, which is lower.
Frequently asked questions
How far is the Sacred Valley from Cusco?
About an hour and a half by road to the main towns, according to PromPerú. Pisac is the closest; Ollantaytambo is at the far end.
Is the Sacred Valley lower than Cusco?
Yes. The valley floor is about 500 m lower: Urubamba is at 2,871 m and Ollantaytambo at 2,846 m, while Cusco is at 3,399 m. Chinchero, Moray and Maras are on the higher plateau.
Which Tourist Ticket do I need for the Sacred Valley?
The partial Circuit III ticket (S/ 70 for foreign visitors, valid 2 days) covers Pisac, Ollantaytambo, Chinchero and Moray. The full ticket (S/ 130, 10 days) also covers Cusco and the South Valley.
Is the Maras salt pans entrance included in the Tourist Ticket?
No. It is a separate community fee paid in cash at the entrance.
Can I see the Sacred Valley in one day?
Yes. A full-day tour covers Pisac, Urubamba, Ollantaytambo and Chinchero, or you can add Maras and Moray in a longer day.
Can I combine the Sacred Valley with Machu Picchu?
Yes. Visit the valley on day 1, take the train from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes and see Machu Picchu on day 2.
Can I still walk among the Maras salt pools?
No. Since 2019 the visit ends at a viewpoint over the pools.
